Mai Xiong is a 1.5 generation Hmong American Leader, Economic and Community Development Professional, and Entrepreneur that currently resides in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, with her spouse and three children. She is the oldest child of 7 to her Hmong American Refugee parents and is a mother, wife, and leader in her community. Mai is the Founder, President & CEO of Hmong American Leadership and Economic Development (HALED), an organization that has been at the forefront of addressing systemic barriers and institutionalized disparities that prevent the Hmong and Ethnic minorities from accelerating up the socio-economic ladder. She is the Chair of HALED's HMong | Economic Advancement | Research | Equity (HERE) Conference, the first economic conference explicitly geared toward HMong Entrepreneurs throughout the United States. Mai also owns Magnolia Jems & Jewels, LLC, a micro-business that empowers women entrepreneurs and shares the Hmong's story through unique jewelry pieces.

Mai has an extensive background in managing business relationships, providing culturally grounded consultations, and developing and implementing strategies that generate equitable economic and community development opportunities. Her mission is to address systematic, economic, and social disparities that create wealth inequities within marginalized and disadvantaged ethnic communities. She has over 17 years of working with financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and business and organizational leaders in her various roles.

Mai started her career in finance as an intern at a large CPA firm in the Twin Cities, MN. She slowly transitioned into the banking industry as a teller, working her way up through leadership management, business relationship, and wealth management. While working in the banking industry through her various roles, Mai actively engaged with community non-profits, community and economic development corporations, local leaders, and stakeholders to bridge the socio-economic resource gaps for disadvantaged communities. Through the leverage of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and local resources, she successfully connected resources to many underprivileged communities and organizations. She worked with diverse ethnic communities from across the country. Mai has administered housing and entrepreneurship programs through the USDA, SBA, and HUD that support emerging and disadvantaged farmers, business owners, and families from immigrant and refugee communities and has led many strategic organizational development and implementations and community-led initiatives.

In 2021, Mai joined Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) as the Community Economic Development Officer for the Northwest Wisconsin Region, where she serves over 21 counties. She works with municipal leaders, developers, and stakeholders to connect and identify resources to increase equitable and affordable housing and economic development initiatives throughout the region and state of Wisconsin.

Mai Xiong is Eau Claire City's first Hmong and AAPI woman elected to serve on the Eau Claire City Council in 2020; Mai has made significant strides to address economic and social disparities focusing on institutionalized and systemic racism. With her knowledge and passion, she has been instrumental in driving conversations and addressing racial and economic inequity through crucial discussions with stakeholders statewide, including connecting local businesses and professionals to resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and building their capacity to serve in leadership roles in decision-making tables. In 2021 Mai was appointed as Vice-Chair to Governor Evers Equity & Inclusion Council and appointed to Chair in 2022, where she continues these conversations.

She has an expansive footprint and community involvement in the Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California regions, serving on Hmong Association Boards, CDFI Councils, and bridging resources for Hmong Americans. Mai's passion is uplifting the unheard voices and creating equitable economic prosperity for Hmong Americans and minorities by eliminating systemic barriers and advocating for equitable access to resources and leadership space. She serves on multiple leadership committees and focuses on building strong communities.

Madison365 named Mai one of Wisconsin's 48 Most Influential Asian American Leaders in 2020

Kao Nou L. Moua, PhD, MSW, LGSW

Kao Nou has over 15 years of experience working with marginalized young people as an advocate, trainer, program developer and coordinator, and researcher in Missoula, Montana, and in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her other social work practice includes program evaluation, organizational and community change, and culturally-grounded services and interventions. Her research interests are related to Hmong American youth, oral traditions, and indigenous methodologies.

Joseph Malual is an Extension Specialist, Community and Economic Development serving Region 1. He works with communities, businesses, organizations, and local governments to identify critical issues and delivers practical educational programs to help communities make decisions and solve problems. With an interdisciplinary background in Economics, Development Sociology, and Sustainable Agriculture, Malual utilizes a system approach to help communities and organizations identify and address root causes of issues and engage community assets to maximize benefits for all residents.

Prior to joining Illinois Extension in 2020, Malual worked at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension for five years as a Community and Economic Development educator where he focused on community capacity building, including organizational development, strategic planning, community needs assessment, community food systems, and minority entrepreneurship. His research interests include sustainable development, social dimension of natural resource management, food security, sustainable agriculture, community food systems, small business development and minority entrepreneurship, and international development with focus on post-conflict rural development in sub-Saharan Africa. Malual holds a Ph.D. in Sustainable Agriculture and Development Sociology from Iowa State University.

Regarding past experiences, Malual has held various positions, including Program Director for Radda Barnen Swedish Save the Children in Ethiopia, Program Director for Hawthorne Hill Ministry English as a Second Language, and a refugee resettlement case manager at the Lutheran Social Services in Iowa. He has a combined experience of 15 years working as a Community Mental Health Counselor in Iowa and Virginia. Malual draws on this experience and collaborates with Extension educators and faculty to develop effective educational programming that helps communities in Illinois improve quality of life.

Tou Ger “Billy” Lor is a recent college graduate with a degree in Integrated Strategic Communication; advertising. As a young professional Tou Ger is competent in community organizing and strategic communication. He also dedicates much of his time into the Hmong community as a cultural leader and young advocate. Tou Ger believes that we should lead with equity in all our actions to create healthy and thriving communities.