Team Member Spotlight

Khun Aung Sein, Project Manager

My name is Khun Aung Sein, and I was born into an agricultural family in Naree Village, Taunggyi Township. The youngest of four siblings, I completed my early education locally and earned a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from Mawlamyine University in 2010. Shortly after graduation, I began my career with the Metta Development Foundation, working first as a Community Facilitator and later as an Area Coordinator, where I discovered my passion for community-driven development.

I joined the Muditar Foundation in 2015 as a Construction Project Officer and over the years advanced through a range of leadership roles, including Program Coordinator, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, and eventually Program Manager for Southern Shan State in 2022. In this role, I began working closely with Shanta Village Partners, leading village-driven projects and guiding leadership teams to design and implement initiatives based on their own priorities. In 2023, I became Regional Manager, overseeing programs across multiple communities and collaborating with Shanta’s global team to strengthen long-term, community-led change. My goal as a team leader is to help secure the organization’s long-term sustainability while advancing village development initiatives that align with Muditar’s mission.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked across many sectors, from education, women’s empowerment, and income generation to infrastructure, leadership training, and disaster risk reduction. These experiences have taught me that real change begins when people recognize their strengths and have the tools to shape their futures. What motivates me most is watching individuals and communities gain confidence and take ownership of their development, whether it’s a women’s group launching a business or a village organizing to improve local infrastructure.

My journey hasn’t been without challenges. I’ve faced significant health issues, and during those times, the Muditar and Shanta teams treated me like family. Even Mike and Tricia, Shanta’s founders, sent medicine from the U.S., support that went beyond what I expected as an employee, and one I will always cherish.

One of my favorite programs is women’s empowerment. I want to see behavior changes like women being responsible for financial management and learning leadership skills for family dynamics and village life, self-confidence, and self-care. Outside of work, I find joy, peace, and balance in fishing, playing football, and farming, activities that remind me of the importance of patience, teamwork, and nurturing growth, values that guide both my life and my work.