Leadership Team
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Amy Westby
Amy joins us as the next Executive Director of Caring for Cambodia. Growing up within a diverse family and through extensive global immersion, Amy has given her energy to champion leadership education and developing global education programs. Her volunteer work in various countries demonstrates her real compassion for people worldwide.
Previously, as the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives, The NSLS Foundation and Education for the National Society of Leadership and Success, Amy oversaw the programming and advancement of education for thousands of students each year towards leadership development and community commitment. Before this work, Amy spent 15 years as the Chief Academic Officer and the VP of International Sales for a large, educational, experiential ed-travel company. She currently leads a personal education consulting agency, is the co-CEO of a software company, and serves on several Boards for various organizations and associations.
Amy also spent many years working as an Executive Director of several non-profit organizations focused on equity in experiential education and serving people of all economic backgrounds, veterans, and people with disabilities. This work included serving in educational leadership roles and working in Washington, D.C., and American public and private schools, including building a new charter school system in Texas and living and working in Malaysia and Kuwait. Amy has worked with Congress to advocate for social and emotional development, facilitated discussion panels on ethics topics and character development, and traveled the world seeking out top-notch schools demonstrating quality education programs for the USDOE or State Department.
Amy holds a B.A. degree in Secondary Education English and History from Bethel University and M.Ed and M.A. degrees from the University of Minnesota in Comparative International Education and Development and Education Administration and Leadership. As an advocate for higher learning, Amy has taught several college-level courses as an adjunct professor at The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Northern Virginia Community College System.
She also holds numerous certifications from professional organizations, including the International Baccalaureate Organization and the Colorado Center for Nonprofit Management and Leadership, and she has a degree in Design Thinking from Stanford’s d.school.
Amy loves to travel and spend time outdoors, preferably near water. Her love and joy rest at home with her daughter, family, friends, and Indigo - a mini Sheepadoodle.
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Rebecca Large
Rebecca Large is CFC’s Deputy Country Director. She helps to establish strategic direction and execution of key CFC initiatives, and works with CFC’s program managers to strengthen current systems as well as implement new community programs. Additionally, Rebecca develops human resource policies and procedures, and trains local teams on communication and public relations skills.
Rebecca started working in Cambodia in 2014 after graduating University of Sheffield with a degree in Human Geography. Employed by Futuresense Foundation in Cambodia, she was initially assigned as a volunteer and program coordinator, but progressed to program manager where she developed and implemented sustainable education programs. It was during this time that Rebecca developed a love for Cambodia, and for grassroots development with a focus on education initiatives and policy.
This experience led Rebecca to obtain a master’s degree from the University of Sussex in International Education and Development, where she conducted research in Nepal about head-teachers’ roles in supporting teachers’ professional development.
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Ung Savy
Ung Savy is CFC’s Superintendent of Schools and Country Director. He has served as Superintendent since 2003, and additionally, as Country Director since 2006. In this role, Savy oversees all student programs across CFC’s twenty-one schools, offering leadership to the school principals and providing opportunities for improvement at each campus to maximize student learning. As the primary liaison to the Cambodian Government, Savy has implemented the joint Memorandum of Understanding and built important relationships with the Ministry of Education. In addition to managing the school principals, Savy directs the Deputy Country Director, the CFC Administrator, the Executive Assistant of Programs, and the Senior Program Manager.
Under Savy’s leadership, drop-out rates have fallen to less than 10% consistently since 2010 (currently one-third the national rate), and CFC has continued to forge connections with the Cambodian government, achieving the significant honor of being named the country’s model schools by the Minister of Education.
Savy’s early years were overshadowed by the Khmer Rouge, and from the age of one, he lived in Cambodia’s war-torn conditions. Separated from his parents and family, he was provided with limited food and was forced to work destroying termite mounds and making fertilizer for rice paddy fields until the age of 10 when the Vietnamese army forced Pol Pot from power. At the age of 13, Savy finally began his formal schooling as a first grader. After graduating from sixth grade at the age of 18, he joined the Vietnamese army where he started learning English – something that was illegal at the time.
In 1993, Savy was able to use his knowledge to provide translation services to the UN armies upon their arrival in Cambodia. He was also able to return to school to continue his formal education. After relocating to Siem Reap in 1994, Savy obtained a position as an English teacher at Spien Chreav School – now the Spien Chreav Amelio School – and worked as a tour guide in his spare time. Savy stayed in these roles until 2003 when he was introduced to Jamie and Bill Amelio, and accepted the role of Superintendent at what was the first of CFC’s now twenty-one schools.
Since joining the CFC team, Savy has supplemented his education with courses on leadership and English, among others, bolstering his natural ability to guide teams and excel in an international environment.
Savy and his wife, Mom, live in Siem Reap with their son who was born in 2011.
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Laurie Phillips
Laurie has many years of finance and operations experience with over 20 years in educational nonprofits. Prior jobs include controller at The Pennington School, an independent day/boarding school in New Jersey, Executive Director of the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, a retreat center offering on site and online courses, and the Director of Finance and Operations at Sea Education Association, a nonprofit offering semesters at sea on tall ships for college students.
Laurie has traveled extensively in Southeast Asia. Although initially drawn by her passion for scuba diving, she quickly fell in the love with the region. She was very happy to join CFC in 2021 and be able to offer something in return to the region. Laurie has a B.A in accounting from the University of Alabama and a M.A in counseling from Rider University
Laurie currently resides in La Paz, Mexico
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Tracy L. Dowell
Tracy Dowell is an accomplished and highly skilled business professional with over 30 years of experience in operational roles within the hotel and NGO industries. She is widely recognized for her ability to adapt quickly to emerging situations and diverse cultures and has gained invaluable international experience living in England, Germany, and Singapore throughout her career.
Tracy's techniques for understanding and serving a wide range of cultures are truly remarkable, and her passion for humanitarian work is rooted in teamwork, collaboration, and the belief in the "Greater Good."
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Thib Sok Em
My name is Thib Sok-Em. I am CFC’s Accountant based in Siem Reap. I have a Masters of Audit and a Bachelor of Accounting degree from the Vanda Institute of Accounting.
I have been working as an accountant for more than one year with CFC and I am responsible for all financial systems in Cambodia and work closely with the US Director of Finance. I help to develop financial system with program managers that follow International Accounting standards. I really enjoy working in a great team and to join different activities in CFC such as training, food for thought, vision screening, marathon, and volunteer projects.
I usually enjoy visiting the temples with my family and really happy to hang out with friends to discuss future plans. We enjoy taking photos as we love to visit many different places and new places around Cambodia and sometimes we have the chance to visit abroad together.
I have one brother and two sisters living in Siem Reap, Cambodia.
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Chan Vandy
My name is Chan Vandy and I am an Early Childhood Deputy. I work with the preschool coordinator, kindergarten coordinator, and kindergarten teachers. I have been working with CFC for 13 years.
I like developing programs and teamwork in order to improve the program and reach the goal that all CFC schools will become the standard school and recognized by the Ministry of Education. In addition, working with CFC has helped me improve my knowledge and skills. Another happy thing is that the CFC team always helps each other.
When I have free time, I like reading books and cutting cloth, cooking food and cookies for my family or some time, I bring my parents to go visit new places.
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Tao Lay
My name is Tao Lay. I started working for Caring for Cambodia in 2017 as Career Preparation Advisor, then, one year later I was promoted to Life Skills Deputy. I am responsible for three programs: career prep program, school health program, and gender equity program. My main task is to coordinate the teams and find the best ways to improve the programs to respond to the community and school challenges. In addition, I connect with other professional schools, universities, non- government organizations to seeking an opportunity such as scholarship and job opportunity for CFC students and alumni.
My favorite thing about my job and working with CFC is a good environment, teamwork, and opportunities to learn. Now, I am studying for my Master's Degree at South East Asia university with the major ‘Management” and English class at ACE that is supported by CFC.
I have 2 children and now we living together in Siem Reap province. In my free time, I like to read books, research, and study. At the weekend, I take my family to visit Angkor Wat temple, mountains and Tonle Sap lake to relax and observe nature.
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Mim Loam
My name is Mim Loam. Previously, I worked with the Department of Education Youth and Sport for 34 years as Primary and ECE Head officer and now I am retired.
I have been working with CFC for 6 years as the Community and Government Liaison Officer. Since working here, I am very interested in my CFC work, even though I am a retired man. CFC team is great, they are friendly, respectful, and kindly help each other.
My favorite things besides working, I like reading newspapers, listen to music or traveling with friends.
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Loeung Sophal
My name is Loeung Sophal, I have been working with Caring for Cambodia for 5 years. My position now is Outreach Deputy so in this job I am responsible for the FFT program and Trip Program.
To be honest, I am very proud of myself when I got this opportunity to work with Caring for Cambodia. We have worked to improve education and I feel very impressed to see CFC schools have been developed a lot. I have seen students look healthier, smarter, politer and they are friendly, taking care of their studying (but not just them even their parents too). They have a lot of smiles with their beautiful school environment. I am really happy to see teaching and learning have changed and I obviously want Khmer students to enjoy their education. Another special point which makes me enjoy working with CFC is that our all team always help each other and share knowledge.
I have two kids (boy and girl) and in my free time, I like reading storybooks to my kids, exercising, and cooking food with my wife, as well as, taking my family sightseeing at the temple area.
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Soung Sopheary
My name is Soung Sopheary, I am an Education deputy. I have been working with CFC for ten years. Throughout these years, I like to be working to develop my program and staff and really pleased to see students have a good result from their learning, sharing ideas and support each other. I wish to see education in Cambodia have a high standard and be recognized by every country in the world. I have been married for 5 years and my husband is an NGO worker too. My hobby in my free time is going to visit my parents and cooking for them in my hometown.
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Voeun Vantha
My name is Vantha I am working as STEM & Workforce Deputy where I am responsible for technology and English at CFC. I have been working with CFC since 2013 which is around 7 years already. Currently, I am studying at University to earn a Master's of Public Administration degree.
I love working with CFC because of its focus on teamwork and delegation. Normally, I like to read books and use technology to research something new in my free time.
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Han Siekheng
My name is Han Siekheng and I am the ICT Program Manager. I am responsible for implementing and maintaining an effective and integrated ICT plan for all CFC schools. Also, I’m improving technology skills among CFC staff and teachers of CFC schools. I have been working with CFC for 6 years. I really enjoy my position especially planning how to improve my teams’ ability, how to improve the ICT curriculum, and what to do next to improve the program and students' learning.
I have 8 siblings, 4 sisters and 4 brothers, and I am number six. During my free time, I like to go to a silent place to read a book and do coding.
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Kol Sinat
My name is Sinat Kol. I am the ESL Program Manager, and I have been working at Caring for Cambodia for ten years. I am very excited about being a part of the CFC team as an ESL program manager. I really love working with my team in the ESL program, especially with the students and the teachers. In my free time, I like reading books and taking my family to visit some exciting places in Siem Reap.
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Toch Sithat
My name is Sithat. I am a Primary Program Coordinator, and I have been working with CFC for seven years. Before I worked with CFC, I was a teacher for grade 6 at Aranh primary school. In 2013 I was chosen to be a mentor teacher for grades 5 and 6 by CFC. In this position, I worked with all teachers grade 5 and 6 to support them in classroom management and technical of teaching. 2019 I improved myself to be the Primary Program Manager. I now support all mentor teachers on general management and finding solutions for all primary school challenges.
My husband also works in the provincial education department. I have three daughters, and we live in Siem Reap.
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Chann Vanndy
My name is Vanndy. I am the Library Program Manager. My husband is a school teacher, and I have two sons. I have been working with CFC for 11 years. Before working with CFC, I was a librarian at a cluster school and also a librarian part-time at CFC Kong Much primary school. I have been trained in librarianship with the Ministry of Education and other organizations to develop myself to be a librarian coordinator for CFC full time as of 2011. As a librarian coordinator, I work closely with all librarians and principals at all CFC primary schools to encourage cooperation and sharing ideas to solve librarian challenges and making sure the library activities run well. Around 2016 I have been promoted as a library program manager. I work with primary, secondary, and high school libraries to create research programs and set schedules for students to do research in the library. To ensure that all libraries work, I have to check and evaluate all librarians on a regular basis.
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Suy Sophea
My name is Suy Sophea, and I am the Food for Thought Manager, as well as the Storage and Project Coordinator. I have been working with Caring for Cambodia for 13 years. I am very happy working here because I have learned a lot and gained more experience around the world. FFT program is very important for our students to get food to help them to continue with their learning and spend less money from their family. I am very happy working here because we are like a family. We work on education to change our students' lives.
I have one daughter, and my family is very happy to see that my job working at CFC and for our community is changing lives by education.
At free time, I like doing housework or some time take my family outside to get some food and relax, and I enjoy cooking too.
I would like to say thank you to Caring for Cambodia and all our sponsors around the world for helping education here and making our changing our children's lives. I wish all our supporters success in everything they want and good health.
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Meas Jeudy
I am Meas Jeudy, and I am CFC’s Career Preparation Coordinator. I am happy to work for CFC, and I have been with CFC since 2018.
I share my experiences with the students in CFC’s schools, and I teach students from grades 9 to 12 about preparing for when they graduate. The lessons are all about life skills which guide and help them to prepare themselves before going to university and getting jobs. Furthermore, I am very happy to work in a team, and we are happy to help others. I hope that I can help many more students to make better decisions in their life.
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Loan Ratha
My name is Loan Ratha. I started working for Caring for Cambodia in 2016 as a Health Educator. In 2018, I was promoted to Health Program Coordinator.
I am responsible for coordinating with school principals, teachers, and the health team to provide health classes, first aid training, vision, and dental screening, updating wash facilities, and cooperating with other programs to address challenges in CFC target schools and communities.
I am happy and enjoy my work with Caring for Cambodia, as I have a chance to share my knowledge, experience to serve the children and the community. Besides, I like the way that CFC is working as a team to collaborate and support each other, especially giving the staff an opportunity to learn new things.
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Than Vanthai
My name is Than Vanthai, and I’ve been working for Caring for Cambodia as a Trip Coordinator for six years. I really like my job because I know education will change our futures. I really love seeing kids smiling, and that touches my heart and motivates me to work hard in this position.
I like traveling with family in my free time and I wish to travel a lot in and out of my country.
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Chup Sokhoeun
I am Chup Sokhoeun, a former kindergarten teacher at Kravann Primary school. Now I am the kindergarten coordinator at Caring for Cambodia. I have been working with CFC for 10 years. I like this job very much because it is a job that helps solve social problems and I am happy. In my free time, I enjoy bringing my family to do exercise and reading storybooks to my children.
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Suy Mealea
My name is Suy Mealea, I am a Pre-School coordinator. I am working on training the pre-school assistant about children's development lessons, first aid, hygiene, disability, gender equity, etc. I have been working with CFC for 10 years. CFC has given me a lot of opportunities to participate in workshops as well as many training courses so that I have gained new knowledge to conduct my job.
I enjoy my work because the pre-school program educates the parents and children in the community to get new knowledge and apply to daily life with their family.
In my free time, I do housework, read books, watch TV, and take my kids to relax at the river.