Anh Vu Sawyer

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT ANH VU SAWYER

I believe we can make the world a better place through all that we do, including developing the next generation of resilient, thoughtful, and compassionate leaders. I am particularly drawn to unlocking entrepreneurial talent across borders so that displaced and marginalized entrepreneurs can contribute directly to innovation and global prosperity. Over more than three decades, my work has spanned nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, and global development, bringing together communities, institutions, and markets to expand economic participation and strengthen long-term stability for individuals and families. As a former refugee, I experienced firsthand the resilience and entrepreneurial capacity of displaced communities, as well as the importance of stability. That experience continues to shape my life’s work. Today, I am the founder of Stargazrs, a platform initiative connecting displaced entrepreneurs to global markets, and co-founder of Anh55, a Boston-based venture linking refugee artisans with U.S. consumers seeking craftsmanship, quality, and purpose-driven design. These ventures serve as proof of concept for scaling inclusive economic systems. At the core of my work is a belief in people. I focus on building strong teams and developing leaders. As I often say, “With a great team, we can paint air.” I am especially energized by work at the intersection of: • Global community building • Economic participation & financial access • Poverty prevention and long-term family stability • Cross-sector and cross-border collaboration • Technology-enabled inclusion My leadership has been shaped by key life experiences—from becoming a refugee to building a life with my family, contributing to the early growth of People Express Airlines, investing in future leaders, and pursuing an MIT Executive MBA later in life. Increasingly, I am interested in how digital financial infrastructure—including Web3 and stablecoins—can enable more inclusive participation in global markets. Selected Highlights • 30+ years building cross-sector partnerships across nonprofit, public, and entrepreneurial sectors • Founder of mission-driven ventures • Raised $8M+ and navigated complex public funding and contracts • Led large-scale community mobilization during crisis response • Expertise in housing stability, economic mobility, and family-centered models • MIT Executive MBA | Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow I am always interested in connecting with leaders building scalable pathways to shared prosperity and long-term family stability.