Maya Gilliss-Chapman
Quick Facts
Biography
Maya Gilliss-Chapman (born Ratha Rath) is a Cambodian American social entrepreneur and startup advisor. She is currently the founder and CEO of Cambodians in Tech, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Silicon Valley, California. She was Cambodia's representative in international beauty pageants between 2016-2017.
Early life
Gilliss-Chapman was born in the Kandal Province of Cambodia. She was brought to the capital city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia as an orphan. The circumstances around her transport from Kandal to Phnom Penh remain unknown. She was brought to the United States of America in 1991 and resided in the city of Oakland, California.
Education
Maya attended the University of California, Berkeley and graduated with a B.A. in Legal Studies.
Career
Gilliss-Chapman is a technology analyst focusing on emerging markets.After working in Silicon Valley, Gilliss-Chapman returned to Cambodia to help develop the Cambodian technology sector. Later, she broadened her focus to the greater Southeast Asian region.
In 2014, Gilliss-Chapman founded Cambodians in Tech.
Cambodians in Tech
Cambodians in Tech was founded in 2014 to help Cambodian refugees obtain jobs in the technology industry. It was considered the first worldwide technology movement for Cambodians. In 2016, Cambodians in Tech became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.