Board Members – BASAibu
Nick Ballas
CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Nick possesses over 25 years of experience working in the Asia Pacific region. Nick is currently President, Polymer Solutions (Vestolit) at Orbia, a global leader in polymer solutions and advanced materials. Nick serves on the Board of Indonesia's Samudera Shipping Lines and was Director of Nexans Foundation which brings electricity to disadvantaged communities.
Alissa J. Stern
Alissa Stern is the Co-Founder of BASAibu (formerly BASAbali). Alissa’s work has been highlighted in The Financial Times and The Economist, and she has published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Alliance Magazine, Harvard Business Review, and the Washington Post. Her book entitled “The Process of Business/Environmental Collaborations” provides case studies of environmental organizations and companies using public dialogues to reach mutually advantageous solutions.
Suzy Hutomo
Suzy is the co-owner and chairperson of The Body Shop Indonesia. She believes that all businesses should be sustainable, and is passionate that Planet-People-Profit becomes the mantra of every business person. She also the founder of Sustainable Suzy, a sustainable lifestyle channel.
Anak Agung Gde Rai
Anak Agung Gde Rai is mostly known as Gung Rai, the owner of Agung Raing Museum of Arts (ARMA). His dedication and love for his homeland resembled in the way he talked about it. He never painted, yet e will tell you, but it is nevertheless through painting that he found the language and means of Balinese Harmony
Catharina Widjaja
Ms. Catharina Widjaja is Executive Vice President at Gajah Tunggal Group. She is also the Director of Alun Alun Indonesia, an Indonesian retail concept which promotes Indonesian products and artisans.
Dr. Mary Zurbuchen
Dr. Mary Zurbuchen is an independent researcher and consultant with interests in Southeast Asian studies, Indonesian language and literature, and international education and now, she is a Senior Adviser to the Henry Luce Foundation’s Asia Program.
Dr. Douglas Kammen
Dr. Kammen is Associate Professor in Southeast Asian Studies Programme, National University Of Singapore. His research interests include labour and social movements, military politics, and popular political thinking.
Ketut Ika Inggas
Ketut Ika Inggas is the chairperson of Banjar Bali USA, the Balinese community in Washington, DC, and surrounding areas. Before she moved to the US in 2011, Ika worked as a development specialist on democracy and human rights projects with institutions.
Ni Made Ayu Marthini, M.Sc.
Ni Made Ayu Marthini is currently the Deputy for Tourism at Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of Indonesian Republic. She also has been highlighted as 1 of 16 Indonesian professionals with International Careers in the Book, Going Global.
Rucina Ballinger
Rucina Ballinger has lived in Bali since 1974 (on and off, mostly on) when she came to conduct research on dance and religion. She has worked in Bali as academic Director of World Learning’s Academic Semester Abroad, as a cultural tour guide, and for the last 15 years has been in the non profit sector
Sade Bimantara
Ida Bagus Made Bimantara or Sade, born in the island of Bali is a career diplomat. He is currently the deputy chief of mission of the Embassy of Indonesia in Washington, D.C. Prior to this, he was based in Jakarta as the Director for Europe I. His portfolio includes advancing Indonesia’s relationship with 22 West, Central and South European countries.
Nia Dinata
Nia Dinata is an acclaimed Indonesian film director, celebrated for her groundbreaking films addressing societal issues, including interracial marriage and polygamy. Her films have graced prestigious festivals globally, and in 2021, she was named one of Asia's Most Influential by Tatler Asia.
Former Board Members
We thank the following people for serving on prior BASAbali boards:
Professor John U. Wolff
Professor Emeritus, Dept of Linguistics/Asian Studies, Cornell University
Amrih Widodo
Lecturer, School of Culture, History & Language, Australian National University
Gouri Mirpuri
The co-founder of the award-winning The Learning Farm (www.thelearningfarm.com)
Sarah Maxim
The Vice Chair of the Center for Southeast Asia Studies at UC Berkeley since 2003
Rio Helmi
A world-wide known photographer and writer
Mimi Sie
Mimi Sie lives in Jakarta where she enjoys design, friends and food.
Kadek Sonia Piscayanti
Kadek Sonia Piscayani has established an independent publisher, Mahima Institute Indonesia
Putu Suasta
Putu Suasta is one of the founders of an community for educating Balinese about their natural environment
Aldwin Yusgiantoro
Aldwin Yusgiantoro has been driving the Voice of Millennials bookshelves encouraging Indonesian young community across the United States and Indonesia to share their voice related to current affairs that include social/cultural issues, politics and various other subjects.
Sofia Blake
Sofia Blake is an educational coach with experience working in Indonesia and the United States. She works with students and programs focusing on long-term success and education equity and access.