We design and produce ethical gifts, and sustainable merchandising for your employees, clients, events (in Thailand, Southeast Asia, and globally)
At Dao Ethical Gifts, we work and outsource the production to women living in marginalized communities, empowering them with upskilling training and work readiness, challenging systemic poverty and gender norms by building self-confidence and dignity.
Our social enterprise is powered by the Baan Dek Foundation (www.baandekfoundation.org).
Every day, we work closely with social workers to empower women most in need and carefully match the order of ethical gifts with their sewing, handicraft skills, and their priority income needs. Dao Ethical Gifts's production team in Chiang Mai will mentor them step by step to lead them through the “ production “ processes (product training, control and quality, delivery time, and contract processes).
So...your customized gifts reflect a unique story of resilience and empowerment!
We are social change makers, carrying out ethical production processes without compromising product quality, safety, compliance, and social impact. We ensure the traceability of our raw materials, which come from ethical sources (labels Gotts, Ecotex), upcycled fabric from (Moreloop), and handmade Indigo from the location.
With our ethical branding solutions, merchandising, and gifts, we purely work at promoting sustainable practices.
We are a Thailand-based registered non-profit social enterprise, meaning 100% of profits are reinvested in supporting vulnerable children through Baan Dek Foundation’s programs.
'Dao' was inspired by the story of a young girl named Duan (Thai for 'moon') and her younger sister Dao (Thai for 'star').
Duan and Dao were living under tin roofs in a marginalized community in Chiang Mai that lacked access to clean water and public services. At only 14 years old, Duan was using a false age so that she could work. She was then married at 15 years old, pregnant at 16 years old, and eventually became a single mother. Despite Duan’s difficult situation, Baan Dek Foundation was able to inspire, empower, and support both Duan and Dao to help them build a better future. We believe that every woman and girl, no matter where they are from, deserves to live out their dreams.
Through Dao Ethical Gifts, we aim to bring a sparkle back into the eyes of women most in need: breaking the cycle of poverty, building ambition and hope for a brighter future.
The Dao Dream Team
Dao social enterprise brings together passionate professionals and pro-bono experts, working together, engaging their businesses, conducting research & design, and interweaving marketing & social work skills.
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Magali du Parc
FOUNDER
‘‘Every mother deserves a safe environment to nurture a future for her children.
In my vision of women's empowerment, unity in purposeful action is essential: fostering innovation and cultivating networks and partnerships with private companies and society.
Together, we can work to ensure that women see the sparkle of hope in their children's eyes and break the cycle of poverty.’’
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Sudaporn Singhadhepthada (Amy)
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE MANAGER
“I feel honored to be a part of Dao Ethical Gifts team, it's a great opportunity to make a positive difference for driving inclusion and social mobility and be a ray of sunshine to those women in need.”
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Nathamon Samngamfai
SALES ADMINISTRATOR
“I am glad to be a part of an organization that helps women to have more job opportunities, access to a better quality of life, and I would like to say that our lives can always start over if we do not give up.” -
Chitsuda Chinati (Ann)
SENIOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM OFFICER
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
- Maya Angelou
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Mallika Hagat (Fah)
PRODUCTION AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT PROJECT OFFICER
“FEAR has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run. Face Everything And Rise”
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Supriya Kasaju
PARTNERSHIPS DIRECTOR
“What brings me immense comfort are women like those who are a part of Dao and those who support Dao behind the scenes. By empowering women – no matter their station in life – we are now going to break free from the cycle of abuse and serve as inspiration for the next generation of women together.”
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Chanpassanan Thachaiyossak (Boom)
CREATIVE CONTENT OFFICER
“Due to a lack of opportunities, many women do not have special skills. By empowering them with skills and knowledge, they become more confident and have more opportunities.”
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Werapong Peansupap (Pank)
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS & HR
"We believe that every woman has great potential, but sometimes it is hidden or obscured by their surroundings. So our primary goal is to make women shine like stars, or ‘dao,’ the Thai word for star."
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Natthawat Lawson
COMMUNICATION & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
“As a team, we work diligently to create meaningful opportunities and support networks for women in-need. Together, we strive to break down barriers and uplift the voices of those who have been marginalized. Our commitment to women's empowerment drives us every day, as we collectively build a brighter and more inclusive future for all."
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Nang Sein Pwint
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
"Many women experience violence, gender inequality, and discrimination due to traditional and cultural norms. With the support of Dao, women are able to reach their full potential through training in leadership skills, financial literacy, decision making, violence prevention, business management, and other skills. I encourage all women to improve their lives by stepping out of their comfort zones to become a better version of themselves.”
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Magda Dolna
VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGNER (CONSULTANT)
“It is very rewarding to support the creation and branding of Dao products, and to see Dao artisans enjoying their work to make handmade ethical gifts and growing every day.”