Driven by the desire to bridge the gap in capacities of grassroots organizations in shifting resources, policy and technology – The Barefoot Institute was established in 2021. We have leading roles in different social movements, have varied levels of engagement with multilateral institutions and policymakers, and have deep subject expertise in our own fields. Together, we walk alongside grassroots organizations in their development journey. Our practice is rooted in diversity, equity and justice.
Mayang Azurin
Founding President and Executive Director
Mayang has coordinated the policy and advocacy work of global civil society platforms, the CSO Partnership for Development Effectiveness and the NGO Forum on ADB. At the national levels, she has steered Philippine caucuses for environment and social justice issues in economic development. She has more than a decade of experience in grants management for civil society campaigning in the Philippines and regionally in Asia. She has published various analytical policy papers on development finance and sectoral issues. She holds a master’s degree in public management. Currently, she is also GAIA’s Asia Pacific Deputy Director., a global network advocating for sustainable use of resources toward environmental and social justice. Email her thru mayang@thebarefoot.org .
Karl Marx Carumba
Corporate Secretary
He is a lawyer with extensive experience in policy advocacy and litigation. From 2007-2012, he was the point person for improving the plight of agricultural and farm workers and advocacy for rural development of the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services Inc (IDEALS) where he assists in policy formulation, stakeholders engagement and case advocacy. As a lawyer, his consultancies include lawyering on behalf of various non-profits including e-cigarette regulations for HealthJustice Philippines (HJP) and Legal Engagement Advocating Development and Reform (LEADER, Inc,) humanitarian projects for the International Red Cross, and improving child road safety for IDEALS. Email him thru karl_marxc@hotmail.com.
Rayyan Hassan
Board Trustee
He is the current Executive Director of the NGO Forum on ADB, a Southern-led network of civic and social movements which has been monitoring the projects, programs, and policies of Asia Pacific’s multilateral development banks. It is during his term that the Asian Development Bank has announced a ban on coal. His academic background include a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from NorthSouth University, Bangladesh and a Masters in Social Change and Development from the University of Wollongong, Australia. . He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Political Science at the University of the Philippines in Diliman as he oversees the Forum network and its campaigns. His writings are published and cited by various organizations . He continues to provide expert input in various fora Earlier in his career, he was a senior lecturer on social development in the EastWest University. Email him thru rayyan@forum-adb.org.
Gomer Padong
Board Trustee
He currently works in program development and management as well as research, development cooperation, and advocacy at the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia. He supports the Poverty Reduction through Social Entrepreneurship (PRESENT) Coalition and a Trustee of the Philippine Coffee Alliance. As representative of the Philippine Social Enterprise Network, he also took important roles in the Asia Pacific Regional Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (AP-RCEM). He was also actively engaged in the steering committees of global networks, Beyond 2015 and Together 2030, to raise civil society voices in the development and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In his free time, he keeps himself busy with Wellscapes, a social enterprise on holistic wellness he co-founded with friends, to be launched by the end of this year. Email him thru gomerpadong@gmail.com.
Maria Angela Flores
Board Trustee
She is currently International External Affairs Manager at World Animal Protection, a leading animal welfare organisation with over 50 years of making a difference in animal protection. She has over a decade of experience in international development work in the Philippines and Southeast Asia with organisations such as the British Council, the United World Food Programme and SEAMEO SEARCA. She has led and managed programs in social enterprise, justice and peacebuilding, education, agriculture and rural development and disaster resilience. She holds a Master’s degree in Development Management from the Asian Institute of Management. In 2019, she was recognized as one of 200 emerging leaders from 33 countries and territories in Asia Pacific by the Obama Foundation. She is also co-founder of Barrio Beterinaryo, a social enterprise seeking to make veterinary care accessible to all. Email her thru angela.flores.ph@gmail.com.
