Rockefeller Foundation Announces First Class of Big Bets Fellows Focused on Asia-Pacific

12 changemakers driving bold, community-led solutions across 26 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Aitutaki, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam.

BANGKOK, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rockefeller Foundation announced a new class of Big Bets Fellows – the first focused on the Asia-Pacific region – bringing together 12 visionary leaders who are pioneering scalable, locally rooted solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, from water scarcity to sustainable agriculture, marine conservation, disaster risk reduction, digital innovation and more.

Over the four-month fellowship, these Asia-Pacific Big Bets Fellows will participate in intensive programming, peer learning, and global networking designed to amplify their potential impact and help translate their bold ideas into lasting systems change. Their immediate efforts encompass 26 countries in the region, including India, Indonesia, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Pacific Islands, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

"Our 12 Asia-Pacific Big Bets Fellows are working toward bold, transformative change in a region that will shape all of our futures," said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. "These ambitious, creative young leaders are precisely the types of changemakers The Rockefeller Foundation has always proudly supported. We're thrilled to be working with them as they advance economic opportunity in their communities, build sustainable ecosystems, and so much more."

This Asia-Pacific cohort follows the successful launches of previous Big Bets Fellowships in Latin America and the Caribbean (2024) and the United States (2025), and reflects The Rockefeller Foundation's commitment to supporting locally-led innovation to tackle global challenges.

"Our Asia-Pacific Big Bets Fellows are lighting the path to the future with bold ideas rooted in deep commitment to their communities," said Deepali Khanna, Head of Asia at The Rockefeller Foundation. "Whether on remote islands or in rapidly growing cities, these leaders are blending their experience and expertise with modern innovation to create a more resilient and hopeful future. We are proud to walk alongside them as they take on the region's toughest challenges with determination and heart."

The 2025 Asia-Pacific Fellows are implementing a wide range of ambitious initiatives:

• Aafreen Siddiqui, Our Common Air: Catalyze collective action through stronger commitments, smarter investments, and streamlined accountability to combat air pollution across Asia-Pacific for better public health and economic growth.
• Alexia Hilbertidou, GirlBoss New Zealand: Empower a growing community of more than 17,000 young women across the Pacific to solve local problems at scale, teaching them practical skills in science, technology, and sustainability.
• Anusha Meher Bhargava, Tech4Good Community: Safeguard natural habitats and support biodiversity by harnessing the latest open-source technology and creating a new digital platform for conservationists, researchers, and policymakers to share data, monitor ecosystems, and improve environmental outcomes.
• Bobuchi Ken-Opurum, Barefoot Story x Re-HOUSED: Equip low-income individuals who build their own homes in India with the tools, data, and know-how to improve safety, comfort, and resilience to heat stress.
• Eshrat Waris, British Asian Trust: Support smallholder farmers as they transition to sustainable agriculture practices, which de-risks this traditionally high-cost period, enables greater credit flow in these communities, and supports smallholder networks in communities.
• Gaurav Godhwani, CivicDataLab: Unlock data collaborations and AI innovations to protect the most vulnerable regions in the Asia-Pacific.
• Mustika Wijaya, Solar Chapter: Expand the use of innovative solar-powered water pumping systems to reduce food insecurity, address water scarcity, and improve livelihoods in Indonesia.
• Ristika Putri Istanti, Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari: Boost economic opportunity while conserving natural landscapes and resources in regional areas in Indonesia.
• Supatchaya Techachoochert, Mae Fah Luang Foundation: Generate economic opportunities and strengthen communities in Thailand by disincentivizing the deforestation that accompanies the production of monoculture crops.
• Uttam Pudasaini, NAXA: Leverage the latest technology, including artificial intelligence and geospatial analytics, to enhance anticipatory action by focusing on household-level risk assessments, delivering targeted and inclusive early warnings for climate-induced hazards, ultimately protecting lives and livelihoods, starting in Bangladesh and Nepal, and expanding to climate-vulnerable countries in the Asia-Pacific.
• Yasser Naqvi, CSEP: Foreground evidence and build capacity to raise awareness among policy stakeholders on environmental issues in India.
• Yumi Son, BOBLME II: Restore marine habitats and coastal ecosystems, reduce overfishing and illegal fishing, strengthen governance, ensure broad community participation, and support sustainable, long-term livelihoods in the Asia-Pacific.

These leaders were selected from a diverse pool of changemakers nominated through the Big Bets community and external networks. Their work spans technology, finance, governance, and environmental initiatives, which will directly impact millions of underserved communities across the Asia-Pacific.

Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of Programs at The Rockefeller Foundation, who formally announced the Fellows during the Big Bets Live 2025 event in New York, said, "I am thrilled to congratulate this class of Fellows and can't wait to see what more they'll accomplish. We're proud to support their big bets that will define humanity's future."

The occasion marked the Foundation's 112th anniversary, celebrating the power of bold, collaborative action and honoring the changemakers and partners turning ambitious ideas into breakthrough solutions.

Since its founding in 1913, The Rockefeller Foundation has supported transformative initiatives in public health, food security, and equitable economic opportunity around the world. The Big Bets Fellowship is a cornerstone of this legacy, investing in leaders who bet big on a better future, and back it up with bold, data-driven action.

About The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.

SOURCE The Rockefeller Foundation