ThaoMee Xiong (she/her)
Executive & Network Director
As a legal and legislative expert, a change-manager, and a movement builder, ThaoMee is a natural fit for CAAL as Executive & Network Director. She actively works to build collective power and collective leadership through racial solidarity and political participation.
ThaoMee received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Administration.
Prior to CAAL, ThaoMee was the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s Office, leading state and federal legislative initiatives while the city received over $300 million in state bonding, direct appropriations, local government aid, and federal funding. ThaoMee led the historic $52 million bonding request to build a new bridge, which was projected to create over 1200 jobs.
ThaoMee has held leadership roles at the Center for Health Equity at the Minnesota Department of Health and has international experience working for the International Organization of Migration and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.
Growing up in a traditional Hmong family as a refugee in Wisconsin has shaped ThaoMee’s passion for pursuing issues concerning gender equity, racial justice, and immigrant rights – the very issues that define our work at CAAL through advocacy and policy work, leadership support, community investment, research, and solidarity partnerships.
Derlee Moua (she/her)
Associate Director
With 20 years of nonprofit expertise in program and operations management, Derlee brings a wealth of knowledge and skills as CAAL’s Associate Director, including donor and programmatic database implementation and management, program design and execution, IT infrastructure management, and operational process improvement.
Derlee received her degree in International Relations and Public Affairs from the University of Minnesota. In her role prior to CAAL, Derlee served as the Director of Workforce Development and Economic Prosperity at Hmong American Partnership (HAP). In this pivotal capacity, she provided visionary leadership, overseeing HAP’s mandated program services, education, job training programs, lending and financial services, and small business development.
Derlee also held pivotal roles overseeing the operational infrastructure of a Hmong charter school and a rapidly expanding nonprofit organization. Her contributions enabled these organizations to extend their programs across 32 states and establish satellite offices in 6 states.
Derlee’s operational expertise and advocacy experience help advance CAAL’s mission, a mission that aligns seamlessly with Derlee’s commitment to nurturing educational opportunities and cultivating economic growth to empower the Asian Minnesotan community.
Jeffrey Ting (he/him)
Program Manager
Jeffrey moved to Minnesota in 2019 to pursue a master’s degree in public health. After graduating, he worked on the Minnesota Department of Health’s COVID Hospital Surveillance Team.
As a CAAL network leader and MOVEE program alum, pursuing the opportunity to work for CAAL was a natural next step. In his role as Program Manager of Movement Building, Jeffrey effectively leads programs that advocate for Asian Minnesotans and support communities of color.
Ploua Yang (she/her)
Program Manager
Previously, Ploua worked for Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan’s Office, responsible for building relationships with the Asian community by providing resources and bridging the gap between government and communities. With CAAL, Ploua executes and evaluates leadership programming, implementing programs and communications that elevate emerging issues and innovative ideas for network leaders and Asian Minnesotans broadly.
Jiae Myung (she/her)
Policy & Advocacy Associate
Jiae gained a global perspective through her master’s in public policy from the University of Chicago and master’s in public administration from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. During her tenure at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, she championed grassroots democracy and executed impactful projects in transportation, health, culture, local autonomy, and welfare. Jiae applies this government experience to her role as Policy & Advocacy Associate, working to drive positive change in our community.
Yer Yang (she/her)
Operations Manager
Yer received a Global Studies degree from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis in human rights and social justice. Her years of leadership and management experience include helping individuals navigate and access public assistance benefits and working as a senior manager in workforce development for low-income Hmong, Southeast Asian, and other BIPOC individuals. Yer brings her passion for building greater opportunity in the community to her work with CAAL.