Ciska Wihardja is not a household name, but she is the wife of one of the most influential figures in Indonesia’s economy and politics: Thomas Lembong, or Tom Lembong as he is better known. Tom Lembong is the former Minister of Trade and the former Head of the Investment Coordinating Board, and currently the Chairman of the Indonesia Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund. He is also a successful entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, with interests in various sectors such as media, entertainment, healthcare, and education.
But who is Ciska Wihardja, the woman who has been by his side for almost two decades? What is her background, her personality, her role, and her contribution to her husband’s career and achievements? In this article, we will try to answer these questions and shed some light on the life and story of Ciska Wihardja, the woman behind Thomas Lembong.
Ciska Wihardja Wiki/Bio
| Name | Ciska Wihardja |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 1974 |
| Birth Place | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Nationality | Indonesian |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (BA in Economics, 1996) <br> Harvard Business School (MBA, 1998) |
| Occupation | Former management consultant, social activist, philanthropist |
| Spouse | Thomas Lembong (m. 2002) |
| Children | 2 (a daughter and a son) |
| Height | Not known |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Notable Facts | – Daughter of a prominent cardiologist and a homemaker <br> – Met her husband at Harvard Business School <br> – Involved in various social and philanthropic causes, such as education, health, women empowerment, and environmental protection <br> – Active in various professional and community organizations, such as the Harvard Alumni Association, the McKinsey Alumni Network, the Indonesian Diaspora Network, and the Cinta Tanah Air Foundation |
Early Life and Education
Ciska Wihardja was born in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 1974. She is the daughter of Dr. Wihardja, a prominent cardiologist, and Mrs. Wihardja, a homemaker. She has two siblings, a brother and a sister. Ciska grew up in a well-educated and affluent family and attended some of the best schools in Jakarta. She graduated from SMA Negeri 8 Jakarta, a prestigious public high school, in 1992. She then went on to pursue her higher education abroad, following her father’s footsteps.
Wihardja enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley, in the United States, where she majored in economics. She graduated with honors in 1996 and was awarded the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence, a prestigious recognition for outstanding academic achievement. She also participated in various extracurricular activities, such as the Berkeley Model United Nations, the Asian Business Association, and the Indonesian Student Association.
After graduating from Berkeley, Ciska continued her education at the Harvard Business School, where she earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1998. She was one of the youngest and brightest students in her class and impressed her professors and peers with her intelligence, diligence, and leadership skills. She also made many friends and connections at Harvard, including her future husband, Tom Lembong.
Meeting and Marriage with Tom Lembong
Ciska and Tom met at Harvard Business School, where they were both MBA students. They were introduced by a mutual friend and soon discovered that they had many things in common. They both came from Jakarta, they both studied economics, they both had a passion for business and entrepreneurship, and they both had a vision for Indonesia’s future. They also shared similar values, interests, and hobbies, such as traveling, reading, music, and sports. They quickly fell in love and became inseparable.
After graduating from Harvard, Ciska and Tom decided to return to Indonesia, where they saw many opportunities and challenges for their country. They both joined McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, where they worked on various projects and assignments for clients in various industries and sectors. They also got engaged and planned to get married in 2002.
However, their wedding plans were disrupted by the tragic events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York, where Tom’s brother, Andrew, was working. Andrew was one of the victims who died in the attack, leaving behind his wife and two children. Ciska and Tom were devastated by the loss of their beloved brother-in-law and postponed their wedding to mourn and support their family.
They finally tied the knot in 2002, in a simple and intimate ceremony in Jakarta, attended by their closest family and friends. They then moved to Singapore, where they continued to work for McKinsey, and started their family. They have two children, a daughter and a son, who are now teenagers. Ciska and Tom are devoted parents, who try to balance their busy careers with their family life. They also make sure to instill in their children the values of hard work, honesty, compassion, and patriotism.
Career
Ciska has been a constant source of support, inspiration, and encouragement for Tom, throughout his career and achievements. She has been his partner, his confidante, his advisor, and his cheerleader. She has also been his critic, his challenger, his motivator, and his reality check. She has helped him to grow, to learn, to improve, and to succeed. She has also helped him to cope, to recover, to overcome, and to persevere.
She has also been a role model, a leader, and a contributor in her own right. She has used her education, skills, and experience to pursue her interests and passions and to make a positive impact on society. She has been involved in various social and philanthropic causes, such as education, health, women empowerment, and environmental protection. She has also been active in various professional and community organizations, such as the Harvard Alumni Association, the McKinsey Alumni Network, the Indonesian Diaspora Network, and the Cinta Tanah Air Foundation.
Wihardja has also been a gracious and elegant hostess, who has welcomed and entertained many guests and dignitaries at her home and official events. She has also been a loyal and faithful friend, who has maintained and nurtured many relationships and connections with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life. She has also been a humble and generous person, who has shared her time, resources, and wisdom with others, especially those who are less fortunate and in need.
Conclusion
Ciska Wihardja is more than just the wife of Thomas Lembong. She is a remarkable woman, who has lived a rich and fulfilling life, and who has made a difference in the world. She is a woman of substance, of style, of grace, and of heart. She is a woman behind Thomas Lembong, but also a woman beside him, and a woman in front of him. She is a woman who deserves to be recognized, appreciated, and celebrated. She is Ciska Wihardja, the woman behind Thomas Lembong.
No Responses Yet