build caring communities

Lee is Senior Lecturer of Constitutional Law, Legal History, Legal Theory, and Medical Jurisprudence at the UP College of Law. He also works in the field of human rights and public health, and advocates for an inclusive society that prioritizes the welfare of marginalized and vulnerable populations. Lee loves to cook and make cocktails for friends and family during his free time, and he dreams of putting up a food museum and restaurant. He believes that the youth, given the right supportive environment, can be powerful agents of change in their communities.

Faye Cura is a writer and the publisher of Gantala Press, a feminist small press based in Metro Manila. A peasant advocate, she also sits on the board of an organization demanding justice for former comfort women and is a National Coordinator for a network of Southeast Asian grassroots feminist groups. Faye would like to help develop a mentorship program for the youth to contribute to the mainstreaming of a nationalist feminist consciousness among the country’s future leaders.

Precious is a practicing legal adviser and business consultant who earned her business, accountancy, and law degrees from the University of the Philippines. At present, she sits as board secretary to the governing bodies of various financing companies, a lending association, and a credit cooperative. She also assists individuals, groups, and families deal with various issues ranging from business registration to estate planning. She currently serves as the treasurer of the UP Portia Sorority Alumnae Association and is the founder of Subli, an up-and-coming service that aims to simplify compliance and taxes for Filipino freelancers. In her free time, she likes to crochet, read, or do both at the same time (thanks, text to speech!).

Sarah Torres is a development worker and media literacy advocate. She is the Co-Founder and Head of Operations and Partnerships of Out of The Box Media Literacy Initiative or OOTB, a local civil society organization (CSO) working to mainstream media literacy practices in the Philippines since 2014. Apart from OOTB, she works with IBON International, another CSO covering global development policy and practice and socio-economic issues viewed from the perspective of the global South. Her research interests are women, indigenous peoples, and conflict and security. Outside work, Sarah enjoys travelling, reading, going to museums, and freediving.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Fine Arts, Jennifer creates communication materials for government agencies and organizations that support social issues and public service delivery. She taught art to children, including students from the Philippine Science High School, and served as executive director of the cultural NGO Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center. She also worked as the network manager for the CSO Partnerships for Development Effectiveness (CPDE), a global platform with member organizations across six regions. When life gets overwhelming, she draws, does yin yoga, or enjoys sound bathing.

Jansen Azarias-Suzumoto was born and raised in the Philippines, leaving for the United States at 18. He draws from his experiences to understand the importance of support and empowerment. With personal insights into trauma, poverty, and a drive to empower youth, he and his wife founded Higher Ground a Resource Center in 2007, aiming to help youth build a legacy in their communities. Today, Higher Ground serves over 2000 families in Arizona, leading in education and community transformation. During his spare time, he can be found coaching and competing in Judo and BJJ, playing the guitar, rock climbing, working out, writing, or dancing out of rhythm.

Barbie is the co-founder of Higher Ground, where she now co-leads alongside her amazing husband of 18 years. With a background in infrastructure development for charter schools, churches, and businesses, she formerly supported everything from grant writing and attendance systems to strategic quality improvement. Barbie holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of Arizona. She is a proud mom of a U.S. Marine and a 17-year-old Judoka, grandma to two boys, a licensed cosmetologist, and a recipient of several community recognitions—including the 2020 Women of IMPACT Wednesday Award, 2003 Contender Award from Women of the Well, and the Arizona School Safety Program Certificate in 2002. Known for her grit, care, and creative leadership, Barbie brings heart and excellence to every space she enters.