Former board members

Program and Partnership Manager

Vimoil is a Program and Partnership Manager at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). She provides strategic oversight and management for the Innovations in Social Accountability in Cambodia (ISAC) project and the research contributions to ODC content, while also coordinating all aspects of the Innovations in Social Accountability in Cambodia (ISAC) project. She is also responsible for developing training programs and training target groups on how to use ODC’s website.

She holds two bachelor’s degrees in economic development and English for translation and interpreting, and Master’s degree in environment, development and sustainability from Chulalongkorn University. Before being a part of ODC, she was a programme assistant at Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) and an assistant to managing director at a private company.

Social Development Editor – Researcher

Chanphalla is a Social Development Editor – Researcher of Open Development Cambodia. His main responsibilities are daily news summary, conducting research, producing social development related contents, translating, editing and other reporting tasks.

Chanphalla is an International Relations (IR) graduate of Institute of Foreign Language(IFL), the Royal University of Phnom Penh in 2017. Before joining ODC, Chanphalla worked as Future Forum’s young research fellow on which he has conducted various projects. His latest research project concentrated on STEM education in Cambodia.

Data Research and GIS Specialist

Kalyan is a data research and GIS specialist at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). He used to work for ODC since it was firstly established in 2011 until 2015. Later he led GIS technical project of GPS navigation in a private sector. He joined back to ODC in 2019.

He is responsible for leading the team in all data-related research activities, focusing on gathering, organizing, and display data about a particular location in a digital format. He also uses GIS technology to compile, maintain, and update information from a variety of sources for the public’s use and ensure that data across all topic areas are complete, accurate, and up-to-date. He finished high school with permission to graduate prematurely and received a scholarship from the Royal Government of Cambodia to successfully pursue a bachelor’s degree in Land Management and Land Administration in 2011 and holds a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources Management from the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in 2020.

Communications Manager

Maneth manages social media platforms, designing, and programs of Open Development Cambodia (ODC). He is also in charge of other internal and external communications.

Maneth graduated from the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy, RUPP, with International Relations major and completed his exchange study at Carroll College, USA. He later became an International Relations lecturer at the Institute for over 3 years. Then, he worked as a Digital Marketer at private companies and is now working as a Communications Manager at ODC.

Senior Finance and Admin Officer

Transparency, accountability and honesty are Mr. Sarath’s core values. In charge of finance and admin tasks of ODC, Mr. Sarath works closely with all team members to produce the good achievements on: 1. ensure that all financial documents are legally compliant with the rule and standard of accounting, follow the financial policy of ODC and make all payments on time. 2. correctly record all financial transactions in the accounting system, follow each budget line and donor and produce financial report on time. 3. Have good cooperate with relevant stakeholders like Cambodia civil servants (tax department ‘staffs, NSSF`s staffs, the staffs of ministry labor…), NGO partners and private sector staffs… to apply tax obligation and ensure all staffs receive the benefits follow the labor laws of Royal Government of Cambodia.

Mr. Sarath completed his Master’s degree in Finance from National University of Management (NUM) in 2019. Before starting with ODC, Mr. Sarath have experience to work with local and international NGO over 10 years in finance and administration sector.

Senior Data Research & GIS Officer /Capacity Building Coordinator 

Pisith works as a Senior Data Research & GIS Officer /Capacity Building Coordinator at Open Development Cambodia (ODC). He satisfactorily completed Engineering’s Degree of Geo-Resources and Geotechnical Engineering (GGE) from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) in 2019. During the year of his graduation in 2019, Pisith was granted a scholarship for a one-semester exchange program at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand where his thesis was completed for successful graduation in ITC.

At ODC, his work focuses on researching spatial data, on various sectors relevant to development in Cambodia from all reliable sources which provide open data, for handling assembling enhancing and visualizing by using GIS to generate a usable data product for publication in organization web pages. Besides the key role of producing dataset, particularly spatial dataset, he also takes part in conducting training and developing the curriculum of training related to data and GIS for the relevant projects.

Youth-Led Project Officer

Promnea is working with Open Development Cambodia (ODC) as a Project Officer of the Youth-Led Project. He provides support to ODC to ensure that Cambodian youths can implement their projects’ initiatives that are crucial to their community. Primarily, he works collaboratively with the relevant teams of ODC to build necessary capacities for youths who selected from marginalized groups, and coordinate them to carry out their projects’ initiatives once they acquire the essential abilities from the program of ODC.

Promnea was previously a Project Assistant at the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. He graduated with bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and Public Administration separately. He was selected to join the Young Researchers Program at Future Forum, where he is currently conducting policy research on rural-urban migrants in Phnom Penh. In addition to migration, his interests also consist of gender equality, climate change, decent work, and sustainable growth.

Communications Officer

Nara joins Open Development Cambodia Organization as a Communications Officer in 2024. His sole responsibilities include communications content and material creation, along with a supporting role in training, workshop, and meeting with ODC’s key stakeholders and partners.

Prior to ODC, he was a Communications Officer at a health-tech company for over three years. On top of that, he was an English language teacher for over four years at private various schools and a well-known university.

With two respective Bachelor’s Degrees majoring in TEFL and IR at the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL), he’s currently pursuing a Master’s Program in International Affairs (MSc-IA).

Housekeeper

Kimhuoy is mainly responsible for maintaining the ODC office, a good environment, cleanliness, and a well-organized office. She also assists in drinks and snacks preparation for guests and staff as needed during meetings, training, and workshops and takes care of all the kitchen supplies. Before joining ODC, Kimhuoy used to work at Bayon Airlines for seven years as an airline catering.

Mr. BE Chantra is the lead organizer of BarCamp in Cambodia, an international, innovative, and open technology conference. He is in charge of overall event planning, funding and coordination of all activities, ensuring the events run smoothly and meet expected outcomes. He has also organized and participated in many local events and workshops such as the Blogger Summit, Startup Weekend Cambodia, TechCamp Phnom Penh, Clogger Corner, Personal IT workshop, Mekong ICT Camp, youth camps, and regional Bar Camps. His goal has been to promote the effective use of technology tools for individual organizations and businesses. He has worked on the organization of private events and campaigns requiring social mobilization. Besides event management, he is also an online content, social media and marketing specialist. Chantra was elected chair of ODC’s governing board in October, 2013.

Admin & Finance Officer

Tevin’s main responsibility is to assist the Finance & Admin units in providing admin/logistic support for the events, preparing Travel Authorization (TA) form and clearance, scanning and copying financial documents, maintaining fixed asset and inventory lists, procurement works, monthly tax declaration, National Social Security Fund (NSSF), and Pension Scheme, coordinating with Prayuters Library Program staff and volunteers to facilitate monthly payments and office supplies.

Tevin held a bachelor’s degree in Economic Development from the University of Law and Economics in 2020. Before joining ODC, Tevin had more than 3 years of experience with private company sectors in Admin & Procurement.

Ms. SIN Kim Sean is the Deputy Chief of Party and Grants Manager in the East-West Management Institute’s Program on Cambodian Civil Society Strengthening (CCSS). She is a lawyer, an arbitrator in labor field for Arbitration Council and arbitrator in commercial field for Cambodia’s National Arbitration Center and for the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb). Kim Sean’s previous work experience includes being a programme officer at the Asia Foundation, a legal instructor at the University of San Francisco and then the Community Legal Education Center, a founding member of the Human Rights Task Force in Cambodia, and a researcher at the Legal Center for Research Documentation of the National Assembly. She holds a Master’s degree in International Laws and Economics from the World Trade Institute in Switzerland, a Bachelor of Law degree from Cambodia’s National Institute of Management and the Royal University of Law and Economics in Cambodia, a Certificate from the University of San Francisco, and a Certificate as a Legal Research Scholar from the University of Michigan in the United States of America. In these positions, Kim Sean has held to high ethical principles in pursuit of transparency and democracy, in both spirit and practice.

Managing Editor

VENG Seang Hai has joined Open Development Cambodia (ODC) since 2023 in the role of Managing Editor, providing both operational and technical assistance to the Executive Editor/Editor-in-Chief and to the ODC team as a whole. He works closely together with ODC’s Editors team to ensure reliable sets of data and content which contribute to inclusive and sustainable development in Cambodia. Before landing on ODC, Seang Hai undertook consultancy research studies for various institutions including Gothenburg Research Institute, Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Chiang Mai University, Rapid Asia Co., Ltd, and others. Seang Hai holds MA in Development Studies from Chiang Mai University, and BA in Education from the Royal University of Phnom Penh. From the background as a development anthropologist focusing on the Mekong Region, Seang Hai shares several areas of interest in the field of development including transnational migration and inequality, a human rights-based approach to sustainable development, disabilities and child rights, and others.

Mr. Norbert KLEIN, also one of ODC’s original advisory board members, is a patriarch of the Internet community in Cambodia, having been instrumental in setting up Cambodia’s Internet system in the 1990s. Norbert was also a founder and long-term head of the Internet Society of Cambodia, as well as a founder and board member of the Open Institute, an NGO leader in ICT4D. He set up and managed the Mirror, an early and long-running news aggregator, which operated from 1997–2009. Norbert is “actively retired.” He continues to consult and speak on Internet and Internet governance issues around the world.

Mr. BUN Tharum is the co-founder of Kiripost, a modern media company that focuses on business and technology. He has been blogging about media and technology in Cambodia since 2004. His work has also appeared in a number of international media outlets.

He was also a contributor to Global Voices Online, a project started at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School. Tharum began his professional journey in the early 2000s when blogging was still a nascent phenomenon in Cambodia. Recognizing the potential of this new medium, he started his own blog, becoming one of the pioneers in the Cambodian blogging scene.

Through his writings, Tharum shared his thoughts on technology and the impact of the Internet on society, establishing himself as a respected voice in the online community. Tharum graduated from the National University of Management with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He is an alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program.

Mr.​ PUTH​ Chan​ Choth​ is​ an​ ICT​ manager​ of​ an​ international​ humanitarian​ organization​ in​ Cambodia.​ He​ is​ also​ a​ technical​ working​ group​ of​ CCC​ (Cooperation​ Committee​ for​ Cambodia)​ that​ help​ to​ contribute​ an​ effective​ use​ of​ ICT​ for​ civil​ society​ organizations​ as​ well​ as​ contributing​ of​ ICT​ section​ from​ NGO​ sectors​ to​ the​ government​ national​ strategic​ development​ plan.​ His​ education​ background:​ 2010​ Diploma​ of​ Leadership​ and​ Management,​ UK.​ 2004​ Diploma​ of​ Open​ Source​ Software​ and​ Integration,​ Japan.​ 2001​ Bachelor​ degree​ of​ Computer​ Science​ and​ Engineering,​ Cambodia.

Mr. MOUN Vicheth has completed an outstanding bachelor of Philosophy in Yangon, Myanmar. He used to be an Editor and a member of Advisors Team of Annual publishedbooks of Cambodian Buddhist Students Monks Association in Myanmar between 2007 and 2010. The published books are the composed of life, virtue, social circumstances, humanity, good deeds and bad deeds, and family, etc. Those books are intended to inspire people to lead their lives on a virtuous path. He was also a coordinator of the Cambodian Buddhist Students Monks Association to the Cambodian Embassy in Myanmar and international donors. He was also a member of the discussing on the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organizations with representatives of the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC) and Ministry of Interior officials. He has a broad knowledge on the meditation retreat. He teaches people how to do mindfulness meditation techniques for managing stress and psychic power.

Ms. THOL Syvane is a recent graduate of Master of International Business from The University of Melbourne, Australia. She also holds a Bachelor of Finance and Banking at Royal University of Law and Economics, and a Bachelor of Education in Teaching English as a Foreign Language at Cambodian Mekong University, Cambodia.

In her university life, she was successfully granted a competitive LIVE (Lead, Intern, Volunteer, Experience) Project as a leading consultant, supported by Study Melbourne (Victorian State Government). She has worked closely in the communities and accredited as an awarded Leader, appreciation for high capability, and contribution on training and community development of leader programs such as becoming a mentor and performing a pivotal role in the Global Leaders Program. Besides, she is an assistant director of a law and taxation consulting company. Within her post, she is dynamic and enthusiastic, and actively assists in providing indispensable support to the team of processing, research, updates, analysis, and reviews of documents.

Furthermore, she has experience in financial institutions such as Mega International Commercial Bank and Cambodian Public Bank Plc. By utilizing her experience and skills, she has extensive knowledge and specializes in substantive credit and trade finance as one of the necessary skills to bring success to the business and social development. In addition to corporate matters, she has been selected highly and formally as an Alumni of Distinction awardee for the Faculty of Business and Economics, Melbourne.

Mr. Ian RAMAGE is the founder and director of Angkor Research and Consulting. With a Master of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Wollongong, New South Wales, he previously worked as a psychologist in juvenile detention centers in Australia and, as a consultant, prepared interdepartmental policies and guidelines on child protection and the mentally ill for the New South Wales state government. He moved to Cambodia in 1999, where he became a visiting lecturer and course advisor in psychology at the Royal University of Phnom Penh. Since 1999, he has successfully completed over 120 research projects in Cambodia with UN agencies, bilateral donors and NGOs, with a focus on program and impact evaluations in the fields of public/reproductive health, social welfare, gender, environment, agriculture and socioeconomics. He transitioned to the ODC Board from the pre-board advisory group, where he was one of the original members

Texas Wesleyan School of Law

Legal Research Intern, Jun – Jul 2013

Katherine was a graduate student from the Texas Wesleyan School of Law. Katherine spent her summer in 2013 with ODC, during which she completed a briefing paper on the Cambodian health sector. Currently, Katherine is working for AlliedBarton Security Services and still studying international security, medicine, and legal policy.

Mr. OUM Vantharith is an advocate for free and open knowledge movements in Cambodia. His interests span from #OpenData, to #OpenAccess, #OpenLicensing, #Crowdsourcing #OnlineCollaboration and micro-financing. He first got involved with the open source movement doing localization into Khmer language. Later he discovered Wikipedia and has been a volunteer since July 2006, becoming an administrator for Khmer Wikipedia in 2009. He is also a project lead for ccCambodia to promote the Creative Commons movement in Cambodia. His general areas of interest include foreign languages, photography and travel.

Mr. John WEEKS is an IT/open source enthusiast and educator. He has facilitated numerous socially responsible IT projects in Southeast Asia via House32 Web Design, and is currently managing Open-Comics.net.

Web Development and IT Officer

Vichra is mainly responsible for ensuring the well-functionality of IT network systems and infrastructure, including hardware and software. Moreover, his primary responsibility is on digital security control, system upgrade, and other IT-related support. Additionally, he supports website development and maintenance.

Vichra held a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Cambodia in 2018. Before joining ODC, Vichra had more than five years of experience with private and non-private sectors in IT support.

Santa Clara University

Legal Research Intern, Jun – Jul 2013

Matt is from Santa Clara University School of Law in the USA. He came to ODC after his first year, and he prepared a draft briefing paper on Cambodia’s legal framework for investment, as well as a pilot paper on Cambodia’s Labor Law.

“I really loved my time at ODC, and I learned a great deal about the structure of government in Cambodia. ODC’s staff are fantastic and talented, and it is great to know that they are continuing to work to provide much-needed public information to the population!” – Matt Warren.