Name : Leony Novina Sutikno
Department/Position : Global Sourcing Unit/ Survey and Validation Team
Area of Expertise/Assigned Duties: Investor Project Progress Report, writing PDDs, creating LoD (List of Document) and MPS, Survey and Validation tasks, etc
University : Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
Major/Studies : International Management, Marketing
Reason for Joining Green Carbon : As a marketing student, I see sustainability not only as an urgent global challenge but also as a key driver of innovation and long-term business growth. Discovering Green Carbon felt like a unique opportunity to apply my marketing skills while learning directly from real sustainability practices, and at the same time contribute to the company’s vision of creating meaningful and lasting impact.
Career Background : Graduated from SMA Santa Ursula Jakarta, then continued my undergraduate studies at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Japan, majoring in Marketing.
Hobbies/How I Spend My Days Off : Playing sports (Badminton, Volleyball, Tennis, Padel), Watching Drama, K-Pop, Travelling
Student Activities/Organizations : Multicultural Cooperative Workshop Teaching Assistant, Ritsumeikan APU Indonesian Society (APUINA), Indonesian Week, Marketing and Public Relations of Hult Prize APU, English Tutor
Social media : https://www.linkedin.com/in/leony-novina/
Q. Please give us a brief introduction of yourself, including your career history.
My name is Leony Novina Sutikno, but everyone calls me Leony. I was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. I decided to continue my studies in Japan because I was deeply inspired by its culture, safety, and the politeness of its people. Currently, I am in my final year at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, majoring in Marketing.
Throughout my university life, I have been actively involved in various activities. As a Multicultural Cooperative Workshop (MCW) teaching assistant, I supported first-year students in adapting to campus life and collaborating with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds. I also volunteered as an English tutor for elementary school children in Japan, which gave me the chance to contribute to the local community. In addition, I joined an internship in Kagoshima, focusing on the travel industry, where I learned about tourism marketing and local revitalization.
Most recently, I joined Green Carbon as an intern, where I am applying my marketing knowledge to support sustainability initiatives while gaining hands-on experience in a professional environment. These experiences have shaped my career interests and strengthened my passion for combining business with meaningful social and environmental impact.
Q. What kind of work are you involved in? Please tell us about your job responsibilities.
During my internship at Green Carbon, I have been involved in various research and documentation tasks. At the beginning, my role was more focused on supporting the team and learning, such as assisting with writing Project Design Documents (PDDs), drafting baseline reports, and conducting research on potential new methodologies.
As I gained more experience, I was entrusted with greater responsibilities. Currently, I am in charge of creating investor project progress reports for all projects in the Philippines. This includes collecting and organizing documents and data, compiling a comprehensive List of Documents (LoD), and preparing the Monitoring Plan Sheet (MPS). In addition, I also contribute to preparing Project Credit Summaries for all projects, which summarize key details for stakeholders.
Q. What has been the most rewarding part of working at Green Carbon?
Maybe many people think that being part of the survey or validation team does not really make a big impact. But for me, there was one moment that really struck me. When I saw the Green Carbon team actually going to the field and working directly with farmers and communities, I realized that the proposals and documents we prepare are not just papers. They can turn into real projects that bring real impacts to people’s lives. Knowing that something I contributed to in the background could have that kind of effect was honestly hard to believe at first, but it gave me a deep sense of fullfillment and motivation to keep learning and giving my best.
Q. What challenges have you faced so far?
Coming from a marketing background, one of my initial challenges was understanding the many technical terms, reports, and methodologies used in the projects. At first, it felt overwhelming because the concepts were completely new to me, and I often had to reread documents several times just to grasp the basics. However, over time I learned to overcome this by asking questions, conducting my own research, and seeking guidance from colleagues. With their support, I gradually became more comfortable and confident in handling the work.
Another challenge has been the nature of an online internship. Without direct face-to-face interaction, sometimes it is hard to ask quick questions, notice small details, or feel really connected with the team. At first I felt a bit unsure and worried about bothering people, but I realized I had to be more proactive. I started reaching out more, setting up short check ins, and improving how I organize and share my work. It was not always easy, but little by little it taught me how to be more independent, flexible, and to communicate in a simple and effective way.
Q. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years, I see myself taking a leadership role in a global company that is expanding in Indonesia. I want to contribute by supporting this growth while also helping to create a meaningful impact in Indonesia, whether through developing local talent, building stronger communities, or promoting sustainable business practices. My hope is to use the knowledge and international experience I have gained to give back to Indonesia and play a part in its continued development.
Q. Finally, please give a message to those who want to work at Green Carbon.
Green Carbon is a place where you can truly challenge yourself and discover new strengths. Even if you do not come from an environmental or sustainability background, you will find guidance, mentorship, and support from the team. For me, it is not only a workplace, but also a learning environment where you gain valuable opportunities to grow, connect with inspiring people, and contribute to projects that have a real positive impact on communities and the planet.