In the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Jolly Nguyen, the founder of EVOL Vietnam, is making waves in the realm of social entrepreneurship.
EVOL, a social enterprise, stands at the forefront of the battle against single-use plastic pollution with a primary focus on raising awareness among urban citizens. Jolly’s efforts extend beyond advocacy as her organization actively engages in community projects to prevent plastic from polluting the oceans.
In this episode, I had the privilege of engaging in a conversation with Jolly Nguyen, delving into her strategies, challenges, and triumphs in the realm of environmental sustainability and social impact.
This episode is a re-recording to showcase Jolly’s work more effectively after encountering we encountered audio interruptions in the initial recording. It was really a tough decision as it meant reaching out to Jolly again but she was kind enough to say yes to a second recording. In fact, we had much more fun and insights in this second recording.
The episode covers a spectrum of topics, including strategy formulation, stakeholder management and the art of building impactful partnerships.
In our conversation, Jolly shares valuable insights into her approach to project support, stakeholder engagement and the continuous expansion of her professional network. Her experiences in speaking at conferences and participating in various programs have contributed significantly to her well-established network, proving the power of forging meaningful connections in the pursuit of a greater good.
Jolly’s multifaceted role as a founder, country lead, coordinator, facilitator, manager, social entrepreneur, mentor, speaker, scholar, adventurer and sustainability seeker reflects her diverse skill set and passion for addressing crucial issues such as climate change, environmental sustainability, youth development, women empowerment, positive impact enterprises and social innovations.
Over the past decade, Jolly has collaborated with organizations both large and small across Vietnam and the ASEAN region to combat the menace of single-use plastics. Through EVOL Vietnam, these plastics are transformed into eco-bricks, providing a second life to materials that would otherwise pollute the oceans. These eco-bricks are then utilized in the construction of homes and schools for underprivileged communities in Vietnam.
However, EVOL’s impact extends beyond environmental conservation. The organization empowers young individuals by equipping them with skills and experiences to become global leaders. Through volunteering and project implementation, young people affiliated with EVOL gain valuable insights and actively contribute to solving global issues.
Jolly’s journey into the realm of environmental sustainability began with inspiration from a mentor she affectionately refers to as her “second papa” during her time at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand.
This mentor instilled in her the value of running businesses with kindness and fairness, principles that have guided her throughout her career. Jolly’s pursuit of education culminated in her earning a Master of Arts, making her the first in her family to achieve this milestone.
Her favorite books, “The Saint, the Surfer and the CEO” by Robin Sharma and “The Secret of Self-made Millionaires” by Adam Khoo, reveal her interest in personal development and entrepreneurial success.
Beyond her academic achievements, Jolly’s list of accomplishments includes conquering the highest mountain in Indochina, cycling 2,000 km to raise funds for ethnic minority youth education and traveling to 30 countries, contributing to her rich tapestry of experiences.
Jolly’s commitment and leadership have not gone unnoticed. She is a recipient of the prestigious Top 50 Asia-Pacific Kindness Leadership 2021 award and has been shortlisted for the 2022 Women of the Future. Additionally, she stands among the awardees for the UN Women Asia and the Pacific 30 for 2030, highlighting her dedication to fostering positive change on a global scale.
Jolly’s mantra, “I can do it”, underscores her resilience and determination in the face of challenges.
As we navigate the complex landscape of environmental sustainability, Jolly Nguyen stands as an inspiration — a visionary leader building networks, forging partnerships and creating a tangible impact for a sustainable future through EVOL Vietnam.