Virtual Campfire with Changemakers - Young Voices: Changemaking Starts Now
Join us for an engaging online event series, Virtual Campfire with Changemakers, where we gather beyond borders to spark meaningful conversations, share stories and ignite change! Each month, our host Carmen Chan, founder of Girls Be Change, invites her remarkable changemaker friends from around the world to explore diverse topics that matter to us all. From conservation and climate to women's stories and young voices, this series is designed to enlighten and empower you with stories. So, let's talk about something serious... with a light heart.
On Jun 21 Sat 3-4pm GMT+8, we are thrilled to welcome three co-hosts and young changemakers: Alice Gathe, the 22-year-old founder of Bold Girl Unite from Kenya, a youth-led organization empowering young women through knowledge platforms and championing climate action; Ara Kusama, National Geographic Explorer and Change Manager of Ashoka Indonesia, who has been leading changes with 3 ventures since the age of 10; and Santi Rahayu, Bali City Lead for Women And Climate (WAC) and Founder of Pariveśa, an online magazine dedicated to creative narratives about the environment and well-being, intending to connect environmentalists globally.
In this unique Virtual Campfire format, we won’t be confined to a traditional panel or roundtable discussion. Instead, prepare for an intimate gathering where professional stories intertwine with personal experiences. Our cohosts will share their journeys and insights, inviting participants to ask questions and contribute to a rich tapestry of dialogue. This is a space for connection, learning, and inspiration, where you are welcome to join in and share your thoughts. All genders welcome!
No matter what age or changemaking stage you are at, this virtual campfire promises to be a thought-provoking experience. Bring your curiosity and an open heart, and let’s celebrate the power of storytelling and community together! We can’t wait to see you there!
In order to curate a more engaging experience, we limit each virtual campfire session to 10 participants only. The online session will also be recorded.
Meet our Campfire Host, Carmen!
Carmen Chan | Girls Be Change (Hong Kong)
Carmen is a people-driven entrepreneur. Since the age of 25, she has been running her own ventures, including her namesake jewelry brand, Carmen Chan Jewelry; creative agency, Studio C; and lately, her new social business, Girls Be Change.
Carmen Chan Jewelry celebrates the beauty of imperfection through jewelry and accessory design. Carmen was awarded as the finalist of Lane Crawford Calling Out For the Next New 2015 and highlighted in Facebook #SheMeansBusiness in 2016. Studio C is a creative agency that provides public relations, marketing, and design services with clients from a variety of backgrounds, including Taylor Swift, Marriott International, Hong Kong Design Centre, Affordable Art Fair, and more.
Girls Be Change is a social business that enables and empowers girls and women to be explorers and changemakers. Carmen spent years understanding the challenges of women leaders and struggles of underserved women, and finally decided to transform her expertise in problem solving throughout her journey of entrepreneurship into this new venture with the goal to eradicate gender inequality and build strong impact eco-system collectively.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenbechange/
And our wonderful co-hosts!
Alice Gathe | Bold Girl Unite | Nairobi, Kenya
Alice Gathe is a 22-year-old founder and CEO of Bold Girl Unite, a youth-led organization empowering young women through knowledge platforms and championing climate action. She is a passionate advocate for Sustainable Development Goals 5 (gender equality), 13 (climate action), and 17 (partnerships for the goals), believing in the power of collaboration for unified global impact. Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Statistics at Kenyatta University, Alice has received international recognition for her leadership. She has been honoured with the Global Leader Award in Dubai (2023) and recognized as an Emerging Leader in Bangkok (2022) for her impactful contributions to youth leadership and peacebuilding initiatives. In 2024, Ms. Gathe was awarded the best female delegate during the Africa Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurship Conference in Ghana. Alice's dedication extends to mentorship and community service, including her role as a mentor at Affecto Foundation and her involvement in environmental sustainability projects.
https://linktr.ee/Alice_Gathe
Ara Kusama | Ashoka, National Geographic Explorer | Jakarta, Indonesia
Ara Kusuma started her journey as a changemaker at the age of ten with Moo’s Project, a social initiative that integrates local farmers to develop the resources a cow has in a more sustainable way. In the four years that followed, her team brought together 150 farmers in Boyolali to test new approaches and spread what worked for the benefit of all. She was elected as a Young Changemaker by Ashoka and featured on Kompas as a Young Pioneer in 2008.
Following her vision of Mulya Sesarengan (for the welfare of all), she founded her second and third venture, TeenChanger and URTravelearner, which take teenagers through the stages of changemaking in a three-to-seven-day experience to launch their own solutions for social change. The effort continued as she co-leads the Everyone a Changemaker Movement with Ashoka by enabling young people to find their power in creating changes they wish to see in the world.
Today, she is also focusing her work in supporting underprivileged children to get access to creative and quality education at home during this Covid-19 pandemic with Aha! Project. So far, the initiative has reached more than 4500 children in 64 villages across 18 provinces in Indonesia and continues to grow as Ara joins the National Geographic community as a Young Explorer 2020.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arakusuma/
Santi Rahayu | Women And Climate, Pariveśa | Bali, Indonesia
Santi is from Bali, Indonesia. As a passionate creative professional with 12 years of experience in creative direction, she specializes in transforming ideas into results, with a strong focus on aesthetics and conceptualization.
Growing up as the daughter of a female migrant worker in Hong Kong and a pensioner father, becoming the first in her family to earn a university degree was a dream. Driven by a desire for personal growth and to build a meaningful career, she moved to Bali. Along the way, she faced numerous challenges that shaped her journey and perspective on becoming who she is today.
Living in Bali deepened her connection with the ocean. Since 2012, she has volunteered in sea turtle rescue efforts during her downtime and learned from local environmentalists. This self-taught journey has given her a deeper understanding of marine conservation. In early 2023, she transitioned from being a creative director for a French fashion brand to working as an executive assistant to the CEO at Forest Carbon.
Surrounded by inspiring environmentalists, Santi strives to make a difference. In her spare time, she volunteers as a sea turtle ranger, walking 10 kilometers overnight and sleeping by the beach to protect nesting turtles. Engaging with the women's community, she serves as Bali City Lead for Women And Climate (WAC) and is the first leader in Southeast Asia. Additionally, she is developing Pariveśa, an online magazine dedicated to creative narratives about the environment and well-being, intending to connect environmentalists globally.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sprahayu/
This virtual campfire is opened to only approved guests. For any RSVP enquiries, please contact Carmen on girlsbechange@gmail.com.