ALEENA INTHALY

Aleena Inthaly (She/Her) embarked on her Lao Food journey in the confines of a small American kitchen alongside her mother. Here, she honed her culinary skills by experimenting with modified recipes that blended traditional Lao flavors with unconventional ingredients. Think macaroni substituting noodles, spam taking the place of sour pork, and ketchup enhancing the beloved ‘Jeow Mak Len’, or roasted tomato paste. Her profound affection for Lao cuisine sprouted from a wellspring of curiosity, intention, and pride. This pride now fuels her mission to make Lao Food accessible to the global palate, carrying with it the inspiration to showcase the richness of Lao culinary traditions to the rest of the world.

As the daughter of refugees from Savanakhet, Laos, I spent my formative years in the state of Virginia. Growing up as a first-generation Lao-American, I grappled with the challenge of balancing my Lao identity and exploring the unique limitations of being Lao-American. My journey to uncover my roots and heritage was largely illuminated by my mother's culinary artistry. From the intriguing fermentation practices that began with unlabeled clay containers in our backyard, to the patient dry-aging of beef and venison sheets in our garage during winter, all in the pursuit of perfecting her heirloom recipe for "seen savanh" jerky or "beef from heaven," I slowly unearthed the true essence of being Lao-American.

In this process, I discovered that the dishes my mother lovingly prepared were in fact iconic delicacies from her own beloved province in Laos—a far-off land that I yearned to visit and to cultivate lasting friendships that continue to inspire my work to this day especially through the vibrant food, land, and cultural tapestry of Laos.

With a decade of experience in advocacy, community engagement, and cultural exchanges. Formerly the Chief of Staff at Legacies of War, she currently serves as the Managing Director of the Lao Food Foundation.

During her tenure at Legacies of War, an advocacy organization working to address the impact of the American Secret War and the conflict in Southeast Asia, Aleena spearheaded impactful community engagement and grassroots efforts, uniting community-led organizations and government stakeholders for the removal of landmines and explosive remnants of war in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. Her leadership played a crucial role in securing and increasing U.S. funding for unexploded ordnance (UXO) removal, mine risk education and support for survivors. Aleena also created and was Executive Producer of Legacies of War's groundbreaking podcast series, Thip Khao Talk, which has engaged over 18,000 listeners across nine countries since its launch in 2021.

Now, as the driving force behind the Lao Food Foundation, Aleena spearheads a mission committed to preserving, promoting, and redefining Lao cuisine through food diplomacy inspiring the growth of businesses and partnerships by fostering connections between Laos and the global culinary landscape. This includes the orchestration of impactful events through the inaugural 2023 Lao Food Festival in the United States attended by over 10,000 people in San Diego, CA and the annual coordination of Chef research trips to Laos.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Aleena serves as a Board Member of City Blossoms, a D.C.-based nonprofit promoting community well-being through creative programs in children-led gardens and green spaces. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she founded the inaugural student chapter of Legacies of War, establishing her long-term dedication to fostering mutual understanding between the United States, Laos and beyond.