The People Behind the Programme
Meet Our Team
Sirirat is led by working professionals — a Michelin-standard chef, a regenerative farming expert, a hospitality leader, and educators with deep roots in youth development.
Chairman
Marcel Jahnke
Chairman & Managing Director · Asian Academics Foundation · MHM GROUP
"We wanted to build something that gives young people from the most difficult backgrounds a genuine pathway — not charity, but real professional skill and the freedom that comes with it."
As Chairman of the Sirirat Health & Freedom Academy Foundation, Marcel Jahnke provides overarching strategic leadership for the programme. He brings extensive experience from MHM GROUP and his role as Chairman & Managing Director of Asian Academics Foundation, guiding the academy's institutional direction and long-term growth across Southeast Asia.
His conviction that disadvantaged youth are not lacking potential — only access — is the foundation on which the academy is built.
Educational Program Directors
Program Directors
Each track is led by a specialist with deep field experience — not just academic credentials. They provide strategic oversight, curriculum design, and industry-standard benchmarking.
Dr. Woody
Mr. Nathaphobdham Phobdhamjarernjai
Provides strategic oversight and ensures excellence in regenerative agricultural training. Oversees the Year 1 foundational programme and the Year 2/3 Agricultural track at Kiku Farm and Green Garden Farm.
Kiku Farm, Chiang Rai · Green Garden Farm, Chiangmai
Regenerative Design · Soil Science · Farm-to-Market
Chef Riley
Riley Cameron Sanders
Guides culinary curriculum development and upholds industry-standard practices. Brings Michelin-standard culinary expertise to the programme and directs training at KUMA Restaurant, Chiang Rai.
KUMA Restaurant, Chiang Rai
Asian-French Fusion · Farm-to-Table · Gastronomic Excellence
Sacha
Ms. Sang-aroon Chantapoon · Sacha
Advises on hospitality training programmes and service excellence benchmarks. Oversees students' placement at SamSam Resorts in Koh Yao Noi, Phang Nga — one of Thailand's premier boutique resort experiences.
SamSam Resorts, Koh Yao Noi, Phang Nga
Guest Experience · Butler Service · Luxury Operations
Educational Program Teachers
Our Teachers
Practitioners with on-the-ground experience across farming, culinary arts, hospitality, fitness, and business — teaching what they know from doing.
May
Miss Potjaman Maneesawet
Farm ManagementPractical farm operations and production management across Sirirat's partner agricultural sites.
Khun Chun
Mr. Thavon Khunsit
Business ManagementDelivers practical business management training covering professional communication, operations, and financial fundamentals.
Nilas
Nilas Torbjorn Corneliussen
AdministrationProvides practical hospitality training including customer service, daily operation standards, communication skills, and service etiquette.
Richard
Richard Kwame Quansah
Sous-ChefTeaches basic to advanced culinary skills, food preparation, plating, and presentation. Brings deep insights into youth development from academic work in Ghana.
James
James Br Quaye
Fitness CoachProvides professional fitness and Muay Thai training. Fosters positive mindset, Thai cultural connection, self-confidence, and self-defense skills in all students.
International Perspective in Youth Development
Richard and James bring rich on-the-ground experience from African Academics in Ghana, with deep insights into youth development, education support, and community building. They share proven practical knowledge in nurturing future leaders, fostering core values, and building professional and family-style support networks within the student community.
Training Grounds
Partner Facilities
Students don't train in simulated environments — they train in world-class real ones. These are the sites where the programme comes to life.
Kiku Farm
Chiang Rai
Primary site for Regenerative Agriculture Year 1 and the Agricultural Professional specialization. Regenerative Design and Soil Science training ground.
Green Garden Farm
Chiangmai
Co-primary site for Year 1 Regenerative Agriculture training. Supports diverse crop and biodiversity learning within a different microclimate context.
KUMA Restaurant
Chiang Rai
Primary training site for the Fine Dining Chef track. Students train under Michelin-standard guidance in Asian-French fusion cuisine and farm-to-table operations.
SamSam Resorts
Koh Yao Noi, Phang Nga
Training site for the Hospitality Management track. Students learn bespoke guest experience, wellness philosophy, and multilingual communication in a luxury resort environment.
Passionate About Youth & Vocational Education?
We are building a community of professionals who believe in the transformative power of skilled, practical training. If that's you — we would like to hear from you.