
Support. Unity. Friendship. Advancement.
OUR VISION:
Vietnamese women unite and have a voice in the community.
OUR MISSION:
Develop the potential of Vietnamese women and empower them to become active members of the community through friendship and learning opportunities.
Our HistoryFoundation
The Calgary Vietnam Women's Association (CAVWA) was established by a group of Vietnamese women who wished to have a gathering space for Vietnamese women in Calgary in 2009, mainly to have friends, speak Vietnamese and exchange. The group met monthly for about two years at the Newcomers Center. Then, the seven group members decided to incorporate social action on August 8, 2011.
The Calgary Vietnamese Women's Association was officially launched in the Calgary community on December 17, 2011 with the witness of more than 250 Vietnamese friends in Calgary Vietnam. The Calgary Vietnamese Women's Association's original name was Friendship for Vietnamese Women Calgary, which was changed in 2012 to its current name, the Calgary Vietnamese Women's Association (CAVWA).
MEMBERS OFTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. Thao Nguyen-Bettle – Board Chair
Thao brings extensive experience in communications and board governance. She is currently completing her Juris Doctor degree at the University of Calgary Law School, enhancing her knowledge in corporate and litigation law. Deeply committed to community service, she actively participates in projects that support ethno-cultural and marginalized communities. She is involved in several law school clubs and serves on multiple community boards
2. Phuong Hoang – Vice Chair
Phuong Hoang has been involved with the Calgary Vietnamese Women’s Association for the past 10 years. Phuong has 25+ years of professional experiences in community building, organizational development and government relations in the public, private and not for profit sectors. Some of the employers Phuong had worked for includes the World Bank, Asian Development, and the Canadian government. She is passionate about building the Vietnamese community in Calgary such that the our community members, especially the new immigrant women can integrate and thrive in our beautiful city of Calgary she loves so much. Phuong has been instrumental together with the CAVWA’s board in shaping the vision of this organization.
3. Mai Linh Nguyen – Treasurer
Mai Linh Nguyen is a Senior Auditor at Deloitte LLP and a YouTube Content Creator, recognized for her dedication and excellence. Driven by a deep passion for giving back, she is committed to helping vulnerable individuals lead meaningful lives. In her upcoming tenure, she aims to strengthen CAVWA and continue making a positive difference both professionally and in the broader community.
4. Susie Ngo – Secretary/Director at Large
Susie Ngo is an Articling Student at Norton Rose Fulbright Calgary, a global law firm. She holds two Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and Cultural Anthropology, a Master’s in International Affairs, and a Law Degree from the University of Ottawa. Previously, she worked at Global Affairs Canada as an analyst for Vietnam–Canada relations. Passionate about community engagement, she strives to empower Vietnamese women and youth through her work in law.
5. Ha Nguyen – Director at Large
Ha Nguyen is a distinguished education and business leader with over 25 years of experience in international education, entrepreneurship, and community development. She is the Founder and Managing Director of StudyLink, and Vice President of the Vietnam International Education Consultancy Association (VIECA). Currently the National Chair of the Vietnamese Graduates from Australia Club (VGAC) and a Central Standing Committee Member of the Vietnam–Australia Friendship Association (VAFA), she has significantly strengthened Vietnam–Australia educational and cultural ties. Beyond her business success, she is an accomplished artist and recipient of the Best Opera Actress Award (2018) by Hoa Binh Theatre.Ha holds a Bachelor of Business in Administrative Management from the University of South Australia under the prestigious AusAID Scholarship, and continues to champion educational excellence, women’s leadership, and cultural preservation through her work across Vietnam and Canada.

CALGARY VIETNAMESE WOMEN'S ASSOCIATIONIn the Community

8 Main Services
Free Tax ReturnTranslation Assistance
English Classes for Vietnamese
Senior Support Program
Physical & Mental Enhancement Activities
Monthly Meetings
Arts and Cultural Celebration
Emergency Assistance During Disaster or Disease

Members
The association organizes many community engagement activities and annual culture celebrations for members and their families in the community.SPECIAL THANKSTO PAST BOARD MEMBERS

Founding Members of CAVWA and supporting the association in its first years:
Linh Ha, Linh Bui, Sandy Lieu, Thao Dang, Lan Tran, Nancy Luu, Susan Ung, Hang Phung, Nguyen Ton.
The members of the Board of Directors have actively contributed to the Association in recent years:
- Ms. Sandy Chhoa
Former Board Co-Chair (Feb 2017 - Oct 2017)/ Founder and Former Chair of CAVWA Art Club/ Founder and CAVWA Former Advisory Board Chair - Ms. Jenny Vu
Former Board Co-Chair (Feb 2017 - Oct 2017)
- Ms. Ha Nguyen
Former Board Member - Ms. Zoong Nguyen
Former Board Member - Ms. Linh Ha
Former Board Member - Ms. Grace Chow
Former Board President (2015 - Jan 2017) - Ms. Thao Nguyen
Former Board President (Oct 2017 - Dec 2018)

Donate to CAVWA
CAVWA welcomes the generosity of sponsors and friends in the community to continue programs and services that serve the community.







