Enhancing the quality of life for Karen and other refugees from Burma in Minnesota
Meet Our Staff
Chong Bee Vang, KOM Executive Director
Chong B. Vang has over 12 years of management experience from the restaurant industry to case management as a Youth Advocate at Life’s Missing Link and serving as Director of the Immigration and Employment Services Program at World Relief. Vang has managed a diverse group of staff from many different backgrounds and cultures throughout his career, including Karen, Hmong, Russians, Africans, Vietnamese, Bhutanese, Latin Americans, and Americans. Mr. Vang brings innovative leadership skills and strong financial management practices to KOM that he has learned through his experiences. Chong is fluent in Hmong and English, has training in immigration law, graduated from Bethel University with a B.A. in Organizational Leadership and is currently pursuing his MBA.
See Nay, Farming Program Coordinator
See Nay was born in Burma in 1975. See Nay graduated from Ahmoe Mission High School in 1994. In 1997, his village, Ahmoe, was destroyed by Burma armies. At that time his family fled to Thailand and lived in Tham Hin refugee camp about 10 years. See Nay worked in agriculture for about 3 years at the refugee camp. During this time he also attended Bible school for 2 years and was a pastor for 2 years in the camp.
In 2007, See Nay and his family moved to Wisconsin as refugees, and recently moved to Minnesota in 2010. Immediately upon his arrival to Minnesota, See Nay began volunteering among Minnesota’s Karen community. Today, See Nay is the Farming Program Coordinator at Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). See Nay lives in Roseville with his wife, daughter and two sons.
Saw Morrison, Program Manager, Employment and Social Services
Saw Morrison was born in Burma in 1972. Morrison graduated high school and attended college in Myaung Mya. After college, Morrison moved to the border of Thailand and Burma to work with media outlets covering the events on the Thai-Burmese border. In addition to working with media outlets, Morrison worked with various non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) in 2000 to evacuate refugees from the dangerous locations in Burma. Morrison also worked as a teacher on the Thai-Burmese border.
Morrison and his family came to the United States in 2004 as refugees. After his arrival, Morrison worked as a social services provider and youth counselor at the Vietnamese Social Service office. Currently, Morrison is Program Manager, Employment and Social Services, at the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). He lives in Saint Paul with his wife, three sons and one daughter.
Htoo Lwee, Community Health and Social Services Coordinator
Htoo Lwee was born in Burma in 1969. Htoo received a degree from the University of Rangoon. After receiving her degree, Htoo immigrated from Burma to the Um Piem refugee camp in Thailand. While in the camp, Htoo educated women and youth about their rights and family planning.
Htoo came to the United States as a refugee in 2008. She was employed at Swift & Company in Worthington, MN and now is Community Health and Social Services Coordinator for the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). Htoo lives in Saint Paul, MN with her family.
Chrit Hen, Social Services Coordinator
Chrit Hen was born in Burma on December 24, 1968. He finished high school at Kaw Moo Ra High School at Huaykaloke refugee camp in 1999. He took English classes one year after finishing high school. After that he joined the KNU. He worked with the forestry department until he flew out of his country due to the Burmese Army attacks. In 2004 Chrit Hen got a chance to move to the America with his family. His first job was working at Taste of Thailand restaurant when he came to the United States over seven years ago. Chrit Hen has volunteered his time to help the Karen community as much as he can. Chrit is currently a deacon at First Karen Baptist Church and on January 9, 2012, Chrit joined the KOM team working as a Social Service Coordinator.
Marner Saw, Social Services Coordinator
Marner Saw was born in Burma in 1970. While in the refugee camp he graduated from Kawmoorah High School, taught at Ahmoe Mission School, worked with a Thai Missionary and Karen newsletters. In March of 2005 Marner moved to Minnesota with his family. For the last five years Marner has been a volunteer with the Karen Community of Minnesota (KCM) serving in the roles of Superintendent, Treasurer, and is currently the Secretary. Marner worked hard during the process of KCM becoming its own non-profit; the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). Today, Marner is the Social Service Coordinator at KOM. His mission is to serve and celebrate Karen culture.
Eh Thee Paw, Social Services Coordinator
Eh Thee Paw was born in Burma. Eh Thee came to the United States in 2008 from Mae La Refugee Camp. In 2000 she graduated from Mae La #1 High School. She continued her education by attending Teacher Preparation Course for 2 years and graduated on March 2003. In March of 2006 she graduated from Mae La Camp with a 4 years Bachelor degree in Theology. After graduation she taught for 2 years. In 2008 Eh Thee Moved to Minnesota and has been volunteering for the Karen Community of Minnesota (KCM) serving Karen families living in St. Paul. Before joining the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM), Eh Thee worked with the School in Heart Start from 2008-2009. From 2009-2011, she worked as a Community Health Worker providing Karen community health education about cancer and heart disease at the Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota. Eh Thee joined KOM in November of 2011 as a Social Services Coordinator, helping and supporting Karen families towards self-sufficiency.
Danny Vang comes to the Karen Organization of Minnesota with nearly twenty years of community service experience. He has a background in chemical awareness education, mental health counseling, case management, and office management. He attended school in Laos and Thailand before coming to the United States. Currently, Danny holds a MBA in Accounting and Finance, a D. Min in counseling degree, and is pursuing a Ph. D. in human service.
Ah Hsi was born in Burma. While in Burma she was a nurse for two years, but the Burmese military burned her village. Therefore, on May 16, 1989 she and her family moved to a Thai refugee camp. She worked in education almost 19 years in the Maw Ker and Umphiem Refugee Camps in Thailand. She also helped her community as a Sunday School teacher, volunteer and nurse while in the refugee camps. On May 22, 2008 she and her family arrived in the United States. Knowing only a little English, the transition to the US was difficult because of so many cultural, language and climate differences. However, Ah Hsi was so happy to be here and has completed almost two years of English classes at the Hubb Center. She first volunteered at Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) and is now on staff as a Youth Academic Support Coordinator, eager to work with education here in the US. Currently, she is also a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church. When asked what she thinks about living in the US, Ah Hsi says, "I love America! Thank you so much!"
Eh Tha Khu was born in Burma in 1983 and attended school while in Burma. Through difficulties and political movement he left his village and immigrated to Thailand as a refugee in 2000. While in Mae La Refugee Camp he continued his education and graduated from No. (1) High School in 2002. He continued his education by attending Bible School in Mae La Refugee Camp and graduated on March 19th 2006 with a 4 year degree. After graduating from Bible School, Eh Tha worked with Bethel Church and also Thoo Mwee Khee High School located in Phopphara Township as a teacher for 2 years. He then moved to Mae Sot and worked with BMWEC (Burmese Migrant Workers Education Committee) to help manage 62 Burmese migrant children’s schools. On June 15, 2010 Eh Tha resettled to Minnesota with his wife and son. Currently, Eh Tha Khu serves as a Youth Academic Support Coordinator for the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM).
Bah Soe Gay was born in Burma in 1985. She attended school there until 8th grade, when she and her sister moved to Thailand’s Umphiem Refugee Camp in 2000. She lived there for 8 years, graduating from Number (2) High School in 2002. Bah Soe continued her education at SEP (Special English Program), graduating with a two-year degree in 2004. Next, she worked with an NGO (non-government organization) health organization called AMI (Aide Medical International) for 3 years at Umphiem Refugee Camp; 2 years as a nurse and 1 year as a medic. She and her sister arrived in Minnesota in 2008. Upon arrival, Bah Soe volunteered at Vietnamese Social Services (VSS) assisting new Karen families with resettlement appointments while learning English at HUBBS. In 2009, she received her Registered Nursing Assistant certificate from the International Institute of MN. Now she is so excited to serve as a Youth Academic Support Coordinator at Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) and wishes to say, “Thank you for all.”
Dah Dah was born in Karen State, Burma. Dah Dah moved to So Klo Karen refugee camp in 1994 and graduated from Mission high school, Mae la Karen refugee camp, Thailand 2006-2007. He came to the United States in September of 2007 and arrived in Omaha, Nebraska before coming to Minnesota. Currently, he is a member of the Karen Cultural Organization of Minnesota with a goal to help his Karen people through providing social service and developing their Karen culture. He is currently employed at Wells Fargo Bank as a part-time teller as well as working full time for KOM. He is extremely happy to joined Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) as a Youth Academic Support Coordinator.
K Nyaw Moo was born in Burma in 1984. She left Burma when she was 6 years old and lived in Thailand in the Mae Ra Moe Refugee Camp. She later moved to Mae La Camp where she graduated from Eden Valley Academy and earned her Division College Eligibility Certificate in 2006. She joined the Karen Youth Organization in Thailand and served as Youth Congress of Burma for Women Internship Program. She is passionate about helping the community she lives in by advocating for women and humans, serving as teacher and principal for her community school, serving through AmeriCorps, and the California Conservation Corps. She now joins her family in Minnesota and is glad to be at KOM continuing her work, which she left off at LSS as Youth Academic Support.
Thomas Ritnorakan, Employment Counselor
Thomas was born in Burma in 1968. Thomas grew up in the Magui Tavoy District of Burma, where he graduated from high school and became a teacher. Thomas left his teaching job in 1994 to become a missionary with the Karen on the Thai-Burma border. In 1997, Thomas worked with Karen refugees in Mae Sot City, Thailand.
Thomas came to the United States as a refugee in 2000. He worked for various sushi companies and served Burmese refugees by providing transportation and translation services. Thomas is currently working as an Employment Counselor for the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). Currently, Thomas lives with his wife in Saint Paul, MN.
Jeanna Bauer, Employment Counselor
Jeanna Bauer was born and raised in Minnesota. In May of 2009 she graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Child, Adult and Family Services and minors in Psychology and Women’s Studies. She has served as an intern at Lutheran Services of Iowa Refugee Cooperative, Ames’ Sudanese Community Project, and Iowa Resource for International Service’s Youth Exchange and Study Program. She has been involved in academic/volunteer trips to France, Australia and Rwanda. She moved to Cairo, Egypt in the fall of 2009 to teach English to a Sudanese refugee. Since then she has been a volunteer at St. Paul’s Women’s Initiative for Self Empowerment’s GGAL Program. Currently, Jeanna is serving as an Emerge*AmeriCorps Volunteer with the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) as an Employment Counselor. Jeanna is grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with the Twin Cities and learn more about Karen culture.
Bwet Too Tong, Employment Counselor
Bwet Too Tong was born in Burma in 1985. He grew up in Tavoy District in Burma. He graduated from high school in Tham Him Refugee Camp in 2005, than he went onto a Further Study Program (FSP). After his graduated from FSP he worked with the Refugee Camp Committee (RCC). He also worked with IOM, OPE, DHS, and UNHCR resettlement program in Tham Him Refugee Camp. In 2007 he moved to Minnesota and has served as a volunteer for Karen Community of Minnesota since. He came to work for KOM on November of 2011 as an Employment Counselor.
Alexis Walstad, Organizational Developer
Alexis Walstad joined the Karen Organization of Minnesota in January 2012 as the Organizational Developer. In this role, she manages grant writing, fundraising and communications activities for KOM. Prior to joining KOM, Alexis spent two years at Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, a St. Paul-based organization that awards grants to agencies providing food and shelter in Minnesota. She has also volunteered with Twin Cities World Refugee Day for the past four years and currently serves as the Event Chair. Born and raised in the Twin Cities, Alexis received a B.A. in Humanities, Media and Cultural Studies from Macalester College in St. Paul. Alexis is thrilled to continue her work with refugees in the Twin Cities and to work more closely with members of the Karen community.
Lay Tha Paw, Program Assistant
Lay Tha Paw was born in Thailand in 1989. She is a student at the Roseville Adult Learning Center. She came to the United States on August 8, 2008 with her family. She is excited to be in the US because of the opportunities to go to school, exchange ideas and share different cultural experiences. This summer she volunteered at the YMCA and was a volunteer at Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) for six months before being employed at KOM. She understands the great value of volunteering in the community and how it can also help her to achieve her future goals. She wants to become a lawyer and help her Karen people who live on the Thai-Burma border. “They have to confront government dictator in many situations. They have to follow the strict rules and they can’t go outside without getting permission from the soldiers.” Currently, Lay Tha Paw serves as the Program Assistant at KOM.
Nicole Donlon, Board Chair
Nicki has more than eleven years of experience in public accounting and currently works for Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP as a Senior Manager in the firms Partner Development Program. She has experience working with clients in a variety of industries including not-for-profit, manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services. As a CPA, Nicki specializes in technical accounting research, assisting clients with complex or unusual transactions, and assisting clients with the preparation of their financial statements. Nicki has been on our Board of Directors since June 2009. She was elected Chair of the Board in August 2011 and was Board Treasurer prior to that. Her interests include being an very avid sports fan and scrap booking. She also keeps very busy as a mother of 2 grade school kids!
Eh Taw Dwe, Vice Board Chair
Eh Taw came to the United States in 2004 as a political refugee. In 1996, Eh Taw was hired by Earth Rights International (ERI) to document the human rights abuses by the Burmese military junta. For two years, Eh Taw served as the leader of his village in Burma until being arrested and tortured by the military junta for his ethnicity and human rights work.
In 2002, he and his family fled to Thailand where Eh Taw served as an interpreter in the Tham Him refugee camp. Shortly after arriving in Minnesota, Eh Taw was hired by the St. Paul Ramsey County Department of Health, where he is currently employed.
Eh Taw has been a tireless advocate for the Karen people in Minnesota. Soon after arriving in Minnesota, Eh Taw joined the Karen Community of Minnesota (KCM) and served as the Volunteer Youth Committee Chair, later serving as KCM’s Health Committee Chair. Eh Taw has been asked to speak before numerous government, civic, and business organizations regarding the Karen people.
Katherine Morris, Board Secretary
Kathy Morris has been blessed to meet the Karen Community while teaching at St Paul Public Schools. She has commited to work with the Karen Community to help them integrate and adjust to American culture. She is a Parent educator and works at both United Hospital Birth Center as well as ISD 622 Harmony ALC and FLC programs with Teen mothers and Mothers getting their GED’s. She and her husband John are the parents of three girls.
Open, Board Treasurer
Benjamin T Aung, Board Member
Benjamin and his wife Priscilla immigrated to California as political refugees in 1991. Benjamin graduated from the Rangoon Arts and Science University in 1976, majoring in law. He worked as a court prosecuting officer for the Burmese Police Force from 1978 until the rise of the military junta in 1988.
After the military up-rise, Benjamin became a political activist in the Pa-an Karen State. The persecution by the military junta, and the impending threat of capture, forced Benjamin and his family to flea from their homeland.
In the United States, Benjamin worked in numerous shipping and currier jobs before taking his current position as a manager and interpreter for Asian Translation & Interpretation Services.
Benjamin and his family have been leaders in the Karen community since arriving in Minnesota. In 2003, Benjamin and his wife founded the Karen Community of Minnesota (KCM), and are active advisors to this day. Benjamin enjoys reading literary classics and inspirational books in addition to writing articles in student publications.
Sara Chute, Board Member
Sara Chute, serves as the Refugee Health Program Manager & Community Consultant at the Minnesota Department of Health, a position she's held since 2006. She manages several projects aimed at reaching or highlighting refugee and immigrant populations, including: health shows on Somali and Hmong radio, health presentations for ESL classes, global brownbags, Refugee Health Lending Library as well as community and professional forums related to refugee health. She also chairs the Metro Refugee Health Task Force. Sara has served as Event Chair for Twin Cities World Refugee Day, is Vice Chair for the Hmong Health Care Professionals Coalition and is an active member of several community groups, including the Asian Pacific American Community Network (APA ComMNet), MN Asian American Health Coalition, Eastern European Advisory Group (Coordinated Health Services Collaborative), among others.
Prior to MDH, Sara worked for Hennepin County Medical Center ’s Medicine Clinic and the United Nations Development Program. Sara holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University 's Kennedy School of Government, and a Bachelor’s degree from Carleton College in International Affairs. Sara is multi-lingual and has studied in Mexico and the Czech Republic, volunteered in South Africa, and worked in Trinidad.
Sara has served as Board Chair of the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) since its inception in April 2008. During her time as Chair, KOM has grown significantly from a group of mostly volunteers into a vibrant organization with a new office in the 'heart of the Karen village', and truly dedicated staff committed to serving all refugees from Burma.
Pastor Bill Englund, Board Member
Pastor Englund was the first American partner for the Karen Community of Minnesota (KCM) as the Pastor at First Baptist Church, which the Karen call their “Mother Church.” Pastor Englund welcomed the Karen community to the church for worship. He soon realized there was an even greater need for his services. Between 2001-2004, when many Karen families had difficulty obtaining housing, “Pastor Bill” as he is affectionately known, allowed 20-30 families to actually live in the basement of the church for up to 2 months. He also allowed the Karen to start their own worship service at First Baptist. This service continues to be held on Sunday afternoons, where there is a lively prayer and praise service for people from Burma. The service is in Karen, and usually more than 200 attend.
John James, Esq., Board Advisor
John James, lawyer, consultant and former Commissioner of Revenue for the State of Minnesota, has spent his career in public service and service to the public as a lawyer working on tax and business matters and a consultant on public policy issues. John has more than thirty years of experience related to governmental fiscal matters.
He has been involved in federal and state taxation since 1974. His work experience in addition to practicing law includes serving as Deloitte & Touche’s Minneapolis office partner in charge of multistate taxation, working for the Chicago Board of Trade, Price Waterhouse & Co, and co-founding a public policy consulting firm. He also chaired the Multistate Tax Commission, 1989-90 and was a member of the IRS Commissioner’s Advisory Group, mid 1990s.
John has been a director of 1000 Friends of Minnesota, Inc., a public charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), for the past 11 years and currently chairs that Board. His tax work includes substantial experience in what it takes to qualify for and maintain tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code and Minnesota law.
John earned his law degree at Harvard Law School, JD, cum laude. He holds a BBA with highest distinction, accounting major, from the University of Iowa.
Jim Letts, MD, Board Member
Jim Letts, MD is a family physician and medical director at HealthEast Roselawn Clinic in St. Paul. He also sits on the HealthEast system Equitable Care Advisory Team. At Roselawn Clinic he has led multiple health projects with the Karen community. These include projects partnering with Ramsey County Public Health, Minnesota Department of Health, the University of Minnesota, and the Center for Victims of Torture.
Dr. Letts completed his undergraduate studies at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, his MD at the University of Minnesota Medical School, and his residency at United Family Medicine Residency Program. He is an adjunct faculty member in the department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Letts serves on the steering committee and as Treasurer for the Minnesota chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program. He and his wife Erinn have three children.
Htoo Lo (Raymond Tint), Board Member
Biography coming soon
B. Steven Messick, Esq., Board Member
Steven received his Juris Doctorate from Hamline University School of Law, magna cum laude, in December 2008. Currently, he works as an associate attorney at Olson & Price, Ltd. Before law school, Steven served as an aide to Congressman John Kline (MN-02), and a campaign, political, and policy advisor to numerous state and federal candidates and officeholders.
Steven currently lives in Cottage Grove, MN with his wife Richele. He is the Chairman of the Cottage Grove Planning Commission and volunteers at Five Oaks Community Church in Woodbury, MN.
Aye Mya Phyu, Board Member
Aye Mya Phyu came to the United States in 2003 from the Tham Hin Camp with her family, and is very active with KCM. Aye Mya Phyu currently works for the Roseville School District as a cultural liaison. Prior to that, she worked for G&K laundry service for two years. She is the current Chair of the KCM Volunteer Culture and Literacy Committees. She is also the choreographer for the famous Karen ‘don’ dances. Aye Mya Phyu works with many local churches to highlight the Karen youth through song and dance performances. She has also accompanied other Karen Community of Minnesota (KCM) leaders to other states for technical assistance trainings, including Ohio and Nebraska, where she explained the important role of the Women’s, Culture and Literacy committees. She is a strong advocate for preserving Karen Culture.
Oo Reh, Board Member
Biography coming soon
Susan Schuster, Board Advisor
Biography coming soon
