Meet the Cohort

Health Equity Coordinator, The Cambodian Family (Santa Ana, CA)

Ravi Seng is a Health Equity Coordinator at The Cambodian Family Community Center. Ravi completed his Masters in Asian American Studies at the University of California - Irvine, where he was a community liaison between the Orange County and Southeast Asian Archive and The Cambodian Family, performing on-site archival preservation services for the agency's photographs and documents. Currently, Ravi organizes the Cambodian residents of Orange County through their civic engagement, where older, limited-English-speaking Cambodians can advocate for their health and mental health needs. In addition, Ravi works on a drug prevention program called Empowered Southeast Asian and Latinx Youth (ESALY).

Family Resource Center Program Manager, International Children Assistance Network (ICAN) (Milpitas, CA)

Graduating with a Public Health degree from San Jose State University, Nguyen is currently the Program Manager at ICAN, where she translates her passion into impactful contributions. Managing programs within the Asian American and local Vietnamese American community in Santa Clara county, Nguyen cultivates understanding and support, fostering the next generation's growth through initiatives that bridge cultural gaps. Nguyen is dedicated to inspiring youth and establishing a foundation for a culturally enriched and supportive community. 

Tốt nghiệp ngành Y tế Cộng Đồng tại San Jose State University, hiện tôi là Quản lý Chương trình tại ICAN, nơi tôi biến đổi đam mê thành những đóng góp có ảnh hưởng. Quản lý các chương trình trong cộng đồng người Mỹ gốc Á, tôi hiểu được nhu cầu của cộng đồng và cung cấp các hỗ trợ, đồng thời phát triển các sáng kiến mới của thế hệ sau nhằm nối kết khoảng cách văn hóa. Tôi muốn truyền cảm hứng cho thế hệ trẻ để xây dựng nền tảng cho một cộng đồng vững mạnh.

Community Pathways to Health Aging Coordinator, Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI) (Oakland, CA)

Sreyneang Lim was born in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and raised in the Bay Area, California. Her parents and two older siblings are survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide that occurred in Cambodia in the 1970s. Sreyneang currently serves at the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing holistic mental health services, social services, and justice support to Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants living in underserved areas of Alameda County.

In her role as Coordinator for the Community Pathways to Healthy Aging program, Sreyneang is pivotal in supporting elderly community members. Her responsibilities include offering direct services such as interpretation and transportation to healthcare appointments, addressing essential needs through case management, and organizing outings to engage isolated seniors. Additionally, she acts as a dedicated advocate for the elders, ensuring their voices are heard.

In addition to her work with elders, she is in the process of developing a cultural arts program for youth, focusing on traditional Khmer dancing. This program is designed to foster intergenerational connections and provide a constructive outlet for young people, directing their focus towards self-development and creativity through cultural expression.

Sreyneang Lim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. In her free time, Sreyneang loves exploring nature, hiking, biking, going to the beach, dancing, exercising, practicing yoga, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Community Outreach Specialist, Families in Good Health (Long Beach, CA)

Sambo Sak is the Community Outreach Specialist at Families in Good Health at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach. His work primarily involves case management, ensuring clients receive support and resources tailored to their needs. The target population Sambo Sak works with are youth (ages 14-19) and Cambodian adults &  seniors. Additionally, Sambo is responsible for organizing activities and workshops that promote community engagement and skill-building. Outreach is critical to his role, as he actively seeks to connect with community members about available services and programs. Building and maintaining strong relationships with community members is essential, as is fostering trust and collaboration to understand better and address the community's needs.

He was raised in Long Beach. Sambo holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies.  His degree helped him use storytelling to empower people. He helps individuals express their feelings and thoughts in writing. In this way, he helps them create and share their own stories and ultimately find self-identity. In his freetime, he enjoys running on the beach, practicing Muay Thai Kickboxing, exploring foods with friends, and volunteering his time to serve people in need.

SEAYCA Site Coordinator, AYPAL (Oakland, CA)

Bao is the Southeast Asian Youth for Community Action (SEAYCA) Site Coordinator at AYPAL: Building API Community Power. She works with a group of high school interns to cultivate positive community change and to empower other Oakland youths to take political action. 

Bao is a daughter of Hmong refugees from Sacramento, CA. Growing up in Sacramento and experiencing the inequities within her community is what sparked Bao’s passion for social justice and community activism. Bao became involved in community organizing when she was a youth in UC Davis’s SAFE Outreach program and has consistently organized within Southeast Asian community spaces since then. She has earned a Bachelor’s Degree from UC Berkeley in Asian American & Asian Diaspora and Political Science. 

Program Manager, Iu Mien Community Services (Sacramento, CA)

Kou Lee is a Program Manager with Iu Mien Community Services, where he leads a dedicated team of Program Coordinators in designing and implementing impactful youth and senior programs, with a strong emphasis on mental health and suicide awareness. Over the past two years, Kou has made significant contributions to the community, including spearheading COVID-19 education initiatives, serving as a vaccine ambassador, and becoming a highly regarded exercise guru.

Kou’s exceptional communication and interpersonal skills have been instrumental in fostering strong relationships with both the community and stakeholders. His ability to engage and connect with diverse groups has been key in advancing the organization's mission and expanding its reach. Through his leadership and dedication, Kou continues to drive positive change and enhance the well-being of those he serves.

Community Organizer, The Cambodian Family (Santa Ana, CA) 

Chantha Kong is a community organizer for civic engagement and immigration at The Cambodian Family Community Center, which works to advocate for health & mental health needs and implement leadership development for underserved residents in Santa Ana. Additionally, Chantha provides naturalization and immigration services, by educating, reviewing, and consulting on screenings for U.S. citizenship eligibility, immigration applications, and other related services. 

He earned Bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and Law, and graduated with a Master’s of International Law from Transnational Law and Business University – South Korea. Chantha was awarded a scholarship from George Washington University Graduate School of Law. He has experience in the private and public sectors, as a senior legal advisor at CHAK TOMUK Notary Public, legal consultant at MK Asia law firm, and administrative assistant with the Under-secretary of State of Ministry of Economy and Finance.