Women Who Inspire Wednesday: Yaso Thiru

Written by Program Coordinator, Chris Schnell

“Be strong. Be independent. Be confident.”

From a small village about five miles from downtown Jaffna, Sri Lanka, to the heart of Alaska’s education and cooperative economy movements, Yaso Thiru has lived a life rooted in integrity, purpose, and deep community care.

Yaso was born and raised in a rural area just outside of Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka. Growing up, she attended an all-girls school and recalls monsoon seasons spent floating paper boats in the yard and learning the values of independence from her mother, a woman far ahead of her time.

She completed her undergraduate studies in accounting in Colombo, the capital city. After moving to the United States at age 28, she earned her master’s in accounting at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. That move sparked the beginning of her long and meaningful career in education.

Her first teaching job in the U.S. was at a small university in Kansas, where she learned to navigate American culture while connecting deeply with students. In 1988, she moved to Anchorage, Alaska, a place that would become her home. She began working as a staff accountant and later joined Alaska Pacific University (APU), where she taught accounting and business, and eventually became the Director of the Institute of Business and Public Policy.

Some of her proudest milestones include introducing climate ethics into APU’s business curriculum, becoming a U.S. citizen, and mentoring countless students. A major personal inspiration has been her mother, who, despite not being able to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer, made it her mission that her daughters would go to college. Yaso carried this legacy forward while raising her two daughters, Meneka and Nithya, both of whom now work in nonprofits and embody the values they witnessed growing up.

Yaso credits her strength and passion for leadership to her mother, but also acknowledges the encouragement of a mentor of hers at APU, Charlie Fahl. Charlie Fahl, the academic dean at APU, played a pivotal role in helping her step into academic leadership. He recognized Yaso’s talent and ability to lead and encouraged her to take on roles that allowed her to influence institutional change.

Her motivation has always come from a desire to build systems that uplift others. “We’re all good inside,” she says. “Share that goodness with others.”

For Yaso, success isn’t about profit, it’s about purpose. Throughout her career, she’s pushed back against the traditional growth-based economic models taught in business schools. She believes business can and should be a tool for good, which is why she helped her department incorporate topics like corporate social responsibility, environmental impact, and equity into every course.

To young women and aspiring changemakers, her message is clear: “Be strong, be independent, be confident. You will face opposing currents, but believe in yourself. Lead with kindness and clarity.”

Now retired from APU, Yaso remains deeply active in community efforts and is especially excited about her work with YWCA Alaska on a childcare cooperative. Very much a passion project for her, she aims to reimagine childcare by supporting worker ownership, providing living wages, and ensuring sustainability. “It’s about giving people the opportunity to thrive, not just survive,” she explains.

She dreams of a future where Alaska is home to thriving, worker-owned cooperatives in sectors like childcare, elder care, food, and local retail. “We need more place-based businesses owned by the people who live here,” she says. “That’s how we build resilient communities.”

Yaso believes big change can come from both large and small actions. Starting a cooperative? That’s big. Shopping local, mentoring someone, or even rethinking how we teach business? Those are small actions that ripple outward.

She’s inspired by the people of Anchorage, the strength of Alaska’s communities, and her daughters, women who lead with conviction and care. She is hopeful that the next generation will continue to find their “why” and turn it into action.

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain