Tanoto Foundation Develops Future Development Leaders to Accelerate Indonesia’s Human Capital

Jakarta, August 28, 2025 – Indonesia continues to face serious challenges in improving the quality of its human capital. According to the World Bank’s Human Capital Index (HCI) 2020 report, Indonesia scored only 0.54. This means that a child born in Indonesia today is expected to achieve just 54% of their full productivity potential under ideal conditions. 

This figure is far below many other Asian countries. For comparison, Thailand scored 0.61 and Malaysia 0.62. This reflects persistent gaps such as unequal access to quality basic education, poor child nutrition, and limitations in the healthcare system—all of which affect human capital development. If left unaddressed, Indonesian children risk losing significant potential in skills, health, and productivity, making it difficult to maximize the demographic bonus and increasing the risk of falling behind in global competition. 

Through its Golden Indonesia Vision, the government has set ambitious targets to improve human capital so that by 2045, Indonesia’s young generation can compete on par with high-income nations. Under the Long-Term National Development Plan (RPJPN 2025–2045), the government aims to raise Indonesia’s HCI score to 0.73 by 2045. Achieving this requires long-term investment and breakthrough strategies—not only at the macro policy level but also by cultivating young development actors who can work directly on the ground, create solutions, and drive change. 

Responding to this challenge, Tanoto Foundation, launched the Tanoto Foundation Fellowship Program in 2024. This program provides opportunities for young people to be prepared as change leaders in education and other development sectors. Nine individuals were selected from thousands of applicants as the inaugural cohort of  Tanoto Fellows. 

On Thursday, August 28, 2025, Tanoto Foundation graduated these nine first-cohort Tanoto Fellows, who had completed a year-long journey working in Tanoto Foundation programs such as early childhood education, improving literacy and numeracy for primary and secondary school students, and enhancing soft skills in higher education. Their placements spanned three partner regions of Tanoto Foundation: North Sumatra, Central Java, and Kalimantan. 

From Papua to London 

At the same event, Tanoto Foundation also inaugurated 10 new Tanoto Fellows for the 2025 cohort, selected from more than 1,300 applicants. For one full year, they will immerse themselves in education and health ecosystems across Tanoto Foundation’s partner regions, learning from real-world practices while designing and implementing impactful development initiatives. 

The 2025 Fellows come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, including: 

•  Julia Rosemary Tapilatu, a marine conservationist from Papua, founder of OurConservaSea, graduate of Universitas Papua (B.A.) and Texas A&M University (M.A.), active in coastal environmental education. 

•  Ghefira Auliya Rabbani, graduate of Universitas Riau, youth development leader, literacy advocate, and former Special Advisor for Innovation Acceleration at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. 

•  Kevin Angdreas, international political economy researcher, graduate of Asia Pacific University (B.A.) and London School of Economics (M.A.), with experience at INDEF, CIPS, and the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia. 

•  Dinda Kayana Rizky, graduate of Universitas Brawijaya (B.A. & M.A.), co-founder of Urbanist Indonesia, dedicated to inclusive and sustainable urban development. 

•  Ansar Ahmad, Universitas Indonesia graduate, Head of Fundraising at Shantanu Indonesia, with grassroots empowerment and fundraising experience at Humanity First and LBH Jakarta. 

•  Arief Rahman Nur Fadhilah, career counselor and leadership trainer, graduate of Universitas Airlangga (B.A. & M.A.), experienced in youth leadership programs. 

•  Stephanie Dinda Iskandar, graduate of Universitas Indonesia, founder & CEO of Green Neighbour Indonesia, with policy research experience at Bappenas, the Indonesian Parliament, and think tanks. 

•  Jordi Hildianto, double degree graduate of Sampoerna University and University of Arizona, with strong youth leadership experience in mental health advocacy through UNICEF’s Helping Adolescents Thrive program. 

•  Salsabila Hardiyanti Warmanda, Universitas Indonesia graduate passionate about inclusive education, mental health, and social impact, active in initiatives like Sekolah Sehat Jiwa and Sadari Project. 

•  Eka Hermansyah, graduate of the International Islamic University (B.A. & M.A.), education professional committed to child rights and inclusive learning, with experience at SEAMEO CECCEP and Save the Children. 

This diversity demonstrates that development leadership is not confined to one field. From marine conservation to education policy and social inclusion, the Fellows bring expertise to tackle Indonesia’s future challenges. In 2025, they will be placed in four provinces: North Sumatra, Riau, Central Java, and East Kalimantan. 

A Unique Learning Model 

The Tanoto Foundation Fellowship Program applies an experiential learning model. Over one year, Fellows go through five stages: Induction, Immersion, Initiative Design, Initiative Implementation, and Final Reflection. They also attend leadership camps covering project management, monitoring and evaluation, sustainable governance, and impact investment. 

In addition, Fellows receive intensive support through one-on-one coaching, expert mentoring, and reflection tools such as journaling and critical reflection. This model ensures participants grow not only professionally but also undergo personal transformation as leaders. 

After graduation, alumni join the Tanoto Fellows Network, a lifelong learning and collaboration platform. With a growing alumni community, Tanoto Foundation envisions this program as a sustainable model that develops young leaders with both transformative capacity and social impact.