Atlas Corps celebrates its 15th anniversary! It is time to celebrate the achievements of our amazing network of over 1,100 leaders from 110 countries and share stories on the global impact of our Alumni, Fellows, and Scholars.
Today we speak with Atlas Corps Scholar Jolly (Cohort 6, Vietnam) from our Virtual Leadership Institute. Jolly is a social change leader who took action to address the issue of ocean pollution in the ASEAN region. She is the founder of EVOL Vietnam, an organization that aims to reduce 90% of plastic waste in the ocean by 2025, by engaging local youth leaders towards environmental action.
Jolly, we are grateful for your impressive work towards inspiring youth action against ocean pollution. Thank you for sharing with us your global impact, as well as your personal and professional growth. We wish you the best with this impactful work!
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Name: Jolly Nguyen Home Country: Vietnam Current Organization: EVOL Vietnam Role at current organization: Founder Social Issues that you have worked with: Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities, Quality education |
Tell us about projects you have worked on?
My “One person, One ecobrick” initiative motivates 1 million people to take real action to tackle the issue of ocean plastic by 2025. So far, we have reached 5,000 people, as well as built one house and one school for the disadvantaged communities in Vietnam. We plan to implement this project in Thailand and Indonesia of the ASEAN region.
Why is it important for you to work towards reducing plastic waste?
ASEAN countries are among the world’s top 5 countries that provides over 60% of plastic waste into the ocean, with Vietnam ranked 3rd. This is a huge issue in ASEAN region and has caused many environmental and health problems. It’s time to not just raise awareness, but to also take action. EVOL Vietnam ambitiously aims to partner with 1 million people to take action in order to solve this global issue.
How has Atlas Corps contributed to your professional and personal accomplishments?
Atlas Corps has strengthened and brought my leadership to the next level. The training sections in the Virtual Leadership Institute equipped me with critical thinking, knowledge and skills, as well as empowered me to understand my leadership style better.
Atlas Corps brings me a network with many like-minded leaders around the world from my Cohort, cross-cohorts and online webinars. Meeting with them and hearing their stories has helped me firmly believe that I am not alone; there are always many leaders out there working for the better world like me, and we are ready to go together and support each other.
What is your favorite Atlas Corps memory?
During this time of COVID, we all were, more of less, faced with mental health issues. As a Founder and a leader, I was seriously faced with these issues. Luckily, the Self-Compassion for Leaders from the Virtual Leadership Institute training came at the right time because it healed me from my frustrations and I found myself again. Thank you for that section, I became better at balancing my life and mental health.
What advice do you have for applicants and current Scholars?
The treasure of leaders is the resource of networking, so keep networking as much as you can because we cannot solve any issues in this world alone. And here, Atlas Corps gives you that golden opportunity. Let networking break your limits and together we can create a bigger impact to the community.
What message would you like to send to individuals who support Atlas Corps?
I appreciated all your support to our Atlas Corps journey. Because of your contributions, our journey is going smoothly and productively.
On November 20, 2021, the Atlas Corps Community gathered in-person and online to celebrate the Atlas Corps 15th Anniversary Gala. The event recognized Atlas Corps in its 15th year of operation, which includes engaging 1,100 social change leaders from 110 countries in their leadership development programs. Details at 15.atlascorps.org
Photos from the personal archive of Jolly Nguyen
