Bo Thao-Urabe

Bo Thao-Urabe is a Hmong American social entrepreneur, community organizer, and civic leader whose career centers on equity, justice, and collective empowerment. Drawing on her experiences as a refugee from Laos, Thao-Urabe has established multiple organizations focused on advancing social justice and community development. After fleeing conflict in Southeast Asia, her family lived in a refugee camp in Thailand before immigrating to the United States. Thao-Urabe earned an undergraduate degree in family social science from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and was among the first generation of Hmong women in her family to attend college.

Thao-Urabe co-founded the Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL), a statewide network that promotes Asian American leadership, civic engagement, and policy advocacy. CAAL connects leaders across ethnic groups, including Hmong, Somali, and other Asian Pacific Islander communities, through leadership development and policy initiatives. The organization played a key role in the passage of Minnesota's All Kids Count Act, which requires the Department of Education to disaggregate student racial data by specific ethnic groups. CAAL also secured funding for the Nonprofit Infrastructure Grant Program, supporting cultural nonprofits across the state.

In addition to her work with CAAL, Thao-Urabe has held leadership roles in the nonprofit, philanthropic, and public sectors. She previously served as senior director at Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, overseeing social justice philanthropy and organizational learning. Thao-Urabe was appointed as a commissioner to the President's White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and as a regent to the University of Minnesota. She is principal of Seed Grow Bloom LLC, a consulting firm for nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, and co-founder of Rooted to Last, where she provides strategic leadership and start-up support. Thao-Urabe also served as chief operating officer of RedGreen Rivers, facilitating connections between women artisans in Southeast Asia and U.S. markets to support economic empowerment and preserve indigenous art forms.

Thao-Urabe has received honors including a Bush Fellowship, the Facing Race Award, the National Philanthropy Day Award, recognition on the AZN Most Influential Asian Americans list, the Augsburg College Courageous Woman Award, and the Governor's MLK Day Commitment to Service Award. She has been named to Minnesota Business Magazine Real Power 50 and Twin Cities Business Magazine 100 People to Know. Both the mayor of Saint Paul and the governor of Minnesota have recognized her contributions by declaring a day in her honor. Thao-Urabe serves on the boards of Minnesota Public Radio, Drake Bank, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, and the University of Minnesota, supporting efforts in equity, democracy, and community development. She is recognized for her expertise in systemic change, civic leadership, and community-centered solutions.