Meet Abang Othow
Abang is an internationally recognised educator, speaker, writer, and leader whose work blends storytelling, education, psychology, and social impact. She is the visionary founder of Buckets of Hope, a transformative visual and emotional wellbeing framework that uses storytelling, colour and mindfulness to help individuals and communities rise from survival to thriving. A former child refugee who rebuilt her life through education and resilience, Abang now works with communities, corporations, schools and individuals to cultivate emotional literacy, courage, and collective wellbeing. Holding a Master of Teaching, Bachelor of Arts, and Diploma in Business, she integrates academic insight with lived wisdom, delivering powerful learning experiences that inspire empathy, leadership, and hope across cultures and generations. Her story has been featured on SBS Insight, 7News, and The Canberra Times, and her writing has appeared in The New York Times and Pearls & Irritations. Her highly anticipated hybrid memoir will be published by HarperCollins in September 2026.
My Why
My why is deeply personal. As a child fleeing civil war in Sudan, I survived displacement, loss, uncertainty and years in refugee camps before rebuilding my life in Australia. Along that journey, I learned that even in the darkest moments, people can still carry hope, resilience and the ability to heal.
I speak because I know what it feels like to survive, but I also know the power of transformation. Through my lived experience, education and the Buckets of Hope framework, I want to help people understand that the challenges they carry do not define their worth or limit their future. Pain can become purpose, adversity can become wisdom, and survival can become strength.
I am passionate about helping individuals, leaders, young people and communities reconnect with their humanity, emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging in a world that is increasingly disconnected and overwhelmed. My goal is to create spaces where people feel seen, inspired and empowered to move from simply coping to truly thriving.
Through storytelling, reflection and practical tools, I hope to leave people with greater courage, compassion and hope for themselves and for one another.
My Accomplishments
🗣️ Author of Buckets of Hope published by HarperCollins Australia 🗣️ Founder of Buckets of Hope 🗣️ Hosted 30+ Buckets of Hope workshops 🗣️ Keynote Speaker at 100+ events across education, leadership and community sectors 🗣️ Deputy Chair of Asylum Seeker Centre 🗣️ Global Educator and Facilitator empowering people to move from survival to thriving 🗣️ Speaker in Parliament and national advocacy forums 🗣️ Career and Self-Development Coach
Fun facts
1) I have lived many lives in one lifetime. 2) I balanced buckets on my head before I stood on international stages. 3) I have done modelling and travelled around the world. 4) I speak 4 languages everyday. 5) I love dancing and I am a dancer.
How I can help
LEADING WITH HUMANITY AND HOPE: I help leaders lead with authenticity, empathy and courage in times of disruption, uncertainty and rapid change, using storytelling and emotional insight to inspire connection and meaningful impact.
TURNING PAIN INTO PURPOSE: I help individuals, teams and communities identify what they are carrying emotionally, mentally and culturally, and transform adversity into resilience, growth and meaningful action through the Buckets of Hope framework.
BUILDING RESILIENCE IN TIMES OF CHANGE: Drawing from my lived experience as a refugee, educator and resilience coach, I help people move from survival mode into thriving by understanding how fear, stress, grief and uncertainty shape behaviour, relationships and decision-making.
STORYTELLING FOR IMPACT AND TRANSFORMATION: I help individuals and organisations harness the power of storytelling to build empathy, strengthen communities, inspire action and create lasting social impact.
CREATING CULTURES OF BELONGING: I help workplaces, schools and communities foster inclusion, compassion and deeper understanding across cultures, generations and lived experiences.
Profile information supplied through Cuppa’s talent directory. Availability and suitability are confirmed on enquiry.