Sophie Vong-Karlage

Secretary          Term Expires: 8/31/2028

Sophie Vong-Karlage is a nonprofit professional dedicated to fostering meaningful connections through her work in philanthropy and her belief in the power of cross-cultural understanding. An animal lover at heart, she proudly serves on the development team at Pets In Need, an animal shelter based in Redwood City and Palo Alto, where she supports the human-animal bond through fundraising, donor stewardship, and strategic communications.

Originally from Southern China, Sophie now calls the Bay Area home. Her lifelong appreciation for language and cultural exchange has shaped both her personal and professional path. She spent a year living in Nagoya, Japan, and previously worked as a professional translator—experiences that deepened her global outlook and strengthened her passion for building bridges across cultures. She is fluent in English, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Hakka.

Sophie earned a Certificate in Fund Raising Management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University, where she is also completing her Master’s in Philanthropic Studies. She is honored to serve on the board of Neighbors Abroad, bringing a perspective shaped by her experience in philanthropy, multilingual background, and commitment to building a more connected and compassionate world.

Sophie lives with her husband Sean and two rescue pups, Jiffy and Chewy.​