Yusril, originally from Indonesia, has lived, studied, and worked in over 21 countries. He graduated with distinction from NYU Abu Dhabi with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Research and Public Policy. Yusril is interested in the employment of performing arts for social equity and ultimately transnational activism. He is currently working as a Business and Culture Strategist for the biggest company in East Indonesia and is affiliated as a researcher with the NYU Anthropocene Research Kitchen. Given his passion for youth empowerment, Yusril has been involved in 10+ cross-regionals youth collaborations. Previously, he served as the VP of Internal Affairs for STEAR. 

Alena Heise is currently a graduate student pursuing a degree in International Studies, Peace and Conflict Research in Frankfurt am Main and Darmstadt and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and China Studies.  Alena grew up in Hong Kong and Shanghai and moved to Germany to pursue her studies. Previously she served as Conference Director at STEAR.

Nathalia Ablaza is a Filipino communications specialist focused on capacity-building and international relations. As co-founder and Chief of Protocol of the Philippine International Law of the Sea Academy, a non-profit capacity-building organization, she develops training workshops for academic and government professionals in oceans law and policy. Her background in marketing and public relations includes crafting digital strategies and executing brand campaigns for start-ups across diverse industries. Graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, Nathalia has also been selected for competitive programs by UNITAR and the International Seabed Authority.

Bruno is an Italian-Brazilian student currently pursuing a master's degree in International Politics at KU Leuven in Belgium. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, where he lived for six years. Passionate about international affairs, Bruno’s interest in global experiences began early, with his first academic exchange taking him to Vancouver, Canada, at the age of 14. A strong advocate for cultural exchange and travel, he credits his family for nurturing his internationalist spirit. Outside of academics, Bruno enjoys playing tennis, a sport he practiced for five years, and volleyball with friends.

Nguyen Minh Tri is a purpose-driven entrepreneur from Vietnam with a strong commitment to creating positive social impact. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City. Tri has participated in global platforms like the HPAIR Asia Conference and UNITE 2030's Youth Delegate Program, refining his leadership skills in cross-border environment. As the Vice President for Organizational Development and Growth at STEAR, he aims to expand STEAR's presence and reputation in key Eurasian cities.

Prince Ernest Eugene Ronson D. Sabado is currently a graduate student pursuing a degree in international studies at the National Chengchi University in Taipei, Taiwan (R.O.C.) and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, Philippines. Over the years, he has cultivated a research interest in regional integration, security studies, East and Southeast Asian economic policy studies and selected cases of international human rights and refugee law. He was formerly STEAR's Managing Editor, working primarily on the institute’s analytical pieces concerning Asian and European affairs.

Beyond his work at STEAR, Prince is also a policy research assistant at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research and a programs officer for international relations at the ASEAN Youth Organization in the Philippines.

Nurmash is a third-year Politics student at the University of Warwick, currently spending an exchange year at Sciences Po Bordeaux. His academic interests include Political Economy, Public Policy, Economic Development, Democratization, and New Welfare State theory. He has extensive experience in research and policy through internships at think tanks, collaborations with professors, and participation in student-led initiatives.

Johanna is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in International Business in Asia at Copenhagen Business School and the University of Copenhagen. Having undertaken exchange semesters in Beijing and Singapore, she has developed a strong interest in Asia–Europe relations, cross-cultural collaboration, and China’s role in global business. Alongside her studies, she holds several leadership positions at CBS and has regularly led delegations to global MUN conferences. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Johanna is a passionate sailor and licensed coach who enjoys spending time on the water and exploring new places.

Nico Erol Deniz holds a B.A. in Economics and Politics of East Asia from Ruhr-University Bochum and is currently pursuing his M.A. in International Political Economy of East Asia. His interest lies in particular on Greater China and EU-Asia relations. In the last years, Nico has already worked for the German-Chinese Business Association and one of Germany‘s biggest chemical companies, Bayer AG. Prior to the position as an Events Director, he supported STEAR as an Events Officer.

Harry Lee, born in South Korea and raised in China for 16 years, is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in International Relations and Organisations at Leiden University in the Netherlands. He previously served as a Creative Assistant at STEAR and held PR roles in TEDx events at both university and high school levels. Now, as a Communications Co-Director, he is dedicated to making STEAR a more approachable, interactive, and reflective platform for young people, positioning it as a stepping stone for the next generation of change-makers and bridge-builders.

Toe Pyae is currently in their final year of an undergraduate degree, pursuing a BA in Politics and International Relations at SOAS, University of London. They were born and raised in Myanmar (Burma). While they don’t have previous experience with STEAR, they can attest to their communication and creative skills through their roles as a Student Ambassador and an online geopolitical analyst focused on Indo-Pacific issues, as well as previous roles in youth empowerment organisations and student associations. As a Communications Co-Director, they aim to foster meaningful engagement amongst Europe-Asia youth and bring STEAR closer towards a grassroots, issue-centric platform.