Danny
Phan

Danny Phan is an award-winning professional with over 20 years of international experience across Asia and the United States. Currently, he serves as a global senior director at APCO, where he leads strategy across key markets, driving growth and innovation while collaborating with corporates, business leaders and emerging enterprises. He also spearheads AI integration, policy advisory and transformation strategies for clients. 

Prior to joining APCO, Danny was the global chief strategy officer and managing director, Asia-Pacific, at Wachsman, a Web3, blockchain and fintech consultancy. He has built a career advising world-leading brands on critical reputational issues and navigating complex challenges in frontier and emerging markets, as well as in highly regulated industries pushing the boundaries of innovation and regulation. 

Danny has advised world leading brands—including Coca-Cola, Airbnb, Unilever, Shell, DBS, Grab, Gemini, Chainalysis and a major payment card services company —on critical reputational and policy issues. He has also worked closely with Southeast Asian government entities and ministries on public and policy communications and behavior change. His expertise spans risk mitigation, crisis communications, policy advocacy, market entry into emerging and frontier markets and AI-driven data analytics. His crisis and risk management experience includes handling cross-border crises, product recalls, misinformation, sanctions and coup d’états. 

Recently, Danny’s focus has shifted to helping prominent names in Web3 achieve mainstream and institutional adoption and assisting established companies like DBS and Standard Chartered with their Web3 and technology strategies. He has played a crucial role in advising Asia-based businesses and works closely with Asian leaders to help them navigate global expansion and shine on the world stage. As the founder and chair of “eQueereum,” an internal think tank, in his previous firm, he integrates his expertise in Web3 with LGBTQ+ advocacy, striving to build a more inclusive business and technology environment. 

Throughout his career, Danny has spearheaded innovative, unconventional and high-stakes campaigns. These include representing a Rinpoche to spread Tibetan Buddhism in Southeast Asia and advising next-generation CEOs through the digital transformation of a traditional bank. In 2012, Danny led efforts to launch Coca-Cola into Myanmar after 60 years of isolation and sanctions. Notably, at 27, he established, built and led Vietnam’s first international PR agency, Ogilvy PR, resulting in multiple awards. 

Danny, an American of Vietnamese descent, began his career in New York before taking on leadership roles internationally. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including “Young PR Professional of the Year” at the Asia-Pacific PR Awards and a place in Campaign Asia’s “40 under 40.” He continues to share his expertise through guest lectures at prestigious universities in Singapore.