WASHINGTON, DC, US — The US Grains Council (USGC) has hired Rowena Awa Ngumbang as regional marketing manager for its office in Southeast Asia & Oceania (SEA&O). In her new role, Ngumbang will be responsible for strategic planning, coordination and implementation of customer servicing and technical programs.

Ngumbang brings more than a decade of experience in agricultural trade marketing and strategic communications. Most recently, she was the agricultural marketing specialist at the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In this capacity, she managed market promotion activities, resolved market access issues and provided overall support to US agricultural exports to Malaysia.

She also has worked as the marketing and communications manager at UOA Hospitality, where she led strategic public relations and marketing efforts. Earlier, as a business development manager at Sarawak Convention Bureau and sales manager at Wildlife Expeditions Sdn. Bhd., she focused on sales lead generation, event management and strategic bid proposals.

“Rowena has a head start in her knowledge of the Council’s mission and will quickly add value to our regional and domestic stakeholders,” said Caleb Wurth, USGC director for SEA&O. “She is ready for the fast-paced dynamics of the SEA&O markets and will be a tremendous asset, enabling us to brave the opportunities that lie ahead of our office.”

Ngumbang holds an executive master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies from Universiti Teknology MARA. She is also an affiliate member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.