Nguyen Thi Van is a Vietnamese social entrepreneur and disability inclusion advocate with nearly two decades of experience creating education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for persons with disabilities and disadvantaged young people.
She is the Co-founder and Chairwoman of Will to Live Joint Stock Company – Social Enterprise, which provides free vocational and digital skills training and employment support for persons with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups in Vietnam. Since its establishment as a non-profit initiative in 2008, Will to Live has supported more than 2,000 people, with over 70% of graduates historically progressing into employment.
Van is also Co-founder and Chairwoman of Imagtor, an inclusive digital services company serving international clients. More than half of Imagtor’s workforce are persons with disabilities, and its shareholders have committed 40% of profits to supporting vocational training, employment and social-impact activities. Her work demonstrates how business can combine commercial sustainability with meaningful social impact.
Beyond her organisations, Van actively promotes inclusive entrepreneurship and employment through business and youth networks in Vietnam. She currently serves as President of the Social Impact Entrepreneurs Club and is a member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association.
Van was named one of BBC’s 100 Women and one of Forbes Vietnam’s 50 Most Influential Women in 2019. Drawing on both lived experience and nearly two decades of leadership, she continues to advocate for a society where young people, particularly those facing barriers, have the skills, confidence and opportunities to participate fully in the economy and create positive social impact.
