Sera Koulabdara,
CEO | Sera@legaciesofwar.org
“My father taught my siblings and I that what you leave behind is so much more important than what you take. During my father's last days; he shared painful memories of the devastating impact the Secret War had on him and the people he loved. These horrific experiences led my father to live a life full of love, compassion, and service to others — I hope to carry his legacy to the next generation, create hope, and make a positive difference in the lives of people in my father's beloved homeland, Laos.”
My Story
Sera Koulabdara serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Legacies of War, the only international U.S.-based advocacy and educational organization working to address the impacts of war including unexploded ordnance (UXO), victims assistance, explosive ordnance risk education, and environmental impacts of contamination.
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Under her leadership, U.S. funding for humanitarian demining is at its highest level in history ($264M) with bipartisan support from Congress. She received the inaugural Award of Gratitude in 2024 and the Humanitarian Award of 2022 given by the Lao PDR for its successful advocacy efforts in securing funds for bomb removal and victims assistance. She is also the recipient of the UNSUNG Hero Award from Asian Hustle Network and the HEART Award from the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora (IMID) for extraordinary leadership.
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She is relentless and has broken down barriers in establishments and spaces that lack the voice of someone who is directly impacted by the legacies of war. She earned a seat and became the first Lao-American to participate in the 20th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Convention. By unanimous vote, Sera was elected to serve as the Chair of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions Coalition in January 2023. Sera is the first BIPOC, millennial, and person with lived experience from an impacted country to take on this leadership role. She is also a founding member of the Global Leadership Council and the Southeast Asia Exhibit of the IMID. As a leading expert in mine action, Sera has been featured in USA Today, Washington Post, NBC, Responsible Statecraft, Beyond Bombs and more. Growing up in Laos, Sera witnessed her father, Dr. Sith Koulabdara, operating on countless victims of cluster munitions accidents, including a little girl who attended the same school with her and shaped her passion for her roles today.
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Check out more from Sera:
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'I don't want it to happen again': Don't send cluster bombs to Ukraine. Just look at Laos.
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Why the U.S. sending cluster weapons to Ukraine is divisive
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Ukraine’s Cluster Bomb Dilemma — with Sera Koulabdara, Romeo Kokriatski and Danny Postel
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Ukraine's vaunted 'bread basket' soil is now toxic
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International Women's Day: Columbus International Women's Day
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