Meet Our Steering Committee
Margie AndreasonMargie Andreason (she/her), also known as Eun Joo to some), is part of the larger Korean diaspora and is co-founder of Network of Policizied Adoptees. Margie’s desire to start NPA grew out of her own healing journey and wanting to find social justice-minded adoptees to organize with. She lives in Mni Sota Makoce (Minnesota, homeland of the Dakota people) with her partner and Sammy, the cutest-dog-ever. Eun Joo takes team building and social change work seriously, but also takes care and joy just as seriously. She does her best to be intentional about where and how she shows up in the community. This has been informed by her 15 years working in nonprofits, and leading community organizing efforts. You’ll also catch Margie taking great joy in food, Yelping about said food, playing tennis, appreciating local art, and hiking in the parks year round.
|
Kurt RuKimKurt RuKim (he/him) is a transracial transnational Korean adoptee who joined the NPA steering committee in 2014. Kurt has found many memorable moments with NPA from pot luck dinners to direct organizing, and presenting at adoptee conferences. All of these experiences have brought necessary attention to his adoptee and asian american identity. In 2015, Kurt traveled to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea through the Korean Education Exposure Program KEEP. A former professional dancer- turned educator, Kurt is committed to creating spaces and places that are radically welcoming.
|
Lindsay PlugerLindsay Pluger (they/she) is an Indian Adoptees who moved from Wisconsin to the Twin Cities after undergrad and has been loving it every since! They are a nonprofit professional with a great deal of experience with youth leadership, community engagement, college access support and educational equity - as well as a passion for board governance! Lindsay is currently back in school for a Master's of Social Work from Augsburg University. In their free time you can find Lindsay obsessing over the latest TV shows and music, buying books (it's official a hobby now, one day they will be read!), and spending time with friends while trying to enjoy the nice weather (when it happens). Lindsay joined the NPA steering committee in July of 2020 and loves the opportunity to connect with fellow adoptees and grow in their own education of adoption and what that looks like for themselves and their community.
|
Katherine WaldKatherine Wald (she/her) is a Chinese adoptee who lives in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota with her cat, 19 (give or take) plants, and overflowing bookcases. She is a licensed social worker who works with teens in foster care to find permanency as well as provides full spectrum adoption services to both kin and non-kin families. Katherine is also back in school to earn her master's degree in social work. In her rare free time she can be found at her local boba shops, eating good food, and playing Stardew Valley on her switch. Katherine values belonging, connection, and community which ties into her involvement as a steering committee member for Network of Politicized Adoptees.
|
Julia GayJulia Gay (she/they) is an artist and community organizer committed to uplifting the intersections of justice, healing and the arts. Her numerous artistic pursuits range from dancing to stand-up comedy. In her fleeting and precious free time, Julia can be found reminiscing about her days as a hand model and stealthily breaking her vegan diet when no one is looking. Her one-woman show, Motherlanded, which explores her personal narrative as a Chinese adoptee, premiered in 2016 at Pangea World Theater and was later remounted in 2019 at Dreamland Arts in St. Paul, MN. You can learn more about her artistic work at www.juliagay.com.
|
Mari ArnesonMari Arneson (she/her) is a Chinese adoptee who lives in Minnesota with her two roommates and her 36 plants. She hopes to one day have a dog as well, but has unfortunately given up on a snake. She can eat her weight in dumplings and pickles, but she's not a huge fan of english muffins or black licorice. In her free time, she can be found reading, eating, bullet journaling, building with Legos, bouldering, or on long disruptive walks loudly condemning White supremacy and other forms of idiocy.
|
