We encourage everyone to join whether you are a recent graduate, early in your career, established, mid-career or even close to retirement!
OUR MODERATOR
Sheau Lih Vong
PROFESSION: Immigrant & Refugee Lawyer
INDUSTRY: Law
FAVOURITE LAO DISH: Khao Poon
Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Sheau Lih Vong proudly comes from a family of Lao immigrants. From a young age, she understood how much her parents had sacrificed to give her the privileges and opportunities that life in Canada afforded her and her sisters. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Canadian History from the University of Waterloo, Sheau Lih attended Osgoode Hall Law School, where she obtained her JD. Following her call to the bar, she became an immigration and refugee lawyer, opening up her own firm, Vong Law Professional Corporation, in Toronto.
OUR PANELISTS
PROFESSION: Real Estate Agent
INDUSTRY: Entrepreneur
FAVOURITE LAO DISH: Tum Muk Hoong
Vongdeuane Kennedy
With over 15 years’ experience in the Real Estate industry, Vongdeuane Kennedy is one of the leading Real Estate Agents in the Tri-Cities area. As a successful wife, mother, mentor, and Real Estate Agent, Vongdeuane has been awarded the Re/Max Lifetime Achievement Award, Platinum Award, and the Hall of Fame Award, as well as the Platinum Sales Achievement Award from the Waterloo Region Home Builders Association and Platinum Award from the Waterloo Records Readers Choice Awards 2020. In addition to her industry expertise, Vongdeuane is a successful Lao-Chinese-Canadian entrepreneur, founding Vong Realty Group in 2020 and doubling the size of her team during the Covid-19 Pandemic.
PROFESSION: Orthotist
INDUSTRY: Medical
FAVOURITE LAO DISH: Aw Lahm
Vanita Phavivongkone
Vanita Phavivongkone is an Orthotist and has been in her field for 17 years. As a senior consultant, she has gained confidence and is well regarded by doctors and peers in her field. Vanita graduated from Montmorency College in 2003 from the Orthotics and Prosthetics Program. Her passion and dedication to helping the vulnerable sets her apart from everyone else. Vanita receives a tremendous amount of satisfaction by giving her patients an opportunity to walk again and resume their “normal life”. Aside from her day job, Vanita is a proud mother of an amazing and thriving 10-year-old son. She enjoys spending time with her family, diving into mini DIY projects and, of course, trying new foods.
PROFESSION: Commercial Window Cleaner & Inspiring Artist
INDUSTRY: Skilled Trades
FAVOURITE LAO DISH: Nam Khao & Laap Gai
Bounsone (Sone) Khamphengmuong
Growing up in the housing projects in the Jane and Finch corridor, Bounsone was fascinated by the fast-money lifestyle and became a pro at the hustling game. Being faced with several obstacles made him re-evaluate his path. He took his hustling skills on an astonishing new level to make an honest and legitimate living to find a new career path and now an expert of 8 years in Commercial Window Cleaning. A proud father of 2 children and a husband, he is focused on providing a better life for his family.
As an inspiring artist, his passion for music, and the entertainment industry, Bounsone began managing R&B artists for the past 5 years in the Toronto music scene and is currently a Toronto actor, signed with SG Management.
PROFESSION: Firefighter
INDUSTRY: First Responder
FAVOURITE LAO DISH: Jeun Gai with Khao Niew
Virasak Keosongseng
A career mechanic turned firefighter, Virasak wants to encourage the next generation of Lao Canadian youth to not give up on their dreams. Gather courage to believe that you can succeed and leave no stone unturned to make your dream a reality.
What to Expect From
Our Panelists
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Their personal career paths
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How their education is relevant to their particular position
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The realities of the sector
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Strategies for entering the sector
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Opportunities within their field
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Helpful resources
SESSION 1
Resiliency
Our panelists will share what the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had on their industry, their own experiences and any insights gained along the way.
If you are interested in becoming a Panelist, please contact hello@LaoCan.ca for more details.
WHEN
December 15, 2020 • 7–8pm
WHERE
LIVE Online Zoom Event
WHAT IS IT
The LaoCan Career Panel series are virtual discussions that highlight a variety of careers. The goal of these sessions is to provide our community with insight into different sectors by hearing from Lao professionals working in those fields. Join in to learn about their personal journeys, get advice, and gain a better sense of future job outlook.