Meet The Team
We are proud of our growing team who are creating a welcoming community for refugee and immigrant women artisans.
STAFF
Ming-Ming
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 these women with the skills they have and opportunities to earn income to provide for their families in America. RAI combines Ming-Ming's compassion acquired as a pharmacist for 24 years and her love for fashion.
Carmen
Director of Development
Carmen Brenner is a fundraising professional with over 20 years of experience creating and leading successful fund development strategies to support equity for underserved populations.
Alpaja
Production Manager
Alpaja is an art lover and professional designer with 10+ years of experience in ethical and sustainable fashion design, garment manufacturing and arts and crafts. She is co-founder of (and a creative designer for) Ekadesma, a sustainable, ethical lifestyle brand from Nepal founded in 2011. Alpaja is passionate about sustainable fashion and women's empowerment.
Jenny
Associate Director of Communications
Jenny is a nature-lover with professional experience in entrepreneurship, communications, marketing and project management. Jenny is also founder of a design company specializing in vegan & sustainable fashion. As a former educator, Jenny is passionate about storytelling, meeting people where they are at, and creating inclusive spaces.
Naoko (My Thi)
Director of Programs & Operations
Naoko comes to RAI after a two-decade career in the specialty retail and tea industry. Naoko was conceived at a US refugee camp by a Vietnamese birth mother. Adopted by Japanese expatriates who gave her the privilege of opportunities, Naoko is passionate about empowering and serving women in marginalized communities.
Tracy
Sewing Production Assistant
Tracy is from Vietnam and a family of sewers. She has been in America for over four years. She is waiting to have her teenage daughter to join her and her husband. Tracy likes to sew and made her first paycheck in America through RAI. She is motivated to take on more sewing projects and also wants to improve her English.
Noi
Sewing Production Assistant
Noi immigrated to the US from Vietnam. One of Noi's friends suggested she should attend an RAI recruiting event at the Children's Home Society of Washington. She received her very first paycheck in the United States after being here for nearly six years! She makes beautiful jewelry, a skill she learned from RAI.