Mission
Empower women and their advocates to elevate the standards of female leadership across AmCham, workplaces, and the wider community of Vietnam.
2024 Strategic Plan
Top Priorities for 2024
- Cultivate a Community of Female Leaders
Our aim is to nurture and expand a thriving community of established and aspiring female leaders. This will be a space for dynamic mutual learning, where sharing experiences and insights actively fosters personal and professional growth for all members - Enhance Understanding of Work-Life Balance
Recognizing the challenges faced by professional business women, we aim to provide resources and discussions focused on helping each woman discover and determine her healthy work-life balance. - Leadership Skills Development
Through targeted workshops and collaborative learning opportunities, we aim to equip current and future female leaders with the skills and tools necessary for effective and impactful career and leadership development
Key Events for 2024
- Comprehensive and meaningful meetings and workshops where established and emerging female leaders can share experiences, learn from each other, and discuss the intricacies of work-life balance
- Inclusive networking events focused on connecting members across industries, facilitating the exchange of ideas and strategies for fostering diverse and welcoming work environments
- An annual leadership summit event that combines panel discussions, networking opportunities, and interactive sessions, all aimed at strengthening leadership skills development and community bonds
Top Advocacy Issues
- Ensuring that female perspectives are represented in all AmCham discussions remains a priority. We will continue to provide platforms for women to share their insights and expertise.
- Advocating for increased female representation in leadership positions within AmCham and the broader business community.
2023 Strategic Plan
Top Priorities for 2023
- Spearhead efforts to enable and empower women in leadership by serving as a valuable resource and support system for all AmCham members.
- Foster a community of women leaders and their male counterparts within AmCham to encourage active participation in committee forums.
- Provide aspiring and established female leaders with a platform to showcase their talents and abilities, thereby creating ample opportunities for them to shine.
- Raise awareness on the crucial issue of mental health and help AmCham members develop strategies to support their employees’ mental well-being.
Key Events for 2023
- Host a networking event to share updates on top industries and latest practices of inclusion. This event will provide an opportunity for our members to connect with each other and exchange insights on the latest trends and best practices related to inclusion in the workplace.
- Organize a mental health awareness event in partnership with the Health Committee. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness about mental health issues in the workplace and provide practical guidance on how to promote employee well-being.
- Co-host an annual event with other chambers to promote enabling environments for women to lead. The event will have a flexible format that includes cocktail sessions, networking events, well-being sessions, CEO breakfast meetings with facilitators, and luncheons.
- Hold regular meetings that invite new women to participate and share their ideas about empowering women in all industries. These meetings will provide an opportunity for our members to engage with new voices and perspectives, thereby strengthening our collective efforts to promote women’s leadership in Vietnam.
Top Advocacy Issues
- Ensure female participation in all AmCham panel discussions to promote diverse perspectives and enhance the quality of our discussions. We are committed to providing opportunities for female leaders to share their expertise and insights on important issues.
- Promote female leadership in AmCham committees and Board. We believe that diverse representation is essential for effective decision-making, and we will work to ensure that women are well-represented in all leadership roles within AmCham.
- Support women’s leadership in other international chambers and the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) to advance the cause of gender equity in the broader business community. We will leverage our networks and resources to advocate for policies and initiatives that enable and empower women to succeed in their careers.
2022 Strategic Plan
Top Priorities for 2022
- Serve as a resource and support team to AmCham members to enable and empower Women in Leadership.
- Create opportunities for professional networking and build a community for women leaders (AmCham members)
- Create platform for leadership skill development for entry-mid level female professionals.
- Create opportunities to showcase aspiring and established female leaders.
Key Events for 2022
- Create a series of events/ sessions for leadership skill development for entry-mid level women, both through regular meetings with speakers, and additional optional longer-term programs cross committee through monthly/quarterly meetings/events.
- Hold a quarterly series of events in partnership with other chambers to promote enabling environments, flexible format (cocktail, networking, well-being sessions, CEO breakfast meeting with facilitator, luncheon…)
Top Advocacy Issues
- Ensure female participation in all AmCham panel discussions.
- Promote female leadership in AmCham committees and Board.
- Support women leadership in other international chambers and the VBF.
Leadership Team
Co-Chair Linh Thai, CEO, Skills Bridge Linh has more than 20 years of experience in finance, marketing, and operations. Linh is the CEO of Skills Bridge, a training and development company dedicated to empowering business professionals. She is also a Senior Advisor for Openspace Ventures. Her previous roles include CEO of Vingroup Ventures, a corporate venture capital fund. Prior to joining Vingroup, Linh was Head of Strategy and Operations at VinaCapital Group, one of the largest fund managers in Vietnam. Before this, she was Investment Director at DFJ VinaCapital, one of the first venture capital funds in Vietnam. Linh graduated with honors from the University of Southern California and received an MBA from The Wharton School. She grew up in Los Angeles, CA, and has considered Ho Chi Minh City to be home for the past 15 years. |
Co-Chair
Julie Huynh, COO, Skills Bridge Julie is the COO of Skills Bridge, a training and development company dedicated to empowering business professionals. She also co-founded Rita Phil, a custom women’s clothing company, and TVL Group, a marketing consultancy. Since 2015, Julie has been actively involved in launching and growing three startups, all aimed at supporting business professionals in Vietnam. She has spent over eight years working in Vietnam, gaining experience in the fashion, marketing, education, and technology sectors. This experience has given her a deep understanding of local market trends and needs. Julie studied at the University of California, Riverside. Originally from Los Angeles, CA, she has built a significant part of her career in Vietnam, contributing to the country’s business landscape while staying connected to her roots in the US. |
Board Liaison
Leo Garcia, General Director, Coca-Cola Vietnam and Cambodia Leonardo Garcia is the Vietnam and Cambodia General Manager of Coca-Cola, one of the World leaders in Beverages that “Refresh the World. Make a difference.” Leonardo is currently responsible for the entire franchise operations in Vietnam and Cambodia, leading the best-in-class teams to accelerate growth, win in the market, and win-win with the customers. He is also an executive committee member of AmCham Vietnam and, for three consecutive years, on the AmCham Vietnam Board of Governors, where he played a crucial role in driving the AmCham Vietnam mission. Leonardo is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of work experience in Brazil, China (Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang), Taiwan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, holding various critical roles. Over his career journey, Leonardo has enabled multiple business turnarounds, driven operational excellence, accelerated Brand building, and built high-impact teams that have delivered market-leading performance over his career journey. Leonardo graduated from Universidade de Brasília with a degree in business management in 1999, and in 2003, he earned an MBA in Marketing from Fundação Getúlio Vargas – FGV. Leonardo married, with two children. He and his family are based in Ho Chi Minh City. |
Board Liaison
Tram Nguyen, Country General Director, Microsoft Asia Pacific Tram has more than 20 years of international management experience across Europe and Asia, having been in senior leadership positions in technology, telecommunications, and media ecosystem. Tram joins Microsoft from Google APAC where she led the country operations for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Prior to that, she was the VP and GM for FOX Networks Group and has led leadership positions at Vietnamobile, VSTV – the first joint-venture between the national broadcaster Vietnam Television VTV and the French Pay TV group Canal Plus, PayPal, and Orange France. Passionate about economic development enablement through capacity building in business and trade, she was a Fellow Researcher for the United Nations Development Programme and authored two published case studies (in English) on inspiring inclusive business models having demonstrated both commercial and development impact in Vietnam (2010). A compulsive baker in Covid times, she also loves to design jewelry and fashion accessories, when she is not exploring the world with her family and two children. |
2024 Meeting Schedule
Mar 26, 2024 – 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - March (For AmCham Members Only) Jun 19, 2024 – 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Skills Development Workshop: Enhancing Communication Aug 21, 2024 – 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Women’s Success Workshop: Health, Fitness, and Mental Resilience Aug 27, 2024 – 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - August (For AmCham Members Only) Sep 24, 2024 – 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
CANCELLED: Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - September (For AmCham Members Only) Oct 22, 2024 – 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - October (For AmCham Members Only) Nov 26, 2024 – 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - November (For AmCham Members Only) |
2023 Meeting Schedule
The Committee meeting is organised last Tuesday of each month and open for members only.
Mar 29, 2023 – 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
International Women’s Day Special Discussion Panel & Networking Event: "Women in Leadership" May 23, 2023 – 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - May (For AmCham Members Only) Jul 19, 2023 – 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Women in Leadership Event - Confronting burnout: Exploring the Interplay of Physical and Psychological toll for Enhancing self-care and performance |
2022 Meeting Schedule
The Committee meeting is organised monthly and open for members only.
Jan 25, 2022 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - January (For AmCham Members Only) Feb 22, 2022 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - February (For AmCham Members Only) Mar 22, 2022 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - March (For AmCham Members Only) Apr 26, 2022 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - April (For AmCham Members Only) May 31, 2022 – 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Women in Leadership Networking and Ideating Event Jul 26, 2022 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
SUMMER BREAK: Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - July (For AmCham Members Only) Oct 25, 2022 – 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Special Vietnamese Women's Day Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - October (For AmCham Members Only) Nov 28, 2022 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
WIL Event: Wrapping up the Year with Gratitude Dec 27, 2022 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
CANCELED: Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - December (For AmCham Members Only) |
2021 Meeting Schedule
Mar 23, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - March (For AmCham Members Only) May 25, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - May (For AmCham Members Only) Jun 22, 2021 – 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - June (For AmCham Members Only) Jul 27, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
SUMMER BREAK: Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - July (For AmCham Members Only) Aug 24, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - August (For AmCham Members Only) Sep 28, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - September (For AmCham Members Only) Nov 24, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - November (For AmCham Members Only) Dec 28, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
CANCELLED: Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - December (For AmCham Members Only) |
Reference Materials for Members
Contact
Please contact us if you have any questions at [email protected]
191029 Women in Leadership Wellness Event
What a wonderful turn-out at our Women in Leadership Wellness Event!
The evening explored yoga practices for office and home that refreshed and energized the audience, guided by Robin Shepard. Members also gained fresh insights from Dr. Basma M’Barek on new data and facts on breast cancer causes and prevention methods. The event wrapped up with Q&A session on the impact of breast cancer and education opportunities with Mr. Chris Blank of Pharmacity and Dr. Basma of FV Hospital.
Thank you to our evening’s host Nike, as well as our other sponsors, speakers and the engaged audience that made our wellness event a success!
191007 Women in Leadership October Committee Meeting
Our Women in Leadership committee had a full house for its October planning meeting. Members offered their ideas, time and talent to help plan for a robust 2020 for this initiative. Up Next: WIL’s wellness event hosted at Nike’s corporate offices on October 29th at 5:30.
191002 Business Investing in Women
A special thank you to Intel’s Global Director of Corporate Responsibility, Suzanne Fallender, who presented at our Business Investing in Women event. Suzanne shared ideas and strategies through various Intel case studies on global and local diversity and inclusion programs that have made a positive impact on Intel’s hiring and retention of women in various technical fields and in community outreach. As Suzanne put it, a company will make “better business decisions if it has an inclusive culture.” Thank you AmCham members for your engaging dialogue and participation!
Fore more information, please view event page
190612 Women in Leadership presents its Female Empowerment Social
This event features guest speaker, Dr. Astrid Matarrita-Chinchilla, clinical psychologist with Saigon Psychology & Counseling, who will share with us the value of female empowerment that can be achieved through each other. It is the unification of gender and solidarity among friends where women can achieve even greater successes and personal fulfillment. As Dr. Astrid puts it, “It’s Pho for the Soul!”
Fore more information, please view event page
190410 Women in Leadership Event
10 April 2019 – Women in Leadership Event
On 10 April, AmCham Vietnam’s Women in Leadership Committee hosted its inaugural event to a sold-out audience. The Morning Briefing offered participants robust networking and an interactive morning learning from experienced women leaders in Vietnam who shared valuable insights and information on identifying what it means to be a leader. Our keynote speaker, Irene Ohler, presented information on the traits necessary to lead in the world tomorrow, as well as the four leadership archetypes. Our guest panelists and speaker also answered audience questions on various topics, including information on their own leadership styles and overcoming challenges and barriers to their career development.
Some of the more poignant messages shared with the women professionals in attendance included:
“Clarity creates confidence.”
“Find your role models… have a vision for yourself. Lead yourself.”
“Be true to your authentic self.”
“Sometimes a warrior has to come out.”
“Be more kind to yourself…Believe in yourself.”
Special thank you the event’s sponsor Gamuda Land and to our speaker and panelists:
Ms. Irene Ohler, an Author, Consultant and Coach inLeadership.She is the co-author of an award winning book on VietnameseWomen Leaders, ‘Ba Trieu’s 21st Century Daughters’. In her business, iglobal, Irene focuses on preparing future leaders for their next role, andgetting people into the mindset to move ahead. http://www.iglobal-coaching.com/
Panelists:
Moderator: Ms. Amanda Rasmussen, AmCham’s Chairperson and Chief Operating Officer of ITL Corp
Ms. Mary Tarnowka, Consul General, U.S. Consulate inVietnam
Ms. Uyen Ho, Director, Global Public Affairs, Intel Vietnam and Malaysia
Ms. Sandra Cho, Sustainable Manufacturing & Sourcing RegionalDirector, SE Asia for Nike Inc., and member of AmCham Vietnam Board of Governors