Media Publishares launches leadership platform, hires Rahat Kapur as editorial director

Vogue Singapore’s publisher Media Publishares has teamed up with luxury communications and experiential agency RSVP to launch Beyond the Boardroom, a new content and events platform aimed at rethinking modern leadership through the lens of culture and commerce.

The new initiative is described as both editorial and experiential, and will feature business and leadership storytelling, original content, retreats and curated events. Coverage will span topics such as the future of work, innovation, female leadership, cultural influence, and the intersection of brand, business and creative industries.

Rahat Kapur (pictured) has been appointed editorial director for the platform, where she will lead the development of business-focused content to be distributed across Media Publishares’ regional titles, including Vogue Singapore and Robb Report, in close collaboration with their respective editorial teams.

Kapur brings over a decade of experience across journalism, consulting and brand strategy. Her resume includes stints at Accenture, EY, and Iris Worldwide, where she worked with clients such as Nespresso, Guinness and Glenfiddich. She also previously served as editor-in-chief of Esquire Singapore and publisher at Buro Singapore, and was last with Campaign Asia.

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According to Media Publishares, the platform was conceived to serve as a bridge between the boardroom and broader cultural discourse, at a time when brand decisions and corporate values are increasingly shaping narratives in society. In a statement, the firm said the initiative aims to support C-suite leaders and brands across Asia Pacific and the Middle East in engaging more meaningfully with culture, and in shaping it.

"We see Beyond the Boardroom as a natural evolution of how we serve our clients and audiences, not just through media brands, but through platforms that offer deeper engagement and thought leadership. It builds on the strength of our editorial portfolio while creating space for new kinds of storytelling and strategic collaboration. Kapur's cross-industry perspective brings the clarity and conviction this next chapter demands," said Alexander Trefilov, vice president at Media Publishares and director at Beyond the Boardroom. 

In tandem, Bettina von Schlippe, publisher-at-large and vice president of business development and innovation at Media Publishares said, "As leadership narratives evolve, especially for women in business, there’s a growing need for platforms that don’t just spotlight success, but interrogate the values, choices and cultural forces shaping that success. Beyond the Boardroom speaks directly to that need, offering a space where insight, ambition and influence converge. With Rahat’s distinct editorial and strategic voice, I’m confident the platform will set a new benchmark for how we tell those stories."

Speaking on her new role, Kapur said, "Through years of working with and speaking to C-suite leaders, across consulting, advertising, communications and editorial, I’ve seen first-hand how the relationship between culture and commerce is changing. Leadership decisions, innovation and business strategy are now shaping the world around us as much as creativity itself, yet this intersection is often not explored with the editorial depth it deserves."

"With Beyond the Boardroom, we’re creating a space to do just that: To tell leadership and innovation stories that help audiences make sense of today’s shifting landscape, and to foster richer conversations between business and the forces shaping contemporary life," she added. 

Kapur’s appointment comes as Media Publishares enters a new phase of growth and leadership renewal.

von Schlippe, formerly publisher of Vogue Singapore, now serves as publisher-at-large and VP of business development and innovation. With more than two decades of experience across markets such as Russia, Central Asia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore, she is now tasked with spearheading strategic partnerships for Vogue Singapore while driving innovation and business development for Media Publishares across the region.

In tandem, Natasha Damodaran has been promoted from managing director to publisher of Vogue Singapore. With a decade of experience in media and marketing, Damodaran has played a pivotal role in establishing the title locally. Her work includes launching Vogue-first initiatives, pioneering new content formats, and leading local partnerships for cultural impact—including Vogue’s first NFT collection spotlighting digital artists and the theme of ownership.

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