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February 7, 2025

[Final Report] Impact Heroes Class of 2024

2024 was a year of breakthroughs. A year of transformation. At Earth Company, we don’t just support changemakers—we walk beside them. We celebrate their victories, hold space for their struggles, and create opportunities that propel their missions forward.
In 2024, eight extraordinary changemakers from five countries became part of our Impact Heroes Class of 2024. They grew as leaders, built lifelong connections, and—thanks to our Japanese donors—received direct financial support to drive their missions forward. From nurturing regenerative leadership to funding life-changing projects, 2024 was a milestone year for Earth Company—and we couldn’t have done it without this incredible community. We’re very excited to share the highlights of our support and the impact we’ve made with the changemakers! Here's a look back on our journey together.

1) Overview of Support in 2024

Each year, Earth Company selects up to 10 exceptional changemakers to join the Lead-to-Regenerate (L2R) leadership program—a one-year initiative designed to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and resources to create regenerative impact.

The L2R program consists of:

  • 🌱 Online Seminars – Monthly sessions (January–June) covering essential topics like organizational strategy, fundraising, marketing, and impact evaluation.
  • 🌍 Heroes Camp in Bali – A five-day immersive gathering in April, where heroes build connections, engage with supporters, and strengthen their leadership.
  • 🤝 Mentorship – Tailored mentorship by experts in business development, marketing, and leadership, based on each hero’s specific needs.
  • 🔗 Opportunity Building – Facilitating strategic connections and collaborations to amplify each hero’s work.

This year, we introduced a new assessment tool to evaluate organizational maturity and fundraising readiness—allowing us to measure the impact of our support more effectively.

Most excitingly, we directly distributed $21,000 in grants to our heroes, thanks to the generosity of our Japan-based donors!

2) What Earth Company's Support Meant to Our Heroes

The best way to capture the impact of this journey is to hear from our heroes themselves.

Scott Alfaz • Indonesia • hayVee

 

Joining the L2R Impact Heroes class of 2024 has been such an eye-opening experience. I learned so much about how to properly run a non-profit organization, everything from planning programs to monitoring and evaluating them. These are things I don’t come across often in typical workshops or online resources, which usually focus on business topics like market research, product development, financial planning, and marketing. What I got from L2R felt unique and truly aligned with what I needed.

Another thing that really stood out to me was the chance to connect with so many inspiring individuals who are also passionate about social issues. Talking with them, learning from their experiences, and exchanging ideas not only inspired me but also opened up opportunities for collaboration in the future. It felt like being part of a family where everyone wants to lift each other up.

Ayesha Vera-Yu • Philippines • ARK Solves

 

I am so deeply grateful to Earth Company. L2R program was truly transformational. This was so pivotal as my ability to lead and grow my organization in a year of restructuring and growth is limited to my growth and awareness. I learned so much from my peers, the Earth Company leaders and through the program. It was also such a gift to have a new community of positive and like minded people and to feel championed.

Robert Chan • Philippines • Palawan NGO Network Inc. (PNNI)

 

I learned the importance of building personal, caring relationships with those I serve, beyond treating them as clients. I realized that by doing my work well, funding follows naturally, rather than stressing about fundraising first.

Surya Karki • Nepal • UWS Nepal 

 

L2R has been all about embracing my quirks. Earth Company has definitely grounded me. And the friends I have made shall be the highlight. The pitch event in the Heroes Bali Camp could not have been a more nerve-racking experience. Earth Company has allowed me to use them as a sounding board and I appreciate how sometimes being crazy is not all.

 

 

3) Support Highlights of 2024

Below is the list of support we provided to all eight changemakers of the Impact Heroes Class of 2024

📚 Online Seminars

From January to June, our heroes gathered virtually each month to sharpen their leadership skills—learning everything from fundraising strategies to impact storytelling. During the Heroes Bali Camp (more below), we took things further with an in-depth session on “Regeneration and Regenerative Leadership.” Each hero reflected on what it truly means to lead a movement that heals and restores.

🏕️ Heroes Bali Camp

In April 2024, our eight heroes gathered at Mana Earthly Paradise in Bali for a transformative five-day camp. It was a space of deep learning, collaboration, and inspiration—fostering lifelong connections between heroes and supporters.

💡 Check out our blog and mini documentary for a behind-the-scenes look at Heroes Bali Camp!

4) US$ 21,000 in Grants—Turning Dreams into Action!

(Aska Hamakawa, CEO and co-founder of Earth Company, shares the goods news that we are now able to provide grants to the heroes)

 

For years, we’ve always dreamed of providing direct financial support to our heroes. This year, that dream came true. With the help of our beloved Japan-based donors, we awarded US$ 3,000 in grants to seven heroes, focusing on projects with deep, lasting impact in their communities:

  • 🌱  Deepak Ramola (India) – Establishing a leadership space for schools & communities.
  • 💰  Lian Thangvung (India) – Expanding financial resilience programs for underserved communities.
  • 🌍  Robert “Bobby” Chan (Philippines) – Strengthening fundraising & leadership for Palawan’s conservation.
  • 🥦  Ayesha Vera-Yu (Philippines) – Launching community-led food & income programs.
  • 🌊  Millicent Barty (Solomon Islands) – Constructing a seawall to protect 4,000 people from rising sea levels.
  • 📖  Sakdiyah Ma’Ruf (Indonesia) – Writing an autobiography to raise awareness and support for domestic violence victims.
  • 🧠   Scott Alfaz (Indonesia) – Running mental health workshops for PLHIV communities.

We are deeply grateful to our donors for making these impactful projects possible! For detailed information on each project, please refer to the blog here.

5) The Impact of Our One-Year Support

Each hero is unique, with different organizational challenges and goals. That’s why our approach is personalized—providing tailored mentorship, funding, and strategic guidance to maximize impact.

2024 marked a pivotal year for us at Earth Company, as we deepened our role as mentors and facilitators, ensuring that every hero received meaningful, customized support, leading to a diverse range of support and tangible impact.

While our 2024 program has concluded, the journey doesn't end here. We remain lifelong partners to our heroes, continuing to create opportunities and connections!

 

🚀 We’ve already begun supporting the Impact Heroes Class of 2025, and we can’t wait to see what this year holds!

Thank you for believing in our heroes and in Earth Company’s vision for a regenerative future! 💚