A senior partner in a well-known law firm in Cambodia, Khieu Mealy has been recognized as one of the best intellectual property experts by various organizations in the country and Southeast Asia, like CMO Asia and Asia Law.
Alongside her professional commitments at Sok Siphana & Associates, Mealy helps form the country’s future leaders by acting like a wise ming (aunt) to young women looking for a mentor.
“In my view, all of us are leaders no matter where we are standing or what we do,” she said.
With a staff comprising mostly young females, Mealy has taken it upon herself to coach and motivate them to become respected members of Cambodia’s legal sector.
“When we recruit, we focus on developing their character and behavior. I encourage my staff to stay informed about market trends, join business networking events, and find ways to differentiate themselves,” she explained.
In the early 1990s, Mealy spent four years as a housewife in Geneva to husband Sok Siphana, who had held various positions in government as a minister and worked as legal adviser to some international organizations, before opening the law firm in 1998 and overseeing its expansion outside the capital Phnom Penh. That career change came with some challenges.
“My introverted nature was a key internal challenge in the early stages. I was reluctant to reach out to people and felt stressed when setting appointments with high-ranking government officials. Language was another barrier as English is not my mother tongue,” she said.
These challenges, however, taught Mealy many important life lessons and honed her business acumen
“From my challenges, I have learned to be mindful of the environment and be proactive in dealing with issues,” she said.
Consistent and transparent communication with stakeholders at all levels also helped her apply these lessons effectively, in addition to forming strong and dynamic teams.
“I strongly believe that I cannot do everything alone and need people who share my vision and mission to achieve our collective ambitious objectives,” Mealy said.
By creating a workplace that is open, constructive, and feedback-oriented, Mealy empowers her staff to make decisions and, take risks, thus giving them the space and opportunity to excel. She and he staff live by two important values: fairness and well-being.
For the next generation of young female entrepreneurs and professionals, Mealy’s advice is simple: “Know your self-worth and assess your strengths and weaknesses fairly. Never be afraid of grabbing opportunities and hesitating to reach out for advice when faced with challenges.”
