Channy Chhi Laux

Channy Laux is a survivor of the Cambodian genocide. She was thirteen-years-old when the Khmer Rouge took over the country in 1975. From 1975 to 1979, Channy endured starvation, horrendous working conditions, sickness and repeated separations from her family.

In June of 1979, Channy arrived in Lincoln Nebraska as a refugee. After four years of no school and not knowing a word of English, she attended Lincoln High School. She went on to earn a BS from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from Santa Clara University. Channy worked in Silicon Valley as an engineer in the Aerospace and Biotech industries for 30 years. In 2017, Channy published her memoir, Short Hair Detention, which went on to receive multiple awards, including the Best Indie Book Award and Nebraska’s Book Award.

Channy is founder of Angkor Cambodian Food, which produces award-winning Southeast Asian ingredients. In 2023, Channy opened the highly acclaimed Angkor Chef restaurant in San Jose, California.

Channy now balances her time between her business and promoting awareness of the Cambodian Genocide. She is a member of the Speakers Bureau at multiple organizations including the JFCS Holocaust Center, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and the Cambodian Genocide Resource Center.

In 2024, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) recognized Channy as an Outstanding Americans by Choice honoree for her contributions to our community and country.