HALI LEE
Hali Lee believes that deep relationships and empathy are foundationally important, that the personal is the political, and that collectively, aligned around common values, we can accomplish beautiful things. She has spent her career doing her best to democratize and diversify the field and practice of philanthropy in order to drive resources towards more equitable, pluralistic, just systems for thriving peoples and planet. Hali currently builds out of her consulting practice, Radiant Strategies. She is a co-founder of the Donors of Color Network, the first ever national network by and for individual people of color donors. She was a member of the co-design team that birthed Philanthropy Together in 2020, created to scale and strengthen the burgeoning collective giving movement nationally. Hali is also the founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle, which raises resources for Asian American women using the arts to bring about social change in their NYC communities. In fifteen years, the Circle has made grants of over one million dollars in support of eighty amazing projects. Hali was born in Seoul, South Korea and grew up in Kansas City. She graduated from Princeton University, studied Buddhism at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, and received a Masters in Social Work from New York University. Hali has worked in many capacities and served on many boards, often combining a love of learning, the arts and equitable social change. Hali lives in Brooklyn, NY along with her dear husband, three college-age children, two cats and a big dog. In her free time, Hali loves to travel, read, play tennis and keep rooftop honeybees. Hali was recently profiled in Forbes 50 Over 50: Impact. NY, Radiant Strategies
Keynote Speaker |
ANNIE LEE
Annie is passionate about helping women rediscover who they are, redefine who they want to be, and live intentionally to inspire positive changes. She guides women in developing a supportive mindset and attitude that gives them a sense of confidence to go out there to create a life they love. She believes that a life well-lived is one that is intentional, fulfilled with love, passion, authenticity, and purpose. Annie is the Co-creator of Hmong Women Today, Host of Hmong Women Today LIVE, Vivncaus Mentoring Program Manager, and a certified women’s circle facilitator. She has over 18 years of experience as a children counselor working with stressed foster youths where she helps them develop positive self-esteem. Annie enjoys the simple things in life such as a warm cup of coffee, day out with nature, and quality time with her family. CA, Hmong Women Today
Panel Discussion #1 |
BOUASVANH LOR
Bouasvanh is the founder and Executive Director of Hmong Culture Camp, a program that is dedicated to teaching youth about the Hmong language and culture. She recognizes the importance of bridging generations as a way to keep it alive. As a second-generation Hmong American, she considers herself a cultural and language broker between the Hmong and the greater community and for the younger and older generations. CA, Hmong Culture Camp
Panel Discussion #1 |
JAMES HER
James Her, MSW identifies a s Hmong American gay male, who grew up in Sacramento, CA. He has been on the Hmong Queer Suab leadership team for the past six years. His research interest includes the mental experiences in the Hmong LGBTQ community and internalized oppression. He aspires to continue working with and advocating for marginalized groups particularly the Queer Hmong community as well as the mental health stigma in the Hmong community. CA, Issues About LGBTQ
Panel Discussion #1 |
MAI THOR
Mai seeks to embed disability justice in the work of larger justice and equity movements. As a person living with a disability and as a leader who has helped design more accessible and inclusive systems for people with disabilities, she sees that social justice movements often leave disability out of their efforts. She wants to transform these movements to be completely accessible and inclusive so that every march, rally or community meeting is informed by a disability perspective. To grow her capacity to lead, she will study ableism and disability culture, history and law. She will also convene a network of social justice and disability justice leaders to build understanding and greater solidarity. Mai has a Master’s in Nonprofit and Public Administration from Metropolitan State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Augsburg University. She lives in Oak Park Heights, MN with her husband, two boys, and cat. MN, 2021 Bush Follow
Panel Discussion #1 |
MAI ZONG VUE
Mai Zong Vue currently works for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Mai Zong is also a cultural trainer and folklore performer, including Hmong poetry song and storyteller since 1997. She is an alumni of UW-Madison. Mai Zong has been a tireless advocate for the poor for the past 35 years, especially the Hmong people and refugees. She began to advocate for her family, extended family, and then the Hmong community in the 1980’s. Mai Zong’s advocacy and grass-root activism led to the development of Hmong and refugee women non-profit agencies in Wisconsin and Georgia to provide human service; health and women’s empowerment and leadership services for refugee women; Refugee Family Strengthening Program (a domestic abuse program) in Wisconsin; the Hmong studies position at UW-Madison; the Hmong Language and Culture Enrichment Program; and the Hmong Institute. Nationally, Mai Zong served on a variety of boards that help improved the lives of others. Internationally, she volunteered as a delegate to global gatherings that aim to advance the status of woman and children, including the State Department’s Hmong-Lao Oversea Delegation to Laos in 2011 and Hmong American Delegation to Napho refugee camp in 1996, and United Nation’s 4th Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. Mai Zong received numerous awards and honors for her tireless effort in serving the poor, including the YWCA of Dane County’s Women of Distinction, Authentic Hmong Leaders and Trailblazer. WI, Hmong Institute
Panel Discussion #1 |
ZONG YANG
Zong Yang, (Zoo Yaj) is a Hmong artist, advocate and community organizer based in the Upper Midwest. His work is centered on ending gender-based violence within the Hmong community. With eight years of community organizing and advocacy experience and learning from Hmong Women and LGBTQ gender justice leaders, Zong has worked and supported local, national and international efforts to end gender-based violence against Hmong Women, Girls and LGBTQ people. These includes helping to build direct service infrastructure and capacity in a local Milwaukee organization to serve Southeast Asian LGBTQ youths and refugees who are facing violence, serving as a intional Queer Contigency Member for the “Building Our Future Campagin,” a campaign created by Hmong Women to end abusive international marriages and lastly, and being a long time ManForward Community organizer to organize Southeast Asian Men, Boys and Masculine folks to end gender-based violence. He is currently working at Hmong American Women’s Association in Milwaukee, WI as the Queer Justice Director and a consultant for ManForward. In his roles, he develops and runs Queer Justice and Youth Justice leadership programs, supports victims & survivors through case management in the areas of: domestic violence, sexual assault and family rejection and builds the capacity of Southeast Asian Men, Boys and Masculine folks to end violence. MN, ManForward
Panel Discussion #1 |
YA PO CHA
Ya Po Cha (Npe laus yog Chav Kuam Tsab) was born in Sayabouly, Laos. He spent 5 years in Refugee Camp Ban Hoyot, Thailand before coming to the United States as an adolescent in 1980. He graduated from California State University, Fresno with a BA in biochemistry. He completed his single subject teaching credential in physical science with Hmong language authorization and an MA in Bilingual-Multicultural Education at California State University, Sacramento. He taught high school science for over 10 years. For the last 18 years, he has been teaching Hmong as a world language at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California. He has been involved in the Hmong community working with various non-profit organizations, taking lead roles (ua mej koob kav xwm) in cultural event such as weddings and funerals. He is the author of the book An Introduction to Hmong Culture and Keeb Kwm Haiv Neeg Hmoob. CA, Author of An Introduction to Hmong Culture
Panel Discussion #1 |
KAOLEE YANG
Kaolee is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency in Salem, Oregon where she is responsible for all of the organization’s financial functions including accounting, audit, treasury, and finance. She manages a team of nine that supports the Agency’s eight different programs. Prior to that, she worked in public accounting, auditing organizations from the nonprofit, manufacturing, and technology sectors, while earning her CPA license. She graduated from Georgia State University with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy. Outside of accounting, Kaolee works on The Story Cloth Shop which she founded in December 2018 as a two-pronged platform: a curated shop of Hmong-inspired items and a Stories series focusing on different experiences and issues within the Hmong community. She is also a co-host on All That Talk Talk Show whose mission is to bring relevant content that allows their community to have an open and honest conversation to influence change. In her spare time, Kaolee enjoys spending time with her two children, exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest landscape, reading books, and writing poems. OR, "Nonprofit Grant Management"
Workshop Track 1: Non-Profit |
YENGYEE LOR
Yengyee is the Founder and President of Faithful Consulting. Faithful Consulting is founded with the heart-intention to create social change in the workplace. She is passionate about social change, elevating people, and strategically integrating whole-person, work, and community to enhance workplace success. Yengyee has two kids and love traveling and fitness. Her favorite weather is warm; her favorite destination, natural wonders; her favorite color, green; and her why is people. WI, “Board Governance”
Workshop Track 1: Non-Profit |
VALENG CHA
Valeng David Cha is the Director of Government, Foundation, and Corporate Relations at St. Olaf College based in Northfield, Minnesota. He leads the Grants Office to secure external philanthropic funding that support all areas of the College, including student services, scholarships, teaching and learning, co-curricular activities, scholarly research, artistic activity, and professional development. Valeng has played a pivotal role in securing grant awards from the Lilly Endowment to re-imagine congregational callings; the National Endowment for the Humanities for Covid-related relief; the Sherman Fairchild Foundation for STEM summer student research; and many federal TRiO awards. He is currently pursuing a major National Science Foundation grant to strengthen institutional culture and racial equity practices in STEM education at St. Olaf. Valeng was recently appointed to sit on the Presidential Search Committee to look for St. Olaf’s next president of the college. Valeng has over two decades of experience in nonprofit management and strategic grants development and has advanced the way nonprofits think about and secure philanthropic revenue to further their missions. Previously, he served as Associate Vice President of YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities, where he co-lead the Mission Advancement department with all fundraising operations. Valeng also found success securing sustained partnerships from major Fortune 500 Companies including Microsoft Corp, Target Corp, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and more. Prior to that, Valeng led grant operations at Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, the largest statewide social service agency. His fundraising leadership experience encompasses K-12 and higher education, youth development, child wellness, foster care/group homes/homeless youth, disaster recovery, refugee resettlement, supportive housing, and capital campaigns. Overall, Valeng has helped secure over $68 million in grants and other resources to fund critical services empowering low-income youth, families, and diverse communities. MN, "Development, Fundraising, and Philanthropy"
Workshop Track 1: Non-Profit |
MAE YANG
Mae Yang is a Financial Strategist and founder of Money Ahead Method. She services clients that desire to have a clear financial roadmap and alignment with their finances to meet their financial goals faster. Personalized solutions and laser focus strategies are developed to meet the clients’ desires for a life-changing experience. She holds a Master of Science in Criminology and is a National Certified Financial Education Instructor. She is also a certified and licensed insurance producer professional. She brings over 12 years of experience from the public services profession. She spent the last 5 years in corporate working on financial crime cases, educating on financial crime prevention, and helping clients rebuild their credits. CO, "Establish Your Business Credit Score for Better Rates"
Workshop Track 2: Small Business |
MAI VANG-HODAHKWEN
Mai is a Certified Public Accountant with a tax practice in Roseville, CA. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Accounting and Financial Management and has been in the field of public accounting for over 8 years. She is passionate about helping small businesses and individuals from all walks of life to achieve their financial goals through a variety of services including business consulting, entity selection, bookkeeping, tax planning and tax preparation. Outside of her tax practice, Mai enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband and 3 kids. CA, "Bookkeeping - Why it's Essential for Small Business Profitability"
Workshop Track 2: Small Business 
YIA HER
Yia is the President of California Hmong Chamber of Commerce and Realtor. He loves networking and firmly believe networking “can lead you to whatever you want are looking”. CA, Executive Director of Hmong Chamber
Workshop Track 2: Small Business |
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MOLLIE LO
Mollie leaned into her intuition back when she was 21 years old to direct her career journey. In doing so, she successfully built a 15+ year career as an HR Leader. With her God-given purpose to inspire other women, she elevated her career from HR Leader to now, Career Coach. As a Career Coach, Mollie helps moms leave their unfulfilling jobs and identify a new, exciting career with confidence and clarity. With her guidance, her clients have found their next ideal careers with an average salary increase of over $28,000! When she’s not empowering other mommies, Mollie loves reading historical fiction novels and taking spontaneous trips with her husband Mike. She also lives for movie and snuggle time with her 3 kiddos. WI, “Career Change”
Workshop Track 3: Professional |
BO THAO-URABE
Bo Thao-Urabe is a practice-based possibilian and serial creator of community-centered, asset-based solutions that transform practices to enable meaningful change for those most impacted by systemic oppression and inequities. She currently serves as senior program strategist for the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund and executive and network director of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL). Bo's lived experiences at the intersections of war, poverty, immigration, gender, culture and race have continuously shaped how she connects the dots to reimagine and create solutions. She has built and led local, national, and global solutions, and co-founded CAAL, Hmong Women Achieving Together, RedGreen Rivers, BMPP Giving Circle, MaivPAC, Building Our Future: A Community Campaign and the Asian Pacific Islander Institute on Gender-Based Violence. She currently serves on the Boards of The Minneapolis Foundation, Drake Bank, Propel Nonprofits and is a Regent at the University of Minnesota. Her leadership has been recognized locally and nationally for her leadership and impact. She enjoys travel, time with her daughter and family, golfing and volleyball. Bo Thao-Urabe [email protected] MN, BMPP Giving Circle
Panel Discussion #2 |
GERI YANG-JOHNSON
Geri is the Vice President and community relations senior consultant, is charged with implementing Wells Fargo’s public affairs strategy, community and economic development programs in Central California. Geri manages Wells Fargo’s regional philanthropy and maintains the company’s social impact and sustainability initiatives that support underserved populations. For more than 15 years, Geri has dedicated herself to improving California communities through advocacy, philanthropy, and development. She is a community leader focused on developing inclusive economies centered on racial equity and social justice. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Geri served as a program officer for Central Valley Community Foundation where she worked to empower underserved communities and strengthen the capacity of nonprofits. Geri is a 2017 Bankers Without Borders Global Fellow and a 2014 Funders Network PLACES Fellow. She currently serves on the board of The California Wellness Foundation, Reinvent Stockton Foundation, and the James B. McClatchy Foundation where she oversees efforts implementing innovative solutions to California’s most pressing social and economic issues. Geri also serves as an Executive Committee Member for Fresno DRIVE, a $4 billion regional inclusive economy investment plan, leading efforts focused on racial equity. She previously served on the boards of The Women’s Foundation of California, Access Plus Capital, and on the Statewide Steering Committee for Smart Growth California. In 2021, Geri was recognized with the Fresno State Top Dog Alumni Award for her “contributions to her profession, the University, and the community.” In 2019, Geri was recognized with the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) Margaret Ashida Leadership Award for demonstrating leadership in her work. In 2015, the City of Fresno honored Geri with the Women Leading the Way Award. A year later, she was honored with the Trailblazer Award. In 2018, Geri founded the Mala Scholarship Fund with Central California Asian Pacific Women to support first-generation AAPI students in their pursuit of higher education. CA, Wells Fargo Foundation
Panel Discussion #2 |
LUE HER
Lue is currently a Regional Director with the Otto Bremer Trust, a private foundation serving nonprofits and communities throughout Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. He has served the Trust for more than 17 years. Lue is responsible for leading the Trust’s program team overseeing grant-making activities and geographic expansion in Montana and Wisconsin. Lue received his Master of Arts in Management degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. His undergraduate degree in Social Science with a concentration in Political Science and a State of Minnesota secondary social studies teaching license is from the University of Minnesota at Morris (UMM). He is also a graduate of the prestigious San Francisco, California based Coro Fellowship Program in Public Affairs. Additionally, he was a graduate of the inaugural class of the Great Valley Center’s (GVC) Institute for the Development of Emerging Area Leaders (IDEAL) Fellowship Program out of Modesto, California. Upon his return to Minnesota, he was a Human Rights and Philanthropy Fellow with the Higher Education Consortium on Urban Affairs and in 2013 was selected as an Archibald Bush Foundation Leadership Fellow where he focused on growing philanthropy in the Hmong community by developing a Hmong Community Foundation. Lue was the last generation of Hmong born in Laos before the communist takeover. His early life was spent in the Bon Vinai Refugee camp in Leoi Province, Thailand. As the first generation of Hmong in the United States, Lue experienced the resettlement of his people, the hardships they endured, and the advancements that came with hard work and dedication. He is married to Kita Her, a charter school executive director working to advance the learning and preparation of a diverse student population in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Along with their daughter Madeline, they spend their lives involved in community, church, family, and never-ending pursuit of discovering how others live and learn in other countries. MN, Otter Bremer Trust
Panel Discussion #2 |
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TZIANENG VANG
Tzianeng has lived, studied, volunteered and worked in the Twin Cities for over thirty years. I had studied Hmoob (Miao) ancient history in China, traveled numerous times back to Thailand, Laos and China for friendly soccer games in Laos, King’s Cup in Bangkok for the sport of Sepak Takraw (kab taub/kato), and went back to teach English in China. Currently I am the acting director of the newly incorporated Hmong Shaman and Herb Center (HSHC). I have taught Hmoob culture and language at Century College and as driver’s education instructor for my SAFE Driving School and later on for Drivers Education, Inc. I had also taught Hmoob RPA at my alma matter of Concordia University, Hmoob children games and related terminologies with the Saint Paul Public School Public School District and conversational language with its community education program and the Hmong Culture Center of Minnesota. Other past experiences included having served as the Interim Executive Director for Lao Family Community of MN, Inc. and as the CEO of the July 4th Sport Tournament in 2015. Because of my volunteer services in the community, I was able to learn Hmoob children’s games, became proficient in business and non-profit start-ups, board governance, personnel policies, planning program agenda, program start-ups, evaluations, officiating wedding, serving as Emcee at events and others. MN, Hmong Shaman and Herb Center
Panel Discussion #1 Moderator |
BAO VANG
Bao is Vice President of Communications for Better Business Bureau serving Minnesota and North Dakota. She started her career as a news anchor and reporter at WSAW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin and then at WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she served as the first Hmong news anchor in both communities. Bao transitioned into training high school students in journalism and communications at ThreeSixty Journalism at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She earned both her Bachelor's, studying broadcast journalism and Spanish, and her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of St. Thomas. She lives in the East Metro with her husband, Noah, and three children, Nina, Sean and Sasha. MN, Better Business Bureau
Panel Discussion #2 Moderator |