As Associate Director of Institute Operations, Bao Nhia is responsible for building and managing high-impact projects and programs focused on women’s leadership, allyship, and inclusion. With her passion for operational excellence and continuous improvement, she drives best practices to help the Institute meet our goals.
Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Bao Nhia is a proud daughter to Hmong refugee parents. She has five sisters and one brother and falls in the middle. She adores her nieces and nephews and often competes with her siblings to win the favorite aunt award. Bao Nhia loves adventure and travel and Bali and Japan are among her favorite places. She can also be found exploring the latest food trends in Los Angeles, California, where she currently calls home.
Professional Experience
Prior to joining the Simmons Institute for Inclusive Leadership, Bao Nhia spent over five years working in Student Affairs. After earning her M.Ed from UCLA, she served as the Assistant Director of Asian Pacific American Student Services at USC and was the Advisor & Manager to undergraduate student government at UC Santa Cruz. Her experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion and working with underrepresented populations has driven her to give back to her community. Bao Nhia enjoys volunteering with local Asian American non-profit organizations and currently serves as the Vice Chair on the Board of Directors for the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL).