Meet Our team.
YayGyiYar is led by a small team and supported by a wider network of volunteer practitioners, advisors, and collaborators. What unites us is not geography or background — it is a shared commitment to the communities we serve and to an approach that takes both mental health and conflict transformation seriously.
Our team spans mental health, conflict transformation, community organising, research, education, and art therapy. Several of our team members are themselves from conflict-affected communities, bringing irreplaceable lived insight alongside their professional expertise.
Wathan Moe — Co-founder & Director
M.Sc Mental Health | Dip. Applied Psychology | BA Psychology
Wathana has extensive community organising experience in Myanmar diaspora communities. She brings deep cultural knowledge, traditional healing expertise, and grassroots leadership development skills. Her combination of academic training and community embeddedness is foundational to YayGyiYar’s culturally grounded approach.
Dr. MaRi— Co-founder & Director
PhD & MPhil Development Studies | BA Economics
A social justice and governance expert with ten years’ experience working on Myanmar issues and over sixteen years in international development across Asia Pacific and East Africa. Dr MaRi brings strategic leadership, senior programmatic management, and qualitative research expertise. Her development studies background ensures YayGyiYar’s work is grounded in systemic analysis as well as direct practice.
ELAINE— Conflict Transformation Advisor
A peace practitioner, trainer and facilitator specialising in conflict transformation, gender justice and organisational development. Elaine has experience in designing and facilitating education training for organisations operating along the Myanmar-Thai border. She is also a trauma-informed yoga teacher and currently training as a systemic counselor embodying YayGyiYar’s integrated approach.
Dr. BUA— Mental Health Research Lead
PhD & B.Sc Psychology
An international psychology researcher with extensive experience in improving youth mental health through culturally sensitive interventions drawing on strengths-based and third-wave cognitive behavioural approaches. Her work explores the adaptation, scaling, and sustainability of evidence-based interventions in diverse cultural and community contexts — directly informing YayGyiYar’s research programme.
Shell Thandar— Psychologist & Trainer
MEd Comparative & Global Studies in Education and Development | BSc Psychology
Shell Thandar (MEd Comparative and Global Studies in Education and Development, and Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology)
She is a psychologist, trainer, and cross-cultural project leader with over a decade of diaspora experience in East Asia and Europe, bringing lived insight into cultural adaptation, resettlement, and refugee well-being. She has led international education, mental health, and conflict-transformation initiatives, delivering culturally responsive programs that empower marginalized groups. With foundations in psychology and development policy, she applies a human-centered approach to leadership, team building, and community resilience.
SUU— Holistic Wellbeing Practitioner
Dip. Applied Psychology | Certified Trauma Healing Practice (ASSYST) | Healing Drawing Process (HDP)
Suu is a holistic wellbeing facilitator, trauma-informed healing practitioner, and founder of KALASA Art Space and Heal With Art. After earning her diploma in Applied Psychology, she recognized art as a powerful mind–body healing tool. Trained in counselling, Focusing-Oriented Art Therapy, breathwork, energy healing, and shamanic practices, she is certified in Trauma Healing Practice (ASSYST) and the Healing Drawing Process (HDP). As a frontline worker, she supports trauma recovery through art and storytelling.
Hannah— Senior Advisor
Master of Science | Bachelor of Science
Hannah brings almost two decades of experience strengthening grassroots and mid-sized organisations globally, with a particular focus on Myanmar. Her expertise spans organisational growth, fundraising diversification, governance development, and building high-performing multicultural teams. She works closely with the YayGyiYar leadership team to provide strategic advice on organisational structure, growth, and long-term planning.
Beyond our team, YayGyiYar is sustained by a growing network of volunteer practitioners, researchers, facilitators, and supporters. If you share our commitment to mental health and conflict transformation, we welcome you.