Founder & Executive Director
Ming-Ming is the founder and ED of RAI. As an immigrant from Taiwan, Ming-Ming understands the challenges refugees and immigrants face. She wants to connect women with the skills they have and opportunities to earn income to provide for their families. RAI combines Ming-Ming's compassion acquired as a pharmacist and her love for fashion.
Founder & Executive Director
Ming-Ming is the founder and ED of RAI. As an immigrant from Taiwan, Ming-Ming understands the challenges refugees and immigrants face. She wants to connect women with the skills they have and opportunities to earn income to provide for their families. RAI combines Ming-Ming's compassion acquired as a pharmacist and her love for fashion.
Director of Business Development and Programs
Tali joined RAI as Director of Programs and Business Development in 2023. An immigrant from France, she has always had a passion for economic development and immigrant empowerment. Tali has worked for over 30 years in the nonprofit sector. She moved to Seattle in 2009 and co-founded Washington’s Paramount Duty in 2015. Tali currently serves on the Seattle Venture Partners Board and holds an M.A. in Urban Policy and Planning from Tufts University. A parent of three, she has a passion for advocacy, policy and social justice.
Director of Business Development and Programs
Tali joined RAI as Director of Programs and Business Development in 2023. An immigrant from France, she has always had a passion for economic development and immigrant empowerment. Tali has worked for over 30 years in the nonprofit sector. She moved to Seattle in 2009 and co-founded Washington’s Paramount Duty in 2015. Tali currently serves on the Seattle Venture Partners Board and holds an M.A. in Urban Policy and Planning from Tufts University. A parent of three, she has a passion for advocacy, policy and social justice.
Fundraising and Marketing Manager
Shelley is a non-profit professional with over a decade of experience in fundraising and communications. She is dedicated to serving great causes that make a difference, and working together with passionate community members to effect change is the cornerstone of her career. When she’s not hard at work for RAI, Shelley keeps herself busy as a Volunteer Fundraising Advisor for JJoy Foundation, a Board Member at Seattle Area Feline Rescue, and a volunteer for humanitarian projects around the globe. So far, Shelley has mixed concrete on four different continents and hopes to take her work boots to a new destination soon.
Fundraising and Marketing Manager
Shelley is a non-profit professional with over a decade of experience in fundraising and communications. She is dedicated to serving great causes that make a difference, and working together with passionate community members to effect change is the cornerstone of her career. When she’s not hard at work for RAI, Shelley keeps herself busy as a Volunteer Fundraising Advisor for JJoy Foundation, a Board Member at Seattle Area Feline Rescue, and a volunteer for humanitarian projects around the globe. So far, Shelley has mixed concrete on four different continents and hopes to take her work boots to a new destination soon.
Production Manager
With a passion for design, Isabella came to Washington in 2016 from Taiwan, earning her AA in Apparel Design from Seattle Central College in 2019. She joined RAI in its early stages in 2020 working on projects like making masks for medical workers during COVID, and rejoined RAI in 2022 as a designer. In her free time she works on personal projects, and her outfits to work are often her own creations.
Production Manager
With a passion for design, Isabella came to Washington in 2016 from Taiwan, earning her AA in Apparel Design from Seattle Central College in 2019. She joined RAI in its early stages in 2020 working on projects like making masks for medical workers during COVID, and rejoined RAI in 2022 as a designer. In her free time she works on personal projects, and her outfits to work are often her own creations.
Administration & Communications Coordinator
Marisa moved to Seattle from Northern California (Miwok and Esselen land) in 2023 after earning her BA in Humanities and Communication studies. After her mother’s death in 2019, Marisa became passionate about maintaining ties to her mother’s culture and homeland of the Philippines. Her passion about helping immigrants maintain their own cultures to pass on to their children brings her motivation in her work at RAI. In their free time, Marisa enjoys spending time outdoors, creating art, and making music playlists.
Administration & Communications Coordinator
Marisa moved to Seattle from Northern California (Miwok and Esselen land) in 2023 after earning her BA in Humanities and Communication studies. After her mother’s death in 2019, Marisa became passionate about maintaining ties to her mother’s culture and homeland of the Philippines. Her passion about helping immigrants maintain their own cultures to pass on to their children brings her motivation in her work at RAI. In their free time, Marisa enjoys spending time outdoors, creating art, and making music playlists.
Operations Associate
Noi immigrated to the US from Vietnam, and one of Noi's friends suggested she should attend a RAI recruiting event at the Children's Home Society of Washington. Shortly after, she became a RAI Artisan and began utilizing her sewing skills. Noi also designs beautiful jewelry, a skill she learned from RAI. In 2021, Noi joined the staff as a sewing associate, sharing her talents in a variety of ways. Noi is a wonderful cook and loves to read. She also enjoys sewing and designing clothes for her kids in her free time.
Operations Associate
Noi immigrated to the US from Vietnam, and one of Noi's friends suggested she should attend a RAI recruiting event at the Children's Home Society of Washington. Shortly after, she became a RAI Artisan and began utilizing her sewing skills. Noi also designs beautiful jewelry, a skill she learned from RAI. In 2021, Noi joined the staff as a sewing associate, sharing her talents in a variety of ways. Noi is a wonderful cook and loves to read. She also enjoys sewing and designing clothes for her kids in her free time.
Assistant Production Manager
Baseerah learned to sew from her mom and brings experience in sewing, embroidery and design. Originally from Afghanistan, Baseerah has lived in Seattle since 2003. She is founder of Asiya Design Art, featuring her beautiful designs in home goods and specialty items. She loves to cook and shares this passion with the staff in bringing tea and baked goods.
Assistant Production Manager
Baseerah learned to sew from her mom and brings experience in sewing, embroidery and design. Originally from Afghanistan, Baseerah has lived in Seattle since 2003. She is founder of Asiya Design Art, featuring her beautiful designs in home goods and specialty items. She loves to cook and shares this passion with the staff in bringing tea and baked goods.
Assistant Production Manager
Mehnaz is from Pakistan. She loves sewing, and teaching the new artisans skills. She has learned a lot from working here such as how to speak and work with others from different cultures. She speaks Pashto, Urdu, and English which she learned from working at RAI!
Assistant Production Manager
Mehnaz is from Pakistan. She loves sewing, and teaching the new artisans skills. She has learned a lot from working here such as how to speak and work with others from different cultures. She speaks Pashto, Urdu, and English which she learned from working at RAI!
Sewing Production Associate
Sewing Production Associate
