Julia Mayerhofer 

Julia Mayerhofer is the Co-Executive Director of PILnet, based in Hong Kong, where she co-leads the organization and also oversees programs across Asia. Since joining PILnet in July 2018, she has leveraged her extensive expertise in strategic planning, partnership building, and advocacy to advance access to justice and strengthen pro bono networks in the region.

With a deep commitment to advancing rights, Julia has spent over a decade championing the rights of refugees and migrants. As Executive Director/Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) from 2015 to 2018, she played a pivotal role in securing significant funding for regional initiatives, expanding advocacy efforts, and strengthening collaboration among civil society organizations. Prior to this, she worked directly with refugees and asylum seekers at a community center in Hong Kong, where she led fundraising efforts and enhanced community outreach programs.

Julia’s passion for social justice was evident early in her career—during her student years, she founded a charity dedicated to raising funds for scholarship programs benefiting refugee and migrant children on the Thailand-Myanmar border. This initiative reflects her lifelong dedication to empowering marginalized communities.

Originally from Austria, Julia holds a B.A. in Educational Sciences and an M.A. in Development Studies.