National Convening Program Books 2015 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 96

YEO Bios
Kaying Thao

School Board Member
Roseville, Minnesota
Kaying Thao is a School Board Director for Roseville Area Schools, a district
with over 7,500 students. (Roseville is a first-ring suburb right outside of
the capital city of St. Paul, Minnesota.) Currently the only Hmong-American
woman in elected office in Minnesota, Thao holds a master’s degree in
public and nonprofit administration, and is a candidate for a doctorate in
education at Hamline University in St. Paul. In addition to her elected role,
Thao also serves as a human rights commissioner for the city, and is a state director for the Young
Elected Officials Network. Thao is a staff member at the Minnesota House of Representatives, and
has three children, ages 15, 13, and 12. @onlyoneky

Erica Thomas

State Representative
Austell, Georgia
Representative Erica Thomas represents the citizens of District 39, which
includes portions of southern Cobb County. She was elected into the
House of Representatives in November 2014, and currently serves on the
Juvenile Justice, Science and Technology, and Budget and Fiscal Affairs
Oversight Committees. Representative Thomas attended Oakwood College
where she studied politics and government. In addition to her legislative
duties, Representative Thomas serves as the executive director of Speak Out Loud, a nonprofit with
the vision of giving a voice to foster kids who have been silenced because of their circumstances.
Representative Thomas is the author of the children’s book, “It’s Erica.” In 2013, she received the
Ambassador for Peace Award from the Global Peace Foundation. Representative Thomas resides in
Mabelton, Georgia with her four-year-old daughter, Dakota. @EricaThomasHD39

Christian Torkelson
City Councilor

Little Canada, Minnesota
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Christian Torkelson serves as a City Councilor in the City of Little Canada,
Minnesota. Torkelson enjoys working with technology; his hobbies
include graphic design, photography, videography, and “do it yourself”
projects. Torkelson is currently employed by the Minnesota House of
Representatives as an information technology specialist.