Mali Phonpadith

Mali Phonpadith is the Founder and CEO of the SOAR Community Network (SCN) and the Cofounder of the SOAR Nebula. She serves as the Chief C3 Community Builder and is renowned as a TEDx Speaker, #1 International Bestselling Author, and a PI Certified Talent Optimization Consultant.

With a robust background as a leadership development expert and business strategist, Mali specializes in working with small and midsize businesses, nonprofits, and social enterprises. She is well-known for her role as a Connectpreneur business coach, aiding business leaders in securing funding, achieving growth, and expanding their ventures.

Mali's impact extends beyond her professional roles; she was selected as a community partner for Oprah Winfrey's OWN Network BELIEF initiative in 2015. Her contributions have earned her nominations for prestigious awards like the Heroines of Washington D.C. Award by the March of Dimes and the Women of the Year Award by NEW – Network Executive Women.

As a published author and reviewer for the Catalogue for Philanthropy, Mali has authored several books, including 'A Million Fireflies,' a memoir chronicling her journey from war-torn Laos to America. Her collaborative works like 'Seen and Sustained' and 'Born to Be Me' have achieved #1 International Bestseller status, showcasing her expertise in communication and storytelling.

Mali's influence transcends literary endeavors; she actively engages with the community through initiatives like the SOAR Community Summit, the SOAR Community Podcast, and the Tea with Mali TV show. Her commitment to empowering small businesses led to her recognition with the iBoss Navigator award in 2018 for facilitating their path to success through effective messaging.

Beyond her professional achievements, Mali's personal story as a war refugee from Laos shapes her multilingual abilities in English, Lao, Spanish, and Thai. Her passion for exploring diverse cultures aligns with her educational background from the University of Maryland, where she graduated from the Smith Business School with degrees in International Business, Marketing, and Spanish.