Ms Vandaly proud of winning Young Asean Insurance Manager Award

Ms Vandaly Souvannasouck is very proud to have won the Young Asean Insurance Manager Award (YAMA) for this year, especially since she is the first Lao person to bag the title.
She was announced the winner of the 13th edition of the award at the 20th Asean Insurance Regulators and 43rd Asean Insurance Council meeting held in Vientiane recently.
The award ceremony was held at Don Chan Palace Hotel on November 22 and she received the trophy, a certificate, and a cash award.
The title was “very important, meaningful and honourable” for Ms Vandaly as this was first time she had applied for such a competition in her life.
“The title will help to indicate that Lao people, especially women, have qualifications that are as good as those held by women in other countries,” she said.
“It is also very important for the insurance industry of Laos because the title will show to other countries that the quality and standard of insurance services in Laos is as good as the services at the regional and international levels. It also tells other countries that Laos has qualified young female managers,” she said.

Ms Vandaly with her trophy and certificate.

It was not easy for Ms Vandaly to apply for the title because there are many rules and regulations that had to be followed. All applicants were also required to have certain qualifications.
The main requirements were that the age of the applicants must be below 40 (Ms Vandaly is 35) and that they must have worked in the insurance sector for at least five years (she has already worked in the field for 10 years).
The applicants also must have done something for society involving the insurance industry’s development. Ms Vandaly has done many things for society, such as assisting students by offering them free training with lessons and information about insurance services and related laws. She did this whenever students wanted information for writing reports, essays and thesis, and had no one else to turn to for information.
Ms Vandaly was also one of persons who helped to set up an insurance association in Laos. She and her partners worked on this for a long time and her dream became a reality recently.
At first, she was hesitant about applying because she doesn’t like to compete for prizes. She just did her best in her duties and helped others in matters related to the insurance industry whenever she found the time. This eventually helped her application.
The administration board and her colleagues in office strongly encouraged her to apply and said that she had all the required qualifications.
Though she expected to do well, she never thought she would win the top prize.
There were 28 applicants from Asean countries, including Ms Vandaly, and only three candidates were chosen for the finally interview.
About a month after the application forms were accepted, the judges announced the three best applicants and Ms Vandaly found out she was among them.
Ms Vandaly said she was very happy and excited to be one of the top three and thought that was good enough for her. 
Another month later, she was even more excited on being named as the winner after the final interview.
Ms Vandaly believes she won this title because she had all the required qualifications and could answer the questions from the panel of judges with confidence.
She explained that during the interview, she was asked many questions about the insurance industry’s development of Laos by presidents of insurance associations from all Asean countries.
“Among the questions, the most important one was about what I had done for the society involving the insurance industry,” she said.
She also was asked about how to develop the insurance industry, the promotion of women’s rights and their role, and how to inspire women to be confident and successful.
Ms Vandaly said she did her best, answering the judges without any nervousness or excitement.
“I am so happy and proud of this title because it’s really important and meaningful for me, the Lao people and our country. I would like to thank all the involved sectors and bodies for giving me a chance and encouraging me to compete for this award. Of course, I will continue my work and do what I can for society,” Ms Vandaly said.
“I think women, especially Lao nationals, should be more confident and showcase their talent, abilities and qualifications. Now the government and organisations are working to promote our rights and role and to give us opportunities. So it depends on us to see how well we can do and how much we can take advantage of opportunities. It is also important for us to contribute by doing things for society.”
Ms Vandaly was born on April 19, 1983 and now lives at Xaysavang village in  Xaythany district of Vientiane. She graduated with a bachelors degree in business law from the National University of Laos. She also has a masters degree from the Republic of Korea and studied for a short while in Singapore.
She is now the Legal and Corporate Governance Manager of Prudential Laos.
Ms Vandaly’s success and her contributions to society make her an ideal role model for people across the country.

By Visith Teppalath
(Latest Update December 15, 2017 )