Donald Felbaum is a Senior Advisor at The Asia Group. Donald brings over 25 years of experience working in-country in the Philippines in tech-related sectors, including telecoms, IT-Enabled Services (ITES), and Information and Communications Technology (ICT). He has supported successful companies in over twenty-five markets around the world, advising on start-up strategies, mergers and acquisitions, and project funding. He has broad general management experience, as well as deep experience leading teams and managing his own business.
Donald has been particularly active over the last several decades working in the Philippines through his Pasig City-based OPTEL ICT consulting operation where he serves as managing director. Among other things, he has provided strategic advisory services to major telecommunications firms, start-ups, and BPO sector market entrants, including providing market assessments, due diligence, and guidance on engagement with various government entities on financing and approvals. He has also served as a President and Director of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), as well as the co-chair of AMCHAM’s ICT and Healthcare, Wellness and Pharmaceutical committees. Beyond his private sector work, Donald also advised the Department of Information and Communications Technologies on various matters and served as a member of the IT and Business Processing Association of the Philippines Advisory Board, the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce, and the Joint Cyber Security Working Group.
Prior to founding OPTEL, Donald worked as a Regional Manager for Harris International, where he developed a sales track record in the Asia-Pacific region exceeding USD 100 million in sales of communications equipment systems. He later joined GTE as their Regional Director operating out of Honolulu, Hawaii, where he developed and managed sales and marketing strategies for markets throughout ASEAN and the South Pacific.