Sakson Rouypirom or Saks as he’s commonly referred to, founder and director of SATI, has always been driven by a passion for social impact and creative outlets such as art and food. With roots in both the United States and Thailand, Saks’ journey is one of blending cultures and leveraging his diverse background to make a meaningful impact. Born and raised in America, he earned a psychology degree from NYU. However, instead of following the traditional path of becoming a doctor, Saks chose a different route—one that led him back to Thailand to establish the SATI Foundation. 

The name SATI, derived from the Pali word for mindfulness, embodies the organization’s core philosophy: understanding and addressing the root causes of issues to create lasting solutions. Believing that a non-profit should strongly emphasize sustainability and the long-term outcomes of its actions, Sakson knew he wanted a different model that did not rely on a culture of pity and charity, but rather one oriented towards empathy and empowerment.