The Leaders Asia-Pacific program is a non-residential leadership development and community engagement program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders in the region. Together, Leaders accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities, in the Asia-Pacific region, and across the world.
About the Program
The Leaders Asia-Pacific program focuses on building a tightly-knit cohort, while simultaneously supporting individuals, uniting leaders from across Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Oceania to engage in values-based leadership discussions, skillbuilding for social change, and hands-on workshops. To date, the program has built a network of 200 leaders, hailing from over 34 nations and territories, working across various sectors and issue areas.,
Leveraging the full power of the Obama network, Leaders participate in virtual skill-building workshops, network building opportunities, and a variety of moderated conversations with issue-area experts, while focusing on individual growth as a leader rooted in values. Upon completion of the program, Obama Leaders become part of the Obama Foundation’s global alumni community, a new generation of civically active, positive role models who are prepared to create tangible solutions to the challenges of our time.
The Obama Foundation Leaders Asia-Pacific Program is more than just a leadership program—it’s a community of support, enduring friendship, and lifelong connections.
Get to know the Leaders below! For more information about the in-person convening we hosted last December, you can check out the program guide here.
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MEET THE LEADERS
Mungunkhishig Batbaatar
UNICEF
Mongolia
Thinzar Shunlei Yi
Action Committee for Democracy Development
Myanmar
John Tan
Saturday Kids
Singapore
Natalie Au
Centre for Gender Lens Investing in Asia
Hong Kong, PRC
Sorawit Paiboonrattanakorn
Saturday School Foundation
Thailand
Mika Yakushi
NPO ReBit
Japan
Neo Wool Kwon
Australian Federal Police
Australia
Adi Nugroho
Usahadesa
Indonesia
Cindy Joelene
Department for International Development
Myanmar
Ofeina Manuel-Barbarich
Department of Internal Affairs
Tonga
Jackson Rowland
The Ākina Foundation
New Zealand
Saijai Liangpunsakul
Phandeeyar Myanmars Innovation Lab
Thailand
Carmina Bayombong
InvestEd Philippines
Philippines
Vehia Wheeler
Sustainable Oceania Solutions (SOS)
French Polynesia
Dina Jezdic
Auckland Museum
New Zealand
Jackalyn Rongo
Kōrero o te `Ōrau
Cook Islands
I Putu Wiraguna
Five Pillar Experiences
Indonesia
Catherine Zhang
Rockcheck Group Inc.
China
Sheina Marie Onrubia
Office of the Vice Governor Province of Albay
Philippines
Cara Mays Flores
Nihi! Guam (Duk Duk Goose, Inc.)
Guam
Renzo Guinto
PH Labs
Philippines
Clarissa Mackay
Eat Right Be Bright
New Zealand
Jung Myung Cho
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Vietnam Office
Republic Of Korea
Phyu Hninn Nyein
Proximity Designs
Myanmar
Roshni Mahtani
theAsianparent
Singapore
Myo Kyaw Thu
The Able Sign Language Book Cafe
Myanmar
Dasol Lyu
MINBYUN
Republic Of Korea
Wei Zheng
Alliance for Good
China
Kara Puketapu-Dentice
Consultant
New Zealand
Leanne Kealoha Fox
AlohaCare
Hawaiʻi
Hanh Sieu Nguyen
Journey Of Youth
Vietnam
Jaton Zulueta
AHA Learning Center
Philippines
Te Puoho Katene
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand
Chloe Van Dyke
Chia Sisters and Zero Carbon Nelson
New Zealand
Amalia Falah Alam
Fair Wear Foundation
Indonesia
Hanna Yim
Sentbe
Republic Of Korea
Sheila J. Babauta
21st Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature
Northern Mariana Islands
Sherry Soon Bee Siang
Be Kind SG
Singapore
Kasumi Shirahata
An-Nahal
Japan
Daneil Cheung
Asia Pacific Youth Development Foundation
Hong Kong, PRC
Zean Vo
Browzzin
Vietnam
Dan Ilic
A Rational Fear
Australia
Minkyung Michelle Cho
Singing Beetle
Republic Of Korea
Tiara Lin
Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat
China
Adhitya Ramadhan
Journalist
Indonesia
Amarit Charoenphan
Techsauce & Humbba
Thailand
Brianne West
Ethique
New Zealand
Ee Lynn Tee
Head of Innovation & New Ventures
Malaysia
William Smith-Stubbs
Spur
Australia
Maurice Lim
Pandora
Singapore
Cheryl Ann Fernando
Global School Leaders Malaysia
Malaysia
Jason Alacapa
Innovations for Community Health
Philippines
Jordan Kho
AirAsia Group
Malaysia
Swietenia Puspa Lestari
Divers Clean Action
Indonesia
Athip Tantivorawong
PTT Public Company Limited
Thailand
Maria Angela Flores Abad
Palladium
Philippines
Hayley McQuire
National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition
Australia
Troy J.H. Andrade
University of Hawaii at Mnoa
Hawaiʻi
Akira Wongwan
House of Representatives Thailand
Thailand
Ngoc Huynh
Room to Read
Vietnam
Timothy Low
Halogen Foundation
Singapore
Jennifer John
PNG Family Health Association
Papua New Guinea
Kyaw Moe Tun
Parami Institute
Myanmar
Junjie Ma
ENC International Advisory GroupENC Center for Global Affairs
China
Han Han
China Blue Sustainability
China
Nalindra Annalia Pelekai
Wedu
Indonesia
Sha Elijah B. Dumama-Alba
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Philippines
Angie Ang
Legal Executive
Brunei
May Sripatanaskul
LUKKID
Thailand
Miwa Chan
International Justice Mission
Singapore
Benjamin Eduardo Treviño
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
Hawaiʻi
Eleanor Rosa Pinugu
Mano Amiga Philippines
Philippines
Tim Middlemiss
Independent Consultant
Australia
Midnight Poonkasetwattana
APCOM Foundation
Thailand
Daryl Goh
Potato Productions
Singapore
Julisa Tambunan
GirlSPARKS
Indonesia
Austin Shelton
University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability
Guam
Brigitte Laboukly
CARE International
Vanuatu
Trang Ta
Saigon Compass
Vietnam
Olie Body
Wā Collective
New Zealand
Hyeyeon Holly Kang
UniKorea Foundation
Republic Of Korea
Axton Salim
PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk
Indonesia
Rachel Arinii Judhistari
Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Indonesia
Ellwyn Tan
BagoSphere
Singapore
Gwen Yi Wong
Tribeless
Malaysia
Siti Aishah Hassan Hasri
SPOT Community Program
Malaysia
Sylvia Nguyen
Alphanam Group
Vietnam
Chaya Chansmitmas
BigPay
Thailand
Bulgan Bayasgalant
United Nations Development Program UNDP
Mongolia
Stella Naw
Civil Rights Defenders
Myanmar
Prodita Sabarini
The Conversation Indonesia
Indonesia
Dahyun Kim
Liberty in North Korea LiNK
Republic Of Korea
Sarakk Rith
PEPY Empowering Youth
Cambodia
Sazzad Hossain
SDI Academy
Singapore
Ian Yee
R.AGE
Malaysia
Catherine Sarah Young
University of New South Wales, Art Design
Philippines
Alec Wagner
Purple Maia Foundation
Hawaiʻi
Rex Dayao
UNILAB, INC.
Philippines
Zohar Spatz
La Boite Theatre Company
Australia
Jerry Winata
Bawah Anambas Foundation
Indonesia
Rozella Mahjhrin
True Complexion
Malaysia
Huyen Duong
The Institute for Studies of Society Economy and Environment (iSEE)
Vietnam
Josuard Alex Infante Gonzales
AYES International
Philippines
Charlie Shandil
Five Eyes, Department of Home Affairs
Australia
Tahere Talaina Siisiialafia Mau
Pacific Youth Council
Samoa
Gigih Septianto
WeCare.id
Indonesia
Yanamlyn Biange Yana
Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation
Papua New Guinea
Dissa Syakina Ahdanisa
Fingertalk
Indonesia
Maw Htun Aung
Natural Resource Governance Institute
Myanmar
Thongvone Sosamphan
EU Delegation to Laos
Laos
Yolanda Joab Mori
Chuuk Public Utilities Corporation
Federated States Of Micronesia
Hong Nguyen
Pacific Links Foundation
Vietnam
Achiraya Thamparipattra
HiveSters and Local Thai Kitchen
Thailand
Julian Aguon
Blue Ocean Law
Guam
Joseph Lim
World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)
Republic Of Korea
Aliza Napartivaumnuay
Socialgiver
Thailand
Yunmei Li
United Nations Foundation
China
Thepparith Senamngern
Ad Astra Asia
Thailand
Gaafar J. Uherbelau
Ministry of Health Republic of Palau
Palau
Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi
The Greenhouse Studio
Fiji
Linda Saya
ASEAN Resource Center Ministry of Civil Service
Cambodia
Nathan Chong-Nee
Gaualofa
Samoa
David Aoneka Lawrence
National Youth Development Authority
Papua New Guinea
Sherry Duan
International Center for Higher Education Innovation, UNESCO
China
Breanna Rose
Hawaiʻi Green Growth Local2030 Hub
Hawaiʻi
Ben-Jie Lim
AirAsia Group
Malaysia
Kaleo Manuel
State of Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resource Management
Hawaiʻi
Sanae Ogino
Mayors for Peace
Japan
Khin Thazin Myint
Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy
Myanmar
Aukrit Unahalekhaka
Ricult Thailand
Thailand
Skye Riggs
Y Vote
Australia
Win Min
Myanmar Center for Responsible Business (MCRB)
Myanmar
Amalina Ariffin
U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Senia Ng
Hong Kong, PRC
Phetsavanh Somsivilay
Lotus Education Fund
Laos
Adi Pradana
World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia
Indonesia
Anju Mangal
World Wide Web Foundation
Fiji
Shay Wright
Te Whare Hukahuka
New Zealand
Zoë Ng
Raintree Development
Malaysia
Tu Ngo
YOLA
Vietnam
Enkhee Dagva
Open Society Forum Mongolia
Mongolia
Kaiwipunikauikawekiu Lipe
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaiʻi
Giang Thi Huong To
Blue Dragon Childrens Foundation
Vietnam
Nay Lin Tun
Center for Social Integrity
Myanmar
Nead Soseihak Bunna
Room to Read Cambodia
Cambodia
Randi Swandaru
BAZNAS (The National Board of Zakat, the Republic of Indonesia)
Indonesia
Samantha Birmingham-Babauta
500 Sails
Northern Mariana Islands
Boya Yang
Institute of Education Sciences in Kunming
China
Leng Hong Sen
SME - Technical Advisor
Cambodia
Régine Biscoe Lee
Guam Legislature
Guam
Oga Chan
Acumen Academy Malaysia
Malaysia
Naoko Masuda
Harajuku Sun-Ad
Japan
Jasmine Puteri
Greenpeace
Indonesia
Dini Indrawati Septiani
Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)
Indonesia
Jaclyn McLendon
Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Australia
Angga D. Martha
UNICEF
Indonesia
Giang Dam
Room to Read
Vietnam
Joseph Park
Yovel Co. Ltd.
Republic Of Korea
Aung Phyoe Min
Inle Heritage Foundation
Myanmar
Kathleen Largo
AirAsia Foundation
Philippines
Ken Chua
(these)abilities
Singapore
Vivienne Chew
International Detention Coalition
Malaysia
Shasha Ridzam
AirAsia Group
Malaysia
Cheryl Tan
The Breathe Movement
Singapore
Somnieng Hoeurn
Ministry of Public Works and Transport
Cambodia
Natthapat Thawiwannabun
State Enterprise Policy Office Ministry of Finance
Thailand
Soleeheen Bilanglod
Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission
Thailand
Usman Iftikhar
Catalysr
Australia
Alice Mahar
The Corner Store Network
Australia
Moni Siv
Teach For Cambodia
Cambodia
Nívio Leite Magalhães
Democratic Youth Organization
Timor-Leste
Vanida Khouangvichit
Village Focus International
Laos
Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner
Jo-Jikum
Marshall Islands
Viria Vichit-Vadakan
School of Global Studies Thammasat University
Thailand
Oliver Chang
Impact Hub Taipei
Taiwan
Khavi Homsombath
United Nations Development Program
Laos
Cheryl Chen
S&P Global
Singapore
Annabelle Kwok
NeuralBay
Singapore
Leanne Robers
She Loves Tech
Singapore
Alan Wu
Open Government Partnership
Australia
Mary Hem
Kampuchea Action to Promote Education (KAPE)
Cambodia
Rashvin Pal Singh
Biji-biji Initiative & ME. REKA
Malaysia
Aung Kyaw Moe
Center for Social Integrity
Myanmar
Alfonso Miguel R. Regala
Dr. Gregorio B Tan Memorial Hospital
Philippines
Mikka Francesca Hipol
Philippines
Liangyi Chang
350.org
Taiwan
Nicholas Marchesi
Orange Sky
Australia
Htet Swe
Peace Point-Myanmar
Myanmar
Myint Myint Kyu
USAID
Myanmar
Vivian Lim
Women In Asia
Singapore
Cathy Sakumalefo Hite
The Public Solicitors Office
Solomon Islands
Kalena Kattil-deBrum
Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority
Marshall Islands
Lanu Faletau
Tonga
Aimi Ramlee
Tyne Solutions
Brunei
Joseph Quyen Van Phan
Ethnicity Viet and Jos Creative
Vietnam
Philip Dy
Office of the Vice President of the Philippines
Philippines
Munkhbat Duusuren
Global Green Growth Institute GGGI
Mongolia
Yaqiu Wang
Human Rights Watch
China
Jom Bagulaya
Tacloban City Government
Philippines
Designing Leaders Asia-Pacific
At the beginning of the year, we invited a group of 21 emerging leaders from 16 countries and territories across the Asia Pacific for a hands-on workshop in Hawaiʻi. Together, we explored how to design the future Leaders program in the region. Incorporating their input, passion, and drive, the context-specific and engaging leadership program has come to life!

What is Leaders Asia-Pacific?The backstory.
Get a closer look at the Hawaiʻi design workshop and the 21 leaders who helped craft the current program.

More questions about the program? We've got answers.
Read our FAQ sheet for more detailed information about Leaders Asia-Pacific.