Board of Directors
Our committed team dedicated to expanding opportunity and transforming lives in Cambodia.
Bill Bamberger, Chairman
Bill is a long-time resident of San Diego, California. Following a career in economics and information technology, he and his wife, Nancy, began traveling extensively after his retirement in 2000.
Their 2002 journey to Cambodia was a pivotal experience. While they witnessed the devastation of decades of war, they were profoundly inspired by the hardworking and determined Cambodian people. This inspiration, coupled with Bill’s belief that the U.S. has a moral obligation to assist Cambodia due to the destabilizing effects of the Vietnam War, led to action.
After connecting with Cambodian expats in San Diego and hearing their stories, Bill and Nancy were motivated to establish the Cambodian Village Fund.
Amy Dyson, Treasurer
As the daughter of CVF founders Bill and Nancy, Amy has been part of the Cambodian Village Fund from its earliest days. Her connection to Cambodia runs deep, strengthened by watching her own daughter, Zion, grow into CVF’s Program Director. Amy brings both heart and experience to her work.
With service as treasurer on several nonprofit boards, Amy is dedicated to honoring every donor’s trust. She is committed to strong financial stewardship and ensuring that every dollar makes the greatest possible impact for students and families in Cambodia.
Silke White, Secretary
Silke was born in East Germany and came of age during the reunification of the country. She moved to the United States in 2001 and currently resides in northern Idaho with her fiance Darren. Silke earned a dental laboratory technician degree in her native Germany and spent more than 30 years in the field, working as a technician, instructor, and business owner. She brings this expertise to Cambodia advancing education on oral hygiene and assisting with dental care for students in the scholarship program. Driven by curiosity about the world, Silke started traveling at the age of 21, with Asia becoming a favorite destination. Her first visit to Cambodia was in 2007. In 2010 she began supporting the Cambodia Village Fund. Having endured profound personal loss—the passing of her husband, Rich, and her daughter, Mona—Silke channeled her grief into purpose. Thanks to Bill and Nancy’s compassionate mission and leadership, Mona’s Fund was created, leading to several memorial projects in Cambodia, including Mona’s Library, Mona’s Terrace, and Mona’s Scholarship. Being part of the Cambodia Village Fund and actively contributing to its mission has become a meaningful chapter in Silke’s life. She is honored to serve as the organization’s Secretary.
Vy Sovechea, Director of Cambodian Affairs
Venerable Vy Sovechea, the third of eight children of a rice farming family, was born at the end of the Khmer Rouge Regime in 1979.
Growing up in a country at war, he became a Buddhist monk at the age of 14 years. Trained in a newly restored educational system, he received bachelor degrees in Educational Science and Teaching English as a Foreign Language. He graduated with a master’s degree in General Management. He also received a Doctor’s Degree of Philosophy in Administration Law. Currently, he is President of Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University, Battambang Branch. In addition, he is a Secretary of the Provincial Buddhist Sangha Hall of Battambang.
With an innate belief that a Buddhist monk can and should play a key role of service to the larger community, Venerable Sovechea became involved and influenced by the Dhammayietra Peace Movement led by the Venerable Maha Ghosananda, known as the peace monk of Cambodia. He is now a member of Dhammayietra Mongkol Borei’s Board of Directors. Furthermore, he is also a Board Director of Cambodian Peace Gallery located in Battambang.
Faithful to his beliefs, he has had extensive experience in interreligious dialogues, both in the country and internationally. Under the auspices of Religions for Peace, he was actively involved in the International Campaigns to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions.
Venerable Sovechea’s first contact with Religions for Peace was at the Convention on Cluster Munitions Signing Conference in Oslo, Norway 2-4 December 2008 and the Cartagena summit in Colombia on a Mine-Free World on 29 November to 4 December 2009 until 2011.
He is also presently acting as a liaison between USA (Cambodian Village Fund) and Khmer communities to improve educational opportunities like school buildings, higher education for young village girls in the countryside.
John Gelis, Director of Strategic Planning
John brings over 23 years of experience in retail banking and conservative financial management to the Cambodian Village Fund (CVF) Board of Directors. A native of Slidell, Louisiana, John’s commitment to humanitarian work was solidified after witnessing the needs in Cambodia during a 2024 trip. He connects his professional background with his passion for service through a leadership philosophy that balances financial stewardship, effective governance, and positive outcomes.
With a new focus on spearheading CVF’s strategic planning initiatives, John leverages his past board experience, having served as both President and Treasurer for several community organizations. He aims to apply his skills in long-term planning and governance to maximize the organization’s potential and ensure life-changing impacts in the Cambodian villages CVF serves. John has also volunteered with various charities including Meals On Wheels.
Mike DePetrillo, Director of Business Development
Michael is a highly experienced software entrepreneur with over 20 years leading successful startups in FinTech, software development, and marketing. As a digital nomad living abroad, he brings a global perspective and a passion for empowering others through education and opportunity. He is committed to supporting students on their journey beyond the classroom, with a focus on entrepreneurship, small-business development, and building pathways to meaningful careers. As Director of Business Development, Michael aims to help strengthen community initiatives and create sustainable opportunities for future generations.
Brian Dyson, Director of Information Technology
Brian has worked in Information Technology for over 30 years. Brian loves to travel and knows first hand how education transforms lives.
Advisory Board
Though non-voting, our Advisory Board plays a vital role by offering guidance, perspective, and strategic insight that helps shape our direction and impact.
Nancy Bamberger, Co-Founder
In 1968, Nancy received a bachelor’s degree from University of Texas in Austin, Texas. In 1974, she received a master’s from San Diego State University in Film and TV. She enjoyed a varied career – teacher, early development of interactive video, TV producer, technical writer and trainer.
In 2003, Nancy retired and traveled the world with Bill where they fell in love with Cambodia. On Bill and Nancy’s 40th Wedding Anniversary in 2006, they started CVF.
20 years later, CVF made a huge difference in many Cambodians’ lives and a bigger difference in Bill and Nancy’s life.
Zion Dyson,
Country Coordinator/Program Director
Zion Dyson grew up singing jazz in San Diego, CA. She attended the New England Conservatory, where she received her B.M. in Jazz Vocal Performance with a Concentration in Music Education. There, she studied vocal pedagogy and taught voice lessons to children and undergraduate students through the Community Performances and Partnerships Fellowship. Inspired by her music education courses on music and arts integration, a pedagogical approach that combines the arts with other disciplines, as well as her family’s work in nonprofits, she went on to pursue graduate study at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. There, she earned her Ed.M. in Human Development with an Arts and Learning Concentration. She received a Fulbright research award to Cambodia to work with the Cambodian Village Fund English Language Program, conducting participatory research with English teachers to improve the program and to integrate music, arts, and games into teaching. She continues to live and work in Cambodia as the Cambodian Village Fund’s Program Director.