Welcome to The People Behind the Programs, a blog series celebrating the voices, stories, and impact of the community professionals powering connection and belonging across the globe.

Today, we meet Michelle Edhie Wahidin, Co-founder and CEO of NARU, based in Melbourne, Australia. Michelle’s journey into community building didn’t begin with a strategy deck or a job title - it began with loneliness.

Today, Michelle works at the intersection of community, product, and social impact, building spaces where connection isn’t performative, growth isn’t lonely, and belonging is designed with intention. In this feature, she shares what it really looks like to build community from the inside out - from the moments of doubt to the systems that sustain impact at scale.

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How It Started

My journey into community work emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, at a time when isolation became deeply personal.

Living in Melbourne during one of the world’s longest lockdowns meant being confined to a 5km radius and leaving home only for essentials. As I approached the end of my university studies, motivation faded, routines dissolved, and connection felt increasingly out of reach.

Instead of withdrawing, I decided to build.

Together with a few friends, I co-founded NARU, initially a simple way to stay accountable to one another’s goals. What started as a personal experiment quickly evolved into something more meaningful.

One early impact moment made that clear.
A member shared that NARU had helped them show up consistently for their mental health for the first time in months - not because of reminders or pressure, but because someone noticed when they didn’t.

That was the moment I realised we weren’t just building a product.
We were building a community.

By 2023, I joined The Community Collective, my first community for community builders. There, I met Sasmini Bandara, who later encouraged me to co-host the Digital Nomad CMX Chapter.

It was a turning point, placing me among people who weren’t just managing communities, but shaping movements grounded in belonging, care, and shared purpose.

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A Day in the Life

Today, I wear multiple hats, co-leading the Digital Nomad CMX Community alongside Sasmini Bandara, while also being the Co-founder and CEO of NARU.

At NARU, I act as both Product Founder and Community Manager for NARU Global - a space supporting Gen Z and Millennial members on personal growth journeys through accountability and peer support.

I work closely with our NARU VIPs, an ambassador group that meets monthly to share feedback, test features, and celebrate member wins before new releases go live.

On any given day, I may be matching members with accountability partners, reviewing product designs informed by community insights, or helping community builders design engagement systems that last beyond the first 30 days.

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The Tools that Power My Work

At the centre of my workflow is NARU itself.

Originally designed as an alternative to social media, NARU has evolved into a platform focused on long-term impact and sustained engagement. It addresses common challenges community managers face, such as tracking member progress and preventing burnout, by blending productivity tools with human-centred social features.

Behind the scenes, I rely on Notion for operations and planning, Luma for events, Loops for email communication, Google Meet for virtual gatherings, and Tally for forms and surveys.

While I enjoy experimenting with new tools, these core systems have supported NARU consistently for over two years.

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Advice for Newcomers

Community building isn’t for everyone - and that’s okay.

While many seek community for support, being part of one also means showing up, listening deeply, and contributing even when it’s uncomfortable. As a community manager, I believe it’s essential to model this behaviour from the very beginning.

Quoting Brené Brown, I reflects that great leaders are profound listeners.

Community is never built by one person alone. It thrives through shared presence, consistency, and care. Even when engagement feels quiet, those efforts compound over time.

The people who notice your commitment are the ones who stay - and eventually, they become the heartbeat of the community.

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Resources I Suggest

I highly recommend “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown and “Cult Status” by Tim Duggan for deeper insights into leadership and community management. The “Community Week Podcast” by Led by Community is another excellent resource. Additionally, check out my friend's series, “Community Byte” on YouTube for more inspiration.

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💬 Let’s connect on LinkedIn — I’d love to hear from fellow community builders.

💡 The People Behind the Programs is a blog series that shines a light on the community professionals powering impactful programs around the world. Want to share your story or nominate someone doing incredible community work? Submit your spotlight here.

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Are you passionate about building communities?

‍Join the movement, start a CMX Connect chapter in your city or virtually and become a local leader in the global community industry. 👉 Apply to become a chapter director

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