Datuk (Dr.) Hafsah Hashim is a distinguished expert in SME development, with over 36 years in public service, including nearly 14 years as CEO of SME Corporation Malaysia. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia and an MBA from Aston University, UK. In recognition of her contributions to entrepreneurship, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Universiti Tenaga Nasional in 2015. Throughout her career, Datuk (Dr.) Hafsah has served in key ministries such as MITI, Agriculture, and Primary Industries, contributing significantly to policy development and SME empowerment. She also holds academic appointments as Professor of Practice and Adjunct Professor at several Malaysian universities. Internationally, she has spearheaded collaborations with SME agencies across India, Thailand, Korea, and Turkey, further cementing her role as a leader in regional economic development and enterprise transformation.