Women participating in a hula hoop contest outdoors at a festival, with an audience watching them and tents and trees in the background.

community involvement

A young man with blonde and black hair, wearing glasses, holds a camera in his hands and looks at the lens with a concerned expression. He is outdoors during evening, with a crowd of people sitting and standing in a park or outdoor event area, and cars parked in the background.

living my beliefs in sioux falls

My story in Sioux Falls has always been about showing up, learning, and giving back. The roles I’ve taken on over the years aren’t about titles. They’re about building the kind of city I believe in.

I’ve worked to help shape downtown as a board member with Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., supported our arts scene with Sioux Falls Stage and Gallery, and organized cultural celebrations like Lunar Fest alongside the Vietnamese American community. I’ve grown as a leader through programs like Leadership Sioux Falls, Leadership South Dakota, and Leaders of Tomorrow.

I’ve also leaned into creativity and connection — whether it’s at community events, in local arts, or through storytelling work with nonprofits. I’ve had the privilege of sharing stories on KELOLAND Living, mentoring entrepreneurs at Startup Sioux Falls, and supporting dozens of nonprofits through 4Front Studios’ Mission 100 initiative. As a member of the El Riad Shrine, I’ve joined others in service and tradition that stretch across generations.

No matter the setting — neighborhoods, the arts, cultural festivals, or nonprofit work — I have always believed Sioux Falls is at its best when we rise together.

    • Board of Directors, Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc.

    • Board of Directors, Sioux Falls Stage & Gallery

    • Board of Directors, Greater than Zero Percent

    • Director, Sioux Falls Lunar Fest & Vietnamese American Community

    • Mentor & Founder Funder, Startup Sioux Falls

    • Host, 1 Million Cups - Sioux Falls

    • Volunteer, Headlights Theatre

    • Volunteer, Multicultural Center

    • Co-Founder, 4Front Studios

    • Graduate, Leadership Sioux Falls 36

    • Graduate, Leadership South Dakota 2024

    • Graduate, Leaders of Tomorrow

    • Graduate, O’Gorman High School

    • B.S. Political Science, Loyola University Chicago

    • “Siouxlebrity Dancer”, Dancing with the Sioux Falls Stars

  • Member, El-Riad Shrine

    Member, Unity Masonic Lodge

    Member, Sigma Chi Fraternity

    Performer, LiRa Dance Theatre Company

    Instructor, Plum’s Cooking Co.

    Contributor, KELOLAND Living

A chef with glasses and tattoos smiling and talking to customers at a sushi bar in a restaurant. The group includes two women and a man, with drinks and small bowls of sauce on the counter, in a modern restaurant setting.
A man in a black and gray shirt, holding a microphone and a remote, giving a presentation next to a large banner that says "Building Communities, One Cup at a Time" with a brick wall background.
Group of seven people standing in front of a large screen that reads "welcome to the I HATE MARKETING CONFERENCE" inside a hall or auditorium.
Four people standing together indoors, smiling, with a window and an American flag in the background.
A group of seven smiling people standing together at CultureCon event, with a backdrop featuring the CultureCon logo and the words 'Think 3D.'
Two men wearing Christmas sweaters and Santa hats, smiling at the camera, decorated with Christmas garlands, in a festive setting with Christmas trees, holiday decorations, and a multi-screen display in the background.
Group of seven people standing together at a bar or restaurant, all wearing matching sneakers, smiling at the camera.
Two men smiling and kneeling in front of a stage with musicians and Christmas decorations. One man wears a white shirt with a colorful scarf, and the other wears a traditional red Chinese outfit with gold embroidery.
Group of six people smiling at an awards ceremony, holding framed certificates, standing in front of a backdrop with 'Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce' logo.
Group of diverse people celebrating indoors, with colorful curtains and artwork on the wall, some clapping and one holding a framed certificate.
A group of people on a film set in a hallway, with one person filming and three people posing for a photo in front of a set with a man in a suit.
Three people standing in front of a decorated stage at a wedding reception, including a bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet, and two guests—one man in a black suit and another in casual attire with glasses.
A man wearing glasses, a gray blazer, white shirt, a maroon fez, and a messenger bag operating a handheld camera on a stabilizer in an indoor setting. Several people are sitting nearby, and shelves with hats in the background.
A man sitting on a stool being interviewed by a woman in a recording studio with a holiday-themed red backdrop, gold decorations, and Christmas-themed plush toys.
A large group of people smiling and posing together at an event, some holding black-and-white photos of a person with glasses. The background features a stage with a screen that reads 'Dancing with the Stars'.
Group of about 40 adults posing outside in front of a modern building with glass and stone details.
A band performing on an outdoor stage at night, with multiple musicians playing guitars and a singer wearing sunglasses and a patriotic outfit, illuminated by stage lights.
Group of people celebrating indoors, some clapping and smiling, others taking photos, in a casual office or event space.
Two people standing behind a table decorated for Lunar New Year. The man on the left is wearing glasses and a red traditional outfit, the woman on the right is wearing a white sweater with colorful embroidery. The table has various Lunar New Year dec
Group of 29 people smiling and holding drinks in a room with colorful mural art of beer glasses and the words "FERSON DOWNTOWN" on the wall.
Group of five people standing in a dance studio with a mirror, taking a selfie. All are dressed in casual or dance attire.
Group of people at a party or gathering in a restaurant with a buffet of food on the table in the foreground, and hanging lanterns on the ceiling.
Group of people gathered in a dimly lit venue decorated with colorful artwork on the walls, including a Queen art piece and the Statue of Liberty. The group is smiling and posing for a photo, with some holding drinks, and a neon sign visible in the b
A man sitting on a stool being interviewed or recorded in front of a red backdrop with decorations, in an indoor venue with ceiling lights and hanging snowflake decorations, and another woman filming him.
Group of five people standing inside a restaurant, smiling at the camera, with decorations and photographs on the wall behind them.
Poster for 'Dancing with the Sioux Falls Stars,' a benefit for EMPIRE's mental health support, featuring a smiling young woman and man dancing together, with event date 10/19/24 and a QR code for tickets.
Group of people with motorcycles in a parking lot, some wearing helmets and jackets, with buildings and trees in the background.
Two men standing in front of a red backdrop decorated with yellow flowers, hanging lanterns, and traditional Asian banners, smiling and posing for a photo.
Three people on a stage at an event, with a large screen in the background displaying a cityscape and logos, and a sign that reads 'BIZ BUZZ' in front of two people.