UPG Viewer

26 Years Old

Myanmar

Female

Yes! That is really who you are!

My name is Thiri, and I was born and raised in Yangon, the vibrant commercial hub of Myanmar. At 26 years old, I am a proud graduate of Myanmar Maritime University, where I majored in Port and Harbour Engineering. Beyond my academic background, I am a passionate public speaker, a dedicated debater, and the founder of Thuma, an organization committed to empowering women.

After starting my professional journey as the Sales and Marketing Head at a pharmaceutical company, I discovered a desire to expand my skills and engage with like-minded professionals in the business world. This drive led me to establish my first export-import company, EdenBurma Gateway Associates Co., Ltd., at the age of 25.

EdenBurma is more than just a business—it is a mission. We work closely with local farmers to export Myanmar’s rich agricultural products, ensuring they receive fair prices for their labor. At the same time, we strive to promote the finest Burmese goods on the global stage under the “Made in Myanmar” brand. Myanmar is a country blessed with abundant natural resources, and my dream is to elevate these products internationally, contributing to our nation’s economic growth and fostering pride in our heritage.

Although I am still working toward my goals, I firmly believe in the power of collaboration and learning from leaders who share a vision of creating meaningful change for their countries and the world. My company and I are deeply committed to sustainability and empowering local communities, striving to make a lasting impact both locally and globally.

My Strengths are communication skills, negotiations, creativity, action-oriented, collaborative, and leadership skill & risk taking.

One of my core strengths is being action-oriented—a quality that drives me to transform challenges into opportunities through decisive action. This strength has consistently enabled me to address pressing issues in my community and create meaningful, lasting change. Among the various occasions where I applied this strength, two standout examples illustrate how my proactive approach has contributed to building a more sustainable society.

In 2019, I faced a distressing issue at my grandmother’s residential building. The area behind the structure had become a dumping ground for garbage and waste accumulated over the years due to a lack of proper drainage, sewage systems, and waste disposal mechanisms. The residents, with no alternative solutions, habitually discarded waste into this space. This resulted in an environment that was both unsightly and hazardous, endangering the health of those living nearby. Despite the clear urgency of the problem, no one was willing to take action.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, I decided to intervene. I captured a video highlighting the waste accumulation and its harmful effects on the neighborhood. This documentation served as crucial evidence, which I submitted to the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing. To ensure the issue received widespread attention, I also shared the video on social media platforms and submitted it to the United Nations. My efforts were aimed at raising public awareness and prompting immediate action from authorities.

This initiative aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). As a result of my actions, waste management systems were introduced, improving sanitation and the overall living environment for residents.

During the pandemic, I applied this same action-oriented mindset by co-founding a women’s empowerment NGO. This initiative was designed to address the challenges women face in achieving equality and employment opportunities. Every week, we interviewed female entrepreneurs and professionals to share their journeys from being daughters, wives, and mothers to becoming independent leaders. This NGO, which continues to thrive, advances SDGs 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

These experiences have reinforced my belief that decisive action can inspire systemic change, building a sustainable and equitable society for future generations.

Volunteering has been a cornerstone of my personal and professional growth, offering me opportunities to give back to society while acquiring invaluable skills. Over the past few years, I have actively engaged in two significant volunteering roles that have profoundly shaped who I am today.

As the secretary of the Young Toastmasters Club in Yangon, I undertook diverse responsibilities that honed my organizational and communication skills. Winning the club’s impromptu competition and receiving a one-year scholar membership was a proud moment that motivated me further. My role involved managing weekly English conversation sessions, which included arranging discussion topics, inviting young participants, and designing promotional content for social media. These tasks required a high level of coordination, creativity, and attention to detail, which helped me develop a proactive and solution-oriented mindset.

Simultaneously, I also volunteered at my own NGO, Thuma, where I assumed multiple roles: creative short film director, producer, and Human Resources Leader. As a creative director, I spearheaded the production of short films centered on women empowerment, filmed on real locations, and featuring interviews with working women. These projects not only raised awareness about gender equality but also provided a platform for women to share their stories and inspire others.

As the HR Leader, I played a pivotal role in recruiting young, innovative minds who volunteered at our NGO for two years. I guided and mentored them, fostering a culture of collaboration and creativity within the organization.

Through these two volunteering experiences, I invested two years of perseverance and dedication to make a tangible impact on both my organizations and the community. Along the way, I acquired essential skills such as management, teamwork, leadership, English proficiency, communication, and innovation. These skills have significantly influenced my personal development and prepared me for the challenges of the real world.

Today, as a result of my volunteering experiences, I have the confidence and capability to run my own start-up company. Volunteering has not only allowed me to contribute to meaningful causes but also laid a strong foundation for my entrepreneurial journey.

Undergraduate: I have completed an undergraduate degree

If I were to lead a sustainability-related project in my community or organization, it would focus on “Balancing Emotions in the Workplace” to break barriers for women pursuing their desired careers. This project would aim to empower women to build emotional resilience, a vital skill for navigating challenges in male-dominated environments and achieving gender equality.

Women are undeniably capable of excelling in multiple domains—managing households, supporting families, and thriving professionally. Yet, societal norms often hinder their progress, particularly in unconventional fields like piloting or seafaring. While physical strength and technical competence are essential, emotional resilience plays an equally crucial role in workplace success. My project would not suggest mimicking masculine traits but rather embracing feminine strengths while fostering a balance between Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and Intellectual Intelligence (IQ).

For instance, responding to workplace challenges—whether it’s handling criticism from a boss or overcoming ridicule for mistakes—requires more than technical expertise. It demands emotional stability and the ability to separate feelings from decisions when necessary. Women should learn to channel emotions constructively, leveraging empathy and intuition while maintaining composure in high-pressure situations.

This project is especially relevant today because true gender equality begins within. While societal support and organizational policies are essential, women must first break internal barriers that limit their potential. My initiative would include workshops, mentorship programs, and peer support groups & video journalism to help women strengthen their emotional resilience, build confidence, and challenge ingrained mindsets.

A workplace where women are emotionally strong fosters broader societal change. As women overcome self-doubt and thrive in leadership roles, they inspire others to follow suit. Emotionally balanced individuals also contribute to healthier workplace dynamics, reducing bias and creating an environment where everyone—regardless of gender—can succeed.

By empowering women to balance emotions and intellect, this project would contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). As more women step into their power, we can build a gender-unbiased, sustainable society that values strength in diversity and emotional intelligence as much as skill and knowledge.

Implementing a project like “Balancing Emotions in the Workplace” comes with challenges that must be addressed to ensure its success and long-term sustainability.

One major challenge is overcoming resistance to change. In many organizations, emotional intelligence is undervalued compared to technical skills. To address this, I would focus on raising awareness by hosting sessions that highlight the importance of emotional balance for productivity, decision-making, and collaboration. Presenting evidence-based research and success stories from other organizations would help demonstrate the tangible benefits of fostering emotional intelligence in the workplace.

Another significant challenge is securing participation and engagement. Employees, particularly women, may hesitate to discuss emotions or attend workshops due to societal stigmas or fear of judgment. To overcome this, I would create a safe, inclusive environment where participants feel respected and supported. Emphasizing confidentiality and offering gradual, voluntary participation would encourage involvement. Relatable female leaders sharing their experiences could also inspire others to engage actively.

A third challenge is limited resources, such as time, funding, and expertise. To address this, I would adopt a phased approach, starting with small-scale pilot programs like monthly workshops or peer discussions. Positive outcomes and feedback could help advocate for additional support from organizational leaders or external sponsors. Collaborating with NGOs, mental health professionals, and workplace coaches would also provide valuable resources and expertise.

To strengthen the project’s success, I would seek advice and support from UPG (United People Global). Their guidance, resources, and network would be instrumental in overcoming resistance, boosting participation, and ensuring long-term impact. Partnering with UPG would amplify the project’s reach and effectiveness.

By addressing these challenges with strategic planning and support, I am confident the “Balancing Emotions in the Workplace” project could foster a gender-equitable, emotionally resilient, and sustainable society, empowering women to thrive and create lasting change.

About 200 people

Yes

Thuma Women Organisation

Thuma Women Organisation, a leading women empowerment initiative in my state where I serve as a founder, is well-equipped to support the mini-training session for the “Balancing Emotions in the Workplace: A Path to Sustainability” project. With experience in journalism, short films, and social media campaigns, Thuma can utilize its platforms to raise awareness and promote the event. Our team of over 30 dedicated volunteers can help gather more than 150 participants for the session and arrange an experienced mentor or speaker to highlight the importance of emotional balance in achieving workplace gender equality. Additionally, Thuma will produce a short video to illustrate the project’s significance and share it widely across three active social media channels to maximise outreach and engagement.

I would like to submit my video later in the link that you provided. I will upload my 2-minute video before deadline. Please consider my video which i am going to send later after the application submission.

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