Notable Roles | - Climate & Food Security Journalist, Freelance / Global Platforms (2020–present) |
Key Recognition | - Founder of one of Myanmar’s first independent investigative newsrooms |
Background and Early Foundations
Born in 1978 in Yangon, Myanmar, Thin Lei Win grew up during years of political censorship and authoritarian rule. After studying journalism in Italy, she joined the Thomson Reuters Foundation, where she built a reputation for covering disaster zones and humanitarian stories. Her return to Myanmar in the 2010s led to the co-founding of Myanmar Now — a bold attempt to bring independent journalism to a country in flux. Today, her voice continues to rise above borders, carrying urgency, ethics, and clarity.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
2008 | Joined Thomson Reuters Foundation, reporting on humanitarian crises and natural disasters |
2015 | Co-founded Myanmar Now, pioneering investigative journalism under political transition |
2017 | Exited Myanmar Now due to increasing political risks, continued work in climate journalism |
2020 | Began contributing to global climate and food security platforms as a freelance journalist |
2023 | Recognized as one of the most influential Asian voices in climate reporting and food justice narratives |
- Countries Reported From: 25+ across Asia, Africa, and Europe
- Major Collaborations: Reuters, Devex, Mongabay, Food Systems Summit
- Reporting Focus: Climate risk, food insecurity, smallholder farming, press freedom
- Languages Published In: 6+
- Investigations Cited By: UN, IFAD, and leading global think tanks
Leadership Style and Influence
Thin Lei Win leads through courageous truth-telling and cross-border collaboration. She’s built trust with grassroots communities and global institutions alike, amplifying the intersection of climate change, food inequality, and local resilience.
Legacy and Future Focus
As an exiled journalist, Thin continues to raise awareness of climate vulnerability in marginalized regions. Her future focus is on multimedia storytelling, training emerging environmental reporters, and influencing global policy through narrative.
