Sera Koulabdara,

“My father taught my siblings and I that what you leave behind is so much more important than what you take. During my father's last days; he shared painful memories of the devastating impact the Secret War had on him and the people he loved. These horrific experiences led my father to live a life full of love, compassion, and service to others — I hope to carry his legacy to the next generation, create hope, and make a positive difference in the lives of people in my father's beloved homeland, Laos.”

My Story

Sera Koulabdara (Sa-rah Goo-lap-dah lah) serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Legacies of War, the only international U.S.-based advocacy and educational organization working to address the impacts of war including unexploded ordnance (UXO), victims assistance, explosive ordnance risk education, and environmental impacts of contamination.

Under her leadership, U.S. funding for humanitarian demining is at its highest level in history ($264M) with bipartisan support from Congress. She received the inaugural Award of Gratitude in 2024 and the Humanitarian Award of 2022 given by the Lao PDR for its successful advocacy efforts in securing funds for bomb removal and victims assistance. She is also the recipient of the UNSUNG Hero Award from Asian Hustle Network and the HEART Award from the Idaho Museum of International Diaspora (IMID) for extraordinary leadership.

A leading voice in the global movement to address the humanitarian consequences of war, Sera has consistently broken barriers in spaces where directly impacted communities have historically been excluded from decision-making. She became the first Lao American to participate in the 20th Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Convention. By unanimous vote, Sera was elected Chair of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions Coalition (USCBL-CMC) for the 2023–2025 term, becoming the first BIPOC leader, millennial, and person with lived experience from an impacted country to hold the role. She continues to serve on the coalition’s Steering Committee and, since January 2025, has served as Co-Chair of the War Legacies Working Group.

Sera also serves as an Advisory Council Member of CAAT (Campaign Against Arms Trade), supporting international efforts to challenge the global arms trade and advance policies centered on human rights, civilian protection, and accountability. Her appointment reflects a growing international recognition of her expertise on disarmament, post-conflict recovery, and the long-term humanitarian impacts of war.

She is also a founding member of the Global Leadership Council and the Southeast Asia Exhibit of the IMID.

As a globally recognized researcher and expert in mine action, Sera is also a writer and journalist who has written extensively on topics ranging from her family’s personal experiences to the history of UXO contamination, clearance efforts, and the enduring legacies of war. A highly sought-after contributor and speaker, her work and expertise have been featured in The New York Times, The Hill, USA Today, The Washington Post, NBC, Responsible Statecraft, and other major outlets.

Growing up in Laos, Sera witnessed her father, Dr. Sith Koulabdara, operate on countless victims of cluster munition accidents, including a young girl who attended her school. Those experiences profoundly shaped her lifelong commitment to humanitarian advocacy, disarmament, and justice for war-affected communities.

Sera Koulabdara,

My Story

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