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Your quarterly dose of APLP alumni news
Issue #18, Q4 2019

President's Message


                    

The 4th quarter of 2019 was an eventful one for our APLP organization.  The APLP alumni board met twice during the quarter, our latest Pau Hana took place in the early part of November, we welcomed the members of the G19 cohort as new graduates on Dec. 5th, and Ariana Loehr from G19 joined us as the newest alumni board member representing G19.  The board will have our next meeting in January when we hope to fill one or two of our last open board positions.  

2020 will also bring the 60th anniversary EWC Conference to Honolulu from June 30th - July 2nd as well as the earliest start to a generation when G20 meets for the first time prior to the EWC conference on June 21st.  Hopefully our alumni will be well represented at the conference as well (early registration ends on Jan. 31st).  

I along with the rest of the APLP Alumni Board wish each and every member of our international organization a wonderful, healthy, and prosperous 2020.  

Mahalo,  

Blaine Baldwin


INDEX

I. APLP ANNOUNCEMENTS 
II.
APLP AROUND THE WORLD 
(i) G19 joins APLP alumni ‘ohana ~ APLP staff & Mangal Dhend (G19)
(ii) Three APLP alums serving for Give2Asia ~ Suresh Tamang (G7)
(iii) Workshops on Team Building and Personal Development in Mongolia ~ Joyce Wong (G17)
(iv) South-Western Japanese High School Students Learn Leadership and SDGs
~ Yukiko Abe (G17)
(v) G7 Reunion in Myanmar ~ Marivic Daray (G7)
III. APLP BOARD INTRODUCTION
(i) Blaine Baldwin (G5)
(ii) Joyce Wong (G17)
(iii) Scott Coates (G11)
IV. APLP PERSONAL UPDATES
(i) Scott MacLeod
(ii) Hla Hla Win (G13)
(iii) Chen Ying (G16)
(iv) Hira Siddiqui (G16)
(v) Poroma Kanya (G13)
V. APLP CONNECTIONS 
 

APLP ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. 2020 IS GONNA BE BIG!! G20 & EWC’s 60th 
Generation 20 received a record number of applications! The cohort starts earlier - June 21 - in order to be part of the EWC 60th Anniversary celebrations in Honolulu. 
Join us in celebrating the East-West Center's 60th Anniversary AND launch of APLP Generation 20 at the upcoming EWC/EWCA 60th Anniversary International Conference on June 30-July 2, 2020 in Honolulu, Hawaii. 
                               
                              Early Registration & Deadline for Abstracts is January 31, 2020!

2. EWC Innovation Labs Announced!
Read about the latest Labs and their collaboration with EWC Alumni Chapters. Reach out to Lab Founders in your area to get involved (contact info at link)
EWC INNOVATION LABORATORIES RECEIVE GRANTS TO COLLABORATE WITH EWCA ALUMNI CHAPTERS
 
APLP AROUND THE WORLD

G19 joins APLP alumni ‘ohana
APLP Staff

The APLP alumni ‘ohana is proud to welcome 24 new fellows from 16 different countries who have recently completed the program as G19. The cohort first met in Chennai, India, in August and spent two weeks getting to know each other, the staff, the alumni and learning about Chennai. Module 2 of the program took place virtually as fellows returned to their home countries and worked online to explore regional trends. From October to December in Hawaiʻi, the fellows delved deeper into the three big questions of APLP: what’s going on, what action is needed and where do I fit? They also had a chance to spend two weeks of field study on the US West Coast, exploring San Francisco, Oakland and Yosemite National Park. From a daunting rope course to a delicious feast of food from Asia, this cohort has made the most of their time in Hawaiʻi. G19 has set the bar high for their commitment to engage beyond the program and we look forward to hearing from them about their quarterly cohort calls.
APLP G19 Full-Grown The Modular Model With Gigantic Success!
Mangal Dhend (G19)

This year 24 alumni from 16 different countries of APLP-G19 cohort have been added in Ohana of EWC. With lots of zeal and zest, first module of the Asia Pacific Leadership Program  G-19 launched in August 17-26, 2019 at Chennai, India.

The cohort was coordinated by most veteran senior educator Gretchen Alther with the qualified and competent speakers  of Dr. Nick Barker, Keith Coats, Christina Monroe, Laura Ediger, Cynthia Chang and Hira Siddiqui.

Module 2 was accomplished from August 27 to October 6 using state-of-the-art “online” technologies and full of context focusing on regional challenges, issues, opportunities, peer to peer, professional coaching sessions, and oral reflections via zoom and Skype meetings.
Module 3 was conducted in Honolulu, from 6th October -6th December 2019, Hawaii including 2 weeks of field study at California bay area where the fellows lived, worked, learned, unlearned, relearned together as a cohort to understand, apply leadership tools, techniques and strategies. The whole modular model of APLP programme updated in year 2018 accomplished a great gigantic success!
Three APLP alums serving for Give2Asia
Suresh Tamang (G7)

Aloha, Tashi Delek, Namaste and Hello!
We [Thinley Choden G2, Suresh Tamang G7 and Ly Tran, G9] work for Give2Asia. We met in person in Bangkok early this year during the Give2Asia 2020 strategic meeting. Besides other professional assignments, Thinley and Suresh have been working as Country Advisors for Bhutan and Nepal respectively while Ly works as an Accounts Manager based in Singapore. We endeavor to make the world a better place to live in.

Suresh, Thinley and Ly posing with shaka [island style] signs
 
Give2Asia is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization driving social impact in local communities across Asia. G2A collaborates with Individuals, Family Foundations, and Corporations, providing professional guidance and access to a network of vetted local nonprofit organizations to help our partners meet their philanthropic goals.

Please contact us if you are around!
Thinley: choden@give2asia.org, Suresh: stamang@give2asia.org, Ly: ly@give2asia.org
Mahalo!
Workshops on Team Building and Personal Development in Mongolia
Joyce Wong (G17)

It is my privilege to be part of the EWC Innovative Lab 2019 Mongolian team together with two other EWC participants, Tsolmontuya Altankhundaga and Amaraa Amarjargal.  We collaborated in organizing participants’ activities while we were serving on the East-West Center Participant Association in 2017.  It is wonderful to have to opportunity to start the Mentorship Program of the Women Entrepreneur Mentors Club in Mongolia together.  

On November 8th, we capitalized the knowledge which we had acquired from the leadership programs of EWC, and co-organized workshops on personal development reflection, team building and business legal knowledge for the women entrepreneurs in Mongolia. It did not only benefit the women participants but also to our team as this experience deepen our understanding of each another’s culture. We are very thankful to EWC for this fruitful journey.
 

South-Western Japanese High School Students Learn Leadership and SDGs
Yukiko Abe (G17)

I am very pleased to have had the opportunity to spread the East-West Center (EWC) and Hawaiian spirit in my hometown, Oita Prefecture, the southwest part of Japan. On 1st November 2019, I delivered a lecture introducing leadership skills and global citizenship to more than 700 students at my old school, Oita Oginodai High school. I shared my career including my leadership fellow work at the EWC and also taught about Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). After the lecture, I conducted a workshop using the Island Game with approximately 30 students. Through the game, they developed new horizons to understand their own values and the values of their peers. They learned to come to a group consensus, and the importance of making contributions and using various strategies. These activities were introduced by a local radio station, OBS Radio and newspaper, Oita Godo Shimbun. I am very happy to finally have the chance to bring my learning at the EWC in 2017 to my hometown.  I plan to continue to spread the EWC spirits in the world. This work is done with thanks to the EWC, Ohana.
 
    
 
G7 Reunion in Myanmar
Marivic Daray (G7)

Last November 25 and 30, 2019, three APLP G7 cohorts, Chocho Yee, Khin Htwe and Marivic Daray, were reunited in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangoon, Myanmar as the country celebrated the 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence. It was short but sweet.  The three cohorts attended the launch of the program at the new capital of the country, Nay Pyi Taw, while Marivic delivered a lecture where she shared her country’s (Philippines) legal experience in the passage of laws protecting women and girls. Chocho Yee was one of the organizers for said activities.
     

APLP BOARD  INTRODUCTION

Prologue
With 2020 being the year of the 20th generation of APLP, the APLP Alumni Board thought this would be a great time to recall some of the memories that have taken place during the past 20 years in APLP.  So during the next year in the quarterly Navigator issues, please look forward to reading about some of the highlights or memorable occasions that fellow APLP alumni feel comfortable sharing. If you want to share a couple of your experiences please feel free to send brief write-ups to the Navigator Editor Team for future Navigator editions. - Blaine Baldwin -
Blaine Baldwin (G5)
 
One of my most magical days during APLP was early on when our generation took a trip to the Kalaupapa Leper Colony on the island of Molokai and stayed overnight on Molokai.  The learning that took place on that day were vast from meeting the people in Kalaupapa and learning about its history, to getting to know my fellow APLPers through hiking experiences and sharing stories around a fire near the beach with the amazing Keith Coats leading the way, and looking up into the night sky and seeing millions of stars high above the islands of Hawaii.   

An early classroom experience I recall that is a memory till this day was also early in the year and likely just the 2nd or 3rd time my group of APLP Fellows (40+) were together in class.  This class was like none other: none of the assistant teachers nor Nick Barker got up to speak in front of the class.  None of us G5 APLP fellows knew exactly what to think of the situation.  This room filled with 40 to 50 people from many different backgrounds had no speaker to fill up the time and drop some incredible knowledge.  I wondered what everyone was thinking.  My thoughts were “should I do something crazy like go to the podium and announce that class is OVER for today”, could that make me instantly popular and a great leader??  I didn’t do that.  However, eventually a few of us did go to the podium and got a topic started so everyone could participate.  Later, at another class, Nick shared with us his purpose for that social experiment. 
 


Joyce Wong (G17)
 
Joyce first joined the APLP Board in 2017, now serves as Secretary of APLP Alumni Board for the 2019-21 term. Joyce is from Hong Kong; she is currently pursuing her master’s degree focusing on organizational development and leadership in the United States.  Joyce was the head of Programs and Operations at the Bai Xian Asia Institute, where she co-created cross-cultural and leadership education programs with leading universities in Asia.  She also served at United Nations Development Program and World Vision earlier in her career, she has rich experience managing development programs in China and Africa.  The aspect of work she enjoys the most is to maximize the potential of her team wherever she goes.

“We don’t learn from experience; we learn by reflecting on our experience.” by Keith Coats. APLP land is indeed the fertile soil for self-reflection and growth. She had the perfect routine she has ever dreamed of in Hawaii. She went to the gym at 5:30 am, and it was not unusual to find her in the study room after class, she focused a lot on APLP classwork. She only realized that she has missed out a lot after she joined her GIST group, as they were a smaller group of 7, they had the opportunity to get to know each other better. APLP is not only about acquiring regional and leadership knowledge, but the most precious treasures were the 23 other brilliant minds that she had the chance to co-create with. It is impossible to re-create my Hawaiian experience, but it is not too late to re-connect by meeting up with them, there are always surprises!
 
                    
                                In Taipei with Minji Lee (G17)       In Mongolia with Erdene Batzorig (G17)
Scott Coates (G11)
 
Scott first joined the APLP Board in 2015, served as Communications Chair for 4 years and now serves as Vice President for the 2019-21 term.

Originally from Canada, Scott moved to Thailand in 1999 to co-found a luxury travel company, which he successfully exited in 2013 to pursue a career in training and leadership. He is now Director of People Develop with EXO Travel; one of Asia's largest destination management companies where he manages training and HR needs for more than 900 team members throughout Asia. He also maintains a travel podcast (www.talktravelasia.com) with Trevor Ranges (G10). 

During his APLP experience, he really enjoyed meeting Stuart Coleman, author of Eddie Would Go, who shared his journey writing a riveting story about legendary Hawaiian waterman Eddie Aikau. 

One of the most powerful learnings from APLP was the experience of leaving his business and Thailand for five months, learning how to better manage change. Within a year of returning to 'normal' life after APLP, Scott got married, sold his business and moved countries, something APLP prepared him for.
 

APLP PERSONAL UPDATES

Personal updates
Scott MacLeod

Hello lah.. From Singapura
Proud to now be an APLP alum!  Having left the EWC, I am now based in Singapore and working with an ‘almost as cool as EWC’ organization (but we will get there) called Human Capital Leadership Institute.  Our two taglines are “Putting the Human in Human Capital” and “For Asia, From Asia.”  We run a lot of Programmes (note that Brit spelling.  )

It has been an amazing transition to a very different environment, but the years in APLP-land have prepared me well.  Adaptation can be fun when it involves so much learning.  And the past weeks have indeed!  It has been great to connect with other alums in-region both socially and on some joint projects.  Looking forward to more as navigations cross paths.  New email scottmacleod@hcli.org.

Personal updates
Hla Hla Win (G13)

APLP G13 received Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 award from Schwab Foundation. Her dream started in APLP. During the program, Hla Hla received a full scholarship to join Master in Public Administration program at HKS. After HKS graduation, Google innovation grant enabled her to incubate her idea of tackling one of the global grand challenges: “Access to Quality Education”. 

In 2018 February, her company 360ed has been awarded the world’s top ten digital innovation award from Netexplo/UNESCO for their disruptive innovations in education technologies with Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. Her team of 70 young individuals are constantly learning and leading a disruptive innovation trend to transform traditional educational systems by leveraging scalable technologies and to democratize access to quality learning experiences in Myanmar and in the region.

Personal updates
Chen Ying (G16)

Dear fellow APLP Alumni, 

Aloha! I made an important decision of becoming a “farmer” early this year in the southern part of China to pursue my personal meaning of life. Though my organization made great achievements celebrating its ten year anniversary and I myself have been selected on the list of Forbes 30U30 in China 2018, I found myself unhappy in large cities with an increasing desire for consumerism and materialism. 

  

Since March 2019, I have enough time to read, plant, paint and write. Leaving cosmopolitan, I have a lot of inner peace inside of my heart. I do have more leisure time to spend with the people around me. I want to take this time to say thanks to Thao Phuong Le, Lucky Wu, MCK, Phuong Anh and Christopher Zobrist, who I met or had deep conversations with and who motivates me this year.

Currently, I worked as an independent translator and management consultant for social innovation. 

I’m working on finding a new life and working style. Currently, I'm looking for a place to form a small community based on mutual interest and understanding. In 2020, I might further explore life opportunities in different parts of China even other regions.

Mahalo!


Personal updates
Hira Siddiqui (G16)

Coming back to APLP to work with G19 has been a great opportunity to experience the program once again and to get to know a whole new cohort. I worked with the APLP team to curate diverse source materials for regional trends exploration and helped the fellows contextualise these to their local settings. We worked together to write reflections on how demographics, the future of work, information, politics and climate change will impact us. We also took a critical look at how culture and identity shapes our experiences and the importance of wellbeing for leadership.

 

The first few days in Hawaiʻi felt strange because I was expecting to see the familiar faces of G16 - it was like being on a movie set but with different actors. But it was only a matter of time before G19 brought their positive energy and laughter to make Hawaiʻi feel like home.
Best,
Personal updates
Poroma Kanya (G13)
 
I have started a new journey in Adelaide, South Australia working as the Communications and Engagement Officer for  Australia Awards – South and West Asia managed by Scope Global. Australia Awards are prestigious international Scholarships, Fellowships and Short Courses funded by the Australian Government geared to equip recipients with the skills and knowledge to drive change and contribute to the economic and social development of their own countries. This has given me an opportunity to do what I enjoy; collect stories of leadership and impact.

If anyone is in the land down under, feel free to pop me a line: poromakanya@gmail.com
Thank you and kind regards,
Poroma
 
 APLP CONNECTIONS
 
We'll publish the Navigator every quarter with the next edition scheduled for March 2020. A few weeks prior we’ll send a message inviting you to submit stories and news. Until then, stay connected, be productive, and have fun!

Remember, if you post any APLP material on social media, be sure to use the tag #APLP.

Remember, you can connect with the APLP alumni community socially on Facebook, LinkedIn, and you will occasionally receive messages via our Listserv. If you haven’t received any Listserv messages yet, send us your email address, name, generation of APLP you attended, and we’ll add you in. And you can always reach us at aplpalumni@gmail.com

 

MAHALO! 

 

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