The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that Tanya Sisler is officially the Co-President (in place of Gillian Riddell). She was elected by a unanimous vote in favor by the 44 AWC members who cast their vote using the online ballot. Tanya steps into the role effective February 1, 2025 along with the other officers. Congratulations!
January 28, 2025
Congratulations and thank you... to these women for volunteering to lead AWC forward next year! Their term of office begins on February 1, 2025. Please plan to attend the Officer Installation at the AWC 2025 Kick-Off Event in January 2025. Details will be forthcoming.
We invite you to read below to learn about these new leaders of AWC.
AWC Nominating Committee 2024
Sandy Harford, Chair
Co-Presidents ~ Tanya Sisler & Toni Bain
Tanya Sisler ~ I
arrived in Bangkok a year ago for a work assignment with the World
Bank. I cover our offices in South, East and Central Asia so travel
extensively for work. I absolutely love living here and all this
beautiful country and its people have to offer.
As soon as I arrived, AWC quickly became my lifeline in those early days and continues to be extremely important to me. While I have had many overseas assignments in my career, they were all before I had children at the age of 40. This is the first time since having them that I have ever been separated from them (Sam is 18 and Kyla 17). Luckily, they come to live with me during their school breaks in the summer and winter. Because I am alone here, this made it all the more important for me to build community and connections. And I can say without a doubt that the many friendships that I have made through AWC have made my transition to Bangkok all the more easier and richer. And I suspect many of my AWC Bangkok friends will be friends for life.
I have organized a few events in the past year, namely hosting an international dinner offered by a local organization that assists refugees in Thailand. I am also a passionate cinephile and have spearheaded a few outings with that AWC WhatsApp group.
If elected, one of my goals is to find more creative ways to raise more funds for our Scholarship fund. That is a such a critical part of AWC’s mission that I hope to continue to support and foster. I thank the previous Board members for their tireless and faithful service and look forward to working with the new Board who are all fantastic. Thank you for your trust and consideration. ~ January 11, 2025
Toni Bain ~ My husband Tom and I embarked on a global journey, landing us in Bangkok after stops in Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, the Bahamas, and my home state of Oklahoma. As a proud mother of four and grandmother of two, I'm often seen sharing their photos with enthusiasm.
I joined the AWC in July 2023, immediately after arriving in Thailand. Having been a member of similar clubs in various places I've lived, I knew the AWC would be a valuable resource. It has exceeded my expectations, offering countless opportunities I never imagined. I've immersed myself in the AWC through guided walks, volunteering to support those in need, and enjoying a wide range of social activities, from fine dining to bowling and pickleball. Recently, I've taken on the role of an event organizer, which already has granted me even more chances to participate in a club that has given me and others so much and I'm eager to continue contributing to the AWC's mission.
I'm honored to serve in the position of Co-President and look forward to working collaboratively with the board to further enrich the lives of our members and strengthen the AWC's impact on the community.
Vice President ~ Louise Hayden
Hello! I'm excited to continue supporting AWC in a new role as Vice President. I've been honored to be your Co-President this past year, it has been a great year for AWC as we continue old traditions and start new ones. I've learned so much and look forward to supporting our new Co-Presidents and being a part of what comes next! I'm now in my 11th year as an expat, based in the Philippines, Myanmar and now Thailand with my husband and two teenage daughters.
My background is in IT business consulting but my interests have taken me towards volunteerism for socially conscious causes and community building through sport (tennis!) and health. I'm so proud to be a part of AWC and of our members who make this club such a dynamic and welcoming community.
My roots are in Germany, but my family's presence spans the globe. I grew up in Washington D.C., completed high school in Geneva, Switzerland and graduated from the EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland. My life's journey has taken me to Germany, France, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and China before settling in Bangkok with my husband in June 2023. With three adult children currently living in Germany, Belgium and the UK, and my mother in the USA, family is at the core of my global adventures.
Shortly after arriving in Bangkok, I joined AWC, made many friends, and have been on many adventures thanks to this wonderful group of women. Since January 2024, I have been serving as Secretary and board member. I would be pleased to continue in this role for another term.
Hi, I'm Teresa—mom of two lively kids, and we're in our sixth year navigating the vibrant chaos (and charm) of Bangkok. With over 13 years in corporate finance under my belt, I've spent most of my career in the business world, but my true passion lies in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes, or packing up for the next adventure.
I've had the privilege of living in Taiwan, the US, and Sweden, where I served on the board of the American Women’s Club in Stockholm, and even took a turn as president of the International Women’s Club there. Along the way, I’ve also organized charity galas and been deeply involved in philanthropy.
These days, when I'm not planning our next big event or cooking up something new, you’ll probably find me looking for my keys (again). Oh, and speaking of the AWC—I hope to continue as Treasurer after a soft landing, but I’m on the lookout for a partner to share the role. If you’re someone who loves numbers and a bit of adventure, let’s talk!