In 1998, Thomas joined YPO in the Philippines and started his leadership journey in 1999. By 2003, he was elected the Philippines Chapter Chair and went on to join the Southeast Asia Regional Board in 2006. That same year, he also founded the Pan Asia Chapter, which was the first regional chapter of YPO. Then, he was elected as Regional Chair for Southeast Asia for 2010-2012 during which time Southeast Asia was named the ‘Best-for-the-Best’ region in the world. In 2020, Thomas founded the SEA Lestari Chapter – the first social impact chapter in YPO.