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Vonekham Phanithavong-Guthrie
About Vonekham Guthrie …
With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, Vonekham Guthrie is a leader in the non-profit industry. She has raised multi-millions for various community bas...view moreAbout Vonekham Guthrie …
With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, Vonekham Guthrie is a leader in the non-profit industry. She has raised multi-millions for various community based organizations on a national and local scale. Known for her keen professionalism, humor, integrity and tenacity to build lasting relationships with colleagues across disciplines, Vonekham is a force to be reckon with. As the President and C.E.O of Cognitive Divine Enterprise, Inc., Vonekham and her team have as their mission to enhance the common good by creating opportunities for strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors.
In 1977, Vonekham was thrown over a cliff as an infant in Laos so her family could have the chance to be free. Her mother hoped to escape Communist persecution and provide her daughters the opportunity to excel. Vonekham fulfilled her mother's hope – a successful author, speaker, teacher and public administrator. Vonekham's much anticipated new book details 8 personal/ professional development principles with a focus on leadership and transition. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in English Literature and Creative Writing from Columbia University, School of General Studies where she was the trailblazer of the prestigious Program for Academic Leadership and Service (PALS) scholarship. Critical to the development and growth of the PALS program, Vonekham spearheaded the vision of what it now the annual “No Limits” conference hosted and organized by PALS scholars – a community service event. In preparation for her Bachelors degree, Vonekham obtained her Associates in Liberal Arts from Nassau Community College graduating magna cum laude. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, recipient of the Dean's Citation and Outstanding Service to the School award from Columbia University.
No stranger to adversity or perseverance, Vonekham overcame challenges others would deem impossible – a teen mother turned Ivy League graduate; the tragic murder of her Godfather; and immigrant female child turned outspoken community leader. Referred to as “superwoman” by her benefactor, Vonekham equips her messages to incorporate the resilience of the human spirit. She is a powerful and dynamic speaker as described by the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for St. John’s University, “I have witnessed individuals transformed by her public speaking skills, particularly when she shares the story of her life.” Vonekham approaches her life and work from the perspective of service. She makes it her daily purpose to be a blessing to others and has incorporated this principle into every aspect of her life.
An active volunteer and philanthropist, Vonekham serves in leadership capacities for many organizations. Most notably, Zion Cathedral C.O.G.I.C, the Youth Development Foundation (Hal Jackson's Talented Teens), NAACP ACT-SO awards and Zion Community Development Corporation. She is the President of her family's charitable foundation based in Europe. Having been raised with an infusion of the American and Asian cultures, Vonekham is sensitive to and advocates for the importance of tolerance and equity. She is a wife and mother of four.view less