Keynote Speaker 2024
Dr Carina Hoang (PhD)
Award-winning Actor/Author/Publisher ï Historian ï Public speaker ï Ambassador for Australia for UNHCR ï Former refugee
Carina Hoang was 16 when she fled Vietnam on a wooden boat with her two younger siblings and 370 other people. She survived the harrowing journey and the extreme challenges living in a primitive refugee camp when the United States accepted them for resettlement. Over the next 40 years, she continued her education and had a successful corporate career. She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Gender and Cultural Studies, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Philosophy.
In 2007, Carina moved to Australia. Since arrival, she has made an immense impact in raising awareness of refugee issues. Carina’s drive, quality work and commitment are reflected in the awards she received and invitations to represent various groups. The accolades include inductee into the Western Australian Women’s Hall of Fame, Independent Book Publishers Award, the City of Belmont Volunteer of the Year Award, Karl Farrell Inspiration Award and Soulful World Server Award.
In role as representative includes Ambassador for the Refugee Council of Australia’s Refugee Week from 2011 to 2017, Special Representative of Australia for UNHCR from 2011 to 2022, Ambassador for Hong Kong, Australia Business Association since 2015, Ambassador for the University of California Southeast Asian Archive since 2015, and Board Member of ISHAR Multicultural Women’s Health Services since 2020.