Sifter

Ethiopia

Maya is a freelance reporter based in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, and runs a weekly newsletter called Sifter. She covers human rights stories with a special interest in women and labour rights issues.

International Media Support

Philippines

Roby Alampay started PumaPodcast three decades into his journalism career. He is also currently the Asia program adviser of Denmark-based International Media Support.

Thibi

Myanmar

Yan Naung Oak is the founder of Thibi, a consultancy working in the space between data and design. He works with media and civil organisations across Southeast Asia to help them use data for storytelling and advocacy.

Kiripost

Cambodia

Tharum Bun is the co-founder of Kiripost, a modern media startup that covers business and tech in Cambodia.

Zamaneh Media

India

Sudeshna Chanda is Business Development and Innovation Manager at Zamaneh Media, an Amsterdam-based exiled media for Iran that co-founded the Network of Exiled Media Outlets.

YouTube Asia Pacific

South Korea

Stephanie Park is responsible for go-to-market strategy and partnerships with news and health organisations for YouTube across Asia Pacific. She executes on YouTube's efforts to elevate authoritative information-based sources in the region.

Inclusive Journalism

The Netherlands

Sanne Breimer is a global independent journalism trainer, mentor, and founder of Inclusive Journalism.

Himal Southasian

Nepal

Roman Gautam is the Editor at Himal Southasian. He was earlier a Senior Editor at The Caravan.

Facilitator, interpreter, and translator

Myanmar

Pwint Hlwar is a facilitator, interpreter, and translator for different NGOs, including the civilian government in Myanmar for more than eight years. Pwint was also part of the team that adapted the MethodKit for Podcasts into Burmese.

Journalism business coach

United States of America

Phillip Smith is a veteran journalism business coach. His passion is helping newsrooms to make more money, helping news startups grow their audience, and helping journalists succeed as entrepreneurs.

Democratic Voice of Burma

The Netherlands

Ole Chavannes is a media development consultant, based in the Netherlands, working with the Democratic Voice of Burma since 2008. He is also DVB's representative at the Network of Exiled Media Outlets.

AFP

Thailand

Nattakorn Ploddee is the head of digital investigations for Southeast Asia at AFP in Bangkok and has been training local journalists in AFP’s digital verification workshops. Previously, he worked as a journalist in Thailand.

Pulitzer Center

Malaysia

Kuek Ser Kuang Keng is a digital journalist, data journalism trainer, and media consultant based in Kuala Lumpur. He is also a data editor at the Pulitzer Center, a U.S.-based non-profit supporting journalism.

Media Development Investment Fund

India

Koreel Lahiri is the Investment Director for Asia at MDIF. He has more than 15 years’ experience in media investing, strategy and editorial, and has served in senior investment, strategy, and operational roles in various large Indian media organisations.

YouTuber, journalist, and humanitarian aid worker

Japan

Kanta Hara is a Japanese YouTuber, journalist, and humanitarian aid worker who focuses on humanitarian causes in Africa. He's used his YouTube channel to put a spotlight on poverty and human rights issues in Uganda, Congo, and Sudan.

Initium Media

China

Jin Ding is the CEO of Initium Media. She is an experienced journalist with expertise in global reporting, program management, fundraising, and inclusive journalism. Jin began her career in China as a sports journalist.

Morningtide Capital Partners

Philippines

James Pacaba is CFO to some of the most transformative ventures in the Philippines, and formerly lectured at some of the top universities in the country. As the founder of Morningtide Capital Partners, he manages over $13.2 million in equity across nine industries.

Journalist

Myanmar

Jack Aung, an award-winning multimedia journalist who went from reporting and editing at Mon News Agency to producing and reporting for BBC News, Aljazeera, and Asia Calling. He's also a pioneering mobile journalism trainer in Myanmar.

International Fund for Public Interest Media

United States of America

Irene Jay Liu is regional director for Asia and the Pacific at the International Fund for Public Interest Media, based in Singapore. Previously, she led the Google News Lab in APAC and was an investigative reporter and data editor at Reuters.