Pheng Thao, Program Coordinator Family Dialogues

Pheng is and has been an advocate ranging from social justice, sexual violence, child abuse/neglect, and currently domestic violence issues. Currently, he is the Program Coordinator for Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together. Pheng has had experience working with youth sex offenders and had training with men who attended batterer intervention programs. He has done numerous presentations and facilitations regarding domestic violence and teen dating violence to students and community members. In addition, Pheng has provided trainings to police and social service providers on working and understanding Asian Pacific Islander American victims/survivors of domestic violence. He chairs the board of directors for Shades of Yellow (SOY) the first Hmong LGBTQ organization and is a board member for Hmong American Partnership (HAP) the largest Hmong nonprofit in the nation. Lastly, Pheng received his Masters in Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and graduated cum laude with BA in Law Enforcement from Minnesota State University of Mankato.

Kabo Yang, Co-facilitator Hmong Women's Leadership Institute

Kabo Yang is an independent consultant specializing in cross cultural leadership development, nonprofit management and strategic planning. She has an extensive background in fund development and project management. She currently serves as Board Chair of Professional Hmong Women Association, working to transform the socioeconomic landscape of Hmong women's lives, and sits on the board of CAPI USA, guiding refugees and immigrants on their journey toward self-determination. She has a B.S. in Business Administration from Metropolitan State University and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine University. She is married with two kids and lives in North Saint Paul.

Lily Moua, Co-facilitator Hmong Women's Leadership Institute

Lily is a co-facilitator for the Hmong Women's Leadership Institute. She is a Classification Specialist for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services in the United States Department of Agriculture, where she provides advice, consultation, and guidance on position classification, position management, workforce planning, and organization design to management officials. Prior to USDA, she worked for Target Talent Acquisition. Lily also has 3 years of experience teaching Hmong culture and language. She is excited about change, diversity, public/community service, mentoring, and continuously learning opportunities. Lily received a full-ride for both her M.A. in Public Policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and Bachelor's of Art in Sociology and Anthropology from St. Olaf College. Fun fact: Lily and Hmong women leaders ran the Twin Cities Marathon to fundraise for Hnub Tshiab in October 2009.