Tech Leader Guided by HDS Values

Waskito Jati, MTS ’18, Outreach and Partnership Manager for Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Trust and Safety, TikTok (Jakarta)

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Describe the work you do today:

I connect TikTok’s Trust and Safety team with civil society organizations and subject-matter experts to support the development and implementation of safety policies and products. My work involves consulting, building partnerships, and gathering external insights to better prevent and respond to issues such as online misinformation, gender-based violence, migrant smuggling and trafficking, and mental health risks.

How has your HDS degree experience influenced your career journey?

After spending more than five years in the NGO sector after graduating from HDS and later transitioning into the for-profit tech world, I’ve found that the sense of cultural sensitivity, respect, and ethical grounding I developed at HDS continues to guide my work. In my current role, I engage daily with diverse communities and NGOs across multiple countries, and the values I gained at HDS shape how I approach these interactions, with humility, awareness, and a commitment to understanding different perspectives. These foundations help me champion the voices of vulnerable groups and navigate complex issues with empathy and integrity.

What career advice would you offer to current HDS students?

Many of us came to HDS with the intention of working in theological education or ministry, and I began my own path through NGOs and human rights advocacy. Over time, I’ve learned that the perspectives we cultivate at HDS are deeply valuable across many different fields, not only in traditional ministry. I would encourage current HDS students to broaden their view of what it means to serve communities and to recognize that ministerial work can take many forms, in many sectors, wherever compassion, integrity, and commitment to justice are needed.