Hello! I'm Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo, hailing from the vibrant Karay-a ethnolinguistic group. My journey has been anything but ordinary—I've navigated through the corridors of power, serving in four different Philippine administrations. My roles have been pivotal, from shaping the Build Build Build Program to advocating for advancements as the Undersecretary for the Department of Information and Communications Technology. The desire to deepen my understanding and impact led me to the London School of Economics to further my education, after which I founded the Build Initiative to champion inclusivity, accessibility, and sustainable development.
My academic path has been deeply rewarding. I graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 2012 with a degree in Development Communications, topping my class and earning the Faculty Medal for Academic Excellence. Later, I expanded my horizons at Harvard Kennedy School, focusing on Economic Development, and completed my Juris Doctor at the UP College of Law. Currently, I'm enriching my expertise with an Executive MSc in Cities at the London School of Economics.
In 2023, I embraced a new challenge as an officer of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, holding the rank of Auxiliary Commodore, a testament to my commitment to service in all forms.
Recognition for my efforts has been humbling. I've been honored with awards such as the Natatanging Iskolar Para sa Bayan and the Veritas Medal from the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association. Publications like BluPrint, Lifestyle Asia, and People Asia have acknowledged my contributions to society and my industry.
At Build Initiative, we're not just dreaming of a better future; we're building it. We strive for a world where everyone, regardless of ability or background, can access and thrive in inclusive environments. We're actively working on projects like GreenMatch, which connects people to environmental projects for carbon offsetting, and Night Owl GPT, an advanced app breaking down language barriers in the Philippines to foster inclusivity. Another exciting venture is Carbon Compass, an app helping users manage their carbon footprint with personalized, AI-driven insights.
Every step I take is driven by a vision of a world where inclusivity is not just an ideal, but a reality. It’s a journey of continuous learning, advocacy, and action—thank you for joining me on this path.
