Lydia Chim is a proud Cambodian-American committed to empowering Cambodian youth and amplifying the voices of Cambodian scholars. As a founder and the Executive Chair of Trellis Academic, she brings strategic vision and deep expertise in public policy leadership, high-stakes regulatory compliance, and education diplomacy.

Lydia’s professional background spans senior roles in federal government, nonprofit leadership, and financial oversight — including managing multi-million-dollar government programs, building policy frameworks for education-focused organizations, and leading strategic planning initiatives. Her work with both Boston Public Schools and a leading nonprofit in the STEM education space has made her an expert in international best practices for education policy and impact, with a focus on operational excellence and measurable outcomes.

These initiatives have collectively impacted tens of thousands of students.

As a founder of Trellis Academic, Lydia helped build the organization’s mission from the ground up. Her leadership ensures the long-term sustainability of Trellis’s vision, aligning strategic operations with a clear commitment to equity, excellence, and youth empowerment. She is driven by a belief that educational opportunity is the most powerful lever for sustainable, community-rooted change.

University of Southern California, Master of Public Administration

Brown University, B.A. Political Science, Economics