Home: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Profession: Immigration lawyer. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Alma mater: Simon Fraser University; University of Leicester; University of Oxford. Languages spoken: English and Thai.
Current project: Advocating for and supporting numerous charities aimed at promoting awareness and change in the areas of fighting human trafficking and assisting refugees, as well as advocating for animal rights and protection. Latest contribution to others: With donations of money and time, Operation Underground Railroad, UNICEF, War Child, Save the Children, the Orangutan Project, New Hope Foundation, Soi Dog Foundation, and Elephant Nature Park. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Taking an indefinite leave from the practice of law to focus on philanthropic efforts as well as to focus on raising my young children. I believe that you can retire from a job, but you should never retire from making meaningful contributions in life. Hobbies: Traveling with my children; health enthusiast; reading about whole-food plant-based nutrition. Last book read: Ancient Wisdom, Modern World: Ethics for the New Millennium, by the Dalai Lama.
Personality profile: Intuitive empath. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Kind. How do you define a perfect friendship? Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but you know they are always there. What is your greatest joy? Being a mother to my young boys. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Nurses. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel. The only thing you can buy that makes you richer. What is your go-to workout? Hot yoga and Pilates. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Indulging in street food and local cuisine; enjoying the traditions of local people and bringing a piece of that home to incorporate into our lives.
What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Artwork by local street artists from travels abroad. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Life is not fair and will never be. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Utilize an asset that no other lawyer has (I was the only Thai-speaking lawyer in Vancouver). What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Boomerang for Gmail, which allows me to write e-mails off hours and schedule them to be sent during the business day. What is your favorite app? WhatsApp. What is your go-to source of news and information? BBC, CNN and the Economist. What company or organization do you most admire? KOTN, a Canadian manufacturer of high-quality clothing made from Egyptian cotton, for their dedication to alleviating poverty in the Egyptian communities they source from, through job creation, infrastructure and education.
What change would you like to see in the world?
An end to modern-day slavery and human trafficking.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Everyone has the ability to be a philanthropist, whether through the donation of time, skills, knowledge or money. What widely held belief do you reject? That charity begins at home. Rather, I believe we must extend our generosity to people around the world. What mega-trend most excites you? Greater corporate accountability and the increased emphasis on ethical products driven by consumer demand.
As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An astronomer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My childhood photo albums. What advice would you give your younger self? Choose a career that gives you work-life balance. You won’t realize the significance of this until you have children. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The day I became engaged to my husband.
Personal motto: “Love and compassion are the true religions to me. But, to develop this, we do not need to believe in any religion” (Dalai Lama). Favorite quote: "Your purpose in life is to use your gifts and talents to help other people" (Tom Krause).
