Somaly’s Story
Somaly Prak-Martins is a transformative leader and advocate who has dedicated over three decades to disrupting cycles of violence and fostering collective healing. A refugee and survivor of the Khmer Rouge Genocides, Somaly immigrated to the United States with her family in January 1981, seeking asylum from a war-torn country. Having lost everything, her family instilled in her the importance of education as a non-negotiable path to rebuilding and thriving.
Despite facing significant barriers as an English learner, Somaly earned a Master of Education in School Administration and became a certified Turnaround Principal in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Georgia. With nearly two decades of experience in education and a robust background in business, she has built a career rooted in creating transformative change.
Through her leadership roles—Executive Director of 2-Thrive LLC (www.2thrive.org), Director of Prevention at the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (www.ricadv.org), and Founder of the nonprofit Healing 2Gether (www.healing2gether.org)—Somaly partners with organizations to strategically and authentically build communities and environments that center on humanizing individuals and the collective. Her work focuses on disrupting psychological, systemic, racial, physical, and self-inflicted violence, creating spaces for healing and justice.
Somaly’s work is anchored in love, trauma-informed practices, and restorative approaches that aim to restore individuals and communities while advancing social justice. A strategic leader, trainer, and practitioner, she is committed to fostering resilience and achieving meaningful change by breaking cultural, institutional, and organizational trauma cycles.
Her story and dedication continue to inspire individuals and communities to embrace healing, rebuild connections, and create environments where everyone can thrive.