mhonpaj lee

multimedia artist

BIOGRAPHY

Mhonpaj Lee is a dynamic and multi-talented entrepreneur, artist, and community leader whose work bridges the worlds of real estate, agriculture, leadership, and storytelling. Based in Minnesota, she wears many hats—realtor, farmer, small developer, and educator—while remaining deeply committed to empowering others through creative and economic self-determination.

As the founder of Mhonpaj’s Garden, Minnesota’s first certified organic Hmong-owned farm, Mhonpaj has become a recognized advocate for food justice, land access, and agricultural entrepreneurship in immigrant and refugee communities. Her work in farming and real estate is rooted in a desire to uplift stories of resilience, innovation, and leadership—particularly those that emerge from underserved and underrepresented communities. She believes that capturing these stories through photography and videography has the power to inspire future generations of change-makers.

Mhonpaj holds a Master’s degree in Leadership, which informs her passion for mentorship and education. She is particularly interested in using media arts to document lessons learned through community organizing, property development, and cooperative economics. Her aspiration is to create a series of motivational and informational videos that highlight the intersections of identity, business, and community impact. Through this creative lens, she continues to promote entrepreneurship as a pathway to empowerment and generational change.

Qualifications

Mhonpaj Lee served as a small developer and consultant with PSDL LLC from 2018 to 2019, where she gained experience in sustainable real estate development and project coordination. As the lead community organizer with the Asian Economic Development Association, she worked to promote economic equity and empowerment in immigrant communities.

She has contributed to civic planning as a member of the Asian Pacific Islander Planning Committee, bringing cultural insight and community-based strategies to the table. In her professional journey, Mhonpaj has worked as an instructor, where she facilitated learning experiences centered on entrepreneurship, health, and leadership.

In addition to teaching, she has worked as a marketing associate and researcher, applying her skills in communications and outreach to advance community health and small business development. She is a licensed realtor and broker, helping families navigate the home-buying process with empathy and knowledge.

As an interpreter and outreach coordinator, Mhonpaj has supported cross-cultural communication and access to vital services. She is the owner and business manager of several entrepreneurial ventures, applying her leadership and organizational skills to grow her enterprises. She also brings extensive experience in community engagement as an outreach specialist and as a community health worker with Portico Healthnet, where she supported underserved populations in accessing medical care and insurance resources.

Skills

  • small developer- PSDL LLC contractor/consultant 2018-2019

  • lead community organizer- Asian Economic Development Association

  • Asian Pacific Islander Planning Committee

  • instructor

  • marketing associate

  • researcher

  • broker/realtor

  • interpreter/outreach coordinator

  • owner and business manager

  • outreach specialist

  • management

  • community health worker (Portico Healthnet)

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