Lucy’s life took a profound and transformative turn when her first child was born. The arrival of her son marked the beginning of a journey that would shape not only her life but also ignite her unwavering passion for supporting children and families with special needs.

From a background in Business Administration, Lucy had initially envisioned a different career path. However, her son’s early behavioral challenges became the focal point of her world. It was during this time that she transitioned into the role of a dedicated stay-at-home mom, a period that lasted four years and was further complicated by a challenging divorce. These life-changing experiences served as a catalyst for a new direction in her life.

As her son navigated the educational system and underwent evaluations for special education services, his eligibility was confirmed by the time he reached first grade. It was during this period that Lucy’s quest for new opportunities and her innate desire to make a difference in the lives of children with unique learning needs began to take shape.

Serendipitously, a door opened to her, leading Lucy to a school dedicated to students with autism and other disabilities. Within this environment, she discovered her true calling and found her passion in helping those with exceptional needs.

Today, Lucy stands as a highly qualified professional, holding a Master’s degree in Special Education, a Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration, and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). She has become a tireless advocate for students with unique learning requirements, dedicating each day to the resolute goal of enriching the lives of children, facilitating their integration into the community, and promoting their independence.

At the heart of Lucy’s mission lies a profound desire to enhance the quality of life for children with disabilities. This aspiration drives her to be a driving force in the pursuit of brighter futures for these young individuals, making her an unwavering champion for the cause. Lucy’s ultimate goal is to see children with special needs become an integral part of their communities and lead fulfilling, independent lives.

Mali Phonpadith is the Founder and CEO of SOAR Community Network (SCN), a recognized leader in talent optimization, diversity and inclusion consulting, and compassionate leadership. Mali is a TEDx Speaker and #1 International Bestselling Author, renowned for her ability to distill complex concepts into actionable insights. Under her guidance, SCN empowers organizations to map their strategic priorities and build C3 cultures, where compassionate leaders thrive, cohesive teams drive results, and employees collaborate effectively.

As a Co-founder of SOAR Nebula, she has established a global resource hub for transcendent leaders. Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Mali actively contributes to various organizations, serving as the DC Chapter Director for the Association for Enterprise Growth (AEG) and supporting initiatives such as the Lao Heritage Foundation, Catalog for Philanthropy, Latino Economic Development Center, Din Din, and Connectpreneur, all of which reflect her dedication to creating positive social and economic change.

Mali’s commitment to fostering compassionate leadership, enhancing collaboration, and championing diversity and inclusion shines through her multifaceted contributions in the business and philanthropic realms.

Victor is a dynamic professional renowned for his expertise in aligning corporate culture with purpose and values. His extensive experience and dedication to driving positive organizational change make him a transformative force in the business world. Victor’s portfolio includes a diverse range of skills, evidenced by his certifications in ITIL and Talent Optimization. His bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English further enhances his ability to connect with clients and communicate effectively across cultural landscapes.

Originally from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Victor’s career trajectory began as an Airman in the Air Force, where he honed his skills as a Network Administrator for the Andrews Air Force Office Network. This early experience in technology and systems administration laid the foundation for his impressive career journey. Victor’s professional path evolved to include roles as a Senior Network Administrator in government contracting, software development, construction, and non-profit organizations. His consulting career started in 2003 by creating a Managed Services Provider that specialized in supporting small to mid-sized companies by managing their IT function.  In this capacity, Victor played a comprehensive role, overseeing technician development, client engagement, billing processes, and client relationship management, all aimed at growing the IT services practice. His responsibilities extended to critical functions such as planning, budgeting, vendor management, and IT department oversight. Victor has a diverse background blending technical skills and strategic leadership. He now applies this experience as a culture alignment expert to drive positive organizational change.