Career Mentoring Program

Galore offers a career mentorship program for high school Hmong girls. This project has been developed in collaboration with the Hmong  Women Circle (HWC) of the Girl Scouts of Minnesota Wisconsin River Valley.  Our current partner in this program is Hmong American Partnership's Academic and Career Mentoring Program (ACMP).  ACMP offers quality afterschool services to high school Hmong girls. Galore recruits, trains and supports professional Hmong women as mentors who guide Hmong girls through career exploration and planning. 

For more information about our career mentorship program or to sign up to be a mentor, please contact us
at info@superhmongwomen.org

Galore would like to thank individuals and organizations who support our work through a financial gift in 2010 including Hmong American Partnership, Leadership Paradigms, Inc., and Women's Foundation of MN. In-kind gifts are also greatly appreciated and we have been proud recipients of non-cash gifts from D&L Liquors, My Living Room Cafe and Hmong Youth Education Services.

Galore Presenters - Partners in transforming the economic landscape of Hmong women's lives 

Galore would like to acknowledge and recognize our speakers this year for sharing their time and knowledge with us. 

Amy Brenengan, Director

Office on the Economic Status of Women (OESW) In this role, Amy oversees the OESW in its role as an information resource for legislators and the public, and as the lens of women in the lawmaking process.  Her office provides research and information to legislators and the public, publishes data, reports and information pertinent to the economic health and vitality of women, and Amy speaks publicly about the status of women in the State of Minnesota.  Previous to this position, Amy directed career, business and financial literacy programs at WomenVenture, the leading economic development organization for women in the twin cities. Amy’s undergraduate degree is from the College of St. Benedict, and her graduate degree comes from Hamline University where her final research addressed the impact of leadership education on the self-esteem of adolescent girls.  Amy lives in St. Paul. She and her partner Matt are the proud parents of Alice, age 9, and Andrew, age 6.

Dr. Catherine Solheim, Faculty

Department of Family Social Science at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Solheim teaches courses on family financial management, family policy and global family systems.  Her research focuses on financial management in limited-resource and diverse family systems.  One project focuses on understanding generational differences in values, goals and practices of Hmong families.  Another project examines how transnational Minnesota-Mexico families manage family relationship and work across two countries.  Her collaboration with the Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota program focuses on understanding how low-income families save to build wealth.

Ashish Tomar

Ashish has owned a financial practice with New York Life since 2005. He focuses on helping Professionals, Business Owners, and High Net-Worth Individuals implement worry free solutions for creating, preserving, and distributing wealth most efficiently. He employs Macro Asset Perspective (MAP™), a unique client-education based process that incorporates principles of asset allocation relative to risk tolerance and tax treatment of assets, to maximize future net retirement income.

Born in India, Ashish moved to Scotland to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Aberdeen. While still in college he joined the Royal British Army’s Officer’s Training Corps. He served with the Royal Army for two and half years before moving to Minnesota to start a family. Before starting his practice with New York Life, Ashish worked as an Analyst for Securian Financial Group in St. Paul.  

Ashish has won several awards since starting his practice at New York Life. These include The Career Success award, The Career Life Producer award, and The Life Foundation award. He was named the Rookie of the Year and New Associate of the Year by New York Life’s Minnesota General Office in 2007. He has received the National Quality Award from National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors each year since 2007. Ashish is also a current member of New York Life’s Executive Council.

Giving back to the community in form of good financial education is important to Ashish. He has partnered with the Community School of Excellence in St. Paul to offer educational seminars focusing on different financial topics. He is also a Co-Editor of Financial News Digest and writes financial columns for several community newspapers.

Zaj Lus Dragon Speakers

People who communicate effectively get ahead in life.

Wouldn’t you like to develop this priceless skill? Now you can. Zaj Lus Dragon Speakers will show you how to listen effectively, think on your feet and speak confidently. You will learn valuable leadership skills in a supportive, non-intimidating environment.

Are you ready to achieve your full potential? Come visit our Toastmasters club and see what we can do for you!

Margaret Smith, Owner

UXL

In addition to leading this consulting firm, Margaret is a consultant for hrconnection where she focuses on helping Human Resource Managers become valuable strategic resources to the businesses they work with.

Prior to owning her company, Margaret  was a progressive senior leader at the 3M Company where she led sales and marketing teams globally.  Her strength in leadership development, organization effectiveness and change management, enabled the success of her 27 year career.

Margaret is also a member of National Association of Women Business Owners.  She is the board chair for the Peace House, a shelter for women and their children in transition. Margaret has a passion for helping others succeed and contributes regularly to organizations that demonstrate those values.

She has a bachelors degree in Sociology/Psychology from Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA.  Has completed coursework at the University of Minnesota in Business Finance and Leadership Development.  She continues to develop new skills through additional workshops and certification programs in coaching,  leadership, as well as,  assessment and feedback tools

Margaret lives in Stillwater, MN with her husband and two sons.

Yang Martial Arts

Grand Master Yang has over 30 years of experience in Martial arts. Master Yang holds an 8th degree black belt (8th Dan). He has practiced Kung Fu in China, Karate from Japan, Tae Kwon Do from Korea, and Thai boxing (Muay Thai) from Thailand. From the wisdoms given to him by his masters, Master Yang has created two distinctly different yet equally effective training systems. Students have a choice to study one or both styles he offers at the academy. All students must be willing to train hard which leads to peak physical fitness & mental alertness. Grandmaster Yang had been teaching in the USA since 1980. He has trained many students such as businessmen and women, children, adults, police, FBI and professional athletics.

Fabuliss