20 years of experience working with Government, Non-Government Organizations, Private Sector, Business Associations, Donors and International organizations | 18 years of experience in public policy development | 13 years of expertise in international development in economic growth and governance | 10 years of experience in the design, implementation and management of multi-million USD programs.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Trade & Competitiveness Advisor
USAID/Vietnam, Education, Economic Growth and Governance office (E2G2)
05.2017 - 05.2024
Led the design, implementation, and evaluation of a total $52 million economic growth and governance portfolio, ensuring effective oversight and alignment with U.S. Foreign policy objectives.
Provided substantive inputs for development strategy at both the Mission-wide level and limited Mission leadership level.
Managed flagship and complex programs, including: Trade Facilitation Program ($21.7M), Public Finance Management ($1.3M), Vietnam Digital Trade ($3.2M), Local Capacity Development ($19.9M); Provincial Competitiveness Index ($1.8M), Provincial Green Index ($3.8M), and Inter-Agency Agreement with Customs and Border Protection ($2M).
Arranged high-level meetings for USAID leaders with high-ranking government counterparts at the ministerial/vice ministerial level.
Cultivated and maintained relationships with key ministries, including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Represented USAID at national and provincial workshops on policy dialogues. Presented USAID/Vietnam's success story at the virtual World Trade Organization (WTO), 2023 forum on trade and customs reforms.
Program Management Assistant
USAID/Vietnam, Economic Growth and Governance Office (EG2)
05.2011 - 05.2017
Managed EG2 office budget, monitoring and evaluation, office operation
Supported EG2 technical staff on program management, correspondence and translation
Served as an Activity Manager of various activities for marginalized populations including LGBTI, microfinance for women, land rights for women, trafficking in person, strengthening adoptions law.
Adoptions Specialist and Fraud Investigator
U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Consular Section (CONS)
02.2006 - 05.2011
Processed 2,200 cases of orphan visas for international adoptions during the peak time of adoptions in Vietnam (2006-2009); helped family reunification for American parents and Vietnamese adoptive children.
Conducted investigation of the children's origins, reviewed adoptive parents' home studies; Reported irregularities findings, proposed adoption regulations, and policy recommendations.
Supported Ambassador Susan Jacobs, Department of State's Special Advisor for Children's Issues, in advocating for Vietnam's new adoption law for international adoptions of children with special needs.
Supply Management Assistant
U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, General Support Office (GSO)
05.2004 - 02.2006
Managed inventory and replenishment of over 500 expendable supplies for the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi.
Generated monthly invoices for technical offices and reminded management to restock to ensure smooth operations.
Created the first digital catalog with images for end-users, still in use today."
Education Information Officer
Australian Embassy in Hanoi
06.2003 - 04.2004
Promoted Australia's education and training programs, in accordance with the Australian Embassy's policy.
Created, edited, and distributed content for newsletters, webpages, press releases, and other publications. Organized seminars and workshops for the public.
Education
MBA -
AUSTRALIAN LA TROBE UNIVERSITY
08-2006
Bachelor of Arts -
HANOI FOREIGN TRADE UNIVERSITY
06-2004
Skills
Leadership
Autonomous working style
Communication and interpersonal skills
Problem-solving and Conflict management
Teamwork
Strategic Thinking
Quick-witted mindset
Can-do attitude
Activities
Vice President of U.S. Embassy’s Local Employed Staff Association (LESA) 2015-2017
Key Achievements
Honor Award - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) 2024 – In recognition of comprehensive contribution to Vietnam’s business-enabling environment and Green economic sustainability
Honor Award - Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) 2023– In recognition of contribution to Vietnam’s digital trade ecosystem and Vietnam- U.S. trade relationship.
Honor Award - Ministry of Finance (MOF) 2023 – In recognition of excellent leadership and contribution to the Public Finance Management effort of Government of Vietnam.
Honor Award - General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) 2023 - In recognition of excellent leadership of the USAID Trade Facilitation Program to help improve Vietnam’s trade and customs procedures.
Mission Honor Award - USAID 2022 - In recognition of leadership to advance USG’s foreign policy positions to further programmatic reach and achieve clarity, accountability and results for improved diplomatic relations.
Meritorious Service Step Increase 2018 - For outstanding performance and commitment to ensuring that USAID is contributing to a strong, independent, and successful Vietnam.
Meritorious Honor Award 2018 - For exceptional teamwork resulting in the design and approval of the USAID/ Vietnam’s 5-year flagship trade project to support new activities on effective trade, contributing to Vietnam’s long-term vision of achieving upper-middle-income status.
Meritorious Honor Award 2007 - Four outstanding customer service to American prospective adoptive parents while simultaneously improving the efficiency of the Adoption Unit, U.S. Embassy Hanoi during the transition to the Orphans First Adoption System, September 2007.
Certificate of Appreciation from the White House Communications Agency 2006 For outstanding support to the President of the United States, with tremendous effort, perseverance, and professionalism, enabled the Agency to provide critical communications for the President, the White House Staff, and the United States Secret Service during his historic visit to Hanoi, Vietnam.
Languages
English (fluent)
Vietnamese (native)
Spanish (beginner)
References
Michael Greene, former USAID/Vietnam Mission Director, michaelgreene959@gmail.com
Katelin Maher, former USAID/Vietnam EG2 Deputy Office Director, kmaher@usaid.gov
Prof. Edmund Malesky, Duke University, Director of Duke Center for International Development, ejm5@duke.edu
Hobbies and Interests
Ironman 70.3 in Danang, May 2022
Full Marathoner of Vietnam Trails Marathon series during 2018-2020
10km swim finisher in 2020
Reading
Traveling
Doing humanitarian work for the community
Training
USAID E-commerce and Trade Facilitation in Economic Growth, Dec 2023, Washington D.C.
USAID Private Sector Engagement, Aug 2023, Bangkok
USAID Statement of Work Essentials in Acquisition, Apr 2023, Bangkok
USAID Coaching and Mentoring Skills to build the next generation of leader, Mar 2023, virtual
USAID Cultivate the Leader Within, Nov 2020, virtual
USAID E-commerce and Trade Facilitation for Economic Development, Oct 2018, Washington D.C.
USAID Project Design and Management, Aug 2016, Washington D.C.
USAID Acquisition and Assistance for AORs/CORs, Jul 2015, Bangkok
USAID Managing Multi Priorities, Aug 2014, Hanoi
USAID Project Design Course, June 2013, Hanoi
USAID Essential Elements in Acquisition and Assistance FAR/AIDAR, Aug 2013, Bangkok
USAID Program Foreign Assistances (PFA), Jan 2012, Bangkok
Department of State, International Adoptions and Hague Convention Workshop, Apr 2008, Washington D.C.
Department of State, Adoptions and Fraud Prevention Conference, Oct 2006, Guangzhou
Timeline
Trade & Competitiveness Advisor
USAID/Vietnam, Education, Economic Growth and Governance office (E2G2)
05.2017 - 05.2024
Program Management Assistant
USAID/Vietnam, Economic Growth and Governance Office (EG2)
05.2011 - 05.2017
Adoptions Specialist and Fraud Investigator
U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Consular Section (CONS)
02.2006 - 05.2011
Supply Management Assistant
U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, General Support Office (GSO)
05.2004 - 02.2006
Education Information Officer
Australian Embassy in Hanoi
06.2003 - 04.2004
MBA -
AUSTRALIAN LA TROBE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts -
HANOI FOREIGN TRADE UNIVERSITY
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