Asia’s Most Influential 2024: The changemakers driving social impact

After participating in forest conservation in 2011, actress Khemupsorn Sirisukha realised the critical state of the environment, leading her to explore more ways to safeguard the planet. And so the actress-turned-environmental advocate founded Little Forest, a campaign for reforestation, as well as established Sirithai, a social enterprise helping agricultural communities. Sirithai offers organic rice and handmade products like soaps, which help support local farmers while promoting sustainability. Khemupsorn also serves as an ambassador for the Thailand Office of National Water Resources, where she raises awareness about the agency's campaigns.

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“Influence is not only the power to change one person’s life, but also the power to change the entire society. We hope that through the foundation, more people will understand: helping patients with rare diseases means helping the next generation,” said Serena Wu to Tatler. Seeking treatment for her son who suffered from a rare genetic disease, Wu realised that families going through the same experience need long-term, institutional support. In 1999, she founded the Taiwan Foundation for Rare Disorders, which ensures families have access to specialised care, medical equipment, maternity care, newborn screening, subsidies and more. Her efforts extend to policymaking, as well, where she has successfully influenced the legislation of the Rare Disease Prevention and Drug Act.

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Hamdan Majeed, managing director of Think City, transforms urban spaces through sustainable and inclusive development. His work focuses on revitalising Malaysian cities by balancing modern needs with cultural preservation and actively involving communities in the city-making process. Think City’s achievements include George Town’s Unesco World Heritage recognition, as well as the Kuala Lumpur Creative and Cultural District (KLCCD), which promotes the city’s heritage sites and creative economies. For his work, Hamdan was recognised with a UN-Habitat Special Citation in 2023.

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“My mother once told me, ‘Learn to connect the shortest distance—from your mind to your heart. If you can do this, your life will be significant and relevant.’ That advice has guided me throughout my 27 years of advocating for farmers and food security,” said Cherrie Atilano. Growing up on a sugarcane farm, Atilano knew the challenges that farmers and their families face. In 2015, the social entrepreneur founded Agrea to address food insecurity and poverty by promoting self-sufficiency. The organisation, which works with farmers worldwide, not only teaches farming techniques that lead to better yields and lower costs, but also connects farmers to markets, with Agrea directly purchasing crops to give farmers a fairer share of the profits. Atilano has been recognised around the world, being named a United Nations High-Level Ambassador for Food Security and Nutrition, as well as a Young Global Leader fellow. In November 2024, she received the Impact Award for Humanity at the Tatler Philippines Ball.  

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Yip Pin Xiu is a seven-time Paralympic gold medallist, securing Singapore’s first Paralympic gold in the 50m backstroke at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. She triumphed in the 100m and 50m backstroke at both the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, later adding two more golds at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Yip also holds world records in the 50m and 100m backstroke S2 events, cementing her status as a Paralympic swimming legend. The celebrated athlete has leveraged her influence to champion sports and inclusivity, co-founding a swim school dedicated to teaching children to swim proficiently. In 2022, her contributions to sports and society were recognised with the inaugural President’s Award for Inspiring Achievement.

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Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.

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