Geraldine Cox

Geraldine Cox is the founder and President of Sunrise Cambodia, a sustainable community development organisation dedicated to supporting Cambodia’s most vulnerable children and the communities in which they live. Based in Kandal province, she mentors the children in her care and works closely with sponsors and donors from around the world.

A highly respected humanitarian and engaging speaker, Geraldine regularly appears in public and media forums to support fundraising and advocacy. She has addressed audiences at the National Press Club, the Sydney Institute, the Parliamentary Sub Committee on Human Rights, The Asia Society, and the University of Sydney. She delivered the Nelson Mandela Lecture at the University of South Australia in 2016 and spoke at the United Nations-sponsored University Leadership Scholars Symposium in Bangkok in 2017.

Geraldine’s humanitarian journey began in her early 20s with postings at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, followed by Manila, Bangkok, Tehran, and Washington DC. In 1995, she returned to Cambodia to work as Executive Assistant to the Cabinet Director of the Prime Minister and was later appointed Ambassador-at-Large to assist in building a neutral and peaceful Cambodia. Following a military coup in 1997, Geraldine became the sole caretaker for orphaned children, earning her the nickname M’Day Thom (“Big Mum”) and cementing her humanitarian reputation.

She is a published author of Home is Where the Heart Is and the subject of the award-winning documentary My Khmer Heart, which has screened internationally and was shortlisted for an Academy Award. Geraldine’s story has also been featured on high-profile Australian television programs including Australian Story, Four Corners, 60 Minutes, and This Is Your Life.

Geraldine Cox’s work has been recognised through nominations for the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur Award, and appointments to the Humanitarian Affairs Advisory Board (UK) and the International Advisory Board of Oasis Africa Australia. She speaks internationally on finding true meaning in life, overcoming adversity, stepping up when needed, and creating a life worthy of living.