Where are you from and what’s your background?
I’m from Jakarta, Indonesia, but I grew up in a few different cities around the world (New York, Canberra, Manila). Like many folks at TACSI, I come from a mixed professional background. I started my practice as a visual artist (painting figures and bodies, drawing influences from Lucian Freud and Jenny Saville) and pivoted to graphic design.
I was always hungry to be involved in efforts that were making a direct impact to the community, especially in areas of disadvantage. That’s what brought me to Melbourne in 2016 to pursue a post-grad in international development and dive into the NFP scene.
What’s your previous experience working in social impact?
I worked at Australia’s largest youth-led NGO for a bit, but ended up starting my own business, doing brand and design for emerging NFPs, social enterprises, and impact led businesses.
Being a social entrepreneur led me to working in the startup space helping other founders – I spent the past few years working with early-stage startup accelerators and other seed-funding programs.
I’m also a Global Shaper, which means I’m part of an international network of people driving dialogue, action and change. Through this, I’ve been involved in cool local initiatives; for example, I co-founded a campaign and capability building program that was aimed at increasing youth civic engagement by getting under 26’s to run in the Victorian 2020 local council elections).
What’s your role at TACSI?
At TACSI, I'm involved in our partnership with the Innovation Hub of the Australian Volunteers Program (funded by DFAT). I assist in building the innovation capability of our partner (for example, in May, I’ll be supporting Siobhan Cribbin in delivering our Social Innovation and Development Course for the AVP Partnerships team). I also work with in-country teams, exploring alternative models of volunteering to help communities in the Indo-Pacific region to achieve their own development goals and create positive and lasting future outcomes.
What change would you like to see in the world, and why?
“We’re all just walking each other home” – that’s my favourite quote by Ram Dass. I would like to see a world where everyone is free to find their sense of home (and all of the necessary factors that make it), whether it is within themselves, community, a certain locale, or a larger social/planetary scale.
Who inspires you and why?
I’m sure when faced with this question, many different people come to mind for different reasons. But honestly, right now I am feeling very inspired by everyone at TACSI. The respect, rigour, and thoughtfulness that goes into our practice goes far beyond words on a page. It is felt in every project I’m learning about, every conversation I have the privilege of hearing or being a part of, and in the character of every person I have met (each in their own unique way). Being a part of TACSI has been one of the most enriching things I’ve experienced so far, and I’m so glad to be part of this work with you all.