About Me

Thi Be Nguyen is a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2024. She is recognized for her dedication to advancing cultural diplomacy through her work at UniAction, the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, National Bank of Canada and other organizations.

As Founding President of UniAction and the Social Impact Film & Art Festival (SIFA Festival), she uses film, visual arts, and storytelling to spotlight pressing social issues and spark public dialogue. In 2020, Forbes profiled her in an article on the SIFA initiative, noting how the pandemic gave her the opportunity to finally launch the festival she had long envisioned and emphasizing its role as a unique Canadian platform for socially-impactful creative works.

In her capacity as Executive Director, Canada, at the Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC), she leads efforts to deepen cultural, economic, and diplomatic linkages between Canada and Southeast Asia. Through this role, she integrates her passion for cultural diplomacy with practical strategies for trade, investment, and people-to-people exchange.

Previously, Thi Be was Ambassador of Diversity and Inclusion at the National Bank of Canada, where for more than a decade she led the bank’s philanthropy sector, overseeing a $25 million fund dedicated to advancing community engagement, inclusion, and social impact.
collaboration.

Over her two-decade career, Thi Be has worked across business, public affairs, inclusion, and international engagement. She has directed social engagement portfolios, led diversity and inclusion efforts, and pioneered projects involving the UN, Red Cross, and community organizations.

Her leadership is grounded in a belief that culture and creativity are vital tools in building more equitable, empathetic, and connected societies.