Marilyn Garson Joins The Somaly Mam Foundation as Director of New Business

The Somaly Mam Foundation welcomes Marilyn Garson as Director of New Business for the Foundation’s operations in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. As Director of New Business, Marilyn Garson will oversee all new business ventures for survivors of human trafficking, which include building and executing a rural microfinance initiative and continuing to generate business opportunities for survivors living in urban centers.

Marilyn brings with her over 20 years of experience in business consulting and development.  Marilyn works primarily with marginalized communities in post-conflict nations.  She comes to the Somaly Mam Foundation from Zardozi Enterprise in Afghanistan, where she directed a network of 1500 Afghan women to successfully market and sell goods produced at home in refugee camps and eastern Afghan villages.  In 12 countries, Marilyn has worked with NGOs needing to replace donor funds with market income.  In the private sector, she also conceived, launched, and directed Worldstock.com from 2001 - 2003, a division of Overstock.com which imports and sells handmade global goods.  Marilyn has known Cambodia for 25 years, most recently directing Rehab Craft, an artisan NGO for Cambodians with disabilities, to financial independence.

Marilyn is the author of several business manuals including “How Can I Support Myself?” and a series of Khmer-language handbooks and trainers’ guides on creating viable micro-business.  She is the co-author, with Dr. KJ Wilson, of “From Income Generation to Business,” a draft manual for Afghan income generation projects in transition to business operations.  She holds a Masters degree in International Development from Melbourne University and a BA in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Toronto.