Canva appoints Laura Kantor as head of marketing for Southeast Asia

Canva has named Laura Kantor as its new head of marketing for Southeast Asia, effective January 2026.

In her new role, Kantor will oversee the design platform’s marketing strategy and execution across key markets including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. She succeeds Ruoshan Tao, who has relocated to the US to take on a broader marketing leadership role covering Latin America.

Kantor will report to Yani Hornilla Donato, Canva’s Southeast Asia regional lead, as well as Zach Kitschke, the company’s global chief marketing officer.

As head of marketing for the region, Kantor is tasked with strengthening local marketing teams, sharpening market priorities and ensuring Canva’s brand presence is tailored to the cultural and business nuances of each market. She will also lead regional brand campaigns and initiatives as Canva continues to scale its footprint across Southeast Asia.

Prior to joining Canva, Kantor founded and led a consultancy focused on helping purpose-driven start-ups accelerate growth. She has also held senior marketing leadership roles, including chief marketing officer at abillion. Earlier in her career, she spent six years at foodpanda, where she took on multiple leadership positions spanning marketing, growth and sustainability.

Canva has been increasing its brand investments in Southeast Asia as part of its broader global expansion strategy. In August 2025, the company launched its first large-scale brand campaign in Indonesia, titled “Gampang di Canva” (“Easy on Canva”), aimed at supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The campaign drew inspiration from Indonesia’s diverse MSME ecosystem, highlighting how accessible design tools can help businesses operate more efficiently and stand out in an increasingly competitive market.