Harrison White
In this exclusive CIR Leader Talks interview, Allen Dodgson Tan, a Cambodian-American author and entrepreneur with over 14 years of experience in Cambodia, shares his journey and insights. He is the author of Essential Cambodia: A Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Managers and will be leaving senior positions in Cambodia, including Advisor to the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of WorldBridge Group, Director General of the Mekong Future Initiative, and Director of Bluebell Cambodia.
His experience includes two terms as President of the American Chamber of Commerce Cambodia, founding STEM Cambodia Organization, and co-founding the US robotics startup, Cushybots Corporation. A former US Army veteran, Allen holds advanced degrees in Business Risk Management and Business Administration.
Allen recently revealed he is joining the US State Department as a Foreign Service Officer with an Economic focus, where he will work on policy and collaborate with US government officials and the private sector globally.
Congratulations on your new role in the United States! Could you share more about your new responsibilities and how, if at all, they will intersect with your previous work in Cambodia? What aspects of your experience in Cambodia do you plan to bring into your new role?
Thanks! I’m excited to be joining the US State Department as a Foreign Service Officer with an Economic focus. This means I’ll be stationed at US Embassies around the world, working on policy and collaborating with both US government officials and the private sector.
My time in Cambodia actually prepared me well for this. I worked closely with Economic Officers from the US Embassy in Phnom Penh on trade promotion initiatives, both during my time as AmCham President and at WorldBridge. The positive experiences I had working with them definitely influenced my decision to pursue this career path.
The insights I gained into the private sector, global trade, and regional business networks will be invaluable in my new role. And of course, learning from an incredible entrepreneur like Neak Oknha Sear Rithy has been an honor.
This is actually my fourth career, after serving in the US Army, running an international NGO, and working in the private sector. I see each career as building on the last, enhancing my skills and drive. I expect this transition to be no different.
Looking back at your tenure and various roles within AmCham Cambodia, what do you consider to be your most significant accomplishments? How have these experiences shaped your views on fostering stronger business relations between the US and Cambodia?
AmCham was a fantastic learning experience for me. I first joined under Brett Sciaroni’s leadership when Ambassador Bill Heidt was around. Brett encouraged me to join the board and form the Education Committee, which was a great starting point. AmCham really showed me the power of businesses coming together with shared goals. Seeing the private sector’s contribution to Cambodia’s economic modernization was inspiring.
The AmCham Presidency was a particularly impactful time. The organization was facing financial difficulties, and we had to make some tough decisions. Thankfully, with Eric Philips (the Executive Director at the time), a fantastic board, and despite COVID-19, we were able to turn things around. I’m proud to have left AmCham in a stable financial position, with strong membership and a wonderful new ED, Travis.
I truly believe AmCham can play a crucial role in promoting American business interests in Cambodia. Its success depends on the membership and the leadership’s ability to maintain a clear focus. I’m optimistic about AmCham Cambodia’s potential to lead the American business community and look forward to seeing its progress.
Given your deep involvement in the US and the broader business community, what are your hopes for the future of US-Cambodia business relations? Are there specific areas where you see potential for growth or improvement, particularly with the current global economic climate?
I’ll leave the geopolitics to others, but I can definitely speak to the strong personal and commercial ties between our countries. I see a natural connection between Cambodians and Americans, evident in the many families like mine that bridge the geographical gap through education, investment, entrepreneurship, trade, and culture. The US is Cambodia’s largest export market, and Cambodians appreciate American brands, technology, and entertainment. There’s also an intangible closeness that develops quickly between people from our two countries.
I’m optimistic that these connections will only deepen as Cambodia continues to develop and integrate into the global economy.
As someone who has successfully navigated multiple leadership roles in Cambodia and now transitioning to a new position in the US, what advice would you offer to upcoming leaders in the Cambodian business community who aspire to have a global impact?
Cambodia is remarkable in its ability to attract international residents and entrepreneurs. I attribute this to the openness of Cambodians and the opportunities presented by its rapidly growing economy. There’s a determination to progress that I greatly admire. This diversity creates opportunities to connect Cambodia to the world through various forms of commerce, trade, and culture.
Read More: Allen Dodgson Tan Launches Guidebook For Foreign Investors In Cambodiaa
My personal leadership philosophy includes trying my best to connect people and opportunities wherever possible, regardless of whether I can be involved personally. Never say no to helping someone if it costs you nothing. Maintaining openness to people and ideas and sharing resources has always enlarged my pool of impactful opportunities. The more people you can assist to be successful, the more successful you will be.
I’d also advise surrounding yourself with the right people. Developing economies attract individuals across the ethical spectrum. Focus on those who are genuinely creating value in the marketplace. These are the people building long-term success and will form your strongest network. Avoid those who are only looking to extract value or promote themselves without clear goals.
And finally, don’t forget to give back to the community. The richness of our community and your own experiences depend on it.
