Lin Naing was born in Karen State, Burma. He graduated from high school in 1985 and obtained a degree in geography from Moulmein University in 1992. His professional journey began at BRC in Bangkok, Thailand, where he served as a social worker before relocating to the USA in November 2005. In 2006, he took on the position of janitorial team leader at Wegman. Subsequently, from 2009 to 2011, he was a community liaison at IIB. From 2013 to 2014, he worked as a coordinator/care manager at the Burmese Community Support Center. His dedication led him to the Karen Society of Buffalo, where he contributed from 2016 to 2017. In 2020, he rejoined the Karen Society of Buffalo and has been an integral part of the team since the reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jenny is excited to be part of the KSB Team! She holds her bachelor's degree and master’s degree from SUNY Fredonia in Music Education and anticipates her Ph.D. from the University at Buffalo in Educational, Culture, Policy, and Society in Spring 2025. Jenny was born in Seoul, South Korea and grew up in Cheektowaga, N.Y. She has worked for over a decade with former refugee populations, specifically the Karen community in Buffalo through various institutions and non-profit organizations on the West Side, with her most recent position as Program Coordinator of the Buffalo State University Community Academic Center for the past five years. Her professional experience and research guides her practice in building programming and capacity for ethnic communities. In her free time, Jenny enjoys spending time and travelling with her husband and two children. She also serves as the Associate Music Director at Our Lady of Hope and enjoys volunteering with the youth of the Church.

Stephanie is the co-founder and principal consultant for Smith, Nadbrzuch, & Associates. She grew up in Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Houghton College. She moved to Buffalo specifically to work with the refugee population. She worked with Jericho Road for 8 years, including serving as their Executive Director. She now works independently, utilizing her operations, communications and development experience as a consultant with a variety of WNY nonprofits. She started working with KSB in 2018, and has been an integral part of our organization's growth.

Eh Ta Mu currently works as a case manager at the Karen Society of Buffalo. She obtained a BS in Health Services Administration from Bryant & Stratton College in 2024. Apart from being a dedicated professional, she is a nurturing mother and a devoted wife. Alongside her professional commitments, she generously volunteers as a Sunday school teacher at her church. Although she has yet to fulfill her ultimate dream, she derives satisfaction from her work and is content with her life. During her free time, she likes to go on hikes with her family, play music together, and experiment with new recipes while cooking with her loved ones.

Phaw Mu Nar was born in Thailand refugee camp in 1992. Her family was displaced from Myanmar to Thailand and now she lives in the United States of America. She migrated to the United State of America in 2009. She graduated from Lafayette High School in 2013 and in 2018 graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology.

After graduating in 2018 she is working with PUSH Buffalo as Street Team organizer for one year. She saw the need in her community while she was working as a Street Team member as she learned about oppression costs people. She realized that the system that has been set up for people like us to fail people to be oppressed. She asked herself the question “How could I help organize people to understand the system of oppression?” Now she is a part of the Karen Society of Buffalo as Advocate.

Briana is originally from Rochester, NY but has been living and working in the Buffalo and Western NY community for 10+ years. Briana attended Niagara University to study Social Work and Spanish before completing her Master of Social Work at the University at Buffalo. Briana became a licensed master social worker (LMSW) in September 2018. Briana’s professional experience includes providing direct services to the foreign-born community, with a focus on rights-based education and resources for survivors of domestic violence. Briana also works to advocate within systems for increased accessibility to services. 

Pa Lu holds a bachelor degree in Sociology from Buffalo State University. He is passionate to give back to the community. Pa Lu has been involved with communities from the time he graduated from college. he is  currently working part-time at KSB as case manager and giving back to the community by coaching soccer. 

Paw Say Wah was born in Maela Refugee camp, where she spent her early years before relocating to the United States in 2008 with her family. She graduated from D’Youville University, earning a bachelor’s degree in professional health care studies. Her passion lies in assisting non-English speakers, breaking down language barriers, and advocating for her community. In 2024, Paw Say Wah embarked on a new chapter by joining KSB. Her goal is to cultivate strong leadership capabilities and hone her management skills. Beyond her professional pursuits, Paw Say Wah finds joy in dancing and remains deeply connected to her cultural roots 

K’Paw Soe was born in Karen State, Myanmar, and came to the USA in 2012 as a refugee. He graduated from Ouachita Hills College and is passionate about helping young people. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and singing. Today, K’Paw Soe, continues to seek opportunities for growth and learning, inspiring those around him to have brighter futures.

Madee Greely is originally from Burma and formerly resided in a refugee camp in Thailand in 1988, where she obtained general education and became an elementary school teacher. She moved to the United States in 2007 and continued to receive education at the adult learning center as a first arriver.

In 2011, she worked in education as a parent facilitator, where she interpreted for parents and teachers to improve communication. In 2015, she worked with Jericho Road Community Health Center under their Parent-Child Home Program (PCHP) to help parents teach their children at home before the children’s first year of school.

In 2022, she is in charge of an afterschool program at the Karen Society of Buffalo where she teaches Karen language classes to American-born Karen children. She educates them on Karen literacy, history, and traditions to help them stay connected with their native culture. Additionally, she helps organize a Youth Program during the summer to keep children engaged with their heritage while on break. This program also aims to encourage parents to get more involved in their children’s education, providing better support for their kids to grow and learn.

As a case manager, she helps clients apply for services with DSS, such as SNAP and Medicaid. She also assists with any translation needed and helps with the application for green cards and citizenship.

As of 2023, she is serving as a Vice Chairman within the community in hopes of reuniting our community members and working with her peers to make the community grow.

Serneka Htoo grew up as a refugee in Thailand, but her parents are originally from Burma (Myanmar). As a refugee, she and her family had an opportunity to start a new life in America and she was resettled to Buffalo, N.Y. in September 2006. She came with her mother and brothers. She was raised by a single mother. Her mother left her parents and sibling back home, because her mother wanted her children to be educated and successful in the future. Life was so difficult for her and her family back then, because of the language barrier. English was a very hard language to understand when she was attending middle school. After a month, she started to get along with other students and had encouragement from her teacher to pursue education. She graduated from Lafayette High School in 2013 and graduated from Houghton College in 2018 with B.A degree in Psychology. She’s a first-generation graduate from college in her family. She now works with the Karen Society of Buffalo to help her community better develop youth using the knowledge she has from her lived experiences. Her goal is to build capacity in the Karen community and to grow more awareness of the “Karen” people so others will recognize her community. 

My name is Ida EhDah Htoo . I was born on March 28th,1974 in Wall Meet village of the Kyaunggon township, in the Ayeyarwady Division of Burma. I am the eldest of five siblings and my ethnic background is Poe Karen, from the Western Poe Karen Delta region. I speak four languages including English which has served me well in my professional endeavors. I attended School #5 , finished high school in Pathein City and then studied theology and leadership for four years. I worked at the social communication Center (CBCM Yangon) where I collaborated with and supported the Asia Catholic Youth Ministry. My responsibilities in working with this Mission were to improve access to formal education for youth in Burma. Later I moved to Thailand for another opportunity and a new journey. I married in 2001 and have three children. We all lived in the Mae La refugee camp in Mae Sot ,Tak ,Thailand . After seven years of living in Thailand, we were resettled to the United States in 2008. At first, I struggled going to school and raising three children, all while facing many challenges . After two years of living in Buffalo N.Y., I attended Buffalo EOC to obtain my GED Diploma. I worked from 2010- June 2024 at Jericho Road Community Center in multiple positions of the Parent + Program which focuses on Early Childhood Education and school readiness skills. During my fourteen-year career as an educator, home visitor, Early Learning Specialist, Site Supervisor and Coordinator, I loved my service to my community. I began my work at the Karen Society of Buffalo on November 4th, 2024 as the Family Engagement Specialist for the Youth Program. I appreciate my community and I have a deep love and sense of responsibility to support our Karen families. I am a strong woman and successful in my life journey by the blessings of God. 

Hser Pawju Soe was born and raised in Burma and Thailand. She came to America in 2006 and graduated from the Karen Theological Student Center. She taught Sunday School at Hermon Karen Baptist Church. She now works in the Karen Society of Buffalo Youth Program where she teaches Karen literacy. In her free time, Hser Paw enjoys spending time with her son.