My name is Karen Hui Saechao, and I am a proud first-generation Mien-American woman, born and raised in Sacramento, CA. As a daughter of two Lao-Mien immigrants, I grew up constantly navigating the complexities of two cultures, trying to hold onto my culture while creating my identity in a world my parents knew nothing about. As a result, I had to pave my own path toward my educational and professional goals, not having a road map from my parents to follow.  I clearly remember when the time came to choose a college, I felt selfish for wanting to leave home to pursue my dreams, feeling as if I were leaving my family behind. My family also was struggling at the time, so I feared that everything would fall apart if I left. But I listened to my heart, took a lot of advice from close mentors, and decided to choose faith over fear. I truly believe that leaving was the best thing I could’ve done for myself. I became the first in my family to graduate from college, thanks to the countless mentors and champions who invested in me and supported me all those years. I am because of them.