PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

Mali Phonpadith is the Founder and CEO of SOAR Community Network (SOAR), an organizational development firm helping leaders map their strategic priorities and build C3 cultures where Compassionate leaders thrive, Cohesive teams drive results and employees Collaborate and innovate effectively. She is a certified Talent Optimization Leader, IBI certified consultant, TEDx Speaker and a 3-time,#1 International Bestselling Author.

Mali was chosen as a community partner for Oprah Winfrey’s Belief Initiative and has been involved in several documentaries addressing social and racial inequalities and workplace cultures. In 2022, she was selected to participate in the “Being Asian in America” documentary produced by the PEW Research Center.

In 2022, SOAR Community Network acquired Successful Culture International (SCI) to position SOAR to serve international clients by providing human, leadership and culture development programs that build healthy and sustainable, C3 organizational cultures. In 2023 The Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) awarded Soar Community Network with their Jewels of Asia Power 30 Award. In 2025, Women Thrive Media nominated Mali as one of their most inspiring global speakers.

WAR REFUGEE AND ENTREPRENEUR

A Million Fireflies, Mali Phonpadith’s poignant memoir, chronicles her extraordinary journey from war-torn Laos to America, weaving a narrative of resilience, hope, and transformation. She has also coauthored several impactful publications, including Seen and Sustained, a professional workbook designed to help small businesses map their vision, mission, and strategic priorities. Mali contributed to Born to Be Me, a compilation of authentic stories from 19 international female authors that achieved Amazon’s #1 International Bestseller status. Her subsequent contributions to The Balancing Act and Namaslay also earned the distinction of #1 International Bestsellers.

With over two decades of speaking and leadership development experience, Mali has collaborated with thousands of leaders and employees across small to midsize organizations to map strategic priorities, foster alignment, and cultivate compassionate, cohesive, and collaborative (C3) cultures. Her work centers on creating innovative teams and nurturing leadership that drives lasting impact. A passionate entrepreneur for more than 20 years, Mali is dedicated to helping leaders uncover their purpose, develop their teams, and build communities of change-makers and transcendent leaders.

Mali’s leadership and dedication have earned her multiple award nominations, including the Heroines of Washington D.C. Award by the March of Dimes and two nominations for the Women of the Year Award by Network of Executive Women (NEW). She has also been recognized as the iBoss Capital Navigator for her outstanding contributions to helping entrepreneurs and organizations grow and thrive.

Mali’s expertise and inspiring journey have been featured in prominent media outlets such as Pew Research, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, BBB Trusted Magazine, Advisor Today Magazine, and Asian Fortune Newspaper. Her voice has reached audiences through appearances on WJLA DC, WUSA9, WHUR Radio, Radio Free Asia, America Meditating Radio, and Voice of America, among others. She has also been a guest on various podcasts and blog talk radio programs, further amplifying her message of leadership, compassion, and transformative growth.