Camelia Harahap

Lead with purpose, act with kindness, and stay open to learning. That’s where true impact begins.

From newsroom deadlines to international diplomacy, Camelia Harahap’s journey has always revolved around one thing: connection between people, ideas, and cultures. Today, as Head of Creative Economy, East Asia at the British Council, she champions creativity as a bridge for understanding and inclusive growth across Southeast Asia and the UK.

Graduating from Monash University Malaysia in 2009 with a Bachelor of Communications, with a minor in International Studies, Camelia began her career as a writer and journalist. Her curiosity about people and ideas led her to pursue a Master’s in International Business at Monash Caulfield, which opened unexpected doors.

After graduation, she joined the British Council Indonesia’s Arts and Culture department as a Liaison Officer, a role she had not anticipated. She had never given much thought to the arts and culture sector before, despite growing up immersed in different cultures and always being interested in the arts. Revisiting concepts from SASS, particularly Joseph Nye’s theories about diplomacy, Camelia realised how culture and arts have always played a significant and sometimes even more effective role in diplomacy.

Over the next decade, Camelia progressed through various creative sectors, from arts and culture programming to policy-driven initiatives, building collaborations across Indonesia, Southeast Asia, and the UK. In 2021, when the UK became ASEAN’s newest dialogue partner, she helped initiate the ASEAN–UK Advancing Creative Economy Programme, supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). This milestone also led to her current regional leadership role.

A key turning point in her career was choosing purpose over profit. From the beginning, she knew that working in the corporate world might bring bigger financial rewards, but she wanted to give back to the community and do something meaningful. She deliberately sought work that allowed creativity while driving social impact and economic growth, and this decision shaped everything that followed.

Her SASS education continues to influence her work. It taught her to connect critical thinking with empathy, a balance that is essential when working across cultures. Classroom discussions honed her curiosity, helped her see issues from multiple perspectives, and shaped how she leads programmes and teams today.

Analytical thinking, communication, and cultural intelligence are central to her role. She frequently acts as a bridge between governments, communities, and creative practitioners. SASS gave her the tools to translate ideas into strategies and build sustainable models, skills she relies on every day.

Challenges have included navigating multiple, sometimes conflicting agendas. Her approach is to focus on finding a shared vision and building trust, understanding that communication is not about convincing others, but about creating mutual understanding.

Some of her most meaningful milestones include leading regional initiatives that strengthen the creative economy in ASEAN, such as the ASEAN–UK Advancing Creative Economy Programme. She has also spoken at international conferences and advised on policy frameworks that support creative hubs, artists, and cultural entrepreneurs, seeing each milestone as a measure of collective progress rather than just personal success.

Camelia’s leadership philosophy is simple: leadership is not about titles, but about creating opportunities for others, listening deeply, and building what people need.

Her advice to students is clear:

“Stay curious and adaptable. The world changes fast, and those who find success are those who continue learning beyond the classroom. Build genuine relationships; your network is one of your greatest assets. And do not be afraid to combine disciplines that seem unrelated, because innovation often happens at the intersections."