Empowering Youth and Building Dreams: Kosoma Kim’s Journey with Impact Hub Phnom Penh

I am Kosoma, the COO of Impact Hub Phnom Penh, and I recently had the pleasure of discussing my journey with the World of Women association. Impact Hub Phnom Penh is a community dedicated to youth entrepreneurship, turning ideas into reality, and addressing community challenges. In this interview, I will share my journey, the projects at Impact Hub Phnom Penh, and my vision for the future.

Cambodia

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Cambodia 〰️

A Journey Towards Empowerment:

My professional journey is a testament to my dedication to social impact. With nearly seven years at Impact Hub Phom Penh, I gained experience in various sectors, including NGOs and education. This diversity laid the foundation for my role as the CEO of Impact Hub Phnom Penh, where everyday I focus on strength and passion in empowering youth and fostering a supportive community of Cambodia.

Expanding the Entrepreneurship Course and Digital Learning Platform across Cambodia?:

One of the notable projects I am currently leading is the "Smart Start Unipreneur Learning Platform." This initiative aims to integrate entrepreneurship courses into university curricula. By partnering with 11+ universities across Cambodia, the program seeks to provide high-quality entrepreneurial education through a blended learning approach.

Pride in Empowerment and Community Connection:

I take immense pride in witnessing individuals become self-reliant and empowered. I emphasize the importance of building a strong support system within the community, not only professionally but also on a mental and emotional level. I believe in the strength of collective support to help individuals reach their full potential.

Inspirations and Adaptability:

When asked about my greatest inspiration, I highlight the numerous amazing women I meet daily through my work. However, a specific source of inspiration for me is my mother, whom I commend for her adaptability across generations.
Growing up as her child, she has been a guiding force in shaping my entrepreneurial mindset.
What I particularly admire about her is her unwavering dedication to change. She possesses an open mind and is an attentive listener to the needs of those around her. What stands out about her is her commitment to change and her listening to the needs of people around her, but most importantly, she doesn’t wait around to act on it. This proactive approach has earned her the trust and admiration of her peers and network, establishing her as a highly effective and reliable leader.
I strongly believe in the transformative impact of adaptability, open-mindedness and proactive action, both in cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and in effective leadership.

Advice for Young Women Starting Their Careers:

I advise young women to leverage their strengths and passion in their work, placing emphasis on merit over gender. I encourage kindness and believe that contributing positively to the world can attract favorable outcomes. I remind myself daily that being kind and considerate costs nothing, yet the gains in building meaningful connections are invaluable.

Dreams and Ambitions:

This is a bit personal and outside of my work scope at Impact Hub Phnom Penh, but looking ahead, one of my dream projects is to collaborate with local partners to create safe spaces for students, especially those from provinces, offering affordable and hygienic living conditions. My goal is to establish a kind of student dormitory and learning center that not only provides accommodation but also serves as a development center, focusing on topics such as mental health, environmental awareness, and leadership skills. I believe that creating such a supportive community will lay a strong foundation for students, not only in building knowledge but also in establishing a robust network of like-minded individuals, which I consider a crucial skill.

About Impact Hub Phnom Penh:

Impact Hub Phnom Penh is a community that nurtures impact makers with the vision to contribute to a more sustainable, just, and innovative Cambodia. We inspire, connect, and enable a generation of collaborative impact makers through our experiential program, hands-on Consultancy, and vibrant Community to support them in making a positive social and environmental impact.
We work across sectors including Sustainability and Environment, Food and Agriculture, Healthcare and Wellbeing, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Impact Media, and  Education.
Impact Hub Phnom Penh's mission is to empower youth and startups in Cambodia to contribute to solving problems (social and environmental) through entrepreneurship and leadership.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) & Environmental Impact:

In our pursuit of building a sustainable entrepreneurship community, Impact Hub Phnom Penh is actively addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as well as environmental impact within our own operations. I emphasize the importance of establishing a framework to assess the organization's diversity and inclusivity, demonstrating our commitment to fostering an environment that is diverse, equal, and inclusive. This is part of our agenda to serve as a role model, setting an example that we then promote to our existing SMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Conclusion:

My journey and the impactful projects at Impact Hub Phnom Penh underscore the importance of community, empowerment, and adaptability in the realm of entrepreneurship. As World of Women continues to explore inspiring stories, I stand as a beacon of empowerment, shaping a future where youth can thrive and dreams can become a reality.