An environmental activist from Sumatra, Silalahi is the winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize 2023. Dubbed the “Green Nobel”, the award was given to Silalahi and KSPPM for their efforts in fighting for the preservation of customary forests, which the Batak Toba indigenous communities depend on for their cultural and economic way of life.

She began her advocacy for the Batak Toba people as a KSPPM volunteer in 1999; today Silalahi is KSPPM’s executive director. Between 2019 and 2022, Silalahi’s efforts helped six Batak communities gain customary forest recognition spanning over 7,000 hectares of indigenous land. Silalahi continues to advocate for the rights of other indigenous communities still fighting for the recognition of their customary forests.