EMpower—The Emerging Markets Foundation

In our latest?blog, Suvidha Hughes, EMpower's Vice President for People and Operations,?reflects on her transition from the corporate sector to the nonprofit world and what both sectors can learn from each other. She highlights three key elements that drive success in any organisation—people, performance, and money—and how they manifest differently across industries. https://lnkd.in/gs8kCiTf

Over the past few days, we’ve shared updates from our work in East and Southeast Asia—stories of resilience, collaboration, and impact. As we close the week, we want to pause and reflect on something just as important: the well-being of those who dedicate themselves to this work. ?? Working closely with communities facing systemic challenges means witnessing pain, injustice, and hardship. Over time, the weight of these experiences can lead to burnout and compassion fatigue—a quiet exhaustion that often goes unnoticed. Recognising this, our AwareNest Community of Practice came together for a Psychosocial Well-being Session with psychologist Lintang Mas Melati to reflect on the emotional toll of our work—and the importance of caring for ourselves, too. To hold onto these learnings, Pamflet, our grantee partner in Indonesia, created a graphic recording—a resource for partners to return to, a reminder to pause and check in with themselves. ? AwareNest, led by Pamflet and supported by EMpower, is a regional Community of Practice (CoP) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)—designed to foster connection, shared learning, and collective support. How do you care for your well-being in emotionally demanding work? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Let us know in the comments below. ????

#ThrowbackThursday At EMpower, we believe in the power of partnerships that grow, evolve, and create lasting change. Since 2018, we’ve worked alongside Passerelles Numériques (PNP), our grantee partner in the Philippines, as they equip underprivileged youth—especially young women—with life-changing digital and IT skills. Through initiatives like the Job Readiness and Hybrid Work Modules, PNP is preparing students for the future of work, opening doors to skilled, sustainable careers in the digital industry. Hearing from our partners about the impact of this journey is what keeps us inspired. ?? #EMpowerTurns25 #25YearsOfImpact #25YearsofEMpower

One of the most fulfilling aspects of our work is visiting our grantee partners—stepping into their world, listening to their challenges, learning from their expertise, and witnessing the impact of their work firsthand. Last week in Bali was no exception. ? As #EMpowerturns25, we’re celebrating this milestone with #25Eventsin2025—bringing together partners, young leaders, and supporters to reflect on our impact, strengthen connections, and explore how we can adapt and grow for the future. A team of EMpower Directors—Aleem Jivraj, Nick Koh, Madeline Foo, Parvoleta Shtereva, and Avon Neo—along with Cynthia Steele, Kundhavi Balachandran, and Deborah Leaver from our team—spent time with Bali WISE and the East Bali Poverty Project, two remarkable organisations that have been EMpower grantee partners for nearly a decade. These organisations have faced COVID-19, earthquakes, and the loss of key team members, yet their resilience and deep commitment continue to transform lives—helping young people finish school, secure jobs, and improve community nutrition. We also had the privilege of meeting Indonesian Youth Fellows. Their creativity, determination, and leadership are exactly why EMpower’s approach is centred on trust-based partnerships and youth-led change. ?? We left Bali inspired and even more committed to ensuring that young people have the resources, platforms, and opportunities they need to drive change in their own communities. As we continue our #25Eventsin2025, we’re reflecting on: ?? How can we expand platforms and resources for youth leadership? ?? How can philanthropy show up in more meaningful ways for young changemakers? ?? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

EMpower President and CEO Cynthia Steele recently spoke with Sneha Kohli, an EMpower Board Member and seasoned finance professional, about her return to India after nearly 28 years, her passion for philanthropy, and the role of the finance community in creating opportunities for young people. Read the full interview: https://lnkd.in/gKTgAUDZ

#ThrowbackThursday Picture this—it’s 2006. There’s no International Day of the Girl, and global conversations about investing in adolescent girls are just beginning. That year, EMpower secured its first major institutional funding from the Nike Foundation as part of the Grassroots Girls Initiative—a bold effort to invest in local organisations championing girls' rights. This partnership helped shape EMpower’s approach to funding girl-centred strategies, building local networks, and ensuring girls weren’t just included in development efforts but positioned as leaders and changemakers. Amy Babchek, a Former Senior Manager at the Nike Foundation, reflects on this pivotal moment. Swipe through to read her insights. Looking back, what’s the biggest shift you’ve seen in girls' empowerment since 2006? Share your thoughts below! ?? #EMpowerTurns25 #25YearsOfImpact

We’re delighted to welcome Frehiwot Tarekegn (Fre) as EMpower’s new Vice President of Finance! ?? With over 17 years of experience in nonprofit financial leadership, Fre is deeply committed to using finance as a force for impact—ensuring financial integrity, resilience, and efficiency across global initiatives. Her expertise in grant management, donor compliance, and strategic financial planning makes her a valuable addition to our team. Beyond her financial acumen, Fre leads with empathy, integrity, and perseverance—values that strongly align with EMpower’s mission. She embraces lifelong learning, as reflected in one of her favourite quotes: “Learning never exhausts the mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci We’re thrilled to have her on board! Stay tuned for a fun Q&A with Frehiwot soon. Welcome to the team, Fre! ?

Sneha Kohli, CFA, joins our India Board of Directors! ? With over two decades of experience in financial services, Sneha is an expert in emerging markets, specialising in fixed-income, private credit, and distressed assets. She has held senior leadership roles across major financial hubs, most recently as MD?of Emerging Markets Sales at Jefferies in Hong Kong and previously at SC LOWY, BNP Paribas, and Deutsche Bank. Now moving to Mumbai after 28 years abroad, she is passionate about leveraging her skills to drive meaningful change. Having been involved with EMpower in Hong Kong, she is excited to help shape our vision in India—strategically, financially, and at the grassroots level. Excited to have you on board, Sneha! Join us in giving her a warm welcome in the comments! ??

#ThrowbackThursday | #25YearsofEMpower This week, we spotlight Virtualahan, an organisation that empowers young people—especially those with disabilities—by equipping them with digital skills through a five-week intensive training programme complemented by internships and job coaching to support their transition into decent work. ? With EMpower’s support, Virtualahan has expanded its reach to more youth aged 18-24, deepening its understanding of their challenges and refining its programmes to meet their needs better. This partnership has also strengthened organisational policies, enhanced its safe space policy through Safeguarding training, and advanced its accreditation process with the Philippine Council for NGO Certification, reinforcing both credibility and long-term sustainability. ?? ?? Hear from Virtualahan on the power of partnership and its impact on young people. #EMpowerturns25 #25YearsofImpact

We are looking for a Global Financial Controller to lead our financial strategy, accounting, and reporting across multiple geographies. If you have 10+ years of experience (including at least 5 years in a senior finance role) and expertise in multi-currency transactions and ERP systems, we’d love to hear from you! ?? Location: Delhi, India (Global Oversight) ?? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gKDzshaw