Gratitude, Growth, and Looking Ahead: A 2025 Reflection

Eco-lawgic is Denia's personal newsletter, initially published on LinkedIn and subsequently shared here as part of Cleanomic's archieve.

As I wrote the final pages of my journal this year, one feeling stood out above all else: gratitude. My family, my team, and my friends are healthy and safe—and in a year marked by uncertainty, that is no small blessing.

Many conversations in 2025 were shaped by global economic headwinds. Yet Indonesia continues to stand out as a relative bright spot. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto recently expressed confidence that Indonesia’s economic growth in Q4 2025 would be the strongest of the year, while Finance Minister Purbaya projected household consumption growth of around 5.5 percent in the same period. These signals matter—not as guarantees, but as reasons for cautious optimism.

As we rush to close year-end matters before the holiday slowdown, I have not yet had the luxury of fully shaping my 2026 goals or building a proper vision board. Still, one thing is certain: I turn 40 next year (insyaAllah). That milestone has prompted deeper reflection on how intentionally I want to spend my time and energy—so that the work I do in my remaining productive years, and the legacy I leave behind, are truly worth standing behind.

Before looking ahead, here are a few moments from 2025 that I am particularly grateful for.

IPBA Chicago

This year’s IPBA Annual Conference took place in Chicago—my first visit to the city. It was a highly productive week filled with meaningful meetings and long-overdue catch-ups with old friends and new connections.

We met with the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) Chicago, under the Ministry of Trade, which plays a key role in promoting Indonesia–US Midwest trade. We also hosted a breakfast session with SIPAC members attending IPBA and a lunch meeting with Terralex members. Beyond the formal agenda, there were lighter moments too: a boat tour showcasing Chicago’s iconic architecture and, perhaps most memorably, a Cubs vs. Dodgers baseball game—complete with hot dogs and the full American experience.

Baros Eco Villa

Aldy and I finally completed our farmhouse and holiday home in Baros, Arjasari Village, south of Bandung. This year, we were able to host our first family and friends gatherings there—moments that felt deeply grounding.

South of Bandung holds personal meaning for me. It is my mother’s hometown, a place I visited every school holiday growing up. Today, my parents split their time between there and Jakarta, while my extended family remains nearby. Working with Serasa Architect, we designed the villa as a bioclimatic house, integrating sustainable materials and features—an embodiment of values we want to live by, not just talk about.

Podcast with Luminishan

When Shafira invited me to join her podcast, Luminishan, I did not hesitate. It was a privilege to engage with a community of thoughtful women who are confident in their faith and unafraid to discuss life’s values from multiple perspectives.

In this episode, I shared my personal journey of learning Islamic values and how they inform our responsibility toward the environment. I spoke about the moment that shifted my perspective—realizing how pollution and waste would shape the world my children inherit—and how faith continues to anchor my purpose and decisions.

Farewell Wisma GKBI, Hello Mori Tower

After more than 30 years at Wisma GKBI, S&T is preparing to move to Mori Tower in 2026. Earlier this year, we gathered hundreds of alumni for one final event in the GKBI building—a deeply nostalgic and joyful evening.

Alongside this transition, I have been closely involved in shaping the design and new branding identity of our future office. I am genuinely excited to begin 2026 in a new space, with renewed energy and a sense of fresh beginnings. I look forward to welcoming many of you there.

Carbon Conversation

This year, I had several opportunities to engage in discussions on carbon policy and markets. Most recently, I attended a session organized by Association of Carbon Emission Experts Indonesia - ACEXI at the House of Parliament on Presidential Regulation No. 110 of 2025, which fundamentally reshapes Indonesia’s carbon governance framework. This regulation marks a significant shift, and I look forward to sharing more detailed insights on its implications soon.

SIPAC China Roadshow

With Sino International Professional Advisory Council (SIPAC), I traveled to Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. In Shenzhen, I experienced a driverless robot taxi for the first time and saw food deliveries made by drone—technologies that no longer feel futuristic, but imminent.

From our discussions, it is clear that 2025 marks the early phase of massive investment into robotics and AI, reminiscent of where the EV industry stood five years ago. Today, China has hundreds of EV manufacturers—a powerful reminder of how quickly an ecosystem can scale once momentum builds.

**

As we close the year, my thoughts are also with friends and communities in Sumatra affected by recent disasters. If you are able, please consider donating or supporting relief efforts in any way you can.

Thank you for being part of my journey this year—through conversations, collaborations, and shared learning. Wishing you and your loved ones a safe, restful holiday season. See you again in 2026.