EMPOWERING THE IMPOVERISHED

We are passionate about empowering communities with life-changing solutions to overcome inequality and poverty.

Objective Values Approach Where we work The team Partners

Our objective

Dana Asia aims to eradicate poverty by using social business, microfinance, and education as tools to address social problems in impoverished communities, improving access to productive resources and reducing inequalities.

Our multifaceted role

We act as a funder and adviser, partnering with local NGOs, cooperatives, and community groups to implement projects that empower communities towards sustainable impact.

As a funder

We seek funding opportunities to match emerging needs within impoverished communities. Whether private donor funds, CSR funding or grant opportunities, our team strives to match appropriate funds to the needs on the ground.

As an adviser

We use our local knowledge and experienced on-the-ground team to advise donors and implementing partners on the development of sustainable projects that fit the donor’s expectations and meet the needs of the community.

As a social business incubator

We design unique and exciting business models that address specific community needs and implement pilots through experienced in-country partners. Once the model is refined, it can be scaled to increase impact and replicated in new communities.

Our values

Sustainable impact at scale.

Dana Asia’s commitment to sustainability

Social Empowerment

Capacity building and expert-led training in livelihood skills, business management, financial literal and personal and professional development areas.

Economic Viability

High-engagement social investment in small businesses and guidance towards viability and sustainability, while advocating for fair-trading throughout the supply chain.

Environmental Sustainability

Promoting business models that have high-regard for environmental preservation to protect local ecology while improving food security.

Our 3-step approach to creating sustainable impact

Step 1 – Incubation
  • Community consultation and mobilisation, identifying value-adding local partners for implementation.
  • Needs assessments, community profiling and baseline data collection.
  • Design relevant project concepts with appropriate business models and launch pilot projects.
KJC Outgrower Training
Step 2 – Build Structure & Create Social Value
  • Identify key development needs, such as mentoring and capacity building, and connect with appropriate partners to conduct training.
  • Refine and revise business models for maximum effectiveness and conduct M&E to evaluate potential for scale and replication.
  • Identify microfinance needs and facilitate to enable to creation and growth of new livelihoods, where applicable.
Step 3 – Scale & Replicate
  • Thorough evaluation of pilot projects to assess social, economic, and environmental sustainability as well as suitability for scale and/or replication to new communities.
  • Research opportunities for project scale in the same location.
  • Research new communities for replication and start the process again in a new setting.

Where do we work?

  • = Projects
  • = Donors
Map of projects and donors
Japan
Myanmar
Bangladesh
Thailand
Cambodia
Singapore
Philippines
Australia

Get to know us

Our diverse team offers decades of experience working in community development in the non-profit, government, and private sectors throughout Asia Pacific.

Meet the Board

Munzurul Khan

Chairperson
Munzurul is a seasoned finance professional and serves as Principal and Chair of Keshab Chartered Accountants and Associated Group.

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Board Member Elizabeth Masamune

Elizabeth Masamune PSM

Board Member
A career diplomat and fluent Japanese linguist, Elizabeth currently works as the Managing Director of @Asia Associates Japan Inc.

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Board Member Caroline Juricic

Caroline Juricic

Board Member
A strategy and finance expert, Caroline brings extensive global experience across the corporate, non-profit and government sectors.

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Prometheus Siddiqui

Board Member
Global social business leader with 12+ years’ experience, collaborating with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, pioneering microfinance initiatives.

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Wei Chee Liew

Board Member
As ERM’s Managing Partner, Wei Chee is a purpose-driven leader with 30 years in energy, sustainability and transformation.

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Meet the Executive team

CEO Duncan Power

Duncan Power

Chief Executive Officer
Duncan has more than 20 years’ on-the-ground experience working strategically in the not-for-profit and social enterprise worlds.

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Director of Programs Lotti Fraser

Lotti Fraser

Director of Programs: R&D
Lotti has been living and working in the Southeast Asian region since 2010. She is passionate about the critical role education plays in influencing social change for the better.

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Leo Alforte Director of Social Business

Leo Alforte

Director of Social Business
Leo is a highly skilled facilitator of community development and sustainable farming initiatives.

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Sreykouch Chhenn Cambodia Projects Manager

Chhenn Sreykouch

Cambodia Projects Manager
Sreykuoch’s dream of helping to empower her local community became a reality through her inspirational work with Dana Asia.

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Diana Seva HR/Administration Manager

Diana Seva

HR/Administration Manager
An experienced administration and compliance professional, Diana’s skillset has benefited a diverse range of companies.

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Philippe van Gammeren Tech and Design Specialist

Philippe van Gammeren

Tech & Design Specialist
We call him the Web Wizard. With 15 years of professional experience with international agencies, he entered the NGO world in 2014 to improve lives through technology.

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