Member Interview with Munas Van Boonstra

We are delighted to bring you a Member Interview with Munas Van Boonstra, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Monks 

What’s your golden rule?

Powered by Transformation. Transformation is the only constant. 
Whether it’s a brand, a business, or a career, staying relevant means embracing change. The best marketers and leaders don’t just adapt; they drive transformation.

Who has been your biggest influence?

Sara Blakely (Founder, Spanx) is a master of brand storytelling, marketing intuition, and female empowerment in branding.

Bozoma Saint John (Former CMO, Netflix, Endeavor, Apple Music, Uber) is a super bold, culture-driven storyteller who revolutionises brand marketing with emotion, diversity, and authenticity.

What is your most hated business expression?

Think Outside The Box. Everyone's box is different :)

What’s the smartest business idea you’ve ever had?

Ultimate Women & Mums Leadership Accelerator I found - SuperMumpreneur

Which leader do you admire most and why?

Arianna Huffington (Founder, Thrive Global & HuffPost). She revolutionised digital media, then pivoted to focus on corporate well-being and high-performance leadership.
        •        Advocates for work-life balance without compromising ambition.
        •        Master of personal brand building, thought leadership, and media influence.

I resonate with her as I juggle high-performance leadership and personal growth, and I appreciate content influence (living vicariously through her!) - her reinvention mindset matches mine.

What is on your mind the most right now as a marketing leader?

Aligning marketing with business objectives. The entrepreneur in me wants my clients to succeed just as I would in my own business. Balancing creativity with business impact, thinking about how your marketing initiatives are directly linked to revenue growth, customer retention, and brand loyalty. Constantly strategising on how to align marketing efforts with broader business objectives, driving long-term value rather than just short-term wins for our clients.

Why is being part of The Marketing Society important for your career?

Constant opportunities for learning. Whether it’s attending conferences, workshops, or webinars. Possiblities to upskill and stay on top of the latest strategies, tools, and technologies and network with like-minded individuals.
Continuous learning is key to maintaining my competitive edge and evolving as a strategic thinker in the industry. Exchanging information and knowledge allows one to grow both professionally and personally.

Why does marketing matter to you?

It’s a Key Driver of Business Success

As a business strategist, marketing is fundamental to achieving business objectives. Whether it’s improving brand awareness, driving revenue growth, or capturing market share, marketing is essential to aligning all parts of a business towards its goals.

I understand the power of data and analytics in driving marketing success, allowing marketers to optimise strategies and measure ROI, which keeps the marketing approach highly efficiency-driven.

As someone deeply invested in corporate transformations, marketing serves as the primary tool for shaping how brands evolve and resonate with their target audiences. It is important to understand that strategic marketing can not only elevate a brand but can also redefine its purpose, helping it thrive in an ever-changing marketplace.

Marketing allows me to apply my strengths in business reorganisation and process optimisation—transforming mundane brands into powerful, purpose-driven movements.

Tell us something that’s not on your CV

I am a multi-business/industry entrepreneur in Australia & Malaysia, beyond my day to day corporate job in Monks Southeast Asia.

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Published on 4 March 2025