Leadership Team

Alexandra recently graduated with a Bachelor of International and Global Studies majoring in Indonesian studies with Honours from The University of Sydney. Having studied the Indonesian language since kindergarten, she is passionate about learning about Indonesia’s cultural and linguistic diversity and sharing this knowledge with others. She continues this passion through her work as an Indonesian tutor, EFL teacher and Social media content creator. Alexandra was a 2023 New Colombo Plan Scholar where she spent 6 months studying at Universitas Indonesia followed by a 6 month internship at Bali Children Foundation. She was also an Australian delegate for the 2024 Australia Indonesia Youth Exchange Program. Previously, Alexandra served as NSW Chapter President of AIYA and Language Coordinator for the NAILA. These experiences have solidified Alexandra’s goals of strengthening the Indonesian-Australian bilateral relationships through educational diplomacy.

I've been studying and practicing Indonesian since high school and have completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in politics and Indonesian studies at the University of Melbourne (2020), during which I also completed a summer intensive program at Universitas Udayana in Denpasar. I was chosen as one of eighteen Australian delegates for the Australia Indonesia Youth Exchange program (2021). And I have since been volunteering as an education officer at the Australia Indonesia Youth Association Victoria chapter

Nurul Ainun Habiba is an enthusiastic and community-oriented individual with a strong
interest in cultural exchange, youth engagement, and international collaboration. She enjoys
being involved in volunteer and community activities that create meaningful connections
between people from diverse backgrounds. Through organising social gatherings and
participating in community initiatives, she has developed strong communication, teamwork,
and leadership skills.

Nurul is passionate about strengthening the relationship between Australia and Indonesia
through mutual understanding, education, and people-to-people connections. She believes
that cultural exchange programs and volunteer initiatives play an important role in building
long-term cooperation between the two countries. Her experiences living and studying in
multicultural environments have inspired her to contribute positively to both communities
while learning from different perspectives.

Iqoh Khanafi is a Communications Coordinator at NAILA with experience in graphic design, digital communications, and content creation. She has managed social media platforms, created engaging visual content, produced short-form videos, and developed communication materials including reports, newsletters, brochures, and promotional content. Passionate about creativity and cultural exchange, she is currently exploring Australia as a Working Holiday Visa holder.

Fiodora is passionate about strengthening connections between Australia and Indonesia through culture, community, and shared experiences. She is also a part of the Social-Cultural team at Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA), helping create activities and opportunities that bring students, young professionals, communities together through cultural exchange.

She hopes to help create meaningful and engaging programs that bring people together and celebrate the strong ties between both countries.

Astrid Johnston is an International Relations student at Deakin University and a New Colombo Plan Scholar for Indonesia. With experience living and working across Paris, Melbourne, San Diego and Jakarta, she brings a strong global perspective and cultural adaptability. Astrid has gained experience with the Victorian Government Trade and Investment Office in Jakarta, as well as contributing to policy and youth engagement initiatives with the US Consulate Melbourne and UN Youth Victoria. Fluent in English and French, and currently studying Indonesian and Spanish, she is passionate about international cooperation, diplomacy, and building meaningful cross-cultural connections.

Indah Sinambela is a Faculty Member at Universitas Ciputra, Indonesia, where she teaches digital technology-related courses and serves as Course Coordinator and Section Head for the Digital Technology Course under the School of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies. She also currently supports the university’s Language and Culture Centre and serves as Treasurer of the AIYA East Java Chapter.

Indah holds a Master of Education in Digital Learning from Monash University, Australia. During her time in Melbourne, she was actively involved in organisations including AIYA, PPIA, Mata Garuda Australia-New Zealand, and the City of Melbourne Student Ambassador program. She was also selected as one of 30 finalists for the Generation Next: ASEAN–Australian Women Leading Economic Growth 2025 program by the ASEAN-Australia Centre.

Passionate about education, intercultural engagement, and women and community empowerment, Indah hopes to strengthen the Australia–Indonesia relationship through language learning, youth collaboration, and inclusive educational opportunities. She is excited to contribute to this mission through her role as Engagement Coordinator at NAILA.

Fitri is an Indonesian teacher at an inclusive international school in South Jakarta and a Bachelor of Education graduate from UIN Siber Syekh Nurjati Cirebon.

As a community-minded, she served as Local Coordinator for Students For Liberty Indonesia (2023–2025), representing the nation at leadership retreats in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. These international experiences broadened her global perspective and appreciation for multilateral collaboration. Bridging this leadership with her creative side, Fitri also uses performing arts to sharpen her linguistic mastery. She voiced Indah in the audio drama Mentari, Awan, dan Harga Sebuah Kejujuran (2024) and debuted as Amelia in the musical Dracula: Requiem (2025).

Now, Fitri leverages these diverse skills at NAILA to promote Indonesian globally. As a Language Coordinator, she is dedicated to inspiring Australian learners through authentic cultural engagement.

Bima Aryuna recently graduated from the University of Western Australia, majoring in Business Psychology under the Australia Awards Scholarship. Upon returning to Indonesia, he joined a game development company, where he helps businesses solve problems through a gamification approach.

His involvement in strengthening the Australia-Indonesia bilateral relationship started in 2016 when he was selected as an Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP) delegate. After the program, he joined AIYA as a Finance Officer back in 2019 and led as the National Treasurer from 2023 to mid-2026. By joining the NAILA committee as the Finance Coordinator, he hopes to contribute to its mission of improving the study of the Indonesian language in Australia.

I’m currently part of the Research and Policy Team at the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association. Previously, I studied in Universitas Katolik Parahyangan (UNPAR) under the Department of International Relations, and joined various collegiate organizations such as Parahyangan English Debating Society, IR Student Association, and UNPAR's chapter of Amnesty International. During my job in Acicis as Program Assistant, I facilitated the study experience of Australian students in Indonesia, and are introduced to the wider Australia-Indonesia space, and are very interested to contribute further. I’m a native Indonesian speaker, fluent in English, and I’m currently studying Mandarin and French. I’m interested in international projects that seeks to deepen relations and cooperation between countries; especially in the areas of climate action, digital rights & internet culture, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people diplomacy.

Belinda is a curious and growth-oriented Management graduate with a passion for environmental sustainability and social development. She enjoys building meaningful connections, managing impactful projects, and creating effective marketing and communication strategies. Through diverse experiences in internships, organizations, and committees, she has cultivated a collaborative mindset and a commitment to continuous learning. Belinda believes that learning never stops and is always ready to take on new opportunities that challenge and inspire her.

Khairun Nisya Hasnaniyah or Icha is a Human Capital professional at a consulting firm in South Jakarta and a Business Management graduate from Bina Nusantara University. She has been involved with the National Australia Indonesia Language Awards (NAILA) since 2023, supporting various programme initiatives and participant engagement activities. Passionate about people development and educational programmes, Nisya is excited to contribute to NAILA's mission of promoting Indonesian language learning and strengthening Australia–Indonesia connections.

Al Hakim Bani Ismail is an English Lecturer at Malahayati University, Indonesia, where he teaches General English and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) to university students. He also serves as Coach for the University English Debate Team.

Hakim is currently pursuing a Master of TESOL at the University of Melbourne, supported by the Australia Awards Scholarship. His academic focus centers on pedagogical approaches for non-native English speakers and on integrating the Indigenous Language (Lampung) into English. He is also serving as an Education Officer at AIYA Victoria and as an Indonesian Language Learning Ambassador (ILLA), where he teaches Indonesian in several states in Australia.

Hakim is also engaged in youth initiatives and volunteer work, having participated in the Australia-Indonesia Youth Exchange Program (AIYEP 2022) and the Empowering Youths Across ASEAN (EYAA) 2023 program. In these initiatives, he provided English instruction to mothers in Atambua, NTT, thereby empowering them to engage in e-commerce and promote their local handwoven textile, Tenun, to broader audiences. 

Passionate about education, youth empowerment, and cross-cultural exchange, Hakim hopes to deepen the Australia–Indonesia relationship through Indonesian language education, youth collaboration, and inclusive academic opportunities. He is excited to contribute to this mission through his role as Engagement Officer at NAILA.

Agus Firman is a language professional with over five years of experience in English teaching, translation, and localization. His expertise includes English–Indonesian/Acehnese translation, proofreading, content localization, and CAT tools such as Trados Studio and memoQ, with experience across medical, business, publishing, gaming, maritime, and academic fields.

He currently serves as an Instructor of Indonesian as a Foreign Language (BIPA) at the Office of International Affairs, Universitas Syiah Kuala, and as a Language Officer for the National Australia Indonesia Language Awards (NAILA). Through his involvement with NAILA, he aspires to promote meaningful cultural exchange, encourage language learning, and contribute to stronger educational and people-to-people connections between Australia and Indonesia.

Nandira Xavier is a Bachelor of Laws Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (Global Asia major) student at Monash University. She was previously a tertiary winner of the National Australia Indonesia Language Awards (NAILA), and is currently a NAILA Language Officer. As a first-generation Australian to an Indonesian mum and Malaysian dad, Nandira is interested in Australia-Indonesia relations, law, and justice.

Dara Puan Rubiyah is a recent graduate with a major in Language Education. She is passionate about
language learning, intercultural communication, and fostering connections between Indonesia and
Australia through education and cultural exchange.
In 2024, Dara completed a teaching placement in Canberra as a Pre-Service Teacher, where she
supported Indonesian language learning and introduced Indonesian culture to Australian students. She
has also been involved in cultural outreach activities in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in
Canberra and has held leadership positions in student organisations throughout her studies.
Dara is particularly interested in promoting contemporary and diverse perspectives of Indonesia while

encouraging meaningful intercultural engagement. She hopes to contribute to strengthening people-to-
people connections between Australia and Indonesia through education, cultural exchange, and international collaboration.

Elise is based in Melbourne, but born in Jakarta; as someone who has spent most of her life between Indonesia and the Mornington Peninsula, she holds a natural, ongoing interest in the Australia-Indonesia relationship and building up real intercultural friendships 'on the ground'. She is an active member of AIYA, and continues to learn more about Indonesian politics, history, and intercultural affairs during her Arts/Laws (Honours) studies at Monash University.

Having previously designed and delivered outreach workshops to secondary school cohorts as a Monash Law Ambassador, Elise intends to transpose this experience into the Australia-Indonesia sphere. Her experience analysing visitor engagement at a Melbourne heritage museum has strengthened her interest in how people encounter language and culture in everyday life.

As a NAILA Officer in 2026, Elise is excited to apply this same outreach instinct—and dual perspective as someone with a ‘foot’ in both countries—to encourage other students to embrace cultural breadth and the deeper value of language learning.

Ratih Dhamayyana Dwi Cinthami, Emmi, she is passionate about digital communication, content creation, and audience engagement. With experience in communication and digital media, she enjoys crafting captions and content that are clear, engaging, and able to connect with diverse audiences.

As part of the communications team, she contributes by creating compelling social media content and strengthening NAILA’s digital presence. Through creative storytelling and meaningful messaging, she hopes to foster stronger connections and encourage greater engagement within the community.

Zarwanda Adani Viandri is interested in youth engagement, cultural exchange, and the connection between Australia and Indonesia. As part of the communications team, she helps share NAILA’s programs, stories, and updates in a way that feels clear, engaging, and easy to connect with. Her contribution focuses on content planning, social media, and audience engagement, helping NAILA reach more young people and make its activities more visible. She hopes to support communication that brings people closer and encourages more meaningful connections across communities.

Rambu  is a communications professional with a multidisciplinary background spanning media, public relations, storytelling, and youth leadership. With experience in broadcasting, strategic communications, and cultural programming, she has worked across sectors to connect people, ideas, and communities. She is actively involved in international youth engagement and cultural exchange initiatives, with a growing interest in diplomacy, public policy, and sustainable development.

Language, and creativity enthusiast. Passionate about cross-cultural exchanges, continuous learning, and expanding opportunities through communications. She has been working with AIYA for the past four years, currently the communication officer of AIYA Bali and the treasurer of AIYA Jawa Barat. Always up for geeking over literature and art works. 

Ian is an EFL teacher and researcher from Indonesia with a strong interest in multilingualism, intercultural communication, and educational exchange. He graduated as the Best Graduate in English Language Education from UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya. In 2023, he received a student mobility award to study at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), USA, where he earned Dean’s List recognition and served as a Teaching Assistant at the English Language Center. He is currently an Australia Awards Scholarship – Split Site Master Program (SSMP) candidate, pursuing a Master of Education at UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya and a Master of TESOL at the University of Canberra.

Ian’s passion for languages and cultures extends beyond the classroom through his involvement in No Voice Zone and the Asian Cultural Club at RIT, AIYA New South Wales, and the Community of English Language Education Alumni (CEDA). He has also published research on multilingualism and digital communication. These experiences have strengthened Ian’s commitment to fostering mutual understanding and advancing Australia–Indonesia relations through language, education, and people-to-people connections. As NAILA’s Language Officer, he hopes to strengthen Australia–Indonesia relations by fostering language exchange, cultural understanding, and collaborative opportunities that bring young people from both countries closer together.

Ulil Albab Af-Farizi or Fariz. is an academic researcher collaborating with Wenzao Ursuline

University of Languages with the major research of Linguistics, Migration, and Pedagogy.

Fariz is currently responsible for teaching English at CLT Unika Soegijapranata

Semarang.He obtained my Bachelor’s Degree from the English department at Soegijapranata Catholic University in Semarang in 2019 and Master’s Degree from the English Department at Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 2022 with the best graduate for full attendance. He participated in the international conference of Wenzao ICSEAS 2024 as the second author. Furthermore, he succeeded to compose the academic paper in Wenzao ICSEAS 2025 and obtained the reward of the brilliant youngest author. His academic paper has been nominated as one of the best top ten research papers in 2025.

An International Relations graduate, Lina focuses her work at the intersection of cultural diplomacy and language education. This commitment drives her roles as a Language Officer for NAILA and Communication Coordinator for the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA). Lina’s background blends more than three years of professional English editorial with hands-on experience as an English language tutor and a contributor to translation projects. In 2025, she led the authoritative Indonesian translation of the 2008 National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples for the National Apology Foundation. These diverse experiences have given her a deep appreciation for the nuances of bilingual communication and language acquisition. Dedicated to strengthening the Indo-Pacific space, Lina is excited to leverage her linguistic and editorial expertise at NAILA to support language learners, celebrate high-level proficiency, and foster vibrant, long-term people-to-people connections between Australia and Indonesia. 

Elvira Sundari is a Bachelor of Arts graduate from Universitas Gadjah Mada and an IISMA awardee who completed an academic exchange in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Her academic and professional interests lie in language education, intercultural communication, literacy development, and youth empowerment. Having worked as an English tutor, Bahasa Indonesia for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) tutor, and teaching assistant, she has engaged and exchanged ideas with learners from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. 

Elvira also served as Duta Bahasa Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta 2025, where she contributed to language advocacy initiatives, designed engaging learning programs, and collaborated with stakeholders to promote language awareness. She believes that language is a living bridge between communities that fosters understanding, respect, and cooperation across cultural boundaries and contributes to more inclusive and connected societies.

Hannie is passionate about bringing Indonesians and Australians closer together through community engagement, cultural exchange, and meaningful connections. Based in Sydney, she works in international engagement and enjoys building partnerships that create positive impact. Through her involvement with AIYA, Hannie hopes to contribute to a stronger, more connected Indonesian-Australian community while creating opportunities for young people to engage across both cultures.

Benedict McGirr is a Master of International Relations student at the University of Melbourne, having completed a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Indonesian Studies at Monash University. He has studied Indonesian to advanced (C1) proficiency, including a semester at Universitas Katolik Parahyangan in Bandung, and has worked with Indonesian civil society organisations on care economy and social policy analysis with Penabulu–Oxfam and AKATIGA. Passionate about education, cross-cultural exchange, and strengthening the Australia–Indonesia relationship, Benedict is excited to support Indonesian language learning and youth engagement through the NAILA programmes team.

Aini is a bachelor's graduate from the University of Udayana with a degree in Agribusiness. She is currently working in the agricultural industry. Beyond her professional work, she is passionate about community engagement through the youth empowerment movement, where she supports young Indonesians in accessing global opportunities. She has a deep interest in promoting Indonesian culture, having organized a Batik Day event at the University of Szeged, Hungary during her student exchange program in 2022. Through NAILA, Aini hopes to foster meaningful people-to-people connections and contribute to a stronger, more collaborative Australia-Indonesia relationship. 

Renny has a background in television journalism and media production. Her experiences in media have shaped her interest in communication, creative collaboration, and connecting with people through impactful programs. She is interested in the Australia–Indonesia relationship, especially in youth engagement, culture, and media. By joining NAILA as a Programs Officer, Renny hopes to contribute to meaningful and creative initiatives while also learning from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Renny believes that cultural exchange, collaboration, and shared experiences can help build stronger connections between Australia and Indonesia. 

Jeremy is a Bachelor of Commerce/Arts student at Deakin University, majoring in Finance and Indonesian. As a 2026 New Colombo Plan Scholar to Indonesia with previous study abroad experience in Sumatra, he brings a wealth of knowledge of intercultural communication and the power of language to forge meaningful people-to-people connections. With a lengthy background in Indonesian language education, Jeremy holds strong interest in formal Indonesian grammatical conventions and syntax and how it differs from informal discourse. He later aims to combine his disciplinary knowledge in Finance and Indonesian to support a career in bolstering Australia's economic engagement with Indonesia.

Dianita Yuli Putranti is a dedicated language and education professional with over fifteen

years of experience in English language teaching, academic editing, and cross-cultural

collaboration. Since 2022, she has served as a Language Officer for NAILA, contributing to the flagship program of the Australia-Indonesia Youth Association (AIYA) that promotes

Indonesian language learning in Australia. Her work bridges classrooms, research, and

community engagement, with a strong focus on fostering mutual understanding between

Indonesia and Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Education in English Language Teaching and has supported academic publications, international accreditations, and student success across multiple universities. As a lifelong learner and practitioner, she is passionate about the power of language to connect people, ideas, and opportunities.

Zoe has recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Indonesian language and Asian Studies at the University of Western Australia. She is currently in the process of completing her honours degree this year in Asian Studies, where she is looking at female empowerment through surfing in Indonesia. Zoe has spent much of her life traveling to many different parts of Indonesia and has studied Indonesian language throughout school and university. In 2025, Zoe spent a semester studying in Yogyakarta where she had an amazing time and extended her Indonesian language skills. She is also a part of the events team on the Australian Indonesian Youth Association, Western Australian chapter.  She is passionate about the Australian and Indonesian relationship and particularly promoting the learning of Indonesian language in Australia. 

Mato currently works as a Partnership Officer at Blue Forest. He was appointed Chapter President of AIYA South Sulawesi for 2025, and is now continuing his contribution as Sulsel Public Relations and National Congress Convenor. With a strong interest in community development, Mato believes that strategic collaboration is key to achieving the organisation’s objectives. In his role, he is actively building partnerships, managing stakeholder relations, and supporting programmes that promote inclusive knowledge exchange. Over the past three years, he has focused on building bridges between the youth of Indonesia and Australia through various activities, one of which was the initiation of KOSAN AIYA—a casual online platform intended to strengthen bilateral networks between the younger generations of both nations

Zulvyanie Pilgrimmy is a partnerships and community engagement professional with experience in non-profit organizations, mental health advocacy, and stakeholder relations. She has worked closely with communities, corporate partners, media organizations, and social impact initiatives, focusing on building meaningful collaborations that create sustainable value for both organizations and beneficiaries. Her interests include mental health awareness, community development, youth empowerment, and cross-sector partnerships. She hopes to contribute to stronger people-to-people connections between Australia and Indonesia

Yosephin Diva Fabiola Nuralita is an educator with a strong passion for language, culture, and holistic learning. She graduated from the English Language Education Study Program at Sanata Dharma University, where she developed her expertise in language education and cross-cultural communication.

Currently based in Bali, Yosephin works as an early learning educator, nurturing young children through meaningful and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. Her professional interests include language education, cultural exchange, and child-centered approaches to teaching.

In 2024, she served as the Event Team Leader of Australian Indonesian Youth Association Chapter WA, where she actively contributed to strengthening and maintaining the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Australia through arts, culture, and language initiatives. In the same year, she was selected as an Indonesian Language Assistant in Perth, supporting Indonesian language teachers across several public schools in Western Australia. Through her work, Yosephin continues to promote intercultural understanding and foster meaningful connections between communities through education and language.