Leonard Simanjuntak

Leo

Leo’s life values have been profoundly shaped by the people closest to him and the mentors who inspired his lifelong commitment to justice and environmental stewardship. His mother, a devoted and selfless Batak woman, embodied hard work, sacrifice, and unconditional love, teaching Leo the meaning of perseverance and humility. From his father, he inherited a deep respect for education, inspired by his father’s courage to migrate to Java in the 1950s in pursuit of knowledge and a better future, a story that motivated Leo to strive for excellence during his own university years. In his activist and professional journey, Leo was guided by remarkable mentors: Munir Said Thalib (Cak Munir), whose courage, intellect, and dedication to the greater good reignited Leo’s path in civil society and human rights movement; Oom Petrus Almet, an indigenous leader from the highland of Timor, who taught Leo about the wisdoms of indigenous peoples; and Agus Purnomo (Mas Pungky), a leading environmentalist and former Director of WALHI and Pelangi, who opened the door to Leo’s lifelong, three-decade journey in environmental activism

2002-2003 Governance and Development, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex; 1988-1994 Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Mineral Technology, Bandung Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung)

2016-present Country Director for Indonesia, Greenpeace; 2014-2016 Senior Governance Advisor, United Kingdom Climate Change Unit Indonesia (UKCCU-funded) Papua Green Spatial Planning Program; 2010-2014 Unit Manager for Decentralisation, Australian Agency for International Development/Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Indonesia; 2007-2010 Programme Manager for Decentralisation, United Nations Development Programme Indonesia; 2005-2007 Development Programme Coordinator for Indonesia, New Zealand Aid (NZAID); 2004-2005 Deputy Executive Director, Transparency International Indonesia; 2000-2002 Executive Director, Yayasan Pikul/Oxfam Australia Indonesia Program; 1999-2000, Investigator, Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights Violations in East Timor; 1994-1997 Energy Program Manager, Yayasan Pelangi

Co-authored Books: “Perempuan Di Bawah Laki-laki yang Kalah: Kekerasan Terhadap Perempuan di Kamp-kamp Pengungsi Timor Lorosae di Timor Barat,” written together with Karen Campbell-Nelson, Ferderika Tadu Hungu, and Yooke Adelina Damopolii, edited by Matheos Messak, published by PIKUL and JKPIT, 2002; “Gender dan Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Alam: Sebuah Panduan Analisis,” co-authored with Meentje Simatauw and Pantoro Tri Kuswardono, published by PIKUL, 2001

From 1990 to 1994, Leo began his advocacy journey with environmental causes before expanding into humanitarian, human rights, development, and governance issues, including anti-corruption efforts. His experience covers decentralisation and regional autonomy programmes, with a strong foundation in bilateral and multilateral cooperation across government and civil society sectors. Over the past eleven years, he has refocused his commitment on environmental and climate issues, deepening his dedication to sustainable development and ecological justice in Indonesia

Chevening Scholarship Awardee in 2002 for his Master’s studies

Chair of the Supervisory Board, Transparency International Indonesia 2020-2024; Member of the Supervisory Board, Transparency International Indonesia 2016-2020; Treasurer of the Governing Board, Transparency International Indonesia 2012-2016; Member of the Governing Board, Transparency International Indonesia 2008-2012; Treasurer of the Indonesia Board, Greenpeace Southeast Asia 2006-2016; Founding Member and Secretary of the Governing Board, Perkumpulan Pikul 1998-present

One of the greatest achievements in Leo’s career is his involvement in several pivotal missions that reflect his dedication, courage, and leadership. During the presidency of Abdurrahman Wahid, he was appointed as one of the investigators for the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights Violations in East Timor, a high-risk assignment he carried out with integrity and commitment, producing strong recommendations for the prosecution of the perpetrators. In 2004, as Deputy Secretary-General of Transparency International Indonesia (TII), he led the TII’s first nationwide programme to monitor money politics practices during Indonesia’s first direct election, coordinating 18 field offices and pioneering approaches that continue to inform political finance monitoring efforts today. In the aftermath of the 2004 Indonesia tsunami, he directed a large-scale humanitarian mission in Aceh, managing about 200 volunteers over eight months to conduct rescue operations and help restore and strengthen affected communities, an effort that combined compassion with exceptional coordination. As Country Director of Greenpeace Indonesia, Leo also led major national campaigns, most notably the Rainbow Warrior ship tour "Jelajah Harmoni Nusantara", the longest in Greenpeace Indonesia’s history, spanning from Papua to Jakarta. This campaign amplified climate issues across the archipelago through impactful non-violent direct actions, public events, art initiatives, and fundraising, marking one of his most inspiring leadership milestones

Bahasa Indonesia, English

Outside his professional life, Leo is known as an outdoor enthusiast who finds inspiration and balance in nature. He is an experienced mountain climber with search and rescue qualifications, a certified caver with vertical rescue expertise, and had also been involved in white-water rafting. Since 2012, he has also been a skilled diver with dive rescue qualification. Beyond his love for the outdoors, Leo is a passionate and avid reader who deeply enjoys serious literature. He appreciates thought-provoking European films and is a music lover with tastes ranging from jazz and blues to art rock, all reflecting his contemplative nature and adventurous spirit that resonate throughout his life and career

One of the most defining and transformative moments in Leo’s life occurred in 1993, when he, despite having an academic background in petroleum engineering, chose not to pursue a career in that field and instead dedicated himself to environmental activism. A field assignment from Mas Pungky to conduct a study in Siberut, Mentawai, became a turning point in his life. For nearly a month, he ventured deep into the forests, studying the complex relationship between ecological issues in the national park, the socio-cultural life of Indigenous communities, and the pressures of economic development. During one expedition, he encountered a vast area of forest that had been completely destroyed by logging activities, a sight that profoundly shook his conscience. That moment became a personal awakening, inspiring him to devote his life to addressing environmental challenges. Since then, that experience has served as the moral foundation and driving force behind his lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy

Leo is pursuing a long-held personal dream, a climb to either Everest Basecamp or Mount Kilimanjaro before turning 60. This plan reflects his enduring spirit of adventure and his desire to strengthen bonds with two important communities in his life: fellow mountain climber alumni from Institut Teknologi Bandung and his SMA 6 Jakarta nature lover old friends. In addition, Leo remains active with Greenpeace Indonesia’s diving team, participating in various marine activities, including a large-scale campaign in Raja Ampat to defend coral reef and other marine ecosystems. His deep love for both the ocean and the forest continues to inspire him to nurture harmony between humanity and nature, a passion that guides not only his professional work but also his personal pursuits

For Leo, the key to success lies in a lifelong commitment to learning and unwavering personal integrity. He believes that learning never stops whether through formal education or self-directed study and he often immerses himself in complex subjects such as macroeconomics and European politics. This passion for continuous growth is also a value he instills in his children. In his professional life, Leo is deeply committed to giving his very best, and often more, to any work he undertakes, holding himself to high standards as a reflection of discipline and accountability. Integrity stands at the core of his principles, especially as someone who often speaks critically about public policy, demanding that he lead by example with honesty and ethical conduct. When facing challenges or threats, he remains firm yet respectful, confronting issues directly while staying flexible in approach but steadfast in principle, always choosing to do what is right, regardless of the consequences.

www.greenpeace.org/indonesia/

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.

Information available only in printed publication available in libraries.