#tong collection

Ting Barnard was born in Vientiane, Laos and moved to the United States when she was one year old. Her family left Laos due to political issues and war strife between Cambodia and their homeland, braving a journey that wasn’t for the faint of heart.

After a gruesome boat trip to Thailand they were fortunate to survive, Ting and her family were brought to the United States as refugees, landing in Boston.  A giving family sponsored them and provided assistance with food, clothing, and day trips for Ting and her three siblings.  It was her beginnings in the United States that showed Ting the importance of helping others, which soon became her mission in life.

Upon arriving in Rhode Island, her new home, Ting felt alienated due to the differences between her and other kids.  She and her family were unable to have “nice” and “fancy” things, but she was happy and healthy with the bare essentials.

Ting refused to let the bullies get in the way of her dreams.  She earned a degree in Sociology and English at Boston University in 2002.  Soon after, Ting was working her way up the corporate ladder in a prestigious hedge fund company and later for Lehman Brothers in New York City.   After a trip with her husband, Ian, to her home country, she realized her fast paced lifestyle needed to change.

“We lived with no water, no electricity, and my husband and I loved every minute of it; it’s important to live a simple life. After this experience, I decided to come back to Rhode Island and settle down to be closer to family.”

Ting’s current lifestyle utilizes every minute of every day, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.  She has a finance career in downtown Providence, works as a fashion designer for her own custom line, dedicates time to being a philanthropic leader, and, most importantly, focuses on her role as a mother and wife.  As amazing as her accomplishments are, she is most proud of her daughter, Victory, her little “fashionista” at the age of four.

Ting’s inspiration comes from many role models, all of whom urge her to continue to be charitable and to stay humble. Among those, are Ting’s parents who taught her the importance of hard work and community service.  Her father, Viengkhone, has been the president of the Laotian Association of Rhode Island for 5 years.  Her mother, Tong, volunteers and provides services to women in Rhode Island, especially those struggling economically.

Ting’s mother-in-law and father-in-law also have had a significant impact on her success both professionally and personally. They have encouraged her to be the best she can be and the value of teamwork. The Barnard’s favorite saying is, “We are all in this together.”  This is the motto she lives by and shares with her daughter.

“Growing up sleeping on the floor and worrying about where the next meal was coming from gave me an understanding that I never want anyone to live like that, and inspires my mission to give back.  I even worked at a jewelry factory growing up, earning money for my family just to make ends meet.   I want to teach my daughter the importance of helping others and hope that she continues the community outreach.”

Ting is a visionary leader and is actively involved in YearUp, Center for Southeast Asians Rhode Island, StyleWeek, Children’s Friend, Mayor’s Southeast Asian Council, Lincoln School Parent Association, and the Welcoming Rhode Island Advisory Committee.  In the future Ting would like to assist with job creation, as she sees it as her mission to help the unemployed get back to work for the community to thrive.

“I want a thriving Rhode Island filled with innovative thinkers, a state fueled with ideas, passion, culture, heritage and unlimited opportunities for everyone. I wish for a level playing field for everyone, where one is not limited to his dreams because of financial situations.  A state where one is welcomed to dream and to dream BIG.”

Ting unites the community in unsurpassed ways, always looking to better Rhode Island while staying true to her Laotian roots.

“As a Rhode Islander and a citizen of the United States, I feel an obligation to assist those that share this “journey to America for a better life” story. Initially, I felt the importance and almost the need for my family to assimilate into Western culture.  But now, I understand how crucial it is for us to share our customs and traditions with those that are native to America.  We live in a much different world where being one nationality or race is not the norm.    We are indeed a melting pot of multicultural awesomeness with a myriad of languages, customs, traditions and food!”

Written and compiled by Lauren Mullins and Kristen Ferrucci