Dr. Clāra Ly-Le is the Founder and Managing Director of EloQ Communications, a boutique public relations and marketing agency based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Her agency specializes in media relations, crisis communication, influencer marketing, and market entry support for clients from both local and international markets. She leads with a focus on strategy and global standards while ensuring campaigns connect well with Vietnamese audiences. Her work is grounded in both academic knowledge and practical experience, giving her agency a strong foundation in ethics, data, and impact. We at CIO Global, are proud to introduce Dr. Clāra Ly-Le as one of the 05 Most Elite Business Personalities to Follow in 2025.
The idea to start her own company came from her observation of a gap in how PR was practiced in Vietnam compared to international standards. Clāra saw the need for an agency that could combine global best practices with local understanding in a smart, respectful, and creative way. She wanted to raise the standard of PR in Vietnam and Southeast Asia by building a company that was ethical, strategic, and results-driven. Through EloQ Communications, she created a space where professionalism and purpose guide every campaign, every decision, and every relationship.
“Lead with purpose, not just profit—build something that reflects your values and leaves a lasting impact.”
Clāra’s leadership is unique because it blends academic research with practical experience. She values facts and learning, and believes that strong leadership means creating a space where people feel free to grow and share ideas. Her team at EloQ works in a multicultural and collaborative environment, where each member is encouraged to innovate and explore. This has helped the company remain flexible, creative, and prepared for change in a fast-moving world.
One of the early challenges Clāra faced was convincing big brands to trust a local Vietnamese firm for serious PR work. Many companies at the time preferred to partner with larger international agencies. She overcame this challenge by showing the value EloQ could bring—through international certifications, joining professional networks like PRCA, and delivering high-quality work for global brands. Companies like AstraZeneca, the Hong Kong Tourism Board, and Viber have since worked with EloQ, helping to build its reputation and credibility. The agency’s consistent focus on excellence, transparency, and results helped break old biases and gain the trust of large clients.
A key innovation that set EloQ apart was the use of academic research in PR work. Clāra introduced evidence-based methods such as AMEC measurement frameworks and audience segmentation tools to plan and evaluate campaigns. This helped EloQ design smarter, data-driven strategies that went beyond guesswork and gut feeling. These techniques helped the agency stand out in Vietnam’s PR scene, where many competitors still relied on traditional methods. The result has been better campaigns that speak directly to audiences and provide clear, measurable results for clients.
To stay ahead in her field, Clāra combines learning, research, and networking. As a member of PRCA Asia-Pacific, she connects regularly with international professionals and keeps up with the latest trends. She also writes and reviews academic studies, which helps sharpen her thinking and planning. Her team continues to learn and grow through certifications and events, and they stay alert to new changes in technology, media, and public behavior. What’s important to Clāra is not just knowing the trends, but knowing how to adapt them to Vietnam’s culture and context. This has kept EloQ Communications modern, relevant, and innovative.
Building a strong team is one of Clāra’s top priorities. She believes that resilience starts with trust, honesty, and shared purpose. At EloQ, communication is open, and learning is part of the everyday work culture. She mentors her staff, supports their personal and professional growth, and builds a sense of community where everyone feels valued. This team-first approach helps EloQ stay strong through challenges and remain united around their goals.
Her values are clear and consistent: integrity, professionalism, respect for culture, and innovation. Clāra believes in being honest, doing high-quality work, and always keeping the client’s long-term interest in mind. She also strongly respects cultural differences, especially in diverse markets like Southeast Asia. Innovation is also central to her vision—she encourages her team to try new ideas, use new tools, and keep learning. In the future, she hopes to see EloQ become a regional leader in ethical, data-driven PR, helping shape the industry through education, mentoring, and global cooperation.
“We blend global best practices with local culture to build campaigns that are strategic, ethical, and impactful.”
For Clāra, success in 2025 has two sides: one professional, and one personal. Professionally, success means that EloQ continues to grow and influence the PR field in Southeast Asia. It means delivering excellent campaigns that are ethical and meaningful. It also means being part of important conversations globally and supporting young professionals through mentoring. On a personal level, success means staying balanced and grounded, continuing to grow as a person, and staying close to the values that inspired her to start EloQ in the first place. For her, success is not just about size or fame—it’s about making a real, lasting difference with integrity.
Her message to the next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders is simple: lead with purpose, not just profit. She encourages young people to build businesses that reflect their values and make a positive difference in their communities. For Clāra, business is not just about money—it’s about shaping industries, improving lives, and leaving behind something meaningful.
One of the projects Clāra is most excited about is a regional initiative that brings together PR professionals across Southeast Asia to support sustainability and social good. This project involves working with like-minded partners to create campaigns for causes that matter. It also helps purpose-driven companies find their voice and reach wider audiences. For EloQ, this is a chance to step beyond Vietnam, work with others across borders, and show how good communication can create positive change. It reflects Clāra’s deep belief that PR can be a force for good when done with care and purpose.
On a larger scale, the global issues Clāra cares most about are sustainability, fairness, and truth in communication. She believes that in today’s world—where false information and division are widespread—PR professionals have a big role to play in promoting honesty, trust, and access to information. That’s why EloQ chooses to work with clients and partners who value ethics, such as those in healthcare, education, and environmental causes. Clāra is also passionate about making sure Southeast Asian voices are heard in global discussions. She wants to make space for local stories, cultures, and concerns in a global media landscape that often overlooks them.
In one sentence, what makes Clāra Ly-Le one of the most elite business leaders to follow in 2025 is her ability to bridge global standards with local wisdom, leading a purpose-driven PR agency that promotes ethical storytelling, sustainable change, and Southeast Asian voices in the world.
“It’s not just about running a business—it’s about raising the bar for PR in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.”