Lilian is a first-generation Hmong American born and raised in Fresno, CA. Her family have farmed in the Central Valley for over 30 years.

She is an anthropologist by training and completed her MA in Cultural Anthropology at UC Santa Cruz. She has a BA in Medical Anthropology w/ a minor and honors in Asian American Studies from Stanford University. She is currently the UCANR Disaster Resiliency, Planning, and Policy Advisor for San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. She previously worked for four years with the UCCE Fresno County Small Farms team providing technical assistance for small scale, underserved farmers including many Hmong-speaking growers.

Lilian likes to read, exercise, and take photographs in her spare time. Her last project can be found on IG: @ayearofevil. She used to be an avid soccer player and worked for many seasons as a youth referee director for a recreational league in Fresno serving 4-18 year olds. She still watches a lot of soccer during World Cup years.

Throughout my educational and professional journeys, I have been fortunate to be supported by a strong network of family, friends, and mentors. AASPIRES is my contribution to this legacy of community and neverending intellectual curiosity stewarded by other first-generation Asian Americans.