The Obama Foundation Leaders: Asia-Pacific Program is a one-year leadership development and community engagement program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region.
About the Program
In just a few weeks, 200 emerging leaders from 33 nations and territories across the Asia-Pacific region will gather in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to begin their journey in the Obama Foundation Leaders: Asia-Pacific program! Over the course of the five-day convening, President and Mrs. Obama, as well as other prominent speakers and thought leaders, will join our Leaders for discussions around progress and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region and values-based leadership.
In addition to the plenary sessions, Leaders will participate in skill-building workshops, leadership development training, and a community service project, among other activities.
Get to know the Leaders below, then tune in for livestreams of the event beginning on December 10, 2019!
Updates
Check out the latest from Kuala Lumpur!
Growing up in Brisbane, Australia, Nicholas saw that people in his own backyard didn't have access to really simple things like a roof over their head, a warm shower, or a community to be connected with. That's why he and his best friend, Lucas, had the idea of putting a washer and dryer on the back of a van and offering free laundry services to people in his community. They called it Orange Sky.
When Dissa was 10 years old, she met a deaf person for the very first time in her life. She was struck by how learning and communicating in sign language could connect her with the deaf community. That's why she started Fingertalk, a social enterprise with the mission of providing employment opportunities for deaf people in Indonesia.
Being #ObamaLeaders cultivates deep mutual respect for @julian_aguon + his constant work for Indigenous rights.
— Dr.LeanneKealohaFox (@FoxyKealoha) December 5, 2019
Because of @ObamaFoundation we're now close friends collaborating as leaders in the Pacific
Mahalo President @BarackObama & Mrs .@MichelleObama for investing in us! https://t.co/26zreQUtmt pic.twitter.com/riVu4kzxmX
Obama Foundation Leader Julian Aguan was born and raised in Guam and is grounded in the central Chamorro value of reciprocity. He started Blue Ocean Law with that value in mind, and today he's doing his part to defend vulnerable communities from pressing issues in the Pacific region.
We’ve just announced the #ObamaLeaders from across the Asia Pacific. From advocating for quality education in Cambodia to increasing access to sustainable energy in Micronesia, these individuals are taking on the biggest challenges across their region. https://t.co/cg38Am7Jqn pic.twitter.com/25DeG2aC9q
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) November 21, 2019
December 2, 2019
Julia Roberts to Join Michelle Obama in Conversation at Leaders: Asia-Pacific Convening
CHICAGO, IL — Today, the Obama Foundation announced that actress Julia Roberts will join Michelle Obama in a plenary conversation at the Obama Foundation’s inaugural… More
January 2, 2019
Designing the Asia-Pacific Leaders Program
“What’s best in me, and what’s best in my message, is consistent with the tradition of Hawaiʻi.” —President Obama, 2004 As President Obama met with… MoreLivestream Schedule
Tuesday, December 10
11:30 AM-12:30 PM MYT (UTC +8) | 10:30-11:30 PM EST (UTC -5)
We Are the Future: Progress and Possibility in the Asia Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region is alive with possibility, promise, and progress. Leading changemakers will talk about the opportunities and challenges in the region—and how to take on issues together.
Wednesday, December 11
9:30-10:30AM MYT (UTC +8) | 8:30-9:30 PM EST (UTC -5)
Entrepreneurship: Working with Purpose
Entrepreneurs from vastly different industries share what it means to practice values-based leadership—and what drives them to pursue their path. Hear the purpose behind their work and what it took to grow their organizations from the ground up.
Thursday, December 12
11:00 AM-12:30 PM MYT (UTC +8) | 10:00-11:30 PM EST (UTC -5)
Michelle Obama and Julia Roberts in Conversation with Deborah Henry
Michelle Obama and Julia Roberts reflect on their trip to Vietnam with the Girls Opportunity Alliance—and share stories from their own journeys in leadership.
Friday, December 13
11:30 AM-1:00 PM MYT (UTC +8) | 10:30 PM-12:00 AM EST (UTC -5)
How the Asia Pacific Shaped Us: President Obama and Maya Soetoro-Ng
President Obama takes the stage with his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, for a conversation about values-based leadership and growing up in Indonesia and Hawaiʻi.
Don’t Miss a Moment
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MEET THE LEADERS
Han Han
China Blue Sustainability
China
Timothy Low
Halogen Foundation
Singapore
Giang Dam
Room to Read
Vietnam
Ken Chua
(these)abilities
Singapore
Rozella Mahjhrin
True Complexion
Malaysia
Munkhbat Duusuren
Global Green Growth Institute GGGI
Mongolia
Te Puoho Katene
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand
Viria Vichit-Vadakan
School of Global Studies Thammasat University
Thailand
Alec Wagner
Purple Maia Foundation
Hawaiʻi
Minkyung Michelle Cho
Singing Beetle
Republic Of Korea
Ellwyn Tan
BagoSphere
Singapore
Vivian Lim
Women In Asia
Singapore
Dini Indrawati Septiani
Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN)
Indonesia
Liangyi Chang
350.org
Taiwan
Josuard Alex Infante Gonzales
AYES International
Philippines
Cindy Joelene
Department for International Development
Myanmar
Yolanda Joab Mori
Chuuk Public Utilities Corporation
Federated States Of Micronesia
Athip Tantivorawong
PTT Public Company Limited
Thailand
Wei Zheng
Alliance for Good
China
Thinzar Shunlei Yi
Action Committee for Democracy Development
Myanmar
Nay Lin Tun
Center for Social Integrity
Myanmar
Leng Hong Sen
SME - Technical Advisor
Cambodia
Jason Alacapa
Innovations for Community Health
Philippines
Jaton Zulueta
AHA Learning Center
Philippines
Shay Wright
Te Whare Hukahuka
New Zealand
Adi Nugroho
Usahadesa
Indonesia
Catherine Sarah Young
University of New South Wales, Art Design
Philippines
Hyeyeon Holly Kang
UniKorea Foundation
Republic Of Korea
Sorawit Paiboonrattanakorn
Saturday School Foundation
Thailand
Vehia Wheeler
Sustainable Oceania Solutions (SOS)
French Polynesia
Renzo Guinto
PH Labs
Philippines
Myint Myint Kyu
USAID
Myanmar
Win Min
Myanmar Center for Responsible Business (MCRB)
Myanmar
Leanne Robers
She Loves Tech
Singapore
Dissa Syakina Ahdanisa
Fingertalk
Indonesia
Thepparith Senamngern
Ad Astra Asia
Thailand
Maw Htun Aung
Natural Resource Governance Institute
Myanmar
Midnight Poonkasetwattana
APCOM Foundation
Thailand
Amalia Falah Alam
Fair Wear Foundation
Indonesia
Akira Wongwan
House of Representatives Thailand
Thailand
Swietenia Puspa Lestari
Divers Clean Action
Indonesia
Joseph Quyen Van Phan
Ethnicity Viet and Jos Creative
Vietnam
Huyen Duong
The Institute for Studies of Society Economy and Environment (iSEE)
Vietnam
Cathy Sakumalefo Hite
The Public Solicitors Office
Solomon Islands
Daneil Cheung
Asia Pacific Youth Development Foundation
Hong Kong, PRC
Amarit Charoenphan
Techsauce & Humbba
Thailand
Sheila J. Babauta
21st Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature
Northern Mariana Islands
Nat Thawiwannabun
State Enterprise Policy Office Ministry of Finance
Thailand
Benjamin Eduardo Trevino
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation
Hawaiʻi
Natalie Au
Centre for Gender Lens Investing in Asia
Hong Kong, PRC
Shasha Ridzam
AirAsia Group
Malaysia
Chloe Van Dyke
Chia Sisters and Zero Carbon Nelson
New Zealand
Hanna Yim
Sentbe
Republic Of Korea
Cheryl Chen
S&P Global
Singapore
Aung Phyoe Min
Inle Heritage Foundation
Myanmar
Prodita Sabarini
The Conversation Indonesia
Indonesia
Jom Bagulaya
Tacloban City Government
Philippines
Zoë Ng
Raintree Development
Malaysia
Alice Mahar
The Corner Store Network
Australia
Mika Yakushi
NPO ReBit
Japan
Tu Ngo
YOLA
Vietnam
Alan Wu
Open Government Partnership
Australia
Kaiwipunikauikawekiu Lipe
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hawaiʻi
Hanh Sieu Nguyen
Journey Of Youth
Vietnam
Myo Kyaw Thu
The Able Sign Language Book Cafe
Myanmar
Régine Biscoe Lee
Guam Legislature
Guam
Siti Aishah Hassan Hasri
SPOT Community Program
Malaysia
Oga Chan
Acumen Academy Malaysia
Malaysia
Breanna Rose
Hawaiʻi Green Growth Local2030 Hub
Hawaiʻi
Joseph Park
Yovel Co. Ltd.
Republic Of Korea
Naoko Masuda
Harajuku Sun-Ad
Japan
Leanne Kealoha Fox
AlohaCare
Hawaiʻi
Gaafar J. Uherbelau
Ministry of Health Republic of Palau
Palau
I Putu Wiraguna
Five Pillar Experiences
Indonesia
Thongvone Sosamphan
EU Delegation to Laos
Laos
Aliza Napartivaumnuay
Socialgiver
Thailand
Kathleen Largo
AirAsia Foundation
Philippines
Jackson Rowland
The Ākina Foundation
New Zealand
Ian Yee
R.AGE
Malaysia
Trang Ta
Saigon Compass
Vietnam
Zean Vo
Browzzin
Vietnam
Julian Aguon
Blue Ocean Law
Guam
Htet Swe
Peace Point-Myanmar
Myanmar
Kasumi Shirahata
An-Nahal
Japan
Adhitya Ramadhan
Journalist
Indonesia
Yunmei Li
United Nations Foundation
China
Amalina Ariffin
U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Sazzad Hossain
SDI Academy
Singapore
Carmina Bayombong
InvestEd Philippines
Philippines
Ngoc Huynh
Room to Read
Vietnam
Zohar Spatz
La Boite Theatre Company
Australia
Phetsavanh Somsivilay
Lotus Education Fund
Laos
Enkhee Dagva
Open Society Forum Mongolia
Mongolia
Rex Dayao
UNILAB, INC.
Philippines
Kaleo Manuel
State of Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resource Management
Hawaiʻi
Brigitte Laboukly
CARE International
Vanuatu
Angga D. Martha
UNICEF
Indonesia
Jerry Winata
Bawah Anambas Foundation
Indonesia
William Smith-Stubbs
Spur
Australia
Lanu Faletau
Tonga
Aung Kyaw Moe
Center for Social Integrity
Myanmar
Bulgan Bayasgalant
United Nations Development Program UNDP
Mongolia
Dahyun Kim
Liberty in North Korea LiNK
Republic Of Korea
Vanida Khouangvichit
Village Focus International
Laos
Jasmine Puteri
Greenpeace
Indonesia
Annabelle Kwok
NeuralBay
Singapore
Eleanor Rosa Pinugu
Mano Amiga Philippines
Philippines
Nalindra Annalia Pelekai
Wedu
Indonesia
Daryl Goh
Potato Productions
Singapore
Adi Pradana
World Resources Institute (WRI) Indonesia
Indonesia
Sylvia Nguyen
Alphanam Group
Vietnam
Oliver Chang
Impact Hub Taipei
Taiwan
Jaclyn McLendon
Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Australia
Charlie Shandil
Five Eyes, Department of Home Affairs
Australia
Brianne West
Ethique
New Zealand
Achiraya Thamparipattra
HiveSters and Local Thai Kitchen
Thailand
Sheina Marie Onrubia
Office of the Vice Governor Province of Albay
Philippines
Boya Yang
Institute of Education Sciences in Kunming
China
Randi Swandaru
BAZNAS (The National Board of Zakat, the Republic of Indonesia)
Indonesia
Chaya Chansmitmas
BigPay
Thailand
May Sripatanaskul
LUKKID
Thailand
Ben-Jie Lim
AirAsia Group
Malaysia
Rashvin Pal Singh
Biji-biji Initiative & ME. REKA
Malaysia
Mikka Francesca Hipol
Philippines
Hayley McQuire
National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition
Australia
John Tan
Saturday Kids
Singapore
Phyu Hninn Nyein
Proximity Designs
Myanmar
Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner
Jo-Jikum
Marshall Islands
Hong Nguyen
Pacific Links Foundation
Vietnam
Senia Ng
Hong Kong, PRC
Troy J.H. Andrade
University of Hawaii at Mnoa
Hawaiʻi
Sherry Bee Siang Soon
Be Kind SG
Singapore
Sarakk Rith
PEPY Empowering Youth
Cambodia
Samantha Birmingham-Babauta
500 Sails
Northern Mariana Islands
Giang Thi Huong To
Blue Dragon Childrens Foundation
Vietnam
Austin Shelton
University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability
Guam
Axton Salim
PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk
Indonesia
Jordan Kho
AirAsia Group
Malaysia
Dina Jezdic
Auckland Museum
New Zealand
Clarissa Mackay
Eat Right Be Bright
New Zealand
Somnieng Hoeurn
Ministry of Public Works and Transport
Cambodia
Cheryl Ann Fernando
Global School Leaders Malaysia
Malaysia
Nicholas Marchesi
Orange Sky
Australia
Saijai Liangpunsakul
Phandeeyar Myanmars Innovation Lab
Thailand
Gwen Yi Wong
Tribeless
Malaysia
Catherine Zhang
Rockcheck Group Inc.
China
Jennifer John
PNG Family Health Association
Papua New Guinea
Yaqiu Wang
Human Rights Watch
China
Maria Angela Flores Abad
Palladium
Philippines
Dasol Lyu
MINBYUN
Republic Of Korea
Junjie Ma
ENC International Advisory GroupENC Center for Global Affairs
China
Tahere Talaina Siisiialafia Mau
Pacific Youth Council
Samoa
Ofeina Manuel-Barbarich
Department of Internal Affairs
Tonga
Ee Lynn Tee
Head of Innovation & New Ventures
Malaysia
Aukrit Unahalekhaka
Ricult Thailand
Thailand
Nathan Chong-Nee
Gaualofa
Samoa
Nead Soseihak Bunna
Room to Read Cambodia
Cambodia
Tim Middlemiss
Independent Consultant
Australia
Julisa Tambunan
GirlSPARKS
Indonesia
Gigih Septianto
WeCare.id
Indonesia
Sha Elijah B. Dumama-Alba
Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Philippines
Sanae Ogino
Mayors for Peace
Japan
Philip Dy
Office of the Vice President of the Philippines
Philippines
Stella Naw
Civil Rights Defenders
Myanmar
Kara Puketapu-Dentice
Consultant
New Zealand
Jung Myung Cho
Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Vietnam Office
Republic Of Korea
Roshni Mahtani
theAsianparent
Singapore
Khin Thazin Myint
Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy
Myanmar
Anju Mangal
Pacific Community (SPC)
Fiji
Yanamlyn Biange Yana
Papua New Guinea Tribal Foundation
Papua New Guinea
Sherry Duan
International Center for Higher Education Innovation, UNESCO
China
Dan Ilic
A Rational Fear
Australia
Linda Saya
ASEAN Resource Center Ministry of Civil Service
Cambodia
Aimi Ramlee
Tyne Solutions
Brunei
Vivienne Chew
International Detention Coalition
Malaysia
Moni Siv
Teach For Cambodia
Cambodia
Jackalyn Rongo
Kōrero o te `Ōrau
Cook Islands
Neo Wool Kwon
Australian Federal Police
Australia
Soleeheen Bilanglod
Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission
Thailand
Cheryl Tan
The Breathe Movement
Singapore
Mungunkhishig Batbaatar
UNICEF
Mongolia
Cara Mays Flores
Nihi! Guam (Duk Duk Goose, Inc.)
Guam
Mary Hem
Kampuchea Action to Promote Education (KAPE)
Cambodia
Maurice Lim
Pandora
Singapore
Rachel Arinii Judhistari
Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Indonesia
Miwa Chan
International Justice Mission
Singapore
Kalena Kattil-deBrum
Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority
Marshall Islands
Olie Body
Wā Collective
New Zealand
Tiara Lin
Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat
China
Kyaw Moe Tun
Parami Institute
Myanmar
Maria Ronna Luna Pastorizo-Sekiguchi
The Greenhouse Studio
Fiji
Angie Ang
Legal Executive
Brunei
David Aoneka Lawrence
National Youth Development Authority
Papua New Guinea
Usman Iftikhar
Catalysr
Australia
Joseph Lim
World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)
Republic Of Korea
Khavi Homsombath
United Nations Development Program
Laos
Nívio Leite Magalhães
Democratic Youth Organization
Timor-Leste
Skye Riggs
Y Vote
Australia
Alfonso Miguel R. Regala
Dr. Gregorio B Tan Memorial Hospital
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.