Exploring Social Issues from a Sustainable Supply Chain Perspective

Walter has over 20 years of experience in supply chain management and international trade in international and local companies/institutions. He is currently responsible for the strategic development and overall operations of Sedex in Asia, working with multi-stakeholders from upstream and downstream companies in the supply chain, industry associations, governments and UN agencies to raise awareness, capacity and performance of companies in the supply chain dimension. He also serves as a guest lecturer on supply chain sustainability and ESG in relevant universities and academic institutions to promote education and dissemination of responsible business.

Cherry Liu is a social compliance professional with more than 16 years of experience helping businesses strengthen labor practices and build responsible supply chains across Asia.

Having spent the first 10 years of her career with third-party auditing firms, Cherry gained extensive on-the-ground experience assessing working conditions and labor standards across a wide range of industries, including apparel, footwear, electronics, toys, jewelry, labor agencies, logistics and construction. She has worked extensively throughout China and Southeast Asia, providing her with deep insights into the region’s evolving labor and sustainability challenges.

With experience from both the third-party auditing and brands, Cherry brings perspectives on addressing social issues in global supply chains and driving positive impact for workers and businesses alike.

Today, as Assistant Manager, Social Compliance at tms, which is the sole agency of McDonald’s Global Happy Meal program, Cherry works closely with toy suppliers and their subcontractors to enhance responsible sourcing practices and promote continuous improvement in supply chain performance.

Evan Wong is a Senior Ethical & Sustainability Specialist at John Lewis Partnership, working on responsible sourcing and sustainability across the company’s Asia supply chain. Based in Hong Kong, he works with suppliers, sourcing teams and internal stakeholders on social sustainability, ethical trade and responsible business practices.

His areas of work include labour standards, modern slavery, human rights due diligence, supplier engagement and regulatory developments affecting global supply chains. With experience across major UK and European retailers, Evan brings a practical perspective on addressing social and sustainability challenges within complex international supply chains and driving meaningful improvements through responsible sourcing.

Liyue Zhou is the Private Sector Engagement Officer at the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in China. She works with companies, industry associations, foundations, and other stakeholders to advance ethical recruitment, responsible business practices, and innovative solutions that create positive outcomes for migrants, communities, and businesses.

Liyue builds partnerships that align business contributions with social impact priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), mobilizing private sector resources and expertise to support people on the move. She holds an MBA from Peking University and a Master’s in South East Asian Studies from SOAS, University of London.