About Me

Hi!  I’m Tracy Pakornsawat, Ph.D.  I am the founder of LOTUS Learning Collaborative, a coaching and training business focused on supporting mid-career professionals and leaders to achieve personal and professional goals by leveraging individual strengths and motivations.

My Expertise

My background and expertise includes training and development, organizational change, community and economic development, labor economics, human resource management, and program management.  In these areas I have provided  consulting, facilitation, management, and oversight of programs in private, government, NGO’s, non-profit, and higher education environments.  I am currently based in the US, but also spent 6 years working in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore).

I have a Ph.D. in Educational Research and Policy Analysis with a specialization in Workforce and Human Resource Education and a Masters in Training and Development from NC State University.  I also have a Masters Degree in Labour Economics and Human Resource Management from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok Thailand.

My Journey

My career began in business and human resources consulting, but as I gained experience and moved up in the organizational ladder, I realized I had a deep desire to live and work internationally.  This led me to become a Peace Corps volunteer where I served in a rural community in Northeast Thailand. 

I worked with local elected officials on community and organization development initiatives.  I joined in with local women’s groups who were selling their handcrafted silks that represented their community history and wisdom.  I collaborated with educators supporting youth to develop life and career skills. 

These experiences completely transformed my understanding of my own skills and abilities based on my educational and professional background.  More than that, these experiences broadened my horizons and instilled in me a great curiosity of other’s history and skills. 

I dedicated my career to understanding indivividual strengths and motivations, and the interconnections of leveraging these to achieve goals and personal satisfaction. I wanted others understand and leverage their own gifts and skills so they could experience the joy of doing what you know you were born to do.  

Beyond Coaching and Training

When I am not doing what I love professionally I continue to broaden my horizons and understanding of the world in which I live.  I am an avid global traveller immersing myself in local culture and being in awe of the amazing landscapes that shape history and culture.  I am also a goat farmer and love to spend time being on the farm watching and playing with the goats and other animals.