About Us
The SAWA project made its formal debut in May 2022, but its origins trace back over a decade, when our visionary founder first began exploring financially sustainable solutions to the harmful practice of agricultural crop-burning in Indonesia.
Though progress was initially slow, recent years have seen a surge of interest in carbon offsetting, with additional financial incentives provided through the voluntary carbon market. These developments have opened up new avenues for realizing our founder's early aspirations, empowering us to bring large-scale biochar production technologies to fruition and make a meaningful impact in the fight against climate change.
Our Vision
Our Mission
To deliver innovative solutions that combat climate change and create a more sustainable future.
Mitigate climate change and ensure food security through regenerative agricultural practices that follow an environmentally, economically and socially sustainable model.
Board Members
Dr. Anton Seman
Dedy Lesmana
Dr. Anton holds a PhD in Electronics Manufacturing from the University of Greenwich and is in charge of SAWA's biochar research and development facility. Known for his innovative approach to agricultural machinery, Dr. Anton is a respected authority in his field, sought after for his insights and expertise in sustainable technology.
Dedy Lesmana is an experienced professional with a diverse background in office administration, sales, notary assistance, credit & appraisal, and sales supervision. His experience also includes monitoring regional votes, supervising land certificates and measurements.
Irvan Muhammad
Irvan Muhammad is an experienced environmental and community project manager, known for his passion and dedication to sustainable development. His expertise in mangrove restoration, coastal community empowerment, and marine conservation has been instrumental in promoting ecosystem resilience and community well-being.
Ratih Maharani
Phil Rickard
Dr. Rachmat Pambudy
Irawan Mulyadi
Dr. John Wiebe
Phil is a global entrepreneur based in Jakarta whose diverse portfolio of enterprises spans the natural resources, renewable energy, FinTech, and artificial intelligence sectors. With a proven track record of identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends, Phil is renowned for his visionary leadership and passion for sustainable innovation.
Dr. Rachmat Pambudy is a renowned lecturer at the Bogor Agricultural Institute, with a distinguished career in development counseling and policy-making. His expertise has been instrumental in shaping policies that have had a transformative impact on Indonesia's agriculture sector, including the establishment of the Dewan Gula Indonesia. With a deep commitment to sustainable development, Dr. Pambudy is a respected authority in his field, sought after for his insights and expertise by colleagues and students alike.
Irawan Mulyadi is a seasoned entrepreneur with a wealth of experience across multiple disciplines, including payments, e-commerce, and information technology. His track record of building successful ventures is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, strategic vision, and ability to navigate complex market landscapes.
Operational Team
John Wiebe is a pioneering figure in the global sustainability movement, having devoted his career to uniting leaders from business and government around the common goal of promoting economic development while protecting the health of the planet. His unwavering commitment to sustainability has earned him a reputation as a respected thought leader and change agent in the field.
Ira Devianty
Theresa Hopkins
Glory Sihombing
Totong Ariwanto
Ira Devianty has considerable experience as a Procurement Officer and Site Surveyor Manager, and Director of Terrasys Media, a Jakarta-based media monitoring company. With a degree in Public Relations from the University of Lampung, Ira is known for her exceptional organizational skills, strategic thinking, and ability to execute complex projects with precision and efficiency.
Theresa Hopkins brings a wealth of hands-on experience in the sustainability space, backed by a degree in political science. She has spent several years working on communication and marketing development for a prominent NGO in Sumba, Indonesia, honing her skills in stakeholder engagement, partnership building, and impact assessment.
Glory Sihombing, CEO of Carbon Offset Asia and founding partner of Global Green Capital, brings a wealth of experience in sustainable finance and entrepreneurship to the SAWA team. His strategic vision and deep understanding of impact investing have helped drive sustainable development and create positive change across a range of industries.
Totong Ariwanto is an agronomist who graduated from IPB University and brings extensive experience as an agricultural advisor to the governments of Indonesia and Vietnam. His deep expertise in sustainable agriculture has been instrumental in shaping policies and practices that promote food security and environmental sustainability.
Ratih Maharani has extensive experience in office administration and finance in Indonesia. She has played a key role in the initial stages of planning SAWA's production facility models. Her organizational skills, financial acumen, and attention to detail have been instrumental in ensuring the success of the project.
Advisors
Dr. Anton holds a PhD in Electronics Manufacturing from the University of Greenwich and is in charge of SAWA's biochar research and development facility. Known for his innovative approach to agricultural machinery, Dr. Anton is a respected authority in his field, sought after for his insights and expertise in sustainable technology.
James Alix Michel
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Nico Barito
Dan Rickard
Fabian De La Fuente
James Alix Michel, the former president of the Seychelles, is a recognized global leader in climate change mitigation and the Blue Economy. Through the James Michel Foundation, he has worked to advance sustainable development and promote environmental stewardship around the world.
Dr. Robert Manurung
Dr Robert Manurung has a specialisation in the valorization of renewable resources for biofuels and is a leading expert in the field of bio-refinery in Indonesia. He has published numerous studies on the potentials of plant commodities for biofuels and provided expert assistance and advice to various bio-refinery companies in the country.
Nico Barito is a seasoned entrepreneur and former fellow of the UN, with a deep understanding of sustainable development and impact investing. As the special envoy of Seychelles for ASEAN, he has helped promote sustainable economic growth and environmental stewardship in the region.
Dan Rickard: With over 25 years of experience in building and growing early-stage companies, Dan Rickard has a proven track record of leading successful sales and client solutioning initiatives, ensuring that his organizations deliver optimal value to their customers.
Fabian De La Fuente: As a global inventor, investor, and advisor, Fabian De La Fuente is deeply passionate about creating positive change through his support of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) projects worldwide. As an early supporter of Nature's Vault, he has played a key role in guiding the development of the company's intellectual property and patent portfolio, helping to ensure that the organization remains at the forefront of sustainable innovation.
Irawan Mulyadi is a seasoned entrepreneur with a wealth of experience across multiple disciplines, including payments, e-commerce, and information technology. His track record of building successful ventures is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, strategic vision, and ability to navigate complex market landscapes.
John Wiebe is a pioneering figure in the global sustainability movement, having devoted his career to uniting leaders from business and government around the common goal of promoting economic development while protecting the health of the planet. His unwavering commitment to sustainability has earned him a reputation as a respected thought leader and change agent in the field.