Background

On Our Institutional Background

Dynamic Minds (DM) emerged from the team and network of the German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Governance (CPG). Drawing on more than 15 years of experience in analysis, advisory, and facilitation across Asia, DM builds on a strong foundation of expertise, professional networks and trusted partnerships.

DM was founded in response to changing funding conditions as an independent but connected structure that allows current and former CPG employees to carry out professional and project-based activities with additional partners while maintaining a part-time or project-based affiliation with CPG.

At the same time, DM and CPG form a close institutional partnership that supports CPG’s continuity and contributes to its financial sustainability while fostering new forms of cooperation and innovation in consulting and advisory work.

The Idea Behind Our Name

The name Dynamic Minds captures our understanding of professional work as the knowledge-based and forward-looking application of intellect and insight.

This idea is reflected in our logo, which refers to Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, strate-gy, craftsmanship, and just warfare. In myth, she had a dynamic mind — a quality that allowed her to prevail through intelligence rather than force.

Unlike Ares, the god of war, Athena represents clarity in complexity, foresight in decision-making, and the ability to shape outcomes through superior knowledge and reason.

People & Partners

Dynamic Minds draws on two closely connected professional networks. First, a group of advisors who are embedded beyond project-based cooperation and contribute ongoing advisory input, strategic guidance, and analytical depth to our work. This advisory layer provides continuity, orientation, and critical judgment across mandates. Second, a broader pool of associated experts who are engaged on a project-specific basis, depending on subject-matter requirements. These experts are seasoned professionals in their respective fields and are drawn from diverse regional and professional backgrounds, allowing for the targeted integration of specialized expertise where needed.

Asanga Abeyagoonasekeraa

Associated Expert

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Aekpaween Anuson

Associated Expert

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Henning Glaser

Co-Chairman & Senior Member, Advisory Board

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H.E. Dr. Warawit Kanithasen

Senior Member, Advisory Board

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Muhammad Asif Khan

Associated Expert

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Dr. Duc Quang Ly

Member, Advisory Board

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Lucas Meier

Member, Advisory Board

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Venus Phuangkom

Managing Director

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Steven Rynecki

Associated Expert

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Morten Strantzen

Member, Advisory Board

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Daniel VerSchneider

Associated Expert

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Alexandra Wharton-Smith

Associated Expert

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Institutional Partners

Dynamic Minds draws on a strong network of institutional partners to provide clients with academic and policy-oriented insights. Explore our network of trusted partners.

Testimonials

Selected feedback from professional and institutional contexts