TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Destry Damayanti: Balancing work & care in democratic approach
JP/Aulia R
Change Size
JP/Aulia R. Sungkar
Veteran economist Destry Damayanti combines her egalitarian style and work-care attitude to maintain a favorable leadership quality.
The newly appointed commissioner at Indonesian Deposit Insurance (LPS), Destry Damayanti, peers down the surrounding cityscape from her office in Sudirman Central Business District. 'We're currently experiencing economic fluctuation, but the country continues to achieve economic growth. I'm optimistic this will improve the position of our nation on the global scale in the future.'
To contribute to the government's moves to improve the economy, in 2014, Destry, along with two other experts, founded the Mandiri Institute as an independent think tank engaged in research and pilot projects.
With her economic savvy, she took on the leadership role in the institute, helping the government to shape those of its policies that can be implemented. The focus of the institute is the inclusive growth of the country, which includes issues such as public financial access, food prices and forth.
Her significant contribution to the Mandiri institute has led to her recent promotion, seeing her take on the lead role at LPS.
In her position as a member of the LPS board of commissioners, to manage the institute, Destry works hand-in-hand with the other five members of the board.
As board leaders, all the commissioners at LPS play a role, she explains. 'So, it is the duty of every member of the board to take responsibility for the running of LPS'.
Indonesia's banking sector has four regulators, namely LPS, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Finance Ministry. To ensure transparency is executed, three of the six LPS commissioners are respectively held by those from the three other regulators or authorities.
'Say that the OJK has indicated that one particular bank is no longer feasible to operate. This is where the LPS, as a bank resolution institute, plays its part. Both LPS and the OJK will work together to analyze whether the bank should be shut down or if there's a way to help to boost the operation,' Destry cited as an example.
'As we work together with other related authorities, we regularly hold gatherings. One example is the Financial System Stability Forum [FSSK], held for the purpose of strengthening collaboration and information exchange among the authorities toward maintaining the stability of the Indonesian financial system,' she further said.
Being the only woman on the board doesn't appear to be an obstacle for Destry. With decades of management experience in the country's banking sector, which has earned many promotions throughout her career, one should not doubt her performance.
'I am firm but also open, considering myself as a democratic leader with an egalitarian style. I listen to the various voices of my subordinates. Sometimes, input from subordinates can be overwhelming and, as a leader, this is where I have to make a decision. That's how would I describe my management style,' said Destry, who held the position as chairwoman of the Selection Committee at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for the period of May December 2015.
To achieve an objective drafted by her team, Destry always emphasizes the importance of balancing work and care. 'You have to have both. If you only work hard for something, but you don't care, it will create stress. On the other hand, working hard for something you care about creates a spirit to move forward'.
This work and care attitude is what Destry applies, not only in her daily routine, but also at the helm of a new social association called Mastrip. Originally established in 1994, the association is a social aspiration for former members of the Indonesian student army and their offspring.
Mastrip was recently restored, with Destry set to lead the association for the 2015-2018 period. Together, she and Mastrip's management have crafted the association's motto: 'Work and Care,' a clear match with her leadership attitude.
The main objective behind the establishment of Mastrip is to show care toward those heroes and their families whose lives are below the average standard of living.
'Many veterans cannot get an allowance because they don't hold a veteran certificate. Here, we are striving to do something to improve their lives. We have drafted a number of activities, such as providing scholarships or hosting a bazaar to raise funds. These activities are feasible, but we still lack financial sources. In other words, we need sponsors to achieve our objective,' Destry explained.
In her eyes, being firm is one must-have character for a leader. 'President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo is one of my two leadership role models. He always listens to his people attentively. He looks soft outside, because of his friendliness, but he is a very firm leader,' she said.
'A leader must go down to the field in order to find the nitty gritty of problems. And that's what I like about Jokowi,' she asserted. 'My other leadership role model is my father'.
Her father, Soedarno, is a former pilot who, according to Destry, gave great advice to her as a child. 'Just like Pak Jokowi, my father seldom gets angry. He's a democratic figure who always listens to others, especially to his children,' said the mother of three.
_____________________________
Birth
Jakarta, December 16, 1963
Career Highlights
* Commissioner at Indonesian Deposit Insurance (LPS) since
September 2015
* Chairwoman of the Selection Committee at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) from May 2015 to December 2015
* Executive director of the Mandiri Institute (May 2014-September 2015)
* Chief economist at PT Bank Mandiri (May 2011-September 2015)
* Chief economist at PT Mandiri Sekuritas (July 2006-April 2011)
Education
Bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Indonesia; Master of Science in the Field of Regional Science from Cornell University, New York, US.
At Ease
Photography enthusiast
I am in my own world when I'm away with my camera. I love photography, especially landscape photography, building and cityscape. Nikon and Canon are my religions when it comes to SLR, but lately I've been using the Sony a6000 mirrorless camera. It's more compact, easy to carry and very convenient, especially when traveling.
Passionate sightseer
When it comes to overseas travel destinations, European countries, such as France and Switzerland, are on the top of my list so far. I'm always amazed by the landscape and historical buildings there. I also like to go to the beach and nothing beats the beautiful beaches in Indonesia. Bangka and Belitung, as well as Sawarna in Pelabuhan Ratu, have nice beaches with lovely stones.
Local delicacies
I'm very into Indonesian food, even though my palate appreciates international fare. Among the many Indonesian dishes, my favorites are sayur asam (tangy tamarind-flavored vegetable soup), ayam goreng (local friend chicken) and ikan gurame (freshwater carp).
