Our Team

Volunteer Board of directors

 

  • San Ramon, CA

    In 2008, La went on a two week trip to Laos to memorialize her late parents, where she saw the poverty and hardships children and parents go through on a daily basis. She also felt their kindness and generosity despite having very little means to give. Just three months after, she returned home, La went back to Laos to help however she can. La was deeply inspired by her Mae’s words, “We may not have a lot to give but someone else has less than us so we need to help them.”

    The desire to serve and help others has been in La’s heart as far back as a child when she’d be drawn to lend a helping hand to the elders or give a dollar or more to a homeless man. This passion remained with her through college, leading her to get a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brigham Young University. After college she started a family and chose to stay home to raise her three children with her very supportive husband.

    The teachings and hard work ethics instilled by her beloved Mae and Pa has been the driving force that kept La motivated and driven the past ten years. Despite spending a lot of time volunteering for Jai Lao, La always makes time for her other passions in her life which are spending moments with her family, traveling, gardening, and cooking. Don’t be surprised if La shows up at your doorstep with a koke and sak (mortar and pestle) and ask you to do something quirky with her like go make tum makhoung (papaya salad) at some random place in your city!

  • San Diego, CA

    Lela has been surrounded by Jai Lao since it was first founded in 2009. Beginning at a very young age, Lela had the opportunity to go on humanitarian missions, volunteer at Jai Lao events, and accomplish her own fundraising projects. She has been an integral part in maintaining our day-to-day operations and assisting in planning through her time as as our intern and Media & Marketing Director. She is eager to continue her involvement and enact change for the Lao community through her role as VP of Jai Lao Foundation.

    Lela earned her Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Utah and Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Utah Valley University. Her graduate research focused on Southeast Asian American college attainment and student success. Lela currently works as a Program Coordinator at the University of San Diego’s Professional and Continuing Education department, supporting students in their pursuit of graduate degrees.

    Lela has a deep passion for education and echoes the mission of Jai Lao in its pursuit to expand educational opportunities and increase representation for the people of Laos and the multi-ethnic Lao American community.

  • San Francisco, CA

    Sass’s passion for helping others, and her belief that education is the key to opportunities, is what drew her to Jai Lao. So after sending her girls to college, she decided that she would like to use what she learned in college and throughout her life experiences to aid and empower the Lao Community, domestically and abroad. Volunteering and giving back to the community has helped her reconnect with her cultural heritage as she learns and grows with other Jai Lao volunteers. Sass is currently a Registered Associate at Emerson Equity LLC and brings a high level of professionalism with over 18 years in financial services. Sass lives in San Francisco, CA and contributes her time and talent by volunteering as Jai Lao’s Treasurer, serving in every capacity that is needed of her at fundraiser events and activities locally and in other states. She is excited to embark on a Humanitarian Service Trip with Jai Lao to see the sweet fruits of her labor of love in the villages of Laos.

  • Julianna is a central California native and the daughter of Lao refugees. She has been an active volunteer for several different local and state organizations since middle school, and believes in compassion, equity, and community building. After graduating from UC Merced with a degree in psychology, Julianna worked briefly as a private school elementary teacher before starting her career as a designer for a marketing agency. Her background in education, community, and design has led her to join the Jai Lao team in hopes of giving more kids access to basic needs and a more enriched education.

    Julianna's experience as an ambassador coordinator and marketing specialist for the Laotian American Community of Fresno has given her a deep understanding of the needs of the Laotian community. Her background as an organizer and facilitator for Lao Youth Forums has made her a strong advocate for youth empowerment and leadership development.

    Julianna is passionate about building communities through the increased access of resources and networks. She strives to bring Laotian folks together and strengthen the overall representation of Laos and the incredible people behind the beautiful culture. 

Advisory Board

Micheal Reagan

Labiep Vongphakdy

Xay McKenzie

Staff

  • Laos

    Mouk is Jai Lao’s Project Coordinator based in Pakse. Mouk understands the needs of the villages. Through volunteering on humanitarian service trips and overseeing much of Jai Lao’s efforts during the the devastating collapse of a hydroelectric dam in Attapeu, her passion for serving others amplified. She is hard working and dedicated to executing Jai Lao’s mission. Mouk comes from a large family and has a deep understanding and sense of community.  She is grateful to have this wonderful opportunity to be on Jai Lao's team.