Zahwa Islami’s interest in psychology didn’t emerge out of the blue. It began with a simple childhood habit of observing people around her, which led to a question that lingered in her mind: “What makes someone the way they are?” These seemingly simple questions gradually evolved into a deeper curiosity about humans and their relationships, eventually drawing her toward the study of psychology.
Originally from Solo, Central Java, Zahwa began her academic journey at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in 2015. This marked the start of her exploration of human behavior in a more systematic and scientific way.
Her passion for psychology deepened when she took a course on Personality Psychology, taught by Prof. Dr. Tina Afiatin, M.Si., and Prof. Dr. Sofia Retnowati, MS., Psychologist. Through their teaching, Zahwa felt her perspective on people and the world expand. “Those two lecturers really opened my eyes to the world,” she recalled.
After earning her bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Psychology UGM in 2019, Zahwa pursued a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and completed it in April 2023. She is known not only for her strong academic background but also for her consistent achievements in the public domain. Zahwa was crowned Putri Solo 2016, awarded Puteri Indonesia Intelegensia DIY 2019, and recognized as Outstanding Student of the Faculty of Psychology UGM 2017. She demonstrated that intelligence can go hand in hand with social advocacy and a sensitivity to humanitarian issues.
During graduate school, under the supervision of Dr. Diana Setyawati, M.HSc.Psy., Psikolog, Zahwa wrote a thesis exploring how difficult childhood experiences shape individuals’ views on romantic relationships in adulthood. This research later evolved into a book titled Cetak Biru Cinta (Blueprint of Love), a work discussing attachment patterns in relationships and serving as her platform for advocating love, healing, and hope.
“Many people grow up in broken families, but they have an incredible capacity to love. They learn not just to survive, but to thrive,” she said.
Through her book and the Poli Cinta Keliling psychoeducation program, Zahwa brings the message of healthy relationships and attachment to various communities. She believes that past wounds do not have to be inherited and that everyone has the right to create better relationships.
Her passion for social issues and advocacy also materialized through initiatives she developed during her undergraduate years. One notable effort was a donation drive for sanitary pads for orphanages, which earned her national recognition from PT Paragon Technology and Innovation for best social initiative. Zahwa believes that issues like reproductive health are often overlooked, despite being crucial—especially for women. She believes that as women, they must support and raise awareness among each other.
One of Zahwa’s most valuable experiences was participating in PIMNAS (National Student Science Week) in Makassar. Through the university’s research student organization, she joined a cross-faculty team and discovered her unique role as the team’s storyteller—not the idea originator, but the narrative builder. From this, she learned that collaboration isn’t about who shines the brightest, but about aligning directions and working as one.
Her perspective was further enriched through direct community engagement. During a community counseling program, she worked closely with housewives and PKK (Family Welfare Movement) volunteers. It was there she realized that mental health and family dynamics are not confined to academic spaces—they are very much part of real life. She learned to listen more and to position herself not just as an expert, but also as a supportive companion.
After completing her Master’s degree, Zahwa began her career at the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), specifically in the Human Empowerment Division. Under the mentorship of Brigadier General (Ret.) Dr. Noch Tiranduk Mallisa, M.Kes., she gained firsthand insight into the impact of public policy. One memorable experience was her visit to the cardiac patient unit at Andalas University in Padang. There, she met patients with limited chances of survival but who still clung to hope. That moment shifted her view of governance—it’s not just about numbers or programs, but about offering hope to the people.
Her professional journey then brought her to the banking sector, where she currently serves in the Human Capital Strategy Division at PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. In this role, Zahwa designs systems to support employee development, including career pathways, work culture, and remuneration structures. Although she wasn’t initially interested in organizational psychology, she now admits that understanding people within large systems can be just as complex as clinical work. She hopes to continue learning about human dynamics.
Despite her current role in the corporate world, Zahwa maintains her identity as a Clinical Psychologist. She offers online counseling every weekend, catering specifically to office workers who struggle to access services on weekdays.
Being the initiator and team member of the HC Matchmaking Project, initiated by the Forum Human Capital Indonesia (FHCI), is one of Zahwa’s most fulfilling experiences. In this role, she collaborates with Human Capital teams across various state-owned enterprises (BUMN) in Indonesia. Together, they design HR transformation initiatives—from career development and organizational structure to remuneration systems and work culture. For Zahwa, this cross-agency collaboration goes beyond internal policy—it’s about mutual learning, perspective-sharing, and understanding human dynamics on a large scale.
Zahwa leaves students with three key pieces of advice to prepare during college: actively seek experience, know yourself, and find a mentor. “If you just sit in class, it’ll be hard to understand the real world,” she said. She encourages students to engage in discussions, join organizations, and make use of campus resources. Just as importantly, Zahwa emphasizes the importance of practicing mindfulness and compassion—acknowledging one’s feelings without being consumed by them. “Feeling sad today doesn’t mean your life will always be like this.” Meanwhile, mentors, in her view, are like a compass—someone who can guide you when you don’t yet know where to go.
Writer: Ghinaa Durratul Hikmah
Editor: Fadia Hayu Godwina
Photo: Personal Documentation