Meet Our Leadership & Pool of Experts
Our team is composed of highly skilled professionals with extensive experience in environmental science, social development, policy planning, and project management. With backgrounds in working with international organizations and government institutions, our experts bring a wealth of knowledge and practical solutions to every project.
Ms. Khamsy Chansamai
Managing Director
Ms. Khamsy Chansamai is an Environmental and Social Specialist with over 20 years of professional experience in Lao PDR, specializing in environmental and social safeguards, impact assessments, resettlement, climate resilience, disaster risk management, and capacity building. She holds a Master of Environment (Advanced with Honours) in Environmental Economics and Policy from Griffith University, Australia, and has extensive training in the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and related tools. Her career spans long-term assignments with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, World Bank, ADB, AIIB, AFD, UNDP, and hydropower developers, where she has led or contributed to ESIAs, IEEs, ESMPs, RAPs, RPFs, SEPs, and monitoring frameworks across infrastructure, energy, transport, education, health, and environment projects. Khamsy has played key roles in flagship projects including LRSP2, SEADRM, Climate Resilient Road Connectivity, Pollution and Waste Management, Nam Ngiep 1 Hydropower, and COVID-19 response initiatives, providing expertise in planning, supervision, monitoring, consultation, and reporting. Her strong background in policy development, safeguards implementation, and multi-sector project management makes her a recognized expert in supporting sustainable development and institutional strengthening in Lao PDR.
Dr. Thongdeuane Nanthanavone
Social Development Expert
Dr. Thongdeuane Nanthanavone is a Lao development professional with over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of social protection, climate resilience, agriculture, governance, procurement, and environmental and social safeguards. Holding a PhD in Development Studies from the University of Queensland, he has served as a consultant and specialist for leading international agencies such as the World Bank, ADB, UNDP, FAO, UNESCO, UNICEF, WFP, and ADRA. His expertise includes designing and implementing social assistance and poverty graduation programs, conducting climate risk and livelihood assessments, leading policy and institutional capacity building, and delivering monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessments. With a strong record of publications, international presentations, and technical contributions, he is recognized as an expert in social development, inclusive policy design, and sustainable development programming in Lao PDR and the broader Southeast Asia region.
Mr. Kaysone Vongthavilay
Environmental Management Specialist
Mr. Kaysone Vongthavilay is an environmental management and risk specialist with over 10 years of professional experience in sustainable development, environmental and social risk management, impact assessment, monitoring & evaluation, and multi-stakeholder engagement. He has worked extensively with the World Bank in Lao PDR since 2012, progressing from program assistant to environmental management and risk management consultant, where he leads due diligence, screening, scoping, and supervision of Bank-financed projects, as well as capacity building for government counterparts. His expertise covers pollution and waste management, green growth, climate change, natural resources, and safeguards implementation, with significant contributions to projects such as LENS2, Pollution and Waste Management Project, Green Growth DPO, and Resilient Green Growth PASA. He also has academic training with an MSc in Environmental Science from the University of Auckland and a BAppSc in Integrated Resource Management from the University of Queensland, complemented by research and publications on solid waste, green jobs, and pollution management in Lao PDR.
Mr. Chanthaphone Akhavong
Social Development Specialist
Mr. Chanthaphone Akhavong is a development specialist with over 14 years of experience working across the Government of Lao PDR, international organizations, and multilateral development banks. His expertise lies in project implementation, environmental and social safeguards (ESF), stakeholder coordination, risk assessment, donor engagement, and capacity building. He is currently serving as a Social Development and ESF Consultant with the World Bank, supporting project operations, compliance, and strategic dialogue. Previously, he held senior roles with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Ministry of Planning and Investment (DIC), and ADB-funded programs, where he managed multi-sectoral projects in agriculture, education, nutrition, infrastructure, and policy coordination. Educated at the Australian National University (Master of Public Policy, Development Policy) and the National University of Laos (BA in International Relations), he combines strong technical, policy, and field experience with multilingual skills in Lao, English, and French.
Mr. Phommachak Chaleunsouk
Social Safeguards Specialist
Mr. Phommachak Chaleunsouk is a Social Safeguards and Environmental Consultant with over 18 years of experience in Lao PDR, specializing in environmental and social impact assessments, resettlement planning, ESF/ADB safeguards compliance, training, and capacity building. He has worked extensively with the World Bank, ADB, UNICEF, World Vision, Theun-Hinboun Power Company, and national ministries, leading and supporting projects in health, education, transport, watershed management, hydropower, and disaster risk reduction. His expertise covers the preparation and implementation of ESIA, EIA, IEE, ESMP, RAP, SEP, ESCP, and monitoring frameworks, as well as consultation and training for PMUs, PIUs, and local stakeholders. With a Master’s in Project Management from Australia and a Bachelor in Architecture and Urban Planning from NUOL, he combines strong technical knowledge with extensive field experience. He has contributed to key national and donor-financed projects such as the Lao PDR COVID-19 Response Project, Climate Resilient Road Connectivity, Health and Nutrition Services Access II, Sustainable Watershed Management, and major infrastructure and industrial EIAs, making him a recognized expert in safeguards, resettlement, and sustainable development practices in Lao PDR.
Ms. Bouakeo Phounsavath
Resettlement Specialist
Ms. Bouakeo is an Environmental and Resettlement Specialist with nearly 40 years of professional experience in Lao PDR, combining expertise in forestry, GIS/remote sensing, environmental management, social safeguards, and resettlement planning. She has held senior government positions at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) and the Department of Forestry, where she contributed to key environmental legislation, including Decree 112 on the EIA process, and led nationwide training on resettlement, compensation, and public involvement in development projects. Since 2018, she has worked extensively as a consultant with the World Bank, AIIB, NEDA, and MPWT, providing resettlement action planning, community consultation, socio-economic surveys, grievance redress, and safeguard monitoring for major infrastructure and disaster risk management projects such as the National Road 13 South Extension, Southeast Asia DRM Project, Xiengman-Luangprabang Bridge, and Lao-Thai Railway Phase II. With advanced training across more than 10 countries in EIA, resettlement, monitoring, and environmental management, she is recognized as a national expert in resettlement, social safeguards, and environmental governance, with strong experience in stakeholder engagement, gender inclusion, and community communication.
Mr. Vilay Duangthongla
Environmental and Social Specialist
Mr. Vilay Duangthongla is a Laotian consultant with over 15 years of diverse professional experience in environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), international development, intellectual property law, business development, and high-level interpretation/translation. He has led and contributed to numerous ESIA projects across sectors including infrastructure, mining, health, transport, SEZs, and waste management in Lao PDR, preparing ESMPs, RAPs, and safeguard compliance frameworks. Alongside his technical work, Vilay is a seasoned simultaneous and consecutive interpreter, providing services for hundreds of international and national workshops, consultations, and missions for UN agencies, World Bank, ADB, bilateral partners, and government ministries, covering themes such as climate change, biodiversity, health, governance, disaster risk management, human rights, and trade. His career also includes positions as International Trademark Examiner at WIPO in Geneva (2020–2022), Sustainable Tourism & Business Development Advisor with SNV (2010–2012), and Lao Business Forum Consultant with IFC–World Bank (2008–2013). Educated with an MBA from AIT/Laos-France program and multiple international fellowships in intellectual property and international management, he is fluent in English, Lao, and Thai, with working knowledge of French, making him a well-rounded specialist in ESIA, sustainable development, international law, and multilingual communication.
Ms. Phaylin Bounmanyvone
Environmental Management Specialist
Phaylin Bounmanyvone is an accomplished Lao environmental and social specialist with extensive experience in environmental management, safeguards, and impact assessments for development and infrastructure projects in Lao PDR. She holds a Master’s in Environmental Engineering and Management (Asian Institute of Technology, 2011) and dual Bachelor’s degrees in English and Building Engineering (National University of Laos, 2005). Since 2005, she has worked with national and international organizations, including ADB, UNEP, KfW, USAID, and SNV, providing expertise in EIA/IEE, EMPs, safeguards compliance, capacity building, and policy development. Her portfolio spans climate-resilient urban flood management, water and sanitation, road and bridge infrastructure, REDD+, tourism, and hydropower projects. Fluent in Lao, English, and Thai, she has successfully led stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, field monitoring, and training programs, contributing to sustainable development and ecosystem protection for thousands of beneficiaries.
Dr. Bounphama Phothisane
Social Development Specialist
Dr. Bounphama Phothisane is an experienced Lao environmental and water resources professional with a PhD in Development Strategy (Thailand), an MSc in Hydrology and Water Resources Management (Australia), and an MSc in Irrigation Survey and Design (Moldavia). She currently serves as Acting Executive Director of the Environment Protection Fund (EPF) in Lao PDR, overseeing strategic planning, fund mobilization, project monitoring, stakeholder engagement, financial compliance, and organizational management. Previously, she served as Deputy Director of the FAO Representative Programme (2009–2023), coordinating agricultural, fisheries, and forestry initiatives, supporting project formulation, monitoring, and reporting, and liaising with government authorities and international partners. She began her career as an Irrigation Engineer (2001–2005) with the Department of Irrigation, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, contributing to irrigation design, hydrological analysis, watershed management, and water law development. Her extensive training in management, monitoring & evaluation, leadership, and strategic planning complements over two decades of professional experience in environmental management, water resources, and development projects.