Meet The Team

Tun Aung Shwe had a varied professional career – medical officer, general practitioner, public health officer, and organizational development practitioner – with over 20 years of experience in Myanmar and Australia. He is a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of New South Wales and attained MPH and MHM in Australia in addition to MBBS and MDevS in Myanmar. As a country director, he led football-based youth development, resilience building, and social cohesion programs in 4 States and 6 Regions in Myanmar in collaboration with several Myanmar universities and local NGOs since 2013.

He specialized in organizational development, social cohesion, and sport for development and peace.

Myo Aung Htwe is a former prisoner of conscience, sentenced to death in 1991. Upon his release 18 years later, he established the Cultural Impact Studies Club, which seeks to promote multiculturalism and trust-building among Burma’s ethnic groups. He is a fellow of the Election Integrity and the Reagan-Fascell Democracy Programs and a founding member of the Yangon School of Political Science. He led several public opinion survey and legislative advocacy projects engaging both chambers of Myanmar parliament during the Civilian Government Administration and specialized in stakeholder engagement, coordination in addition to project management and survey research.

Naung Naung is a humanitarian and public health professional with extensive project and grant management experience for over 10 years.

He worked with a wide range of international non-governmental organizations in Myanmar on projects that involve building technical capacity for emergency response and humanitarian assistance in conflict-affected areas, and disease control projects, especially tuberculosis (TB). ​​

He specialized in the area of project management, grant management, stakeholder relation, capacity building initiatives including the development of manuals and protocols, and project/program monitoring and evaluation.

Khin Mar Thein graduated from the East Yangon University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Law and attained a Diploma in Business Law from Yangon University in 2018. She participated in pro-democracy activities since 2007 and became a member of the National League for Democracy Party Youth Wing. She specialized in citizenship law and fair trial rights and practiced as a legal advisor at Justice Base, an INGO that provided legal knowledge, especially citizenship and fair trial rights and anti-discrimination for practicing Myanmar lawyers. In addition, she led the Civics Education Training program at the Yangon Youth Center and participated in multi-faceted development activities for minority youth with diverse backgrounds.

Okkgar Taw has extensive experience in financial management, working with NGOs, businesses, and development organizations. He served as a financial specialist at the Myanmar Development Institute (MDI), assisting the Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Industry with SOE reforms and privatization under the NLD Government. He also worked as Chief Coordinator for the Myanmar Business Forum Project with the IFC (World Bank Group), a Risk and Assurance Manager at an SGX-ST listed corporation, and a Corporate Finance Manager at a local company. Okkgar holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University, UK, and a Master of Banking and Finance from Macquarie University, Australia. He is an FCCA (UK) and CPA (Myanmar).

Kyaw Lwin is a committed legal scholar and human rights advocate. He has pursued advanced studies in public policy and human rights at Chiang Mai University and Mahidol University. Demonstrating a strong commitment to social justice, Kyaw Lwin has taken on various leadership roles, including consulting for Mhyata Lan Nyun, which provides legal aid to women, children, and vulnerable communities under MOWYCA-NUG. He has held key roles, including Director of the Research Centre at Irrawaddy Law School, recognized by NUG MOE. His research on gender-based violence and legal reforms in Myanmar's conflict is well-regarded. Kyaw Lwin's expertise in legal and human rights issues is frequently shared at international forums.

Jesua Lynn is a research fellow at the Regional Center for Social Science and Sustainable Development at Chiang Mai University. He holds an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies with distinctions from the University of Manchester, where his dissertation received multiple awards. Jesua is a seasoned educator, teaching federalism, peace studies, and conflict studies at various higher education institutions. He contributes to Asia Democracy Chronicles and is a Myanmar researcher for the China Index at Doublethink Lab in Taiwan. Recently, he completed research at the Asian Center for Migration at Chulalongkorn University. Jesua's prolific research includes upcoming publications and extensive consultancy roles in curriculum, training, and research.

Sila Wa's professional journey in civic engagement training began in 2016. He has crafted comprehensive curricula and delivered impactful training sessions to empower individuals in democratic processes. Specializing in Advocacy for Democracy and Civic Education, Sila Wa equips participants with the knowledge and skills to advocate for their rights, engage in meaningful dialogue, and effect positive change within their communities. In 2020, he earned a master’s degree in political studies. Currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science, Sila Wa delves into state-building and nation-building. His academic pursuits and practical experience in training and advocacy advance civic engagement, democratic participation, and social justice, empowering individuals to become informed, active citizens.

Since the early 2000s, Aung Aung has been deeply involved in social development initiatives in the Yangon Region. His journey began with an Early Childhood Care and Development project, a collaboration between UNICEF and the Department of Basic Education, lasting six years. In 2008, he joined Save the Children's Emergency Response Team for Cyclone Nargis relief operations. From 2009 to 2012, he focused on capacity building at the organisation. Pursuing academic advancement, Aung earned a master's degree in Local Governance and Development at UPLB University in the Philippines from 2012 to 2015. During this period, he co-founded Thanlwin Citizen Empowerment Program, leading projects and capacity-building training for local CSOs. Currently, he contributes to the Local Governance and Administration training project with the Lawkapala Foundation, focusing on curriculum development and implementation.

Richard has over a decade of expertise in project management, communication, and advocacy. He holds a Master's in Public Health and has managed several public health projects focused on disease prevention and health promotion. Richard has served as a communication specialist and advisor for several INGOs and UN agencies, specializing in behavioral change communication initiatives. His experience spans working with high-risk groups, residents in conflict-affected areas, and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. Currently, Richard is a technical support team consultant for an ethnic organization, providing crucial assistance and guidance.

Yadana graduated with a Master of Honoured Economics in Statistics from Yangon University of Economics. She worked as an accountant in business sector, a research assistant at a Research  Firm, and a research officer at a financial institution. She worked with the World Bank, IMF, and ADB for the capacity-building development programs for Myanmar financial institutions. After the coup, she was a volunteer teacher for grade 10 students teaching Economics. In July 2023, she started her studies in the program of Master of International and Development Economics at Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University. Moreover, she has been selected to participate in the 2023 ASEAN Scholar Leadership (a one-year program).