Following our earlier spotlights on inspiring women in Singapore and Malaysia, we now turn our attention to Indonesia. In this edition of our International Women’s Day series, we feature 10 remarkable women—leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers—who are creating positive change and driving conversations across Indonesia.
From social entrepreneurs and tech leaders to sustainability champions and career coaches, these women are breaking barriers and uplifting others along the way. Join us as we highlight the voices behind some of the country’s most impactful movements.
Highlights
Febriany Eddy
Febriany Eddy is the CEO of PT Vale Indonesia Tbk, one of the country’s leading mining companies. With over 17 years of experience within the organization, she has taken on key leadership roles including CFO and Deputy CEO before stepping into the top position.
With her extensive background in finance and business operations, Febriany continues to lead PT Vale Indonesia through its ongoing contributions to the mining sector and the broader Indonesian economy. Her role highlights the increasing presence of women in executive leadership within traditionally male-dominated industries.
Friska Wirya
Friska Wirya is a globally recognized expert in change management and transformation. A two-time bestselling author and TEDx speaker, Friska has led large-scale digital transformations for major organizations, including ASX-listed companies and government bodies. She specializes in turning resistance into resilience, driving real change in corporate cultures.
Friska’s insights have been featured in top-tier media like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and the Australian Financial Review. As a Fractional Chief Change Officer and podcast host of “Future Fit with Friska,” she is committed to helping leaders future-proof their organizations. Her work inspires executives to embrace change as a competitive advantage.
Alamanda Shantika Santoso
A tech leader with a passion for human capital development, Alamanda Shantika Santoso is the Founder and CEO of Binar Academy. With a vision to unlock innovation through education, she equips future talents with tech skills, preparing them to thrive in the digital economy. Previously, she was part of the founding team at Gojek, where she served as VP of Product and Tech.
Through Binar Academy, Alamanda is shaping Indonesia’s next generation of digital leaders while advocating for inclusivity in tech. Her work is centered on bridging the gap between education and industry needs, empowering more people to access tech-driven opportunities.
Nilam Sari
Nilam Sari is a powerhouse in Indonesia’s F&B franchising industry. As the Founder and Business Development Director of PT Sari Kreasi Boga, she has built a business empire with over 1,000 Kebab Turki Baba Rafi outlets spread across Indonesia and beyond, from Malaysia to the Netherlands. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects a mastery of business models, with expertise spanning from booth and pushcart concepts to full-scale restaurants. Through NS Consulting, she further supports SMEs in navigating the franchising world, making her a critical player in expanding Indonesia’s food business footprint internationally.
Nilam’s work goes beyond scaling brands; she’s also passionate about empowering women through entrepreneurship. As an advocate of women’s leadership and empowerment, Nilam focuses on educating and guiding aspiring womenpreneurs to establish and grow their own ventures. Her dedication to creating economic opportunities for women and society at large has made her a respected voice in Indonesia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Nilam consistently proves that business success and social impact can go hand in hand.
Fauziah Zulfitri, SPsi., M.M., PCC
With over 20 years of experience in HR transformation and leadership development, Fauziah Zulfitri has become a groundbreaker for leadership coaching in East Indonesia. As the Founder of Insight Indonesia, Fauziah has empowered leaders and organizations across the region, driving significant transformations in team performance and executive development. Her focus on blending modern coaching methodologies with Islamic leadership values has not only given companies a competitive advantage but has also created a unique, culturally rooted leadership framework.
Beyond the boardrooms and corporate strategy sessions, Fauziah’s commitment to uplifting Muslim women is equally remarkable. As the Master Coach and Country Lead for the Muslim Women Coaching Academy Indonesia, she actively supports women on their leadership and spiritual journeys. Fauziah’s programs emphasize aligning professional success with personal well-being and faith-based principles. Her advocacy has positioned her as a role model, helping Muslim women across Indonesia break barriers and lead with purpose and integrity.
Maria R Nindita Radyati, Ph.D
As the Founder of the Institute for Sustainability and Agility (ISA), Maria R Nindita Radyati, Ph.D, is on a mission to nurture the next generation of sustainability leaders. Her organization is Indonesia’s only think-tank focused on vocational and informal education in ESG and Sustainability, working closely with international partners like Australia. She also supports corporations with expert consultancy in areas such as social enterprise, impact investing, and sustainability governance.
Beyond her work at ISA, Maria is a prolific researcher and thought leader in ESG and CSR, helping businesses and communities adopt sustainable practices. She is also the founder of a Master’s program specializing in Sustainability and Community Entrepreneurship. Through ISA Academy, which she co-founded, Maria is equipping future leaders with the tools and knowledge to drive positive change in Indonesia and beyond.
Denica Riadini-Flesch
Denica Riadini-Flesch is redefining fashion with SukkhaCitta, a brand rooted in sustainability and social impact. An economist turned social entrepreneur, Denica has built one of the world’s first regenerative farm-to-closet supply chains, empowering rural women in Indonesia to protect ecosystems through craft and agroforestry. SukkhaCitta’s work has been globally recognized, earning Denica the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award and the Rolex Award for Enterprise.
Through Rumah SukkhaCitta Foundation, Denica accelerates the shift to a regenerative economy by preserving indigenous cultures and supporting smallholder farmers with education and access. A mentor and angel investor for other women entrepreneurs, Denica’s commitment to people and planet has inspired many to rethink sustainability in fashion.
Nindya P. Paisan
Nindya P. Paisan is a Certified Career & Self-Growth Coach dedicated to helping professionals unlock their full potential. As the founder of Empower You, she has guided over 500 leaders and professionals toward career breakthroughs by offering personalized coaching in leadership development, career pivots, and personal branding.
Leveraging over a decade of experience in talent acquisition and HR, Nindya also partners with organizations to develop future-ready leaders and foster thriving workplace cultures. Her work has made her a go-to advisor for professionals and companies seeking clarity, confidence, and actionable strategies for success.
Aparna Bhatnagar Saxena
Aparna Bhatnagar Saxena is a social entrepreneur and impact angel investor known for her deep commitment to sustainability and women’s empowerment. As the founder of AHANA by TORAJAMELO, Aparna provides a platform that connects eco-focused and sustainable brands across Indonesia, promoting authentic and conscious businesses.
Aparna is a vocal advocate for environmental and social causes, with expertise spanning plant-based businesses, e-commerce, education, and impact incubation. She believes in the power of collective action to solve complex challenges, and through her ventures and advisory roles, she continues to support businesses that create a positive impact for people and the planet.
Alka Gupta
Alka Gupta’s journey from an engineer to a startup scaling expert is nothing short of inspiring. As the founder of Podium and former leader at BukuWarung and Grab, Alka has helped high-growth startups refine processes, implement scalable strategies, and foster innovation. Her expertise lies in translating big ambitions into sustainable impact.
With a strong belief in intentional growth, Alka dedicates her time to collaborating with fellow builders and solving meaningful challenges. When not working on scaling ventures, she recharges through fitness, dance, and being a proud dog mom to Simba. Her story is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and execution.
Shaping the Future, Together
From sustainable fashion and tech innovation to leadership in mining and social entrepreneurship, these women are driving positive change across Indonesia and beyond. Their work challenges us to think bigger, collaborate boldly, and champion diversity in every space.
As our International Women’s Day series continues, we look forward to sharing more stories of women shaping Asia’s future. Stay tuned for more voices of resilience, leadership, and impact.
Highlights
Read this article in Chinese here.
