Council Members
All About Council Members
Andri Soebiakto ( Virginia) - Alumni of Faculty of Economics
Andri graduated from the Department of Financial Management with a major in Economics in 1993. In 2000, he obtained his MBA from George Washington University, solidifying his expertise in the financial field. For several years now, Andri has worked at various financial services companies around Washington DC, currently holding the position of Manager in the Interest Rate Risk Strategy section at Capital One Bank. When not at work, he can be found indulging his passion for running and cycling, as well as spending quality time with his wife. Andri also stays active in the Indonesian band scene in Washington DC, performing with “The Backstabbers”.
Debbie Sumual-Patlis (New York) - Alumni of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Debbie is a media professional who worked for Voice of America (VOA) in Washington, DC. She has a notable humanitarian track record, having worked for Mercy Corps Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami in Aceh. She also planned and completed a published collection of stories titled “Kiamat Sudah Lewat” (Doomsday is Over) written by child survivors, filed at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Additionally, she co-founded Rumah Indonesia in 2012, a community organization that promotes and preserves Indonesian culture in the US while building understanding and respect between the two cultures.
Dr. Diani Citra (New York) - Alumni of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences
Dr. Diani Citra, a Fulbright scholar, received her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 2019. She has served as a policy expert for Rudiantara on broadcasting digitalization issues from 2015 to 2019. Dr. Citra established her own consulting company, Sintesa Consulting LLC, in 2019, which collaborates with global digital technology companies such as IBM and Kantar. She is currently leading two main projects in the telecommunications field, including establishing a joint venture with IBM in Indonesia. Dr. Citra also actively writes for various national print media in Indonesia.
Emil Ranakusuma (Virginia) - Alumni of Faculty of Economics
After graduating from the Faculty of Economics in 1992, Emil pursued an MBA at Cleveland State University. With a wealth of experience in business consulting, retail, advertising agencies, and marketing research companies in both Indonesia and the United States, Emil decided to become an entrepreneur and start his own business in 2007. Today, he oversees four Subway restaurants in Virginia. Emil is an active member of various organizations, including the Annandale Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, and the International Franchise Association, as well as the Indonesian environmental education organization, Indonesia Green Club, where he served as vice-chairman from 1994 to 1996. He is married to Olivia Harahap Ranakusuma, also a graduate of the Faculty of Economics.
Indah Nuritasari (Pennsylvania) - Alumni of Faculty of Cultural Studies
Indah is a Community Development Specialist in Philadelphia. She works for FINANTA, a non-profit SBA lender, and has over ten years of experience working with refugees and immigrant communities in the Philadelphia area. Indah has a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the University of Indonesia and completed an Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a writer, translator, journalist, and community activist with over 20 years of experience. Indah has won several awards for her literary art and is the founder and Chief Editor of Indonesian Lantern www.indonesianlantern.com.
Dr. Teruna J. Siahaan (Kansas) - Alumni of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science
Dr. Teruna J. Siahaan is a distinguished professor at the University of Kansas and Fellow of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists. He directs the Center for Global Health and the NIH Biotechnology Training Program. With over 180 scientific articles, 20 book chapters, and 13 patents, he has also co-chaired the Globalization of Pharmaceutics Education Network. Prof. Siahaan has collaborated with universities in Indonesia, guiding lecturers and researchers in the Recharging Program.