I believe that thoughtful purchasing decisions - from toothpaste to couture - allow us to learn a story. A physical item can, and often does, cross continents and cultures, but in our mass-produced, consolidated retail landscape, we often lose the stories themselves. I believe a garment, a bracelet, a sofa, a wristwatch is not just a useful product, but also embodies the stories and labor of all the people who helped to create it.
My Indonesian heritage (in particular my Bataknese ethnicity), my life as a naturalized U.S. citizen, my full passport, my abundant curiosity, and my creativity, entrepreneurial mindset, and dedication to honoring the craft and labor of my collaborators—have opened my eyes to the opportunities we all have to buy things with full hearts, honoring the artists, craftsman, laborers, and earth that make “things” possible.
I was born in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, in the city of Medan, and attended the University of Indonesia - the first of my family to go to college - where I earned my undergraduate and then my graduate degrees. I have been a researcher and international journalist since 2016, focusing in particular on environmental issues, sustainability, and the global economy. My passion is for connecting with people and telling the stories of humans and the cultures and landscapes that shaped them.