Ashmeer is part of the Public Entertainment Censorship Committee in the Ministry of Home Affairs. As an energetic youth himself, he is the co-founder of and mentors at the Young Professionals Network (YPN) Brunei. Ashmeer is also the Head of Community Unit at the Brunei Youth Council. He was previously Head of Community and National Events in the Youth Volunteer Taskforce Brunei during COVID-19.
Recently, he received the Excellent Youth Leader Award 2024 during the National Youth Day Celebration in Brunei Darussalam. He was also awarded for Excellent Youth Service in the 2023 National Youth Day Celebration.
Hafiz is the Chief Executive Officer of ndpx, an organisation set up to implement and operate a national instant payment system in Brunei. He has formal education in economics, with professional training in investment, and has recently developed a passion for information security. He also serves on the boards of several government-linked companies.
His wife and two boys are his greatest joy. He enjoys brewing his own coffee and playing sports - grappling in particular. He is a firm believer in the power of the mind and that there is no substitute for hard work.
Qayyimah currently serves as an Academic Advisor at the Defence Academy of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. She has 10 years of leadership and work experience in the Royal Brunei Navy. Outside of her career, she is an active contributor to her community.
She serves as a Mentor at the Young Professionals Network and as a Research Associate at the Global Awareness and Impact Alliance. Notably, she was the first woman in Brunei to solo hike the Northern Himalayan mountains in Nepal in 2018 and was nominated for the Women of the Future Awards (Southeast Asia) in 2022.
Veasna is a lecturer and lawyer practising in Cambodia and internationally. He was formerly Head of Securities Dispute Resolution Center of the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia, and a member of the Working Group on Dispute Resolution and Enforcement Mechanism of ASEAN Capital Market Forum. He was also a former Regional Director and Regional Ambassador of the Bangladesh International Mediation Society. He was awarded the ASEAN Young Scholar award in 2016 and Young Ambassador For Volunteerism Award 2009. He obtained a master’s degree in Law from China and France and completed a mediation course in Australia
Richard, a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree and Asia 21 Next Generation Fellow, is the CEO of Quantum Engineering and Manufacturing and the Cambodia Japan Digitalised Manufacturing Center (CJDM). He leads the advancement of Cambodia’s tech manufacturing sector and serves as an advisor to the National Council of Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Cambodian government, providing strategic guidance on technology policy. Richard is known for developing patented landmine clearance technology and for his dedication to empowering young engineers, positioning him as a transformative figure in both the private and public sectors.
Thary is the CEO and Founder of SUDrain, a company that revolutionises wastewater treatment with eco-friendly solutions, such as coconut-based filters. As Cambodia's first female environmental engineer, she is dedicated to sustainable development, community-driven solutions, and empowering women in leadership. She is also a participant in the UN Women Climate Tech Accelerator. Her work addresses environmental challenges in vulnerable communities, particularly around Tonle Sap Lake, while powering gender equality in environmental engineering roles in driving innovation.
Hasintya is the Special Advisor in Innovation Acceleration at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, driving initiatives to empower youth.
She is also the Interim Director of Innovation at Pijar Foundation, leading projects aligned with sustainable development
Israruddin is currently serving as the Director of the THK Forum, Partnership and Policy Lab at the United in Diversity Foundation (UID), based in between Jakarta and Bali. Their mission is to foster tri-sector collaboration across business, government, and civil society. In addition, he manages the Southeast Asia network of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center (TSEA). Beyond his professional responsibilities, he is the Executive Director of the Sahabat Pulau Indonesia Foundation, which focuses on education and community development across 13 provinces in Indonesia.
Janu is the Founder of Sayur Sleman, a platform which offers premium melon supplies and agribusiness training. Sayur Sleman’s innovations not only provide business but transform and empower the local communities in Indonesia. As appointed Young Ambassador Agriculture, Janu is passionate about food security, youth, farmer regeneration, and social entrepreneurship.
In 2023, he received SDG Certified Leader from SDG Academy Indonesia and Young Entrepreneur Award from the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Janu was YSEALI Academic Fellowship Alumni at Arizona State University, 2024 One Young World Delegate in Montreal, and the 2024 Equity Initiative Fellow.
Maral is the Vice Chairperson of Garda Pemuda NasDem, the youth-wing of NasDem, the fourth largest party in Indonesia. She was elected as one of 50 globally inspiring women changing the world into a better place by the Vital Voices of Hillary Clinton and a recipient of the Cherie Blair Foundation Leadership Programme.
Dalevanh is a Technical Officer in Lao Youth Union. She is also part of a supporting team working on Laos’ National Youth and Adolescent Development Strategy. She organises vocational training programs and public education on the prevention of child marriage, drug usage, and lifelong learning for vulnerable young people nationwide, book writing, and planning for environment protection. She has also worked with youth volunteers from abroad for community service in central Laos and the provinces.
Phetmany is the Chief Executive Officer of UTD Education Centre, an English centre and study abroad consultancy. She is deeply committed to empowering Lao youth by enhancing their English language proficiency and providing them with international exposure, aspiring to make them globally competitive. Phetmany advocates for the private sector’s crucial role in fostering youth development and leading by example. Her vision is to create opportunities for young people to study abroad through scholarships and accessible pathways, enabling them to return with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities while leading fulfilling lives.
Sitthideth is the founder of Sharee, an agritech with the mission to enable farmers in Laos to access climate-smart training, financing and green markets for sustainable livelihoods. He is also a development practitioner, entrepreneur, and avid learner who is driven to use his experiences in agriculture, rural development and climate change to make a difference in the lives of underserved communities in Laos and Asia. He is passionate about leveraging market-based solutions, strategic partnerships and technology to empower people at the base of the pyramid with skills and opportunities to thrive and live dignified lives.
Souphattra is the Managing Director at the Lao Textile Museum, a family-owned institution where she oversees and develops efforts to preserve and showcase Laos’ rich textile heritage. Her passion for traditional crafts is evident in her hands-on work with indigo dyeing and occasional weaving. Committed to promoting these artistic techniques, she provides educational and interactive experiences, believing firmly in the power of art to inspire and educate. Her role combines leadership with a deep dedication to cultural preservation and innovation in textile arts.
Amira is the co-founder and Acting President of the youth-led political party MUDA. She was elected at the age of 27 and serves as Puteri Wangsa Legislative Assemblywoman. She also serves on the Johor Climate Change and Disaster Management Committee, where her contributions have led to the incorporation of ten recommendations into the Johor Budget 2024.
Amira's achievements have not gone unnoticed, as she was recognized as a 2023 World Economic Forum Young Global Leader. Amira remains committed to bring impactful reforms on the global stage, as she continues to represent Malaysia with dedication and passion.
Kai Song is the Co-Founder and CEO of GuruLab, an EdTech startup in Malaysia. She raised $1M Pre-Seed funding to build AI education programs and AI products to make learning personalised. She is also a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree.
She was previously a consultant at McKinsey London, where she covered strategy, innovation, and corporate venture building in the UK, US, and Europe across consumer tech, B2B software, and healthcare industries.
She has founded two education non-profits CollegeLah and Rakan Tutor. Kai Song holds a Masters in Information Engineering from the University of Cambridge. Her research was in machine learning algorithms for predictive maintenance.
Nabil is Head of Electric Library, a library solutions provider. He is also a youth leader advocating for transparency and responsible adoption of AI. Working with a pioneering Malaysian SME, he promotes understanding of AI’s potential while engaging in youth initiatives through the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association and ASEAN Youth Organization Malaysia. Nabil is dedicated to improving digital literacy, and has been recognized with the Merdeka Award and selected for prestigious programs like the Axiata Young CEO Development Program and Perdana Fellows. Constantly seeking opportunities to improve himself, he believes that leadership is set by example and he aims to help youths benefit from his experiences.
A medical doctor turned policymaker and newspaper columnist, Sean is a blend of empathy and intellect. After years of advocating for better healthcare as a leader of the Malaysian Medical Association (SCHOMOS) and as a Policy Officer for the Malaysian Health Coalition, he was headhunted to trade his stethoscope for a thrilling adventure as the Special Functions Officer to the Deputy Minister of Communications. With training in Psychiatry and mental health, and a passion for improving the lives of Malaysians, he continues to champion health and welfare policies, believing the best way to heal a nation is through policy changes.
Htwe is a regional consultant in the American Friends Service Committee, currently working on youth and gender inclusion initiatives within the Asia region. She is a dedicated learning enthusiast with a robust program management, public health research, facilitation, and organizational development background. Her noteworthy achievements include spearheading seeds for future projects in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, global peacebuilding research initiatives, instigating transformative changes within organizations, and co-creating dialogues and exchange programs across Asia. She has been acclaimed for her contributions to social cohesion, youth and women empowerment, and community research.
Thoe is a researcher from Myanmar, and an independent technical consultant to ethnic political and youth organisations which pursue Myanmar political transition. Her previous research focused on land governance, Myanmar’s political transitions, peacebuilding and social interactions in the conflict affected areas. She believes in the power of raising voices of local communities through conducting research, promoting advocacy and change on the policy level. Thoe also aims to build networks and platforms for the development and youth empowerment for Myanmar democratic change.
Ellen is a Senior Associate at the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN). Born and raised in Myanmar, she is passionate about social development and has contributed to numerous development initiatives across Myanmar and the Asia-Pacific region. The initiatives focus on facilitating philanthropic funds for social betterment, advancing private sector development, and implementing responsible investment and trade programs.
Gabriel is the founder and President of Break the Fake Movement, an alliance of over 500 young professionals across Southeast Asia who fight fake news, promote media and information literacy and encourage responsible digital citizenship. Since 2017, Gabriel’s organization has launched various programs – including hackathons, digital literacy programs, and fact-checking academy – across Southeast Asia to build a community of media and information-literate citizens who leverage the power of critical thinking to protect online spaces, debunk disinformation, and promote digital rights and media inclusion.
Lyantoniette is a Senior Policy Advisor and Fellow at the Center for AI and Digital Policy, Washington DC. Lyan also founded The Ambit, an AI Governance initiative representing the Global Majority, sitting as its Global Convenor. Recently, she co-founded AI Safety Asia (AISA), advancing governance and policies of AI Safety in Asia, starting with Southeast Asia.
Saje is the founder and CEO of Siklab, an internationally recognised development consulting organisation that focuses on high-level partnerships within Asia. Rooted in the Philippines, Siklab works on social innovation, education, civic participation, and climate innovation solutions with its diverse portfolio of partners. He is a seasoned venture founder, lobbyist, social entrepreneur, and innovator whose core work focuses on development consulting, education, innovation, and public-private partnerships.
Alia is Assistant Head of the Community Resilience Strategic Unit in the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). Her leadership extends to the Asatizah Youth Network, empowering young religious teachers to engage positively on social media. A law graduate and digital media expert, Alia is also an acclaimed writer and certified community facilitator. As Editor-in-Chief of Muslim.Sg, she has been instrumental in addressing critical issues such as the Gaza crisis by providing impactful articles and guides. Alia is also a key member of the MCCY Partnership & Engagement Network and has facilitated countless national engagements. She was honoured with the national Exemplary Skillsfuture @ Public Service Award in 2021.
By day, Attiya is a consultant in Climate Change and Sustainability Services in EY Singapore. By night, she holds community leadership positions in various organisations, such as MENDAKI Club, National Youth Council and M3 @ Tampines (Grassroots). She is passionate about (minority) youth & women empowerment, as well as sustainability. She sees it as a personal mission in the corporate world to find spaces where businesses and community can intersect to build a more sustainable, inclusive and empowering society.
Cindy is the Associate Director and Head of Strategic Partnerships for MSD Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, a multinational pharmaceutical company. With her passion for driving positive change and her ability to build strong partnerships, Cindy has played a pivotal role in initiating collaborations between MSD and various stakeholders. Beyond her role at MSD, Cindy has made significant contributions as a campaigner and catalyst for change. She has been involved in various ground-up initiatives, including those focused on disability inclusion, youth development, women empowerment and sustainable community development.
Ruiming is co-founder of the Woke Salaryman, one of the top finance blogs in Singapore and Southeast Asia, popular for its ability to break down complicated topics and make them palatable. The blog covers subjects such as financial literacy, income inequality, globalisation, mental health, and well-being. He is also a NYC Council Member. Outside of work, he enjoys history, discussing current affairs, and exploring the great outdoors.
Kalicharan is a Senior Analyst at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) at the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore. He researches and teaches on contemporary security, terrorism and extremism-related issues. He lectures on topics related to transnational terrorism and other security issues for security personnel at the Home Team Academy (HTA) of Singapore. He also organised training sessions and conducted security briefings for eminent international organisations.
Josh is the Managing Director (APAC) of the Future of Privacy Forum, and Advisor (TMT) to Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP. Josh also teaches AI law, policy and ethics at the Singapore Management University’s (SMU) School of Law.
As a former policymaker, Josh helped author Singapore’s Model AI Governance Framework – later used as a blueprint for ASEAN’s Guide on AI Governance and Ethics. In 2019 and 2023, he was named by Asia Law Portal as one of Asia’s Top-30-To-Watch in legal innovation.
Josh earned his LL.M. from Berkeley Law and his LL.B. from the SMU School of Law. Outside work, Josh is a street dancer of 17 years, and is part of dance crews in Singapore and the Bay Area.
Kaijie is a Director at the Government Technology Agency, heading up teams to help build great products at scale. He has seven years of experience in government policy work across different spheres, namely education, transport and foreign manpower. He was then seconded to Carousell as its founding Strategy Director to develop its 5-year strategy and drive M&A efforts across Greater Southeast Asia, before returning to public service.
Chu Xian is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Magorium, which seeks to create coexistence between businesses and the environment through innovation and technology. Magorium's technology converts contaminated plastic into NEWBitumen, a new construction material.
The team has partnered organisations such as Sanofi, Sentosa, and DBS to establish a circular economy. Magorium's impact has clinched honours for Chu Xian, including Conservation International 10forZero, HSBC Gamechanger, Forbes Under 30, and Prestige Under 40. She is also an Unreasonable Fellow supported by Barclays.
Stephanie is a results-driven policy leader and tech enthusiast, currently serving as Deputy Director at the Smart Nation Group, Ministry of Digital Development & Information. She leads technical training and workforce strategy for Singapore's public service. Previously, she worked on policy and communications at Open Government Products, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Manpower. She is passionate about social issues, tackling inequality and the digital divide.
Stephanie volunteers with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Volunteer Corp and mentors young professionals. She thrives on solving problems and bridging the gap between policy and reality.
Jia Yee has over a decade of experience in marketing communications, working with clients such as Johnson & Johnson, the Singapore Brand Office, and Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC). She is currently a Director at Tate Anzur, a public relations firm.
Passionate about the arts, community, and youth development, she serves on the Board of Directors at *SCAPE, is Chief Curator of the National Youth Council’s Young ChangeMakers, a member of IMDA’s ACCESS Committee, Board Advisor for Diverse Abilities Dance Collective, and Citizen Ambassador with the Singapore International Foundation.
Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, with intermediate proficiency in Thai, she is also a Theravada Buddhist and editor for the Buddhist blog Handful of Leaves.
Rayner is an Assistant Professor at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and a Fulbright Visiting Research Scholar. His research interests include stigma and health, community engagement, implementation science, and the health of vulnerable communities. He is president of Project X Society, which serves the needs of sex workers, and Director at The Greenhouse, a charity providing substance use recovery services for marginalised groups. He currently serves as a co-lead at SG Mental Health Matters and Project Hayat, a community-led effort to develop Singapore’s national suicide prevention strategy.
Edward is a serial social entrepreneur with a distinctive career at the intersection of impact, finance, and technology. He co-founded ventures like Givfunds, an impact investment fund, and nsave, a fintech focused on financial inclusion. His ventures have attracted funding from prominent backers including Sequoia Capital, UNDP, Y Combinator, and SV Angel. A Rhodes Scholar, Edward holds two master’s degrees from Oxford and was the Valedictorian of his class at Nanyang Technological University. His contributions have earned him recognition as an Obama Leader, the Commonwealth Youth Award for Asia, and a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Dharath works in food, beverage and hospitality with a multidisciplinary approach and focus on sustainability.
He undertakes various projects both domestically and internationally and in the public and private sector. His work ranges from environmental management for hospitality establishments to educational programs, guest lecturing, business development, and facilitating.
Dharath is also the co-founder of Wasteland, commonly known as 'Thailand's First Sustainable Bar’. He also works as business development strategist at LO-CARB, an environmental consultancy house, while pursuing his studies in Social Innovation and Sustainability.
Nisara is an experienced government officer with nine years at Thailand's Ministry of Interior, currently serving as Assistant to the Governor of Lamphun Province. She is known for her expertise in local administration, border security, and community engagement, driving impactful policy changes. Holding a Master’s in Development Studies from School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, Nisara is a passionate advocate for development. She co-founded the 'Kid-D-Ability' project, empowering children with disabilities through community integration.
Theerapat is a boundary-spanner who simultaneously works in academia, policy, and practice. As an assistant professor at Mahidol University, he has taught and conducted research on participatory public policy processes, governance, civil society and nongovernmental organisations, health systems, and well-being. He co-founded and runs the Thailand Institute for Mental Health Sustainability (TIMS), a mental health think tank promoting mental health knowledge-policy-innovation interaction in society. He also works as an advisor to several public and nongovernmental organisations that initiate social participation and policy innovation.
Julio is the director of ENTREGA BA, a social enterprise connecting unemployed Timorese to job opportunities and providing training to unskilled workers. He also serves as an ASEAN Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and has experience managing COVID-19 projects and coordinating social activities. He founded and currently leads Matenek Training Centre (MTC), which offers agricultural, Korean, and English courses to rural communities, focusing on self-employment and workforce access abroad. Additionally, Julio heads ALJU Unipessoal, Lda, a construction company serving the Bobonaro district.
Miqueias is a Senior Executive in the Australia Timor-Leste Partnership for Human Development. He is also a Communication and Public Engagement Specialist with over seven years of experience across government and international agencies. He has spearheaded initiatives in strategic communication, advocacy, digital marketing, and capacity building, fueled by a strong commitment to social justice, education, and technology. As a youth leader and influencer with over 42,000 followers, he champions digital literacy, social inclusion, and justice. With a bachelor’s degree in communication sciences, he is recognized for his leadership in community engagement and sustainable development, and is dedicated to driving positive change through impactful communication.
Michael is the Director of Forte Biotech, which develops disease test kits for prawn farmers in ASEAN countries, providing the tools and knowledge to improve their yields and livelihoods. He was born and raised in Vietnam, and in 2009, he got the chance to come to Singapore for high school and university education. He later became a Quantity Surveyor for 5 years and worked on iconic projects such as the CapitaSpring building in Singapore, before taking a leap of faith into the world of entrepreneurship, co-founding Forte Biotech with his high school classmate. He likes taking photos, playing ukulele, and watching his football team suffer on the weekend.
Huong is a special project officer at World Vision International in Vietnam, and has worked in the development sector for over seven years. Her work primarily focuses on agricultural value chains, rural livelihood development, women’s economic empowerment, and social entrepreneurship for vulnerable groups such as smallholder farmers, ethnic minorities, rural women, and youth. She is passionate about sustainable development and improving quality of life for people. Huong also enjoys volunteering in the fields of environment, climate change, and education.
Quang Dung is the General Director of SmartMedia JSC, a subsidiary of VNPT, the biggest governmental Telecommunication and ICT group in Vietnam. VNPT focuses on building a solid foundation of infrastructure and human resources to provide high quality services to millions of Vietnamese.
Quang Dung believes that through his current career, he can raise awareness and advocate for improvements in digital and social media infrastructure in the ASEAN community, and create initiatives within his scope to build digital and social media infrastructure that benefit all ASEAN citizens and ASEAN businesses for sustainable development of the ASEAN Community.