I was born in Laos and have immigrated over to the United States in 1980. I have been married to my wife for 21 years. Currently, we have 6 children, which are 3 sons and 3 daughters. I have graduated from National American University with 1 Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Technology and 2 Bachelors of Science degree in MIS and Network Management back in 2004.

In 1998, I have been introduced to the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification church, of which I have been currently active as a member for the last 24 years. As a member of the church, I have translated the first part of the Divine Principle, which is their doctrine, as well as a book called, “True Love and True Family” which is published by HER Publisher. Currently, I am serving as the Hmong DP lecturer and translator.

Within the Hmong community, I served as a tribe leader of Group 7 in Vue Family of Minnesota from 2020 to 2021 and has served as Council Vue to the Hmong 18 Council of Minnesota heading the History Department and the Family and Marriage Enrichment committee from 2022 to 2023. Also served as the Treasurer, Chair of the Education Department as well as Co-chair to the Family and Mental Health Advisory Committee during my second term in office.

And as of right now, I have recently stepped down from Hmong 18 Council and have launched my own non-profit organization called CHANGE, which stands for Center for Hmong Advancement & Growth Education. It is a non-profit organization that focuses on teaching Hmong language and literacy to both Hmong and non-Hmong students. Not only will 

students learn the language, but they will also be learning Hmong history, culture, traditions, values, arts and music. The whole purpose is to help students and interested individuals to reconnect with their roots.

I was born in Michigan. I hold a bachelor's degree in Technical Communication and Professional Writing, along with an associate's degree in Business Administration, with a focus on advertising and event management.

My career has spanned office administration, communications, and event planning. I developed a passion for community work while co-leading an employee resource group centered on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at my previous job, where 

I honed my leadership skills and forged valuable connections.

I was inspired to join CHANGE by my deep commitment to promoting understanding and unity within the Hmong community. Having gone through a transformative journey, I am eager to apply what I've learned to help CHANGE address the stigmas and divisions within our community. My upbringing has also ignited a strong passion for transforming parent-child relationships.

Outside of work, I enjoy connecting with other women and delving into self-study on philosophy and social sciences.

I am a certified professional Hmong interpreter who specialized in the areas of dental, farming, healthcare, legal, mental health, and civil court interpreter. I am also one of the Hmong language experts in Minnesota where I teaches the “Hmong Pawhauh” and Hmong Latin” alphabet for the Hmong community.

In addition to my primary job functions, I have been recognized for my extraordinary commitment to further development of the Hmong formal written language, Hmong wedding ceremony, and Hmong leadership development.

After earning my bachelor degree in “political science” from St. Mary’s University, Minnesota in 2003, I entered the healthcare profession to provide exceptional services to my Hmong community. 

Lastly, I am a very down to earth family man who would rather spend time with my wife and children. I usually enjoyed playing with my guitar and singing occasionally.

Kalia Yang is a dedicated advocate for early childhood education and Hmong cultural preservation. Born in Fresno, CA, and raised in Conover, NC, Kalia now calls St. Paul, MN home. 

With a Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Development and a teaching license for Birth to Kindergarten, Kalia began her career in inclusive preschool education. Seeking to expand her impact,  she volunteered with the North Carolina Hmong 

Women's Association Inc., leading the KUV Camp team, a Hmong language summer program. 

Currently, Kalia serves as Program Coordinator with Hmong Early Childhood Coalition, overseeing the iStrive and All About Me programs. These initiatives focus on promoting Hmong language and identity among young learners. 

As a proud board member of CHANGE, Kalia passionately advocates for the advancement and growth of the Hmong language, empowering future generations to stay connected

to their cultural heritage.

I came to the United States in 1976. At the time when my family had arrived, I was only 13 years old. Overall, I have been living in the United States for 40 years now. I am currently married to my wife and we both have 6 children together. We have 3 sons and 3 daughters.

I have been working in the mental health field as well as managing a parenting program with an organization that has been closed down back in the year 2000. I have had many experiences in training Hmong staff who are working for the St. Paul Public School system about parenting early in the 1980s and roughly in the 1990s.

There was a parenting organization in Minnesota that was called the Minnesota Early Learning Design which no longer exist, where I also had an opportunity to train many Hmong parenting classes for roughly six to seven years then. I have been training on and off and has been brought back to teach two classes currently for about six to seven years now. I am very dedicated as a father and a grandfather to my family.

I have been married for over 30 years and we have 5 children. As for my academics, I have completed my Master of Science degree in Multicultural and Ethnic Studies, my Bachelor of Science degree in Ethnic Studies, and have my Graduate Diversity Certificate in Developing and Programming Cross-Cultural Training from Kindergarten through 12th grade.

I have been working as an educator for over 30 years in the St. Paul Public Schools. Currently, I am working in the Early Childhood Family Education in St. Paul Public Schools. In terms of family education, I have mentioned to Council Vue that I had brought this issue of family education to the Hmong 18 Council of MN for the last 20 years. However, there were no strong leadership in our Hmong community that can really stress the needs for family education back then.

I strongly believe that with this committee in Hmong 18 Council, we can inspire Hmong families in our community and create impacts for positive growth. The biggest part that I would like to see happen is to have our Hmong parents learn new parenting skills so that they can help their families at home.

Dr. Brian V. Xiong has over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, holding various positions such as volunteer, grant writer, and board member for a wide range of organizations throughout Minnesota. He is deeply committed to supporting and empowering diverse communities, particularly minorities, underserved families, and students. 

Dr. Xiong has contributed significantly to both nonprofit organizations and higher education, with involvement in groups like the Hmong Archives, Hmong Educational Resources Publisher, East Side Freedom Library, Cultural Diversity Resources, Native American Powwow, Women's March, and faculty roles at both private and public colleges and universities. He is a former Page, Wallin, and Cornwell scholar and has served as a professor in race and ethnic studies, chief diversity officer for a college-wide program, and director of affirmative action and equal opportunity. 

Dr. Xiong holds a bachelor's degree in Justice Administration from Southwest Minnesota State University, a master's degree in Multicultural and Ethnic Studies, and a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Minnesota State University-Mankato. 

Mary Xiong is a second-generation Hmong American. She has been apart of various community coalitions, organizations, and grassroots initiatives focused on health equity, youth development, and social justice. 

Mary's previous experience includes serving as the Vaccine Outreach Director for the Minnesota Department of Health’s COVID-19 Response Unit and Manager of Community Engagement for Southeast Asian communities at Planned Parenthood North Central States. She currently works in the Office of Minnesota Governor and Lieutenant Governor as a Senior Director of Public Engagement. 

Mary earned her Bachelor of Applied Science from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and Master of Public Health from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.