Meet the Team – Trisha Suryodiningrat-Dinsdale
29 April 2024
Having lived in eight countries since the age of three, adapting to change comes naturally for Trisha Suryodiningrat-Dinsdale, LOCSU’s new Executive Assistant to the CEO, Janice Foster.
With a range of experience in administration and management, Trisha started at the Swiss Hotel Management School. Not a fan of the housekeeping or food and beverage part of the curriculum, Trisha’s interest in admin and management, business management and languages kick started her career in administration.
Trisha joins LOCSU following two years at North Yorkshire Council and has worked in several administration roles over the last 20 years. This includes The Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations, the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, and Thyssenkrupp AG in North Yorkshire.
“There are so many different aspects and reasons for loving my job,” Trisha said, “but mostly, it is about adding value to the organisation, team, and individuals in everything I get involved with. Also, I enjoy the responsibility which comes from being trusted by the people I work with to deliver high quality outcomes from basic tasks through to delivering on interesting projects. Trust alone is highly rewarding and incredibly satisfying.”
In her 14 years at the World Health Organization (WHO), Trisha has worked in several roles as personal and executive assistant to senior leaders across a range of clusters (divisions) with increasing responsibility and seniority. Departments within those clusters, include: Tropical Disease Research, Risk Communications, Global Malaria Programme and, for the last seven years, as Senior Travel Assistant/Executive Assistant for the WHO Director-General.
“Working with the Director-General and her Executive Team for seven years was beyond rewarding and such an invaluable experience. I was accountable for all elements of their travel plans, and everything imaginable from A-Z (diaries, security liaison planning, operational and cultural protocols, dress code, briefing papers, logistics, and the list goes on).
“I immensely enjoyed the ever-changing uncertainty of ‘what’s next?’ keeping me on my toes. Working directly with the world’s leading public health experts including doctors, scientists, epidemiologists, and managers taught me about global and public health – what impacts our lives, wherever and whoever we are. They taught me about dedication and commitment – something they led by example day and night to save lives.”
This role was particularly interesting to Trisha, who loves to travel; “I was born and originally from Indonesia, but I have lived in eight countries since I was three. When someone asks me where is home? I could never answer that question because every place holds a special place in my heart, but Indonesia will always be my roots. My goal is to travel to all seven continents, and I have been very fortunate to have been to five so far.”
When asked who inspires her most, Trisha is quick to answer: “Without having to think twice: my 84-year-old mother inspires me the most. She has the sharpest and most meticulous memory – more than anyone I know! My mother is the kindest and most selfless person I know. Her resilience, inquisitiveness, intelligence, and patience are what I admire the most.
“For as long as I can remember, my parents have always said ‘be grateful and don’t forget your roots. Be kind and generous to those who are less fortunate’. Not only have those words been planted and blossomed in me throughout my life, but my parents led by example.
“In my free time I like to do volunteer work and have been involved in numerous charity work, such as, Save The Children, language lessons (French) for elderly people at the local forum to being a volunteer as Executive Assistant to the CEO of the African Development Choices. Also, when visiting my home country, I visit the children’s orphanage which my family has been supporting with donations for many years.”
After living in Switzerland for 20 years, Trisha and her husband moved to the UK with their daughter to be closer to her husband’s family in North Yorkshire. To relax, Trisha enjoys “exercising, reading autobiographies/biographies and watching documentaries, but I’m also a big fan of Marvel. I also love discovering new food places with my soon to be 13-year-old daughter. We enjoy our walks with our 3-year-old Beagle in ‘God’s own country’.”
Finally, Trisha shares the best piece of advice she’s been given from her late father – “life is unfair but never give up, keep going and you’ll get there.”