Meet The Team

Rohan Samara is the founder of Sowing Seeds of Hope and the heart behind its mission to support vulnerable communities in Cambodia and Vietnam.

 

Born in Vietnam and adopted into an Australian family, Rohan’s personal story has shaped his lifelong commitment to giving back. His journey of reconnection, identity, and service inspired him to create a charity that empowers others through compassion, opportunity, and community‑driven support.

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Rohan has spent more than two decades working in leadership roles across government, community services, and frontline operations. His experience has strengthened his belief that meaningful change is built through respect, collaboration, and genuine care for others.

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Driven by gratitude for the life he was given and a deep desire to honour his heritage, Rohan along with the Committee established Sowing Seeds of Hope to help families, children, and communities facing hardship. He works closely with local partners in Cambodia and Vietnam to deliver practical assistance, education initiatives, and opportunities that create lasting impact.

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Rohan continues to lead with humility, empathy, and a strong sense of purpose, ensuring the organisation remains grounded in kindness, integrity, and hope.

Jilli Hogan is an accomplished leader in community development with extensive experience in creating sustainable, inclusive communities.

 

As the Chief Executive Officer of a non-government organisation, she has successfully driven initiatives that deliver critical infrastructure and developed innovative programs addressing people’s physical, social, financial, cultural, and mental health and well-being. 

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Recognised for her strategic leadership, Jilli excels in forging partnerships, building robust community facilities and cultural hubs as well as implementing high-impact programs that empower and value people and provide opportunities for success. 

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Jilli has extensive experience in governance and policy including serving as an elected member of Central Coast Council where she brought her passion for community engagement to local decision-making as a Councillor.

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In 2024, Jilli joined the charity tours to Cambodia and Vietnam and was deeply moved by the people - their beauty, resilience, and capacity for hope amid quiet struggles.

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Jilli holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Services and a Master’s Degree in Social Science. She also serves as a Justice of the Peace.

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San Remo on the Central Coast of NSW is home, and she embraces life’s adventures while treasuring time with her grandson, Fletcher.”

Susan Watt brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to community service. Originally from Scotland and raised in Canberra, she has built a diverse career across business, mentoring, and government roles. Since moving to Brisbane in 2013, she has embraced Queensland’s lifestyle while staying closely connected with her family.

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Susan co‑founded a Registered Training Organisation that delivered media training and created career pathways for young Australians. She later transitioned into the public sector, where she continues to contribute through roles focused on positive community outcomes and supporting others to thrive.

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Her connection to Rohan and Anne spans more than 25 years, and she regards them as part of her extended family. Susan’s passion for helping communities was strengthened by her experiences in Cambodia and Vietnam, where she witnessed both profound need and remarkable resilience. These journeys continue to inspire her belief in compassion, empowerment, and the importance of community support.

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As a board member of Sowing Seeds of Hope, Susan is dedicated to advancing the organisation’s mission and expanding opportunities for vulnerable communities. She looks forward to applying her skills and experience to help create meaningful, lasting change.

Outside of her professional life, Susan treasures time with her family and seven grandchildren and enjoys sharing stories that foster hope and connection.

Colleen is a dedicated member of Sowing Seeds of Hope, having participated in two charity trips to Cambodia. These experiences left a lasting impact on her, giving her the opportunity to connect with local communities and gain insight into the everyday realities faced by people living in poverty—far beyond what tourists typically see.

 

Witnessing this firsthand strengthened her belief in the importance of meaningful, community‑driven support.

When discussions began about creating a charity to help vulnerable families in Cambodia, Colleen knew immediately that she wanted to be involved.

 

Her long‑standing passion for helping others, paired with her genuine connection to the people she met overseas, made joining Sowing Seeds of Hope a natural and heartfelt choice.

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With 15 years of experience as the owner of a hospitality business in Canberra, Colleen brings valuable small‑business knowledge, practical management skills, and a strong work ethic to the organisation. She plays an active role in supporting the charity’s operations and future planning.

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Colleen looks forward to welcoming more people on upcoming charity trips and sharing the mission of Sowing Seeds of Hope, helping others understand the real impact that compassionate action can have on communities in need.

Michael Grady serves on the Board of Sowing Seeds of Hope, a newly registered charity dedicated to supporting underprivileged families in Vietnam and Cambodia.

 

A Canberra‑based entrepreneur and operations leader, Michael brings extensive experience in governance, compliance, and financial stewardship, helping the organisation build programs that are practical, transparent, and locally driven.

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In his Board role, Michael focuses on strategy, risk, and impact measurement. He champions strong reporting standards and donor trust, working closely with partners to ensure every contribution strengthens education, improves healthcare access, and supports stable, sustainable livelihoods. His background leading complex organisations enables the charity to develop scalable systems and accountability frameworks that last well beyond any individual project or funding cycle.

Michael believes that opportunity should never be determined by circumstance or geography.

 

He is inspired by the resilience of families across Southeast Asia and by the transformative effect of consistent, community‑minded generosity. Through Sowing Seeds of Hope, he works to connect committed supporters with meaningful, evidence‑based initiatives—so children can learn, parents can work safely, and communities can build for the future.

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Outside his Board commitments, Michael mentors emerging leaders and advocates for ethics in technology and social impact. He recharges with early‑morning golf and time with his miniature cream dachshunds.

After a 32-year career in Government, serving first as a Finance Officer and later as a Business Manager, I bring a lifetime of practical experience, integrity and leadership to Sowing Seeds of Hope. Alongside my public service career, I also successfully ran my own businesses in hospitality and floorcoverings, gaining firsthand insight into hard work, community connection and resilience.

 

Since retiring in August 2025, I have felt a strong calling to dedicate more of my time to serving others. For the past 13 years, I have travelled regularly to Vietnam and Cambodia with my husband Rohan, building meaningful relationships and witnessing both the challenges and the incredible spirit of local communities.

 

I am especially passionate about supporting families in need through practical initiatives such as providing food, building wells and toilets, and improving access to basic essentials. I also look forward to volunteering at various Ponheary Ly schools, helping to ensure children receive nourishing meals so they can focus on learning and building brighter futures.

 

I believe even small acts of kindness can grow into lasting hope.

​Sam May (she /her) has been providing services on the ground within her local and neighbouring communities on the south coast of NSW since the 1990’s.

 

Sam has worked with people of all ages including many years directly with children, youth and those who are struggling within each day for safety with being homeless, challenged financially, in health and educational. Sam has held membership on several community management committee’s who provide service to local communities.

 

This experience forms an active testament of Sam being pro-active in the belief for everyone to ‘have a fair go’.

 

Charities Sam has supported with donations for over 30 years include OXFAM, WIRES, Care Flight, Boys Town and now Sowing Seeds of Hope where I now also hold membership on the management committee.

 

'My visit to Cambodia in 2024 opened my eyes to the high needs of the people there for basic needs.'

For the past nine years, Cambodia has become far more than the place I live—it has become my home, my community, and a part of who I am. The rhythms of daily life, the warmth of the people, and the deep sense of resilience here have shaped me so profoundly that I often feel more Khmer than Australian.

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Soon after I arrived, I found myself diving into something far bigger than I expected: building a small village school that offered free education. I had no roadmap and no experience, just a desire to help. The local community guided me, taught me, and stood beside me every step of the way. Through that journey, I discovered not just the needs of the villages, but the extraordinary strength, generosity, and determination of the Khmer people.

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Now, as the Project Manager in Siem Reap for SSoH, I’m honoured to continue this work. I’m passionate about helping new projects grow from the ground up and sharing the realities of life here—how small acts of support can create deep, lasting change. It’s a privilege to be part of that impact every day.