CEO for a Day Brings Together Today’s Women Leaders and Tomorrow’s Changemakers

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Sixteen young women from across Indonesia joined women CEOs, senior business leaders, government representatives, and heads of United Nations agencies today at the closing event of CEO for a Day Indonesia: Women Shaping Tomorrow, a youth shadowing and mentorship initiative jointly organized by the United Nations in Indonesia, AmCham Indonesia Women Network, and the UN Global Compact Network Indonesia (IGCN).

Held to commemorate International Youth Day, the Leadership Forum celebrated the achievements of the participants while reaffirming the shared commitment of the United Nations, the private sector and business networks to empower young women through leadership, mentorship and meaningful opportunities to grow.

According to a release received by Voice of Indonesia on Friday, 14 August, despite progress, women remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making positions around the world, highlighting the importance of creating pathways that enable young women to develop the confidence, experience and networks needed to lead.

“Today we come together to harness the power of women to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Gita Sabharwal, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Indonesia.

“Every leader starts somewhere. Like the many young participants here today, we too started out as idealistic young women eager to make a positive difference in the world. Empowering young people, especially girls and women, is a core United Nations value. By bringing generations of women leaders together, we can advance inclusion, equality and opportunity, and help shape a more sustainable future for Indonesia.”

The sixteen participants were selected through a competitive process based on their leadership potential, motivation, and commitment to creating a positive impact.

They were paired with 15 women CEOs, senior executives, and heads of United Nations agencies and gained first-hand insight into leadership, organizational culture, career development, and decision-making.

One of the participants, 24-year-old Dhea Umi Amalia, said the CEO for a Day experience reinforced her belief that a person’s background should not determine how far they can go. Raised in a modest family—her father works as a public minivan driver and her mother, who grew up in a farming family, completed junior high school—Dhea went on to study Chemistry at Universitas Gadjah Mada, graduating cum laude as the fastest graduate in her department before transitioning into a career in marketing.

“The opportunity opened my eyes to how leadership is built through experience, the courage to seize opportunities, and a willingness to keep learning. To first-generation women out there: don’t let where you come from determine where you end up. Dare to dream big, seek out mentors, and keep investing in yourself,” she said.

The participating organizations included AHANA, Bee Well Indonesia, AmCham Indonesia, HHP Law Firm, HP Indonesia, Dynapack Asia, Selaras Logistik Indonesia, Kiroyan Partners, APP Group, TBS Energi Utama, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Indonesia, UNESCO Indonesia, UNHCR Indonesia, UN Women Indonesia, and the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office in Indonesia.

“Leadership cannot be learned from textbooks alone. It grows through exposure, experience, curiosity and the courage to ask questions,” said Donna Priadi, Managing Director of AmCham Indonesia.

“CEO for a Day gave these young women the opportunity to see leadership as it is actually practiced—the challenges, the difficult decisions and the responsibility behind every position. We hope the experience encourages them to pursue their ambitions with confidence and to know that they belong in leadership spaces.”

The closing event featured participant reflections, a leadership talk show, a recognition ceremony, and an interactive “Ask the Leaders” session, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with women leaders from the private sector and the United Nations.

“The private sector has both an opportunity and a responsibility to help build the next generation of women leaders,” said Y. W. Junardy, President of the UN Global Compact Network Indonesia.

“Gender equality must go beyond commitments on paper. Companies need to create inclusive workplaces, strengthen women’s leadership pipelines, provide meaningful mentorship, and ensure that women have equal opportunities to advance. This initiative shows how collaboration between business, the United Nations, and young people can translate shared principles into concrete action.”

Launched in June 2026, CEO for a Day Indonesia called upon young women aged 18–25 who had contributed to the Sustainable Development Goals through volunteering, education, climate action, entrepreneurship, advocacy, innovation, or community initiatives.

Selected participants were given the opportunity to accompany women leaders, join meetings, observe decision-making, and have candid conversations about leadership, challenges, and purpose.

Through CEO for a Day Indonesia, the organizers hope to inspire more institutions to invest in youth leadership and contribute to a future in which women are equally represented at all levels of leadership and decision-making.