31Aug2025

Making a Difference Building Dreams Creating Impact Saving Lives

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Contacts

HEAD OFFICE:                          548 Market Street,
San Francisco, CA 94104         USA

PROJECT OFFICE:                  Pearl Condo, Bldg A, 15 Fl., Kabar Aye Pagoda Rd.,      Yangon, Myanmar

hello@marykyapfoundation.org

US: +1 415 991 2030                 US: +1 415 799 8282                    MM: +95 9 977 66 7777

Team Category: Ambassadors

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Emre Sigura

Getting to Know Me:

I am Emre Sigura, an operator-turned-strategist with a passion for building and leading digital businesses across diverse markets, including Vietnam, Germany, Turkey, Russia, and Myanmar. With a background in fintech, SaaS, e-commerce, and digital marketplaces, I have spent my career blending strategic vision with hands-on execution—leading cross-functional teams, driving platform innovation, and delivering impactful results in growth, product development, and operations. 

Beyond my professional journey, I am deeply committed to creating social impact through my role as an Orphanage Ambassador for the Mary K. Yap Foundation. Supporting the Foundation’s mission to uplift orphaned children—especially those in underserved communities—is a cause close to my heart. I firmly believe that every child deserves love, care, and the opportunity to thrive, and I am honored to contribute my global perspective and compassionate leadership toward making that vision a reality.

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Josephine K.

Getting to Know Me:

I am Josephine Kouyoumji, Orphanage Ambassador from Bordeaux, France, a proud mother of two grown-up sons and a devoted wife to my loving husband. With a heart grounded in compassion and a deep sense of responsibility toward vulnerable communities, I have found a meaningful purpose in supporting orphaned children through sustainable practices that nourish both body and spirit. One of my key commitments is to promote sustainable gardening initiatives at orphanages—helping establish healthy, self-sustaining gardens that provide fresh, daily nourishment and teach children the value of growing their own food. 

In recent years, I had the great honor of traveling to Cannes in 2023 to participate in the Marché du Film Festival, where I engaged with global storytellers and changemakers to advocate for impactful causes. I also proudly represented the Mary K. Yap Foundation at the Monaco Charity Film Festival in 2024, where I promoted our mission to uplift and empower orphaned children around the world. These experiences have deepened my passion for bridging art, advocacy, and action—amplifying the Foundation’s efforts to deliver hope, stability, and opportunity to those who need it most. Through every step I take, I remain committed to furthering the mission of the Mary K. Yap Foundation: to create a better, more compassionate world where every orphaned child has a chance to grow, thrive, and feel loved.

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Swe Zin Htaik

Getting to Know Me:

I am Dr. Grace Swe Zin Htike, a Burmese-born national and Orphanage Ambassador committed to using the power of storytelling and service to uplift vulnerable communities—especially orphaned children. With over 200 film appearances and contributions in acting, directing, producing, and consulting, I’ve dedicated my life to Myanmar’s growing entertainment industry while using my platform to spotlight social justice and public health issues. As the founder of CSG, I support international film projects based in Myanmar and continue to facilitate cultural events, organize educational workshops, and serve as a vocal advocate for local development. 

My experience spans from working on the ground as a field officer at People Services International (PSI) to holding positions on several nonprofit boards, including the Myanmar Squash National Team, the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization, and as a professor at the National University of Arts and Culture. These diverse roles have allowed me to build bridges between creative advocacy and community empowerment—strengthening my resolve to help advance the lives of orphaned children through education, cultural engagement, and opportunity, in alignment with the mission of the Mary K. Yap Foundation.

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Richard B.

Getting to Know Me:

I am Richard Buttenshaw, a proud father of six grown children and devoted husband to my loving wife. As the New Zealand Orphanage Ambassador for the Mary K. Yap Foundation, I bring with me a wealth of life experience shaped by a diverse career in military service, trades, sales, and leadership. My background in the New Zealand Army instilled in me a deep sense of discipline, resilience, and problem-solving—qualities that have carried through to my work leading teams and navigating complex environments. 

Having worked across emerging markets like Myanmar and led high-performing teams across the Pacific, I have learned how to connect with people from all walks of life and adapt to the needs of communities with care and purpose. I am committed to using these skills to support the Foundation’s mission—bringing hope, stability, and opportunity to orphaned and vulnerable children. Whether through strategic support, on-the-ground coordination, or building local partnerships, I am dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children who need it most.

Nana Danny Mainoo

Danny N. Mainoo

Special Tribute to Danny Mainoo

When Danny joined our Foundation as an Orphanage Ambassador in 2022, he brought with him not only his executive expertise but also a deep compassion for underserved children. Over the past three years, he championed access to clean water for orphanage communities—a cause he carried with great urgency and commitment. His leadership extended beyond infrastructure; he became a messenger of hope for children who had no voice. Danny did not simply advocate for change; he made it happen, tirelessly pushing for better conditions, improved health, and renewed dignity for vulnerable youth in Ghana and beyond. Read More+