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From a bamboo house in rural Indonesia to co-founding EGN Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, a global leadership network, Dona Amelia’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Guided by her North Star, she transformed challenges into stepping stones.
Join us as Dona shares how purpose and resilience led her to the top. This is a story of ambition, strength, and unwavering determination.
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Summarized Transcription
Julie:
Hello, I'm Julie Landau, your host. I believe that you are surrounded by Superwomen who can inspire you to ignite your ambition, remove your self-doubts, and make a positive impact on your life. This series is your journey to find female role models who will inspire you to take action and change your own situation for the better. I believe that you have 100% of the capabilities to become the leader you aspire to be and live a fulfilled life. Leading is not a position; it's a choice. Welcome to Empowerment Voices
Julie:
Welcome Dona! thank you for being with us today and sharing your impressive journey from rural Indonesia to co-founder of EGN, a global network of leaders. First, tell us more about your journey.
Dona:
Thank you so much for inviting me. It's truly an honor to be here with you. My name is Dona Amelia, and I am originally from Indonesia. I am now the co-founder of EGN in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. EGN stands for Executive Global Network. We facilitate knowledge sharing for senior executives, providing them with a safe space to network with their peers and discuss challenges. As we know, leaders can feel lonely at the top, but you still need peers to brainstorm with, and EGN provides that safe space to express yourself and help each other grow.
Before EGN, my life was all about showbiz. I was a professional singer, released a few albums in Indonesia, and was also a TV presenter. One of my TV programs even won a Panasonic Gobel Award. I've acted in movies, TV series, and recently, I've become a DJ and a professional coach. That's a little bit about me.
Julie:
Okay! Is there anything you don't know how to do? (laughs) I forgot to mention, I heard you also love running.
Dona:
Yes! I did a few full marathons and half marathons. But right now, since you’re asking about what I still can't do, I’m not yet good at swimming. I’m currently learning how to swim!
Julie:
That's great, and I’m sure you will excel at this discipline just like everything else you’ve taken on! Your story began in rural Indonesia.
Can you share with us how those early life experiences shaped your dreams and ambitions?
Dona:
Yes, indeed. I grew up in a rural area of Indonesia. My dad had just graduated from university, and my mom had just finished high school. They fell in love, got married, and had me, but financially, they weren't ready. I still remember that we couldn't afford cow’s milk, so I drank the starchy liquid from cooking rice instead.
My dad was a teacher with a very low salary, and my mom helped by selling fish balls at the market. I learned the value of hard work early on. My mom was an example of a woman who could also provide for the family, even though, traditionally, men were expected to be the providers. Despite the challenges, my parents always showered me with love.
My grandmother taught me never to ask for what others have but to offer kindness instead. I didn't have money, but I could always give my kindness and a smile to others, which is a value I carry to this day. It’s what drives me to make my parents happy and to make people happy around me.
Julie:
Wow, that's a really powerful story. Your grandmother truly inspired you to leverage your values, and I admire how you started with small goals but gradually achieved bigger ones. You mentioned that finding your purpose was a key driver in your life.
How did you discover your North Star, and how did it guide you to overcome the challenges you faced?
Dona:
My North Star has always been to make my parents happy and lift them out of poverty. When I got opportunities, I gave 200% to everything. My dad discovered my singing talent at a family wedding and supported me to become a professional singer. He would take me to every performance and competition.
I remember one day, he rode his old motorbike in the pouring rain to deliver my photos to a movie producer. Even though he was rejected, he didn’t give up. My dad believed in me, and that belief helped me push through moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. I knew that if I wanted to be successful, I had to work harder than anyone else, and that's what kept me moving forward.
Julie:
Dona, your determination is remarkable! You’re such an inspiring example for our audience. Ladies, did you hear that? Dona’s resilience and dedication to providing for her family are extraordinary.
Shifting from entertainment to leading a leadership network is no easy feat. How did you manage that transition?
Dona:
Indeed, I built my career from scratch, appearing on Indonesian TV every day. One of my programs won the Panasonic Gobel Award eight times! But life brings new challenges. I fell in love and moved overseas with my partner. I lived in Vietnam for two and a half years and thought I could continue my showbiz career internationally, but the language barrier made it impossible.
I focused on what I could still do—singing. Then, I was introduced to EGN through my now-husband’s company. I was amazed by how senior executives supported and learned from each other. Although I didn’t know much about corporate life, I leveraged my strengths in communication and organizing events. That’s how I became the co-founder of EGN Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Julie:
You’ve clearly shown incredible resilience throughout your journey.
Could you share a specific challenge you faced and how you used your purpose and inner strength to overcome it?
Dona:
One of my biggest challenges was dealing with imposter syndrome. Coming from a humble background, I often felt that I didn't belong. My dad would remind me that everyone eats rice, no matter how successful they are, and that I shouldn’t feel inferior. That belief helped me overcome my doubts.
When I took over EGN in 2018, we had about 230 members. Now, we have over 1,000 across three countries. It wasn’t easy, but I focused on leveraging my strengths and building trust. I surrounded myself with people who supported me and was never afraid to ask for help when needed.
Julie:
That’s a powerful reminder to believe in ourselves! Speaking of support systems, networking is essential, especially for women who want to build connections beyond their household.
What advice would you give to those looking to build their support networks?
Dona:
There are a few ways. First, always aim to find a safe space where you can be yourself. This could be through getting a coach, joining professional organizations like EGN, or simply attending networking events. The key is to be authentic and share your story, including the vulnerable parts—people remember and connect with authenticity.
Secondly, start small. You don’t need to network with everyone at once. Focus on connecting with a few people, and build from there. If you’re hesitant about attending events alone, bring someone with you. It’s all about finding people who can support you and share in your journey.
Julie:
That’s wonderful advice. Sometimes, we feel intimidated by the idea of networking, but starting small and gradually expanding makes it less overwhelming. And I absolutely agree that authenticity goes a long way. Also, bringing others along to events can make all the difference. It's been such a privilege to learn from you, Dona, about your journey from growing up in a bamboo house with no electricity to now traveling the world and building a community of leaders and executives. Everything you’ve achieved was driven by your purpose to provide for your family and focusing on being the best at what you do.
Thank you so much, Dona. You’ve been incredibly inspiring.
Dona:
Thank you, Julie. It’s truly my pleasure to be here. I hope my story encourages others to keep moving forward, no matter how challenging the journey may be. Thank you so much!
More about Dona Amelia
Dona Amelia, born in a small Indonesian village, transformed her life from poverty to becoming an acclaimed actress, singer, TV presenter, and DJ. Today, she’s the co-founder of EGN Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, creating peer groups for senior executives to support each other. As a LinkedIn Top Voice and winner of The Asia Empowerment Connector Award 2024, Dona is dedicated to fostering personal and professional growth to many with life and executive coaching services.
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