Advancing Community-Led Solutions

Growing up as an immigrant family, Pahoua Yang Hoffman was grateful for people who helped them find footing in America. Her life experiences have helped shape a career working in nonprofits and mission-based organizations. Now she's come full circle, leading the charge at the largest community foundation in Minnesota.

As the chief strategist for grantmaking and community impact at the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation, she ensures that thousands of nonprofits across the state have the resources to identify and solve local issues. 

Pahoua's career path has been a journey fueled by curiosity. Her work over the years has taken her from executive round tables to the grand halls of the Minnesota State Capitol. As co-founder of the Minnesota Capitol Pathways program, she’s opened doors for students of color to get real-world Capitol experience. Matched with a seasoned lobbyist, they get hands-on learning, ongoing legislative and soft-skills training. Now in its sixth year, the program has over 160 graduates.

I feel it's a calling for me to connect people, to find common ground to advance the Common Good.

At the Citizens League, Pahoua was the first woman and person of color to lead the nonprofit in its 70-year history. She used MBA learnings to develop and advance policy recommendations on topics such as the minimum wage ordinance in St. Paul. Opus College proved to be a value fit for her with its strong focus on ethical leadership. A course in Ethics and Business Law remains a powerful reminder of the work we still must do.

A think-tank for good, Pahoua has worked tirelessly to cultivate a community where all voices are counted, heard, and appreciated. To make the changes we want to see in the world, we need to see each other’s humanity – just as she’s done throughout her career.