About Us

Our Stories.

Signal Flare was founded on the belief that storytelling, when done with purpose, can shape culture and drive meaningful impact.

Drawing from decades of experience producing high-impact journalism and documentary content for global audiences, Signal Flare was established as an independent studio dedicated
to creating stories that inform, engage, and inspire action. Our work goes beyond entertainment, using narrative as a strategic tool to spark dialogue, build understanding, and address complex social issues.

Signal Flare combines world-class production capabilities with creative integrity and editorial rigor. We don’t just make content; we create narratives that matter.

The Team.

Steve Chao

Chief Executive Officer/Executive Producer

With more than 25 years of experience, Steve leads the Signal Flare team in its focus on finding and telling inspiring, insightful stories to better humankind. He is a two-time Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and multi-award-winning executive producer and program host.

Formerly the Asia Bureau Chief for CTV News and Senior Correspondent/Host for Al Jazeera’s premier documentary program, 101 East, Steve's storytelling has garnered accolades globally.

Hazel Desmond

Director, Finance and Human Resources

A veteran Malaysian TV news anchor and journalist, Hazel brings more than 15 years of experience with Malaysia’s national broadcaster. Winner of the Anugerah Seri Angkasa 2024 for Best TV News Presenter, she is known for her clarity, warmth, and human-centred storytelling.

Now a producer-director with Signal Flare Productions, Hazel brings her journalistic depth into documentary filmmaking. Her debut feature, Dignified: The Faisal Cup Story, champions dignity, empathy, and the power of opportunity.

Anusha Peterson

Chief Content Officer

Anusha Peterson is a powerhouse storyteller and strategist with two decades shaping television, music, and digital culture.

From producing hit franchises like Malaysian Idol to architecting TikTok’s music explosion across Southeast Asia, she blends creative instinct with data-driven precision, building genre-defining campaigns, launching talent, and reaching billions through stories that move culture globally.

Sean Jesudasan

Executive Producer

With over two decades of producing, directing, and writing experience, Sean steers every project with a creative clarity that delivers impact.

Cheah Sheau Mei

Production Manager

She scaled TikTok Malaysia from 250K to 8.1M users, led regional music partnerships, and built cross-platform media ecosystems across Asia.

Jonathan Huet

Producer/Editor

Jonathan has worked with VICE, MTV, Comedy Central, Astro, and beIN Sports, telling stories grounded in real experiences, from culture and personal challenges to moments of change.

Jaya Mahajan

Senior Producer

Jaya has produced award-winning programs for BBC, CNN and Nat Geo and she brings global experience, creative leadership and entrepreneurial vision.

Kathy Haywood

Senior Producer

With 17 years in journalism and documentaries, Kathy tackles complex global issues and creates impactful stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Chuah Geok Hioh

Head of Media Production Operations

Known for optimizing workflows and guiding teams, Chuah ensures Signal Flare’s productions meet the highest technical and creative standards worldwide.

Kate Pirouet

Visual Director

Kate leads visual direction through bold storytelling, shaped by her work across award-winning films, television, and global brand campaigns, including Apple TV and Adidas.

Kimmy Gorden

Senior Editor

An Emmy-winning editor, Kimmy elevates every project with sharp storytelling and world-class craft across leading global news and documentary platforms.

Amelia Su

Editor

Amelia is a creatively driven editor who loves collaborating with teams to craft standout visual stories for documentaries, brands, and emerging platforms.

View Our Works