What Guides My Work
Public service and civic engagement have been central to my life, and I take great pride in the democratic process and in respecting the rights, beliefs, and perspectives of others. I am currently serving my fourth year on the Maplewood City Council and approach this role with a strong sense of responsibility and a deep commitment to the community. During my time on the council, I have supported affordable housing projects, advocated for expanded and accessible public transportation, pushed for open and transparent hiring practices, and worked to ensure community voices are reflected in city decision making. Staying connected matters to me, which is why I continue to door knock and remain engaged with residents across Maplewood neighborhoods.
Strong communities are built when everyone has a voice. Too often, communities plateau when decisions reflect only a narrow set of perspectives. My approach to leadership focuses on lifting up the nuances that make Maplewood strong and vibrant. Inclusive decision making at every level of city governance is essential to ensure that policy reflects the full range of experiences within our community across race, background, circumstance, and access to opportunity. Creating pathways for opportunity for current residents and for those who want to call Maplewood home remains a driving passion.
This commitment to service is rooted in lived experience. I grew up in Frogtown in Saint Paul and graduated from Arlington High School before earning an undergraduate degree in Communications from Hamline University. Advanced education followed at Metropolitan State University where I earned master’s degrees in Business Administration and Management Information Systems.
Professional experience spans the private, nonprofit, and public serving sectors. Over the years, I have worked for Fortune 500 companies, owned a small business, and now serve as a nonprofit grant manager administering grants that support Asian American small businesses and nonprofit organizations across Minnesota. Additional experience includes participating in local collaboratives focused on expanding equitable opportunities for small businesses, evaluating economic multipliers, and helping distribute state and federal relief dollars during the pandemic. This work has reinforced how inclusive policy and accountable governance directly affect people’s daily lives.
This year marks my tenth year calling Maplewood home. Over that time, my roots have grown deep, as has my love for this beautiful city. Having navigated higher education, business ownership, workforce challenges, and public service with limited resources, those experiences shape how I lead today. As a father of four and a son to aging parents, my vision is to continue building a Maplewood where families feel confident raising their children, older adults feel supported as they age, and businesses have the opportunity to grow and thrive.
"Maplewood was the kind of neighborhood I aspired to live in as a kid; it was and remains a highly desirable city for growing families."