Ming Tchou (2010-2011)

Ming Tchou is the founder of the Chinese Heritage Foundation. She has been an active volunteer in the Chinese community in Minnesota for more than 40 years and has won numerous awards, including the leadership award from the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans.  She was a founding member of the U. S. China Peoples Friendship Association and the Chinese Senior Citizens Society, serving as the president of the latter for more than a decade.  In 2004 she created the Chinese Heritage Foundation with the goal of preserving and promoting the understanding of Chinese culture, history, and heritage in Minnesota.

Complete biography

Pearl Bergad (2010-2011)

A retired, long-time research molecular biologist at the University of Minnesota, Pearl Bergad has been an active volunteer in the Asian community of the Twin Cities, particularly in the arts and Chinese senior affairs. In 1995 she began working with The Chamber Music Society of Minnesota to develop a concert to commemorate World War II in Asia. As the volunteer project manager of the Hún Qiáo [Bridge of Souls], A Concert of Remembrance and Reconciliation, at the Society, she oversaw fundraising efforts, managed financial operations, and supervised logistical preparations for the world premiere performance at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on May 31, 2001, that featured cellist Yo-Yo Ma with Society musicians.

In 2002 she was honored by President George W. Bush for her many volunteer activities, and in May 2003 she received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Minnesota.  She subsequently received a lifetime achievement award from the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans.

Currently she serves as the voluntary Executive Director of the Chinese Heritage Foundation.

Margaret M. Wong (2010-2011)

Margaret Wong was born in China and, while still a child, fled China with her family in 1949, eventually settling in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Subsequently she came to the United States for college and majored in foreign languages. She taught French and Spanish for several years before embarking on her career of teaching Chinese language and culture, first in the Minneapolis Public Schools and later at Breck School.

Over the years she has created Chinese language programs for both the Minneapolis and St. Paul public schools, and later the Concordia Language Chinese Village. Every summer she has led her students and their parents on study tours to China.

Her contribution to the understanding of Chinese culture in Minnesota has been recognized by numerous awards. They include the Minnesota Chamber Excellence in Teaching Award, Dodge Foundation Award for Teaching of Chinese, U.S. Defense Education Award, Asian Pacific Education Award, and the Twin Cities International Citizen Award. She was a founding member of the National Association of Chinese High School Language Teachers, and has served on the boards of many organizations, including the U.S. China People's Friendship Association-MN, Organization of Chinese Americans-MN, and the China Center of the University of Minnesota.

Norton Lam (2009-2010)

Norton Lam became an enthusiastic volunteer at the Foundation after forming the Sylvia Ho-Ling Hui Lam Memorial Fund with his father and brother to memorialize his mother. Because of his background in the information technology industry, he has become the evangelist of the use of technology within the Foundation to help spur its growth. He hopes to be a catalyst in getting the younger generations of Chinese Minnesotans involved with the Foundation.

Yin Simpson (2009-2010)

Yin Simpson began her fashion design career at the former Dayton's Department Store and went on to establish her own couture design shop that has served many prominent women in Minnesota. In addition to designing ball gowns and wedding gowns, Yin often serves as a wardrobe consultant and a special events producer. Many of her designs, some on Chinese painted silks, have been shown at fashion shows and art exhibits throughout the Twin Cities.

Yin's passion for beauty extends beyond fashion to include food, flowers, and friendships; and it has led to her dedication in volunteerism. She has devoted much time and effort to women's organizations, children's issues, mental health awareness, and Chinese cultural affairs. Often assuming the role of a development officer or event organizer, she has been involved with the Minnesota Mental Health Society, the American Lung Association, the Chinese Senior Citizens Society and many other Chinese organizations. She also has continued at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts as a collection and focus guide.

Yin and her husband share their home with her 94-year old mother and welcome visits from their 3 grandchildren often.