Leng Vong Reiff

President
Akili Design & Marketing Services; also owns Agora Events Center

Age: 34

Partner: Matt Reiff

Children: Logan Reiff (8) and Quentin Reiff (5) 

Mentor: Vinh Nguyen, ELL assessment and accountability specialist 

Why she is a Forty: Leng is an executive board member of the ACLU of Iowa, sits on the West Des Moines school district’s School Improvement Advisory Committee (which also serves as its equity committee), and is PTO treasurer at her son’s elementary school. She volunteers her time to educate in marketing and also sits on the planning team of the Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit. Leng feels volunteering her time is important, as she struggled to find a mentor when starting her business. Those who were willing to mentor would only do so for a high cost. She lives with a pay-it-forward mantra and believes success is driven by impact.

What are your goals in your role at your company? 

Many of my clients come to me because they need help positioning their businesses in the top ranks of search engines. They also need help understanding the whats and hows of social media. I help them plan and execute digital marketing strategies to grow their online presence.

What are your goals for your community involvement? 

I am driven to ensure I can help promote inclusion, opportunity and equality. I hope to use my positions on the board of the ACLU of Iowa, West Des Moines School Improvement Advisory Committee, my leadership position with my sons’ school PTO and my involvement with local refugee organizations to do this.

What's your biggest passion, and why? 

My family. Two years ago our world was turned upside down when my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor that disabled him. I want to teach my kids that challenges and setbacks are opportunities for us to grow — I exemplify this by working hard inside and out of the office.

What is it that drives you? 

Success for me is about how I can use my accomplishments to impact and inspire others. Little did I know I would inspire my own children. A few months ago my oldest son designed and sold shirts, which ended up raising $1,500 for local charities. 

What are your future aspirations? 

There are so many people in the Des Moines metro that are overlooked. My goal is to not only continue to learn and grow for the next opportunity, I want to be a positive voice and bring awareness to our community so that we can work together to embrace our differences.

Three hobbies: Mission to see the Seven Wonders of the World; I have two down. Cyclone football, and converting my Hawkeye husband to a Cyclone so we will no longer be a house divided! Collecting wine from around the world.

Fun fact: Leng was a competitive gymnast and was a member of the original gymnastics team trained by Liang Chow. She credits her drive and perseverance to her gymnastics training.

ONE word: Resilient.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? 

When my husband became disabled, I noticed that there is room for a lot of improvement when it comes to accessibility. I’d love to work to improve this and increase outdoor dining opportunities — I picture European restaurants.

Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you? 

I am a highly sought-out speaker/educator in digital marketing for business conferences all over the nation.

I am a second-generation immigrant, born to refugees who fled here in the 1970s. My parents provided me endless opportunities that they didn’t have. My parents’ American dream was to be able to provide as much as they could for their children. I am thankful for this, because without their hard work and determination — fleeing their country — I would not be where I am today.

I received a full scholarship to Iowa State University and started school as an architecture major with big dreams. Quickly I found I had fallen in love with the fun, creative side in advertising/ journalism/design and switched my major to double major in both advertising and design.

Studying abroad in Brazil is what started my love of travel. When I had kids, I hoped to instill the love of travel in them — seeing the world through another lens is just amazing! Learning about different cultures and broadening one’s horizons is priceless.

The past year, with COVID, has been a breeze for my family — and I know not all families can say that. We had gotten through the worst time of our Iives when my husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor in November 2018. He had surgery and radiation treatments — I went from having a partner to having to be a caregiver to my husband, a business owner and a mom of two boys.

It was stressful at times, but I work well under pressure and many people needed me. We always found the bright side through the entire experience, and even now with my husband’s disability, there is a bright side — it could have been worse.