Kris Warner

Kris grew up in California with a Swedish mother and American father, and from a young age he was drawn to travel and different cultures. After earning a degree in Hospitality Management from Cal Poly University in 1989, he worked at the Ritz-Carlton in Atlanta before heading to Southeast Asia in 1991. What began as a short visit turned into a life-changing journey. He took a job teaching English in Japan, where he lived and further traveled throughout Asia.

After returning to the US  in 1999, Kris landed in San Francisco where he taught English in a variety of schools—including three years at Academy of Art University. And, in 2005 Kris felt a strong calling back to Asia. Following a time of prayer, and a first visit to Cambodia he sold his belongings and moved to Phnom Penh. For six years, he volunteered at a church orphan home, where he taught English, helped lead mission teams, and trained translators for medical outreaches.

In 2009, Kris met his wife Naome, a Cambodian national. They married in 2010 and welcomed their daughter in 2011. In 2013, the family moved to Kep and founded Khmer Hands Resort and Arts Training Center. Since then, they’ve had the joy of training hundreds of students and welcoming thousands of guests.

Kris also serves on the academic council for Chenla University in Phnom Penh, where he teaches English to medical students. His passion is teaching and empowering students to recognize their potential and pursue their dreams with confidence.

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