​Southeast Community Organization (SECO) Board of Director Applicants 2025

We have 7 open seats this year - so you can vote for up to 7 candidates.  This year's candidates are:

1. Tom Dimond
2. Starr Pate
3. John Slade
4. Kishack Her
5. Mai Xiong

Please read about them below and then VOTE!  Online voting ends Monday, June 1 @ noon.  In-person voting begins June 2 from 1-4 and June 2 from 4-6 at the SECO offices.

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Tom Dimond

Statement:
As the current Chair of the Environment Committee, we have been working to clean up pollution, restore native habitat, and increase public access to trails and public parklands. There are important ongoing efforts I believe I can help advance.

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Starr Pate

Statement:
I want to be a part of my community board because making a change in my community actually matters to me.

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John Slade

Statement:
I have been on the board for most of the last 6 years, and served as the Board President for the last two. I have been able to help bring a diverse and active Board together in that role, and worked hard to make our new Housing Committee active. I am a community organizer for the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing, a faith-based advocacy group, and have been doing that work for over a decade. I moved to the East Side 25 years ago (married a Harding graduate) and to the Southeast 7 years ago. I wanted to stay on the East Side but needed a house with another bathroom! I have written several grants for SECO and want to continue this work!

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Kishack Her

Statement:
My name is Kishack Her, and I’ve been a resident of the Highwood area since 2019, along with my husband and children. While exploring the city website to find out who represents our district on the city council, I stumbled upon the organization’s website. It came as a surprise to me, considering I’ve lived here for six years and have no knowledge about our district. This lack of information is a bit disheartening, especially since I was more familiar with the Eastside area before moving to Highwood. I had at least some knowledge about the local happenings and who represented us on the city council.

If I’m elected as a board member, I’m committed to contributing to the organization by spreading awareness about its mission and vision. I believe in engaging with our community and neighbors by participating in local events. I firmly believe that by working together, we can build a strong and cohesive community within our district. As a co-owner (out of four owners) of a title company based in Little Canada, I’m proud to be part of the first Hmong women-owned title company in Minnesota and the nation. With over 12 years of experience, I’ve dedicated myself to serving our community by assisting home buyers, sellers, and investors with their real estate closings. I’m also a member of the MN Hmong Chamber of Commerce, and I served as a Secretary Board Member for three years from 2006-2009. "

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Mai Xiong

Statement:
I came to America and landed in Minnesota in fall of 1988 thanks to relatives previously placed here and the generosity of Christian sponsors. I’ve lived on the East side, Dayton’s Bluff, since 1996, in the house that my mom still occupies. I rented for many years as a young adult and when it came time to purchase a home for me and my children, I specifically looked for one on the East Side due to the proximity to family, friends, a great school system, a diverse community and societal resources. Currently, I work for the Minnesota Department of Transportation managing communications and outreach for projects in the metro area. If you would’ve told me ten years ago that I’d be working in transportation, I wouldn’t have believed you. Through work, I came to a Southeast Community Organization (SECO) meeting to share information about the Minnehaha/Stillwater Ave project. It inspired me to see people from my community gathered during their free time to look out for the best interest of the community.

Growing up, I saw my mom, aunts and uncles keep their heads down and busied themselves working to try to learn the language and feed their children. It became normal to watch decisions being made for my community and not have the bandwidth or knowledge to question who, what or why. As a SECO board member, I hope to work on projects that will meet our community member’s basic needs (food, housing, clothing, and access to resources through transportation and programs). I will advocate for public spaces where everyone belongs, feels welcomed, and safe to gather. I am also passionate about investing in our youth and empowering the next generation of leaders. As someone who spent many of my formative teenage years at the East YMCA from participating in programs, to working at the front desk, to leading after school and summer programs, it meant a lot to have a positive role model and mentor believe in my potential, even if I couldn’t imagine it for myself. Safer communities means a thriving, connected and active village in St. Paul, on the East Side and I hope to be part of the building crew.

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VOTE

Online Voting
Opens Saturday, May 31 @ Noon  ***  Ends Monday, June 2 @ Noon

​If you have any questions or need assistance, please email [email protected].