Alumni in Focus: Anton Rizki

My professional journey began long before I ever imagined becoming a CEO of a think tank. I was born in Tehran, Iran, in 1981 during a time of profound political upheaval, the Iranian Revolution. My father, a diplomat, was stationed there, which molded my earliest memories of political complexity. As a result, my early life was shaped by diverse experiences that would profoundly influence my understanding of society, democracy, and individual freedom.

At five years old, I returned to Jakarta and was struck by the stark differences between Iran and Indonesia. Despite the revolutionary turmoil in Iran, the country appeared more developed compared to Indonesia at the time. My young eyes immediately noticed the widespread poverty in Indonesia. The country was under the authoritarian Suharto regime, known as the New Order. I witnessed elections for the first time but quickly understood these were not genuine democratic processes. Suharto would always emerge victorious.

My childhood travels continued, and a move to Brussels exposed me to another model of society, one more prosperous and seemingly freer. These childhood observations of Iran, Indonesia, and Europe became foundational in solidifying my understanding of individual freedom and democracy and how these principles are crucial to creating a free and prosperous society.

In 1998, when the New Order era ended and Indonesia began political reforms and democratization, I was naturally drawn to political science. Like many of my contemporaries, I initially held predominantly leftist views, believing government was the primary agent of development and social change. This perspective was common in a society where liberalism was not well rooted. The prevalent narrative in Indonesia was deeply skeptical of the private sector, viewing multinational corporations and capitalism as tools that had supported Suharto’s oppressive regime.

My perspective began to shift dramatically when I went back to Belgium to study. While seeking a part-time job to finance my education, I joined a small startup with an innovative food delivery concept. It was there that I had an epiphany: entrepreneurs, with their ideas and innovative spirit, could create opportunities and generate income in ways government intervention could not.

After completing my studies, my subsequent work in public affairs consulting further solidified this idea. I helped corporations navigate business-society issues, corporate responsibility, and sustainability issues. I began to understand the nuanced role of the private sector in driving economic growth and how misguided government policies could significantly hinder progress. I realized that free markets and capitalism weren’t inherently problematic but were, in fact, significant contributors to unprecedented global economic prosperity.

After nearly 15 years in the private sector, I found an opportunity to reconnect with my roots in political science by joining the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS). This was more than a career change—it was an intellectual journey into classical liberal ideas that resonated with my lived experiences but which I had not previously examined philosophically.

Atlas Network played a pivotal role in this transition. Atlas Network’s mentorship program, where I had the chance to have Parth J. Shah from the Centre for Civil Society in India as my mentor, was transformative. My interactions with Parth helped me understand the intricacies of managing and building a think tank while deepening my comprehension of classical liberal concepts and market-oriented policy approaches.

The Executive Accelerator program further enhanced my strategic thinking, offering opportunities to learn from and share experiences with think-tank leaders from around the world. The program also gave me the opportunity to reflect deeply about myself and my leadership style, motivating me to push further and create more impact in what we do. More importantly, it made me feel welcomed into the broader liberty movement—a community dedicated to promoting individual freedom and economic opportunity.

Today, as CEO of the Center for Indonesian Policy Studies, I continue to learn and grow. My journey has been a constant reminder that our understanding of the world is never fixed. It evolves through experiences, conversations, and a willingness to challenge our own assumptions. If there’s anything my path has taught me, it’s the importance of remaining curious, listening to different perspectives, and always being open to new ideas.