After surviving the Khmer Rouge regime, Ponheary Ly returned to Siem Reap with what was left of her family. They had lost everything, including her father, an educator.
Ponheary’s compelling personal story and her work on behalf of the children in her community inspired Lori greatly when she first met her in 2005 as a tourist to Angkor Wat.
PLF is proud to introduce its newest staff member, Alin Yas, who will serve as assistant to Lori and Ponheary (a big job!) . Approved by the Board on June 15th, Alin will be working on PLF’s finances and marketing as well as managing volunteers and assisting Lori and Ponheary in the field.
Srei Ly joins PLF as the Foundation’s Reporter. After living in the Guesthouse (she is Ponheary’s sister) and participating in PLF’s work for several years as “Chief Cook of Many Lunches at School”, she is now going to be putting her writing skills to use for the Foundation.
Kathy Epstein joined the Ponheary Ly Foundation board after returning from a trip to Cambodia and visiting a school there.
For the past two years, Kathy has been a Career Counselor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and at Georgetown’s Graduate School of Foreign Service.
Karen Plazola-Gutierrez was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and has lived in the United States since 1982. Karen and Carlos, her husband of 24 years, live in Austin, Texas and have 3 children: Sophia (19), Carlos (17) and Eduardo (16).
Ken Stimson lives in Houston, Texas where he works in Information Technology. Ken has supported the Ponheary Ly Foundation since April 2006. Ken and his extended family were early supporters of the Knar School (see the News from the Field section) and continues to support the Knar School with a renewed focus on the Knar Breakfast Program.
Nina Davis is an adult and pediatric Craniosacral Therapist and Lymph Drainage Therapist in Austin, Texas where she specializes in work with newborn babies. Nina received her Masters degree from the University of North Texas in 1986.
Skip Jones, founder of Speed Events, LLC works internationally with the Suzuki MotoGP motorcycle racing team as well as promoting a number of races in the US.
Newly retired from over 30 years in publishing, marketing and sales, Sharon has held a variety of executive positions in magazines, newspapers and sales organizations. She has a wicked sense of humor and strong sense of marketing and sales for all media. Sharon travels to Seim Reap frequently and was an early advocate for Koh Ker School.
Our Staff