"I could have chosen to give up on higher education. But through the power of public policy, I firmly believe that I can not only protect the people I love most, but also help many others rise from poverty"

Vanny Meitasari, a public sector professional from Indonesia who researches poverty alleviation, is currently pursuing a masters in public policy at the U-M Ann Arbor Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. In this program, Vanny has a clear goal in mind: designing equitable, data-driven policies that empower communities and combat poverty through Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development. After overcoming several challenges and hardships, Vanny holds this belief firmly: “I could have chosen to give up on higher education. But through the power of public policy, I firmly believe that I can not only protect the people I love most, but also help many others rise from poverty — starting with MSMEs.”

Vanny grew up in Bali and experienced the economic devastation caused by the Bali bombings that nearly claimed her life twice. The tragedy showed how a region’s dependence on one sector — tourism — can undermine the well-being of local communities. After watching her mother open a small shop to support her family, Vanny became inspired to build a stronger and more resilient economic ecosystem driven by MSMEs.

Since 2020, Vanny has played a leading role in national efforts to reform business licensing processes, contributing to the formalization of over 2 million MSMEs across Indonesia. This work has helped expand economic access and improve the livelihoods of many families, especially in rural areas. In 2024, she began research focused on developing an economic policy framework for rural areas, with the aim of creating more inclusive investment pathways for local entrepreneurs.

In addition to policymaking, Vanny has led public communication strategies for several high-profile international events in Indonesia and has been nationally recognized for her leadership in digital outreach.

CEW+ commends Vanny’s commitment to designing policy that combats poverty and names her a Margaret Dow Towsley Scholarship.