Front & Female Changemakers

Her legacy is literacy: why this Malaysian lecturer and her students are instilling essential reading skills in vulnerable communities

Despite overwhelming challenges, Hema Letchamanan lives for seeing “a child’s eyes light up” when they overcome learning gaps for the first time

Corporate lawyer Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine gave up Wall Street to transform education in the Philippines through Khan Academy

The CEO of Khan Academy Philippines, Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine is spearheading a nationwide educational transformation and pioneering the use of AI to reach students everywhere

“I never expected to become a part of the Malaysian rail industry”: YTL Construction’s Natasha Zulkifli on Women in Rail Malaysia and the discipline of leadership

Women in Rail Malaysia founder Natasha Zulkifli is breaking barriers for women in transport

Think print is dead? Nora Nazerene Abu Bakar on the book revolution and the bold voices shaping Southeast Asia’s literary scene

Penguin Random House Southeast Asia’s publisher Nora Nazerene Abu Bakar on championing diverse stories, taking risks and making classics cool again

She’s the daughter of a jeepney driver—and a leader of national change: Hyacenth Bendaña is pushing for more inclusive transport in the Philippines

At the age of seven, Hyacenth Bendaña started accompanying her jeepney driver father at rallies. Now, as co-founder of the Move As One Coalition, she’s laying the groundwork for change in the Philippine transport sector

How a billion-dollar dowry led Gigi Chao to fight for everyone’s right to wed and why marriage equality in Hong Kong could finally be within reach

More than a decade after the world fixated on her father’s marriage bounty, Gigi Chao is using her platform to champion marriage equality, reshape tradition and advocate for a more inclusive future

Make learning Chinese fun: Cheryl Mainland’s Dragon Academy uses storytelling and technology to revolutionise Mandarin education

Inspired by her own journey through personal challenges and by a passion to bridge cultural divides, serial entrepreneur Cheryl Mainland’s Dragon Academy aims to make Chinese learning as trendy and accessible as Korean and Japanese

Meet Carla Mae Leonor, whose fusion of business and design is elevating Filipino creative industries

As design division chief of the Design Center of the Philippines, Carla Mae Leonor is innovating Filipino creative industries

Pioneering surgeon Dr Harjit Kaur says this is what prioritising women’s breast health looks like

Prince Court Medical Centre consultant breast and endocrine Surgeon Dr Harjit Kaur on rethinking how we approach breast health, breaking surgical barriers, and why oncoplastic surgery isn’t just about saving lives—it’s about restoring them

Force of nature: Secretary Toni Loyzaga’s bold vision for disaster preparedness

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Toni Loyzaga’s strategy is not just shaping the future; it is a testament to authentic leadership transcending gender

‘Adoption shouldn’t be a substitute’: Kathryn Weaver’s mission to promote adoption as a first choice and reframe how society views family

Lawyer Kathryn Weaver has navigated Hong Kong’s challenging adoption system twice; she discusses interracial adoption and the systemic barriers and challenges adoptive families face

Unprude and unapologetic: Dr Rica Cruz is making sex education mainstream in a conservative country

Through her groundbreaking platform Unprude, sex and relationships therapist Dr Rica Cruz is breaking taboos, supporting parents and promoting healthy conversations about sex in a conservative society