Cartoon People, Bangladesh

Syed is a Bangladeshi cartoonist, comic book artist, storyteller, and founder of Cartoon People and Cartoon People Comics. His work spans political cartooning, comics, children’s literature, and community art, focusing on freedom of expression, human rights, and social justice. He has contributed to leading Bangladeshi newspapers and collaborated with organizations including the British Council and Artolution, using murals and visual storytelling to engage marginalized communities, including Rohingya refugees. A TEDx speaker and internationally recognized fellow, Syed champions creativity and storytelling as powerful tools for dialogue, inclusion, and positive social change through art.

Nandar is a feminist storyteller, podcaster, and movement-builder from Myanmar. She founded and leads Purple Feminists Group, advancing gender equality, menstrual justice, and feminist leadership through storytelling, advocacy, and community-building. For over a decade, she has fostered dialogue on gender, bodily autonomy, and social justice. She hosts G-Taw Zagar Wyne and Feminist Talks, co-directed Myanmar’s bilingual The Vagina Monologues, and translated Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s We Should All Be Feminists and Dear Ijeawele into Burmese. Named to BBC 100 Women in 2020, she champions storytelling as a catalyst for social change.

Dakila, Phillippines

Nina is a feminist activist and multimedia communications specialist from the Philippines. She has more than a decade of experience as a visual artist, campaigner, and organizer for human rights, gender justice, social justice, and climate justice. She is currently a Communications Director of DAKILA – Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism, and a core member of DAKILA’s Feminist Collective.

British Council, India

Paramita is a feminist practitioner, researcher, and program leader from India with over 25 years of experience advancing gender justice and social inclusion across South Asia. Her work spans research, advocacy, policy, and program leadership on violence against women and children, workplace safety, sexual and reproductive health and rights, trafficking, child protection, and women’s economic empowerment. She contributed to drafting India’s Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and has worked with organisations including Save the Children, Population Council, and Azaad Foundation. She explores the intersections of gender, leadership, creativity, and economic empowerment.

Cambodia

Chau is a strategic project and program management professional from Cambodia with over 10 years of experience leading initiatives across international NGOs, private companies, and local organizations. Her expertise includes project management, partnership building, capacity development, and qualitative research. She combines strategic insight with operational excellence and a strong commitment to empowering emerging leaders. A passionate traveler and storyteller, Chau documented experiences from all 25 provinces of Cambodia in her book. She now inspires others through 367 Days, a platform of talks, workshops, and publications that encourage people to pursue their dreams with purpose and confidence.

Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB), Cambodia

Soeum is a community development practitioner from Cambodia with over a decade of NGO experience. Originally from Siem Reap, she holds a degree in Agricultural Economics and Rural Development and earned a Master’s in Sustainable Development Goals in New Zealand in 2025. Her work focuses on education, youth empowerment, and environmental stewardship. She completed a 12,000-kilometre motorcycle journey across Cambodia, combining adventure with community engagement. Soeum is committed to promoting community-led solutions, believing collaboration, meaningful participation, and local leadership are essential to building a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh, Bangladesh

Maria is Project Coordinator for the Samaan Aawaaj project at CCDB in Bangladesh and has over 19 years of experience in international development. She has led projects focused on gender equality, women’s empowerment, human rights, health, livelihoods, child protection, and climate resilience. Her expertise includes project management, donor reporting, monitoring, advocacy, feminist leadership, capacity building, and partnership development with government, civil society, and the private sector. Committed to inclusive and sustainable development, Maria works to strengthen vulnerable communities through collaborative leadership, evidence-based programming, and initiatives that advance gender equality and social justice.