Buasawan Simmala is an international multimedia journalist in Lao Service, VOA, where she writes and hosts a variety of radio programs, including Daily News, Diaspora, Lao Community, Health, Technology, and Education etc... Simmala also designs/adapts English lessons for jointly broadcasting with Read moreLao National Radio in Vientiane, Laos as well as for Lao Service’s Radio program. She joined VOA in two periods: The first period was in 2009-2013 when she translated, adapted and voiced a variety of radio broadcasting materials; and the second time was in 2017 until present. Between 2015-2016, Simmala was the Communication Manager for a USAID project in Laos, where was in charge of providing USAID Regional Development Mission in Thailand with press releases, tweets, success stories, bi-weekly reports etc. of economic growth and trade activities under the project. Prior to that, she was the Manager of Communication and Knowledge Management Department of the Mekong sub-regional inter-governmental organization, Mekong Institute, Thailand, where she severed as the edior and manager for her multi-national staff in writing quarterly journals, press releases on variety of topics, namely agriculture, environment, trade, and education, etc. She was also charged with managing the website for promoting the organization’s visibility. Under Fulbright Program, Simmala graduated from George Mason University with Master of Arts in International Commerce and Public Policy and holds a Ph.D. in Adult Education with specializing in second language acquisition.      

Languages: English, Lao, Thai, and Vietnamese

Andre Jones is a journalist based in Silver Spring, United States of America.
Accomplished, multi-platform content producer with nearly 30 years of network and cable television experience. Efficient and detail-oriented team leader, with persuasive communication skills who consistently delivers Read morequality work under pressure.

Winner of five regional Emmy Awards.

Elhadji Diagne is a journalist based in Silver Spring, United States of America.

Tresor Matondo is a journalist based in Silver Spring, MD, United States.