Thao started as a postcard seller on the street when she was 13 and was introduced into KOTO program in 2000 by Ms. Anita Butler, who used to work for the Australian Embassy in Hanoi. Thao is proud to be a member of the KOTO founding group. In 2007, she was awarded as a KOTO Ambassador for her achievement and involvement in changing the lives of street and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. As a result, Thao gained a full scholarship to study an Advance Diploma in Hospitality Management at Box Hill Institute – Melbourne, Australia.
In 2011, she returned to Vietnam and set up a social enterprise – Pots ‘n Pans, an innovative partnership between KOTO and Small Giants. Small Giants is a boutique Australian impact Investment Company that is dedicated to businesses that are changing the world. After successfully set up and managed Pots 'n Pans for 4 years, Thao decided to pursue an MBA at RMIT University following her passion for learning and higher education. In 2015, Thao was awarded a RMIT Leadership Scholarship for her academic achievement. During the duration of her M.B.A studies, Thao also worked at RMIT University Melbourne as Assistant to Business Development Manager for the School of Vocational Business Education.
After successfully completed her M.B.A, Thao returned to support KOTO Hanoi restructuring the organisation before joining Lotus Impact Fund - a social impact investment firm based in HCMC - as Principal. In January 2017, Thao joined AB Group and became F&B Director, overseeing Anantara Resort Mui Ne while setting up Nam Nghi Phu Quoc Island – a five-star resort.
Thao recently decided to return to KOTO and became General Manager of KOTO Vietnam because she believes that is where her passion and values aligned.