Hey, I'm Joseph, the founder of AAYA. 

I'm also the Founder, President and Executive Director of Lantern Consulting.  

At the University of Wollongong, I'm a Ramsay Scholar studying law and liberal arts. I was chosen as a 2025 New Colombo Plan Scholar for South Korea, where I studied law at Seoul National University. I have also studied at Korea University, represented UOW as a Mitsui Educational Foundation Scholar in 2023, was a 2025 Australian Financial Review Top100 Future Leader and have written for the East Asia Forum. 

 Connect with me here.

Global Vice President

Hey, I'm Vera.

I am a fourth-year student at the Australian National University (ANU) completing a Bachelor of Finance and a Bachelor of Commerce. At the ANU, I served as Team Captain for the 2024 International Business Plan Competition (IBPC)  and am now IBPC's 2025 Competition Manager. I have also pursued my finance major at Singapore Management University. 

I'm the recipient of the ACT Government Office of International Engagement Prize, the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership Award and the BSSS Outstanding Achievement in Community Service Award. Beyond academics, I've been a volunteer at Cambodia Care Centre since the age of eight, supporting its mission to break the cycle of poverty for thousands of children through education. I am passionate about creating a lasting and meaningful impact in everything that I do.

Connect with me here.

Vice President of Finance

Hey, I'm Elaine.

I am currently completing a Bachelor of Finance at the Australian National University, majoring in Capital Markets.

In addition to my studies, I have completed a Certificate IV in Government as part of the Australian Government Career Starter Program, through which I have had the opportunity to work on a range of policy and financial problems.

Connect with me here.

Vice President of Internals

Hey, I’m Nicole.

I’m a Juris Doctor student at Melbourne Law School. 

Previously, I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Melbourne, with a double major in Asian Studies and Politics and International Relations, including an exchange semester in Japan, and it was during this time that I developed my passion for the Asia-Pacific region.

Outside of my studies, I have worked across a range of disciplines, including law, policy, and international relations, predominantly on matters across the region.

Connect with me here.

Hey, I'm Talia.

I'm a third-year Commerce and Economics student at the University of New South Wales. I recently completed an academic exchange at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, where I broadened my understanding of global businesses. 

Alongside my studies, I'm actively involved in student leadership, serving as Co-President of the UNSW Commerce (International) Society and holding an executive role in the Finance & Banking Society, where I lead initiatives focused on organisational strategy and student engagement.

Connect with me here.

Vice President of Global Strategy

Hey, I'm Cain.

I'm currently pursuing a Masters of Philosophy in Global Risk and Resilience at the University of Cambridge. Previously, I completed a dual degree between Sciences Po Paris and the University of Sydney, studying political science, Asian Studies, and French. Professionally, I've served as a technical writer for Schneider Electric and a Junior Researcher at the European Institute for Asian Studies, where I helped organise the 2024 World Dialogue on China Studies.

My work has been featured in the East Asia Forum, APEC Features, and EIAS. My focus is on developing strategic partnerships between Australia and its geographic neighbours to ensure the safe and equitable diffusion of emerging technologies.

Connect with me here.

Managing Director at Lantern Consulting

Hey, I'm Krystal.

I'm currently a 2025 New Colombo Plan Scholar for Hong Kong and Singapore from Macquarie University, studying Commerce and Business Information Systems. To enrich my global perspectives, I completed an exchange at the University of British Columbia and am now studying at the University of Hong Kong. 

My passion for empowering individuals and communities is evident through my roles as Vice President of Women Entering Business, where I support the professional development of hundreds of young women, and as a Senior Consultant for 180 Degrees Consulting, providing strategic insights to non-profits. As an Executive Member at Youth Decide, I lead workshops to foster civic engagement. Previously, as an Events Director for the United Nations Association of Australia, I promoted human rights education and, as a Youth Advocate at Youth Action NSW, I drove policy changes that reflect young people's perspectives. 

Asia is a region rich with emerging opportunities. Strengthening regional ties is vital for improving social and economic outcomes, and I aim to leverage my cross-cultural identity as a Chinese-Malaysian born Australian to enhance collaboration and support professional development.

Connect with me here.

Vice President of Asia Literacy

Hey, I’m Kaithlyn.

I’m currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) and Laws at the University of Sydney, and have a deep passion for Asia-Australia cultural exchange. During an exchange at Korea University, I had the opportunity to engage directly with Korean culture and further develop my Korean language skills. I also enjoy learning other Asian languages like Mandarin and Japanese in my spare time.

At USYD, I have been actively involved in the Southeast Asian Law Society and the Japanese Cultural Society, where I help create inclusive spaces and foster cultural exchanges through professional and social events. I am driven to explore Asia’s regional issues and connect young people through dialogue, workshops, and events - sparking curiosity, inspiring meaningful engagement, and highlighting the opportunities that Asia-Australia relations can present.

Connect with me here.

Hey, I'm Kevin.

Connect with me here.

Vice President of Education

Hey, I'm Oliver.

Connect with me here.

Hey, I'm Damien.

I'm currently studying the Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, double-majoring in Finance and Management.

I'm also an international student from Singapore and previously studied International Business and Entrepreneurship before making my way to Melbourne for a degree. Throughout my university years, I have served in multiple leadership roles within commerce and community-oriented student societies, holding various functions that involved people, partnerships, and executive management. I'm also currently part of AAYA's student consulting wing, Lantern Consulting, as a Development Director.

Some of my professional internship experiences include project consulting at WEHI Medical Institute's computing research division for an open-source software expansion, urban development and economics strategy consulting at Urbis, and e-commerce operations at a SEA-based start-up. When I'm not staring at numbers and financial statements or models, I like to workout at the gym, scout different genres of interesting music to add to my collection, or occasionally enjoy music festivals whenever.

Connect with me here.

Vice President of Events

Hey, I'm Phoenix.

I'm a graduate of Griffith University, where I completed a Bachelor of Government and International Relations/Bachelor of Asian Studies, majoring in International Relations and Politics, Law and Justice in Asia. As a first-generation Australian of Samoan-Chinese heritage, I'm passionate about leveraging my unique background and education to foster collaboration and drive sustainable development across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

My academic expertise centres on Chinese multilateralism, global governance, and the impacts of climate change on human security in the Global South. This dedication led to my recognition as a 2022 New Colombo Plan Scholar, underscoring my commitment to advancing Australia’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific.

Connect with me here.

Vice President of Publications

Hey, I'm Tisha.

I’m a 2025 New Colombo Plan Scholar for Vanuatu and Fiji, with a particular focus on law, development and decolonisation in the South Pacific region. I’m a penultimate year Law and Economics student at the Australian National University. 

My experience across government, academia and technology consulting has spurred my interest in fostering equitable and inclusive policy outcomes, particularly in marginalised communities. I hope to uplift the voices of young academics and creatives across the Asia-Pacific and enable knowledge and culture sharing through a variety of modes. 

Connect with me here.

National Marketing Director

Hey, I'm Vivian. 

I'm a user experience designer and 2025 Westpac Asian Exchange Scholar, currently studying Interaction Design at the University of Sydney. Later this year, I’ll be heading to Waseda University in Tokyo to explore how inclusive design can better serve cross-cultural and neurodivergent communities, especially in digital spaces where accessibility is often overlooked. 

At my core, I care about storytelling that resonates. I’ve led student communities like the Sydney University Experience Designers as well as the Google Developer Student Club within USYD, and worked on products at Canva and Stan that turn thoughtful ideas into meaningful experiences. Whether it's shaping brand identities or building engagement strategies, I love making ideas feel thoughtful, human, and accessible. 

Connecting with Asia feels both personal and purposeful. Through AAYA, I’m excited to grow a brand that reflects the diversity of our lived experiences, while also creating space for new stories, new leaders, and new ways of seeing ourselves in the world.

Connect with me here.

National Design Director

Hey, I'm Marcus.

I'm currently pursuing a Bachelors in Commerce & Media at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). At UNSW, I served on the Organising Committee of the 2024 Undergraduate Business Case Competition (AUBCC) and have held various founding and marketing roles in student societies. In doing case competitions, I've developed a passion for business, design and interaction, and I'm excited to bring this skillset to AAYA.

I'm highly interested in Asian cultures, and how their traditions, norms and expectations shape business and design decisions - especially when they interact with our own Western lens.

Connect with me here.

Vice President of Policy

Hey, I'm Ansu.

I'm pursuing a double degree in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Human Resource Management at the University of Western Australia. As a 2024 Westpac Asian Exchange Scholar, I gained firsthand experience of the benefits of our long-term Australia-Asia partnership during my exchange semester at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Having lived in three Asian countries, I am passionate about embracing the region's diversity, which offers a more holistic understanding of social norms, the political landscape and the economic environment. I am excited to contribute to AAYA by ensuring the longevity of its purpose, people, and partnerships; forming connections that transcend geographic boundaries and fostering collaboration across the region.

Connect with me here.