As a legal and legislative expert, a change-manager, and a movement builder, ThaoMee is a natural fit for CAAL as Executive & Network Director. She actively works to build collective power and collective leadership through racial solidarity and political participation.

Prior to CAAL, ThaoMee was the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the City of Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s Office, leading state and federal legislative initiatives while the city received over $300 million in state bonding, direct appropriations, local government aid, and federal funding. ThaoMee led the historic $52 million bonding request to build a new bridge, which was projected to create over 1200 jobs.  

ThaoMee has held leadership roles at the Center for Health Equity at the Minnesota Department of Health and has international experience working for the International Organization of Migration and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.  

Growing up in a traditional Hmong family as a refugee in Wisconsin has shaped ThaoMee’s passion for pursuing issues concerning gender equity, racial justice, and immigrant rights – the very issues that define our work at CAAL through advocacy and policy work, leadership support, community investment, research, and solidarity partnerships.