Meet the International Members of our Board
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Robert Urban
Robert brings over 25 years of global healthcare leadership and extensive non-profit board experience to the ODC Organization. He retired from Johnson & Johnson in 2018 as the Global Head of Johnson & Johnson Innovation, where he launched and led the J&J Innovation platform, supporting over 400 investments and creating JLABS, a global network of incubators hosting 300+ start-ups.
Previously, Robert served as the founding Executive Director of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT and held leadership roles at several healthcare companies. He has served on the boards of diverse organizations, applying his expertise in global management, innovation, and fundraising to advance their missions. Robert earned his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas System and completed a fellowship in structural immunology at Harvard University. His dedication to innovation and education aligns closely with the school’s vision.
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Dan Hudson
Dan retired in 2019 from UiPath Inc., the leading provider of Robotic Process Automation software. His team managed Global Partners Like PWC, Deloitte, and Cognizant for UiPath. Prior to Uipath he was a Global Sales Leader for several large IT outsourcing and technology companies.
Dan earned his bachelor’s degree from Avila University in Kansas City, Mo. His numerous global positions have given him a unique perspective on the value of education in nurturing future leaders. He believes that helping “one child at a time” aligns strongly with the mission of Opening Doors Cambodia.
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Kathy J. Jakielski, Ph.D.
Kathy brings over 25 years of global service learning, teaching, and program development experience to the ODC Organization. She is Professor Emerita in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, U.S.A. In 2010, she co-developed a study abroad program and began bringing undergraduate students with a wide variety of majors to Cambodia.
Kathy has over 40 years of clinical experience working with individuals with speech, language, literacy, and hearing disorders. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Towson University and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas-Austin. After retiring from academia in the summer of 2022, she and her husband moved to Cambodia to work as full-time volunteers. Her experience in curriculum development, speech and language acquisition, and phonetic science align with the school’s mission.
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David Yordy
David has been an ODC board member since 2024. He recently retired from Alcoa, Inc. in Davenport, Iowa, USA after nearly 25 years working as a project manager and engineering team manager. His work included construction project management and the hiring and mentoring of engineers in a manufacturing environment overseeing a portfolio of dozens of projects with values up to $14 million. He also worked as an engineering customer service representative for nearly 15 years in the Electric Utility industry. David earned a Master of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas-Austin and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. David moved with his wife to Cambodia in the fall of 2023 to be a full-time non-governmental organization volunteer.
Meet the Local Members of our Board
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Duth Seng
My name is Duth Seng, and I have served as a local board member of ODC for seven years. ODC is a well-known English language school that equips students with valuable skills, especially in the area of English proficiency.
I joined the ODC board because I strongly believe in providing future generations with a quality education, particularly in developing strong English communication abilities, which are essential for securing good jobs and achieving career success.
As a board member, my goal is to work towards enhancing the school's educational offerings, addressing environmental concerns, and resolving any general issues that arise. My vision is for ODC to be widely recognized and respected within the community.
Ultimately, my dream is for ODC to serve an increasingly diverse student population, encouraging more individuals to pursue their studies and enabling them to attain their career aspirations. I am particularly proud to see ODC graduates successfully find employment that allows them to support themselves and their families. Most importantly, these students go on to become positive role models in society.
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Em Bandit
My name is Em Bandit. I was born in Siem Reap province in 1991 and graduated from Angkor High School in 2012. In 2014, I started working at a small fine arts organization in Siem Reap province. Then, in 2018, I completed my Bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Bale Prey in Siem Reap province.
I began serving as a volunteer local member of the board of directors for ODC soon after the school was formed. I contributed to building the school by using my electrical engineering skills to set up the building's electrical network. I also worked as a construction worker during the building process.
Besides my electrical engineering skills, I'm also an artist and a drawing teacher. My motivation for joining the ODC local board is my strong desire to see Cambodia develop a large pool of knowledgeable human resources. My hobby is traveling to villages, sharing my knowledge with children, and encouraging children to actively participate in community work.
My main responsibility as a local board member at ODC is to gather information and share suggestions on how to further develop the school. During my time on the board, I hope to see all the children at ODC cultivate a learning environment everywhere, both at school and beyond. As a board member, I also want to encourage others to contribute financially to support ODC.
