Episode Overview:

In this insightful episode, we welcome back Marc Mealy for another deep dive into the Southeast Asian socio-political and economic landscape. As the first-ever guest on The Point and the Pushback, Marc set a high bar in Season One, Episode One, and now returns to update us on the evolving dynamics within the ASEAN region.

Featured Guest: Mr. Marc Mealy

Marc Mealy, a seasoned expert on international trade and economic policy, especially within ASEAN countries, rejoins us to shed light on the pressing issues, interests, and concerns emerging from Southeast Asia. His expertise offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and the significant developments in this pivotal region. With over two decades of experience, Marc has been at the forefront of U.S.-ASEAN economic relations, providing strategic insights and policy recommendations. He currently serves as the Chief Policy Officer and Senior Vice President of Research at the US-ASEAN Business Council, where he works closely with senior policymakers and business leaders from both the U.S. and ASEAN member states to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations.

Join me in welcoming back to the show for Season 2, my friend and brother, Mr. Marc Mealy

In this episode, I am honored to have with me a man whose career is a tapestry of service, leadership, and global impact. He has spent over 30 years serving in places that rarely make the news but are important nonetheless. Joining us this evening is Mr. James T. Ham, a name that resonates with so many here in Washington for his dedication and exemplary service in government.

James has recently retired from the US government but is still providing servant leadership to many of the country’s youth. His story is not just about the positions he's held, but about the lives he's touched, the policies he's shaped, and the global initiatives he's steered. As a retired senior executive leader from the U.S. Federal Service, James has been at the forefront of directing international volunteer programs in sectors ranging from public health to agriculture, education, and small enterprise development.

His journey with the Peace Corps, spanning various African countries, and his significant roles at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have not only showcased his leadership skills but also his deep commitment to making a difference in the world. Today, he continues to inspire and guide through his work as a Servant Leadership Academy Instructor at the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership and as the founder of Koba Leadership, an Executive Leadership Coaching firm.

James is someone who I have known and admired for a very long time, and he is someone that I thought you should get to know as well. So sit back as we delve into James's professional origin story, explore his numerous successes, transitions, and even the failures that have shaped his extraordinary journey. We will also uncover where he is now and what future endeavors he's passionately pursuing.

Welcome to my friend, Mr. James T. Ham.

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to a brand new season of 'The Point and the Pushback.' It's been a while since we last connected, and I'm thrilled to kick off season two with a mission that's both simple and profound – to introduce you to remarkable individuals whom I believe you should know. For our season premiere, I am honored to have a dear friend of mine for the past 20 years, hailing from the enchanting kingdom of Bhutan. Join me in extending a warm welcome to the extraordinary Ms. Thinley Choden!

Thinley Choden is a social entrepreneur and consultant. As the CEO of Centre for Sustainability Studies, a consultancy knowledge firm that she co-founded, Thinley leads a portfolio of initiatives at the nexus of women, climate, youth, and entrepreneurship.

She has cross-sectional strategic coalition and leadership building experiences across private and public sectors at local and international levels.

She is also the founding curator of Global Shapers Thimphu Hub. Thinley serves as Bhutan country advisor for Give2Asia, a philanthropic giving platform based in the U.S. In 2008, she founded a successful nonprofit, READ Bhutan, and currently sits on the Board.

Thinley is part of numerous globally competitive professional programs and fellowships such as a Draper Hills Fellow at Stanford University, the Acumen Fellowship Program, Obama Delegate Entrepreneur at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit at Stanford, Vital Voices GROW and GAP Fellowship at Vital Voices Global Partnership, Leadership and Degree Fellow at the East-West Center, Asian Feminist Fellow at Ewha University, Seoul, SOCAP Fellow, and Cordes Fellow.

She holds an executive certificate in Strategic Decisionmaking from Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania, an MPA from University of Hawaii, Manoa, and a BA in Economics from Beloit College, Wisconsin. Thinley enjoys staying healthy and exploring. She tries to get in as much running, yoga, and outdoor adventures/hiking/trekking. At Brookings, Thinley’s research will focus on the status of climate literacy among Bhutanese girls and women to lead toward empowered agency and skills for climate change adaptation.

Our conversation with Thinley is especially timely, considering that the UN climate conference (COP28) kicks off on November 30th in Dubai, UAE. Moreover, on December 4th, Thinley will be participating in an event at the Brookings Institution, hosted by the Center for Universal Education – a Research and Policy Symposium on Gender Equality in and through Education (https://www.brookings.edu/events/reshaping-narratives-toward-resilient-futures-research-and-policy-symposium-on-gender-equality-in-and-through-education/). Thinley Choden, alongside other Echidna Global Scholars, will lead the event with a plenary discussion, illuminating the lived experiences of girls and young women in the Global South.

Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, I present to you my friend, Ms. Thinley Choden.