In 2024, Shafira Rizki Aulia of Indonesia was in eastern Iowa as part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP). YSEALI PFP is a fully funded exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. YSEALI PFP provides emerging leaders from Southeast Asia the opportunity to spend five to six weeks in the United States, gaining professionally relevant fellowship experiences at non-profit, public, or private sector organizations.
In Indonesia, Shafira co-founded Lead With Her, a regional initiative empowering woman in leadership and economic independence. Now, she focuses on strategic communications, digital storytelling, and building partnerships to create more opportunities for women across Southeast Asia.
Before participating in the YSEALI PFP program, Shafira viewed the United States as a land of vast opportunities but was slightly apprehensive about adapting to the fast-paced and individualistic society. However, her experiences in eastern Iowa turned out to be eye-opening and far from her initial concerns.
A large part of this eye-opening experience was Jill Wilkins of New Bohemian Innovation Collaborative (NewBoCo) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. NewBoCo, a non-profit organization that aims to grow the region's economy by supporting local entrepreneurs, was the professional placement where Shafira gained fellowship experience. Shafira said, “Jill, my main contact and mentor, was exceptionally responsive and went above and beyond in facilitating connections within the industry, greatly enhancing my networking skills.” Jill also supported Shafira in discussing her initiatives, such as Lead With Her, allowing Shafira to adapt innovative strategies from NewBoCo to this project.
Shafira continued, “Additionally, as part of the Women Leaders Initiative, Jill demonstrated how effective women in leadership roles can be, managing projects forward while maintaining a balance with her family life. This provided a powerful model for me, underscoring that it is possible for women to excel both professionally and personally.
Outside of her professional work with the fellowship, Shafira had the incredible opportunity to stay with Vildana and Kim Tinjic. Vildana and Kim were not just hosts but mentors and friends for Shafira. “From the moment I arrived, they made me feel completely at home, blending warmth with a genuine interest in exchange,” Shafira said. Shafira highlighted Vildana’s warm hospitality and food and Kim’s wealth of knowledge and enlightening conversations. One of Shafira’s most unforgettable YSEALI memories was when Vildana brought her to a friends’ home in Anamosa City, where they made handmade pizza together.
Since returning to Indonesia, Shafira has implemented her YSEALI experience in her professional life. “At NewBoCo, I learned project management tools that enhance workflow and collaboration, which I am now integrating into my projects for greater efficiency. Inspired by NewBoCo’s approach, I am also exploring tech adoption to strengthen community support,” she said. While still in the implementation phase, Shafira is actively testing and refining these strategies to enhance community engagement and project execution in Indonesia.
Shafira highly recommends YSEALI PFP to others in her community because it provides a transformative experience in leadership, collaboration, and innovation. Shafira said, “The program goes beyond traditional learning, offering meaningful reflections that help participants adapt, grow, and improve both personally and professionally.” It also fosters a strong network of like-minded changemakers across Southeast Asia and the U.S. that creates opportunities for collaboration before, during, and long after the program ends.
Global Ties Iowa is proud to work with YSEALI and coordinate these projects. We are currently looking for home placements for the upcoming YSEALI PFP with placements needing to be confirmed by March 31, 2025. Please keep an eye out for social media posts and emails about fellows looking for placements. We encourage you to read “YSEALI PFP: A Partnership Between eastern Iowa and the Philippines,” “Why I Give: Melissa Bates, Founder and CEO of LSF Medical Solutions,” and “YTILI: Partnerships Between U.S. Hosts and European Entrepreneurs” to learn more about hosting.
