Words from our Founder
“Reflecting on my journey, from the trials of escaping war-torn Laos as a child refugee to navigating a series of profound personal losses, and evolving into an entrepreneur, I’ve discovered the pivotal role that compassion and transformation play in both my personal development and leadership approach. It has become clear that success in life and business is not just about navigating our own challenges, but also about fostering an environment of empathy and proactive compassion. This approach not only lifts ourselves but also those around us, propelling us towards our fullest potential. At SOAR Community Network, we are committed to developing leaders who embody these values. We focus on empowering them to uplift their teams and align their efforts towards a shared vision, ensuring organizational resilience, success and lasting impact.” – Mali Phonpadith, Founder & CEO
Our Story
SOAR Community Network was conceived from the personal journey of our Founder, Mali Phonpadith, whose early life as a war refugee escaping Laos with her family laid the foundation for our mission. Mali’s path from survival to thriving was paved by the compassion, kindness, and visionary leadership of those she encountered. It is this profound understanding of empathy and action-driven compassion, seen through the selfless acts of those who uplifted her, that inspired SOAR’s dedication to developing leaders who embody these very principles.
Our commitment is to cultivate leaders who not only excel in their professional roles but also possess a deep-seated desire to make a positive impact on their teams, their communities, and broader society. By fostering team cohesion and empowering collaboration, SOAR aims to create a ripple effect of positive change, proving that leadership grounded in compassion and purpose can indeed transform lives and reshape our world.
Since our inception in 2011, we have evolved as an organization fully dedicated to creating workplaces that thrive on compassionate leadership, team cohesion, collaboration and innovation. We’ve committed ourselves to transforming workplaces into spaces where every individual is engaged, leaders are empowered, and growth—both personal and professional—is nurtured. Through a combination of talent optimization tools, coaching, workshops, and strategic mapping, we are committed to enhancing engagement, leadership, and fostering both success and sustainable growth.
“I highly recommend SOAR’s programs to develop yourself as a leader and improve engagement with your senior team and your organization.”
Why Work With Us?
Leveraging our C3 Framework, we empower organizations to develop compassionate leaders at every level, design cohesive teams across all functions, and cultivate a collaborative culture throughout the organization. Through our expert consulting services, including coaching, workshops, and strategic mapping, backed by talent optimization, mentorship, and the latest in behavioral assessments, we provide our clients with the clarity and predictive insights needed to develop a people strategy that aligns talent with business objectives. Partnering with SOAR means embarking on a transformative cultural journey aimed at empowering your staff and executives, enhancing engagement, driving innovation, creating social impact and securing a competitive edge in today’s ever-evolving business environment.
Our Leadership Team
Mali Phonpadith
CEO
Mali Phonpadith is the Founder and CEO of SOAR Community Network. She is a TEDx Speaker, 3-time International Bestselling Author, Certified Talent Optimization Leader and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion consultant. Click HERE to preview Mali’s speaker bio and topics.
Mali has contributed to documentaries addressing social and racial inequalities, inclusion, and workplace cultures. She was selected as a Belief Team Partner by The Oprah Winfrey Network and Values Partnership. In 2022, she was selected to participate in the “Being Asian in America” documentary produced by the PEW Research Center. She received the 2022 Influential Businesswoman Awards for Most Influential Strategic Consulting CEO in Virginia. The Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) also honored SOAR Community Network in 2023 as part of their Jewels of Asia Gala, Power 30 Awards Program.
Mali’s extensive academic contributions include serving as a guest professor at esteemed institutions such as the University of Maryland, American University, and Trinity College. Notably, she played a pivotal role in conceiving and spearheading the groundbreaking Character and Leadership Development Pilot Program for students within the Department of Engineering at Wake Forest University. She also led the strategic mapping process to support the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Costello College of Business at George Mason University with The Shrivastava Family Refugee and Immigrant Success through Entrepreneurship (RISE) program.
She is a community champion supporting organizations such as the Lao Heritage Foundation, Catalogue for Philanthropy (now Spur Local), Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), Din Din, and Connectpreneur. A significant milestone for SOAR Community Network occurred in 2022 when they acquired Successful Culture International (SCI), positioning the company to serve international clients with human, leadership, and culture development programs aimed at fostering healthy and sustainable C3 organizational cultures.
She speaks English, Spanish, Lao and Thai.
Victor Cora Nazario
COO
Victor Cora Nazario, as the Chief Operating Officer at SOAR Community Network, brings an invaluable blend of IT expertise and strategic leadership, instrumental in propelling our growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and ensuring sustainable, scalable success.
Hailing from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Victor embarked on his career in the Air Force as an Airman, where he sharpened his capabilities in technology and systems administration as a Network Administrator for the Andrews Air Force Office Network. This formative experience laid the groundwork for a distinguished career spanning various sectors, including government contracting, software development, construction, and nonprofit organizations.
Initiating his consulting career in 2003 by founding a Managed Services Provider, Victor excelled in supporting small to mid-sized businesses, overseeing IT functions, technician development, client engagement, and relationship management. His role encompassed vital responsibilities such as strategic planning, budgeting, vendor management, and IT department oversight, significantly contributing to the growth of the IT services practice.
With certifications in ITIL and Talent Optimization, Victor’s comprehensive background merges deep technical expertise with acute strategic insight. At SOAR, he applies this synergy as a culture alignment expert, driving transformative changes that enhance organizational alignment and culture.
His bilingual skills in Spanish and English further empower him to bridge cultural gaps, ensuring effective communication with a diverse client base. Victor’s role at SOAR is pivotal, leveraging his unique skill set to foster an environment that is not just operationally efficient but also primed for future growth and success.
Cadre of Experts
Our cadre of experts consists of seasoned executive coaches and advisors who stand at the forefront of organizational transformation and leadership development. With decades of cumulative experience spanning various industries, they bring an unmatched depth of knowledge and insight to the executive coaching realm. These professionals are adept at navigating the complexities of corporate dynamics, driving meaningful change, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Through a combination of personalized coaching, strategic advisement, and actionable insights, they empower leaders and teams to unlock their full potential, foster innovative thinking, and cultivate an environment of high performance and collaboration. Our experts are committed to creating leaders who are not just capable managers, but visionary leaders who inspire change and drive their organizations forward in an ever-evolving business landscape.
Jennifer Brown
Executive Coach
Steve Orr
Media Advisor
Edgar Ndjatou
HR Advisor
Princess Cullum
Executive Coach
Craig Oldham
CMO Advisor
Marisol Gonzalez Nora
Branding Advisor
Tom Shoemaker
CEO Advisor
Maura Lightfoot
Executive Coach
Nancy Burger
Executive Coach
Sara Evans
Executive Coach
LaTonya Jackson
COO Advisor
Dr. Javier Bisbal
Executive Coach
Clay Parcells
Executive Coach
Lori Bruhns
Executive Coach
Lucy Cora Nazario
Educational Programs Advisor
Books
The following is a list of books authored or co-authored by our CEO Mali Phonpadith.
A Million Fireflies
In her book, A Million Fireflies, internationally award-winning poet Mali Phonpadith takes us on a journey of love and loss, incorporating both poetry and real life stories to give voice to the true language of a heart that has seen much, felt deeply and survived to shine.
Born To Be Me
These 19 women take you on their journeys of self discovery as they unveil their emotional and inspirational life stories. They share their deepest thoughts, fears and experiences as they learn about themselves through overcoming the obstacles and tests life has thrown at them.
The Balancing Act
The Balancing Act is an intimate account of 12 Women as they share their experiences, challenges, decisions and ongoing transformation as they face obstacles and achieve successes. These Women’s stories will take you on a guided journey through The Balancing Act.
Namaslay
Namaslay is a compilation of twelve heart-centered entrepreneurs who will enlighten you on how they manifested and slayed their dreams. They have transformed their lives by owning who they are, claiming their power and built a rich life of passion and soul purpose in both their personal and business lives.
What We Can Do For Your Business
Purpose Mapping
360 Evaluations
Employee Experience
Executive Coaching
Behavioral Insights
Group Coaching
Talent Optimization Tools
Staff Retreats
