AmCham
Mission
Empower women and their advocates to elevate the standards of female leadership across AmCham, workplaces, and the wider community of Vietnam.
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 Dr. Astrid Matarrita, Clinical Psychologist, Couples Counselor & Leadership Coach, Saigon Psychology & Co Dr. Astrid is a highly accomplished Clinical Psychologist, Couples Counseling expert, and Coach, with an extensive career spanning numerous years of dedicated practice. Throughout her career, she has specialized in serving a diverse range of clients, including top executives and other high-ranking professionals, showcasing her unparalleled expertise and skill in her field. At the heart of Dr. Astrid’s work is her unwavering commitment to empowering women and promoting gender equality. Through her mission, she works tirelessly to collaborate with women and their allies, with the ultimate goal of enhancing women’s leadership across AmCham, workplaces, and the broader community in Vietnam. With a keen understanding of the unique challenges faced by women in leadership roles, Dr. Astrid’s mission is more important than ever before. By harnessing the power of collaboration and inclusivity, she seeks to create a more equitable society where women are given the tools and support they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives. Through her dedication and tireless efforts, Dr. Astrid has become a driving force for positive change in the community, inspiring countless women to reach their full potential and break down the barriers that have long held them back. Her mission is a powerful testament to the transformative power of leadership, and her work continues to inspire and empower women around the world. Dr. Astrid is an esteemed member of AmCham and has been an integral part of the leadership committee since 2019. Dr. Astrid’s ability to incorporate her knowledge and expertise into her presentations has made her a valuable resource for the AmCham community, earning her a well-deserved reputation as a trusted and respected authority in the field. Her unwavering commitment to promoting mental wellness and self-improvement has had a positive impact on countless individuals, and her contributions to the field of clinical psychology continue to be felt far and wide. |
![]() Co-Chair Minh Nguyen, Country Lead, Vietnam, Allianz Partner Minh Nguyen is an Innovative Executive in Healthcare and Insurance services. Her current job is as Country Lead, Vietnam of Allianz Partner, partnering with Bao Viet General Insurance in Vietnam. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in leadership roles in insurance in emerging markets, fronting partnership, general management responsibilities ensuring operational excellence, merging and acquisitions, distribution management, talent development and driving profitable growth. Her previous employment was at Aetna International, American International Group (AIG), Prudential Insurance, APAVE Consulting (enterprises quality certification consulting) and Taylor Nelson Sofres (media research). She graduated with honors at Foreign Trade University, hold a Master of Science, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom and EE, Global Healthcare Leadership at Harvard Medical School. She has been volunteering at recent committees: APAC Aetna WISE (Women Inspiring Success and Excellence (WISE) with event series to embrace D&I, drive changes and create platforms to support women’s opportunities around the region. Member of Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce, HCM chapter in Vietnam 2019-2022, including as its Vice Chair and EXCOM committee in 2019. Co-founder of AmCham Women in Leadership Committee and continue to serve as its Co-Chair. Vice Chair for Private Insurance committee of AmCham Healthcare committee. Strategic Planning Advisor for Private Insurance/Payer groups & participate in several projects relating to Quality Healthcare improvement for Vietnam and advising in the promising Health/Med Tech, InsurTech start-ups. |
![]() Vice Chair – Senior Executive Programs Linh Thai, CEO, Thai Van LInh Marketing Agency Ms. Linh Thai has over 20 years of experience in finance, marketing, and operations. Her prior roles include CEO of Vingroup Ventures, a corporate venture capital fund; Head of Strategy and Operations at VinaCapital, one of the leading asset managers in Vietnam; and Director of Investments at DFJ VinaCapital, one of Vietnam’s first venture capital funds. Linh is also a “shark” on the Vietnamese version of Shark Tank. Linh graduated with honors from the University of Southern California and holds an MBA from The Wharton School. Linh grew up in Los Angeles, CA and has called Ho Chi Minh City home for the past 12 years. She is a mother to two daughters ages 4 years and 4 months. |
Vice Chair, Media & DigitaleCom Transformation
Ung Hoang Loi, P&G Vietnam |
![]() Gregory Testerman, CEO, Testerman Advisory, LLC I was born in Kansas City, Kansas. My wife Janette is from Mexico, and our 16-year-old son, Matthew, attends ISHCMC. I have two grown daughters: Sarah lives in Washington DC, and Alexa in New York. I have spent nearly my entire adult life working internationally as an investment banking executive, mainly with JP Morgan and Banco Santander, living in New York, Antwerp, Brussels, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Miami, Panama, Mexico, and Vietnam. I have particular specializations in international capital markets, trade finance, and Governance issues in the financial sector. After a thirty-year career in international banking, I moved to Saigon and launched a boutique advisory firm targeting emerging market banks. An ability to adapt effectively to diverse cultural environments is a defining feature of my career. Like many expatriates, Janette and I are addicted to international travel and to the cultural stimulation it inspires. |
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
AmCham International Women’s Day Special Discussion Panel & Networking Event: "Women in Leadership" May 23, 2023 – 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
AmCham 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.
2021 Meeting Schedule
Mar 23, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
AmCham Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - March (For AmCham Members Only) May 25, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
AmCham Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - May (For AmCham Members Only) Jun 22, 2021 – 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm
AmCham Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - June (For AmCham Members Only) Jul 27, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
SUMMER BREAK: AmCham Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - July (For AmCham Members Only) Aug 24, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
AmCham Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - August (For AmCham Members Only) Sep 28, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
AmCham Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - September (For AmCham Members Only) Nov 24, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
AmCham Women in Leadership Committee Meeting - November (For AmCham Members Only) Dec 28, 2021 – 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm
CANCELLED: AmCham 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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