2019 Keynote Speakers
Representative Samantha Vang
Representative Samantha Vang is the first Hmong woman along with Representative Kaohly Her to be elected in the Minnesota State House. She is the Chair of the newly formed Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucus. She represents Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park, the only two cities in the State of Minnesota that is considered People of Color majority. She advocates for issues relating to equity, education, housing and voting rights. She is second oldest of five siblings and the first in the family to graduate from a four year college at Gustavus Adolphus. Outside her elected role, she is the favorite auntie of her two nieces and nephews.
May yer Thao
May yer “mine-za” Thao is the Executive Director for the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC), a statewide Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) headquartered in Milwaukee, whose mission is to provide financial resources and technical assistance (TA) to business and community development activities that improve economic opportunities in low-income and underserved communities, with a special focus on Hmong and Southeast Asian communities.
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During her tenure with HWCC, May yer has deployed the most business loans in HWCC history, provided impactful technical guidance and visibility to Southeast Asian American businesses in Wisconsin, and grown the organization with increased members, partners and new initiatives.
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Under May yer’s leadership, HWCC opened its first satellite office in Central Wisconsin in 2017.
To-date, HWCC has deployed over $1.5 million in loan funds while leveraging over $9.5 million in private funds to minority businesses throughout the State.
Also under May yer’s leadership, HWCC has become a national model for other Hmong Chambers in the nation, trailblazing the way in economic development for the Hmong community.
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With May yer’s collaborative spirit, in 2018, HWCC was awarded a $3.5 million grant award in collaboration with 4 Milwaukee-based CDFIs and another $250,000 grant award in collaboration with 1 Milwaukee-based CDFI. May yer’s belief is that we are all stronger when we are united. Also in 2018, HWCC was awarded a grant to pilot a bilingual, bicultural financial literacy in the workplace program for Hmong workforces.
Some recognitions bestowed on Ms. Thao include being awarded the 2019, Professional Dimensions Sacagawea Award, a prestigious honor recognizing exceptional leadership by “Women Who Inspire,” and embraced opportunities to hone their skills and strive toward excellence by conquering daily challenges through career achievements.
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In 2017, Ms. Thao along with five colleagues, were featured in the Milwaukee Biz Times as
women leaders driving Milwaukee economic development.
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In 2016, May yer was named the US Small Business Administration Wisconsin Minority Business Champion and the Wisconsin Hmong Woman of the Year.
May yer is heavily engaged in her local, state and national communities, sitting on numerous Boards and committees, in addition to giving of her time providing pro bono consultation to fellow nonprofits.
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May yer graduated from the University of MN, Twin Cities with her BA in American Studies, with a focus on Asian American Studies. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand after college where she then also worked in Wat ThamKrabok, relocating the last group of Hmong refugees in Thailand to the US and other countries from 2003-2005.
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Dr. Maysee Yang Herr
Dr. Maysee Yang Herr is originally from Wausau, Wisconsin. For 10 years, Dr. Herr served as Associate Professor of Education at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Prior to that, she was an elementary teacher in the Indianapolis Public School District. Dr. Herr has researched and studied critical literacy and discourse in everyday language. She has served as a consultant for educational institutions such as the Hmong College Prep Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ithaca College, and Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and the DC Everest School District. She has also provided equity trainings for Walmart and Regal Beloit manufacturing company leadership teams, among others.
Dr. Herr was active on several committees and boards in Marathon County and at UW-Stevens Point prior to her move to Kansas. Some of these included being a board member of the Hmong American Center, Marathon County Child Development Agency, Marathon County Diversity Affairs Commission, and Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin.
Dr. Herr also served on the executive committee of the Toward One Wausau project during her time in Wausau. She is currently writing bilingual children’s books and engaging in community organizations such as the International Relations Council in Kansas City.