Who We Are
Future of Us is a bold and vibrant force for political and social transformation, empowering young Asian Americans in Minnesota to harness their collective power. We cultivate a space where individuals can explore their identities, build lasting political momentum and engagement, and take action to challenge systemic barriers. Our work is rooted in storytelling, advocacy, and community building, ensuring that young Asian Americans are seen, heard, and influential in leadership and decision-making spaces.
Our Team
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Linda Lelis-Her (she/her/hers)
Executive Director
Linda is committed to a life-long work on social justice, and this purpose is informed by her lived experiences and visionary leadership as a Minnesotan born and raised, 2nd generation, Hmong American, queer-feminist. She has 15+ years of experience in activism and organizing at the intersections of gender and racial justice, non-partisan and partisan campaigns, and nonprofit work and fundraising.
Must read: your wound / my garden by ALOK
Favorite form of self-care: forest bathing, gardening, and reading and feeling poetry
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Zong Vue (she/her/hers)
Associate Director
Favorite form of self-care: Sleep, rest, eating, practicing yoga, running, biking.
Must read/watch: The residence, The curious case of Natalia Grace, The power of now
Sun, moon, rising?: Capricorn; Aquarius; Virgo
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Xorr Xiong - like soar (he/him/his)
Special Projects Manager
Favorite dish to eat recently: Baingan Bharta (eggplant curry)
Must read/watch: TV Shows: Sense8, Anime: Your Lie in April, Movie: Everything Everywhere All At Once
Sun, moon, rising: Virgo, Scorpio, Gemini
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Tenzin Choesang (he/his/him)
Advocacy & Policy Manager
What’s been your favorite dish to eat recently: My favorite dish is, has, and will always be Tibetan dumplings (“momo”). Tibetan momo with ranch (hot take) and Tibetan/Nepali hot sauce is a must.
Must read/watch: My favorite movie trilogy is the Lord of the Rings trilogy, specifically the 3rd movie (Return of the King).
Favorite form of self-care: I try to spend 1-2 hours a day going to the gym and working out because it’s important not only for my health, but also in keeping a disciplined regimen. I also try to take 15-30 minutes a day reading, whether it be historical/non-fiction books about political ideas/concepts/events, or fictional books. I think it’s nice to get a few minutes away from staring at my phone or laptop.
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Noah Chan (he/his/him)
Field Manager
Your favorite dish to eat recently: I’ve really enjoyed Ethiopian food lately, especially with injera
Favorite genre(s) of music: Country, Hip Hop, electronic music, R&B, jazz, classical guitar, indie, pop punk, alternative rock, and more.
Must read/watch: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
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Tori Westenberg (they/them)
Organizing Manager
What’s been your favorite dish to eat recently: Eggrolls and Pho are such a comfort food for me!! If the function has an eggroll food truck… I am there!!
Favorite genre(s) of music: Alternative/Indie, Pop, and folk are my favorite music genres. I’ve been really loving Half Alive, Flipturn, Noah Kahn, and Public Library Commute as of late!
Must read/watch: I’m a sucker for some good reality TV, I’ve been really into The Ultimatum (Queer Love), Love is Blind, and The Circle! I often find myself getting way too invested…
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Courtnay Peifer Kim (she/her/hers)
Communications Manager
Courtnay was born on the South Korea island of Daebu and grew up in the Twin Cities metro area. She has a journalism degree from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and has held a variety of roles – reporting, editing, page design and leadership – at media companies in Oakland, Calif.; Seattle; Long Island, N.Y.; and Minneapolis. Ultimately, her goal is to tell meaningful stories that help empower people to tell the truths of their lived experiences. Outside of work, she’s a mom to a teenage son and a one-eyed rescue dog.
Favorite dish to eat recently: Eggs and rice
Favorite genre(s) of music: Pop; TS12 can’t come out soon enough
Currently consuming: Watermelon and nonfiction books, such as Everything is Tuberculosis
Board of Directors
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Crystal Lee-Thao (she/her/hers)
Board Chair
Crystal Lee-Thao is a Hmong-American woman and daughter of refugees. This identity has shaped her into a passionate, action-oriented educator, leader, and scholar with over 10 years of experience in education, particularly in STEM diversity and inclusion, program management, and administrative leadership.
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Michele Girard (she/her/hers)
Board Treasurer
Michele has been working with nonprofits for the past ten years funding, designing, and evaluating programs, training program staff, and supporting Senior Leadership teams in Minnesota, Colorado, D.C., Haiti, and Bolivia. Her passion for this work began at 20 as a Davis Projects for Peace Grantee, co-managing water provision programming in Haiti. She then worked for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Legislative Aide and U.S. State Department contractor designing educational programming for foreign delegations.
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Sara Greenhalgh (they/she)
Board Secretary
Sara Greenhalgh (they/she) was born in Wonju, South Korea and grew up in Minneapolis. She holds a Bachelors and Masters in Social Work with a specialization in child welfare, and currently works as a social worker for a tribal nation. Sara has a background in applying a racial justice lens particularly in a Midwest Jewish setting. Outside of work, they’re a street medic, organizer, and dog mom.
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Kayla Khang (she/her/hers)
Board Vice Chair
In her free time, you can find her vintage shopping or thrifting, on a walk in her neighborhood, or baking at home with her partner Joshua.
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Kevin Xiong (all pronouns)
Board Member
What are your top 3 essentials to always have? I have to put Collagen cream on my face every single morning along with sunblock. It's a habit now and if I miss a day, I feel wrinkly and old. In the winter time, I can not go without my chapstick. Lastly, I have at least 3 diet pepsi’s per day. Its like a drug, I can’t function properly without it.
Favorite genre(s) of music: I have over 100 songs in my YouTube playlist, and 90% of my playlist are Hmong songs.
Favorite form of self-care: I get pedicures and manicures every two weeks. I usually opt for the most advance pedicure because its so relaxing to pamper myself. I have been going to the acupressure massages in the Mall recently, and I am now hooked. Getting my nails done :).
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Anja Bunge Dulin (she/her/hers)
Board Member
What are your top 3 essentials to always have? An extra hair tie, phone, and salty snacks.
Favorite form of self-care: I LOVE spending my free time at a local pottery studio!
your favorite dish to eat recently: I’ve been testing out different mapo tofu recipes to find my favorite one!