Meet The Team of
HMONG UNITY GROUP
CHER MORGAN HER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Morgan Her’s community involvement began as a parental caregiver and family-oriented event coordinator. From organizing neighborhood activities in Saint Paul, MN to connecting soccer families across the country, Morgan’s passion for collaboration and care led him to bigger projects for Hmong soccer families. Based in the Twin Cities, MN, Morgan Her is the Co-Founder of Hmong Soccer Kids (HSK), a community resource and network for families and youth players for club placement and support nationwide.
Morgan appreciates his wife, Xeng Her, as the backbone and foundation for his community efforts. Her career as a social worker continues to inspire Morgan to adhere to the needs of their community. As a father to three daughters and one son, Morgan recognizes the importance of representation and intergenerational relationships. Morgan utilizes social media platforms to advocate for women’s and girl’s sports as a way to combat gender inequality in the Hmong community. He has served as a community advisor for Hmong parents for 10 years, working with them to find health and sports resources for their families. He is a strong believer in representing Hmong youth as resilient, smart, and talented, as they exist as a reflection of our hard-working communities. His life motto is “Stay humble and kind,” a mantra as he builds and maintains bridges across multiple communities.
VILAI LOR
COMMUNICATION & MARKETING DIRECTOR / CHAIR OF BOARD DIRECTOR
Professionally, over two decades of experience in the marketing and design in corporate world. I have built a comprehensive skill helping brands effectively communicate their identity and connect with their target audiences. I’ve navigated the evolving landscape of digital marketing, visual design, and brand strategy, making meaningful contributions to numerous organizations across various industries.
My involvement with youth sports started when I was a youth player in the city of Saint Paul through Boys & Girls Club then into competitive soccer. With over 25 years of experience in the world of soccer, I have dedicated myself to fostering the love of the game by giving back and being involved with youth soccer over the last 15 years. I had also been providing leadership and manage community-based soccer over 15 years.
Co-founder of Hmong Soccer Kids (HSK) est 2017, a youth soccer community to enrich parents and players of resources, development, and bridge them to other platforms. HSK hosts community events for youth soccer showcases, and networks players within our community.
Currently, I’m also the president of Hmong Futbol Federation (Hmong National Team) and President of Saint Paul United UPSL Soccer Club.
My commitment to soccer and youth is fueled by a genuine passion for the game and a deep belief in its power to bring people together, build strong community connections, and promote physical and mental wellness. Whether coaching young athletes or managing a seasoned adult team, my goal has always been to inspire the next generation of players and to ensure a positive, enriching soccer experience for everyone involved.
TAY VANG
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
I have been involved in the learning and development of sports such as soccer for children and adolescence for the last 20 years. I served as the club’s president and coaching director for St. Paul United Soccer Club for 5 years, providing access to extracurricular activities for the youth. It was my responsibility to oversee St. Paul United’s financials, training coaches to become mentors for the children, contacting college coaches to scout our players, and make sure all the teams adhere to all Minnesota Youth Soccer Association regulations. I also served as a Technical Director for MN Thunder Academy and MN Eclipse for many years. I’m currently employed at Manitou FC. My overall goal is to help the youth plan for their future on and off the field for them to receive a good education and play at a higher level.
GAO NOU XIONG
SECRETARY / BOARD MEMBER
Gao Nou Xiong serves as the visionary Principal of Hmong International Academy, a Minneapolis Public School, where she has fostered growth and excellence for four years, building on her prior experience as Assistant Principal. Her educational journey began with 15 years of teaching in the Stillwater Area Schools district, inspiring students as an English Language Arts teacher and K-12 English Learner teacher. Gao Nou Xiong's academic achievements include a Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education from the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, a Master of Arts in Education from Hamline University, and her K-12 Principal License also from Hamline University. As a dedicated mother, wife, and daughter from a lineage of servant leaders, Gao Nou Xiong is deeply committed to empowering children and young adults to unlock their potential, pursue their dreams, and become the best version of themselves.
YOUA VANG
TREASURE / BOARD MEMBER
Youa Her has over 23 years of experience in social services, working in both the nonprofit sector and private organizations. She has a master’s degree in social work and has worked to advocate for underserved populations, develop impactful programs, and drive meaningful changes.
In addition to her career in social services, Youa is an entrepreneur and owns commercial real estate, using her leadership skills to build and support initiatives that make a difference. As a mother of four daughters, two of whom play soccer, she is deeply passionate about empowering girls and women, fostering resilience, teamwork, and leadership, both within her family and the communities she serves. She serves as the Vice Director of Hmong Women Futbol Federation and is a member of the MN Hmong Social Worker’s Coalition.
Having played sports in her youth, Youa recognized the importance of creating opportunities for young athletes. She is committed to providing resources, mentorship, and encouragement to help them succeed in sports and beyond.
MICHAEL VANG
BOARD MEMBER
I’m Michael Vang, the first Hmong professional soccer player in the United States, born and raised in Saint Paul, MN. From attending U.S. National Team camps to graduating from Shattuck St. Mary’s High School, my journey was unconventional—I bypassed college to play in Portugal for a year and a half. At just 19 years old, I signed my first professional contract with Forward Madison FC in the USL League One, where I made a significant impact over two seasons.
In 2022, I joined Columbus Crew 2 in MLSNEXTPRO, winning the championship that year, before moving to Portland Timbers 2 in 2023. March 2023 marked a pivotal moment with my first call-up to the Laos National Team for the “3 Nations Cup,” followed by competing in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Round 1 against Nepal later that year. In 2024, I signed with Miami FC in the USL Championship.
Driven by a passion for giving back, I am dedicated to sharing my knowledge and experiences to empower aspiring athletes in our community.
HONGKONG VANG
BOARD MEMBER
Hongkong Vang is a seasoned real estate professional, developer, and entrepreneur based in Minnesota, with over a decade of experience in the industry. Since 2011, he has been actively involved in real estate, helping clients buy, sell, and invest in properties. In 2018, he took on a leadership role as the broker of Partners Realty, a thriving real estate brokerage that has helped countless clients navigate the market. Beyond brokerage, he is the founder of HG Development, where he oversees projects ranging from new residential construction to large-scale commercial builds. Additionally, he owns Ecogreen Construction, a company dedicated to high-quality, sustainable building solutions that contribute to the growth and development of local communities.
With a strong educational foundation, Hongkong earned a Master’s degree in Human Resource and Education from the University of Minnesota. His background in education has provided him with essential leadership, communication, and organizational development skills, which he applies across his various business ventures. His ability to mentor teams, navigate complex negotiations, and foster meaningful relationships has been instrumental in his continued success in real estate, development, and construction.
Beyond his work in real estate and development, Hongkong is a passionate entrepreneur with a diverse business portfolio that includes restaurant ownership. His deep-rooted commitment to community growth drives his efforts to create thriving neighborhoods and economic opportunities. Whether he is assisting families in finding their dream homes, constructing high-quality properties, or running successful dining establishments, Hongkong remains dedicated to building a better future for Minnesota’s residents and businesses.
KABO YANG
EXECUTIVE ADVISOR
Kabo Yang serves as a Strategic Services Consultant at Propel Nonprofits, supporting organizational leaders with strategic planning, board governance, and nonprofit management. She has spent her career working, consulting, and volunteering in the nonprofit sector across the country. Her independent consulting practice focuses on identity-driven leadership, training facilitation, and organizational development. Kabo also serves as an adjunct instructor at St. Catherine University and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Kabo has a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration, Masters Degrees in Organizational Leadership and in Human and Organizational Systems, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Development and Change.
MAZ HAWJ
MEDIA MANAGER
Maz Hawj (She/They, b. 2003) is a Hmong American interdisciplinary artist, teacher, and writer based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Her visual work consists of paper-based installations, documentary video, and mixed media book arts. By using archive documents, photographs, and mark-making materials like crayons, charcoal, and ink, Maz explores themes of memory, emotion, and identity to create visual conversations about the Asian American diaspora through the assimilated lens. She is interested in the complexities of non-linear storytelling in order to make sense of the ever-changing present and to combat systemic erasure of the past. Since growing up in predominantly white neighborhoods, Maz emphasizes the importance of cultural and identity representation in institutional, educational, and community spaces. Her work as an arts educator means creating a platform for minority experiences, and uplifting youth through community organizing and creative art teachings.
Maz has developed lessons and taught at Kenwood Elementary and Perpich Center for Arts Education, and has exhibited work in Minneapolis locations. She has a BFA in Fine Arts Studio Filmmaking from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, with minors in Creative Writing and Teaching Artist. She is enrolled in the Teach Minnesota 2025 Cohort as a teaching fellow for the 2025-2026 academic year.