Kimberly Soon-Young Therres: Diverse alumna
Volunteer Coordinator,
YWCA, Minneapolis
College of Saint Benedict Alum
Kimberly Therres works as the Volunteer Coordinator of the YWCA of Minneapolis. There she manages the volunteer program, coordinates the It’s Time to Talk Forums on Race annual event, facilitates Unlearning Racism workshops, and also works with the early childhood education program as a classroom teacher.
Kimberly Therres grew up in Chaska, Minnesota, and graduated from the College of Saint Benedict in 2000 with a degree in Communication, concentration in Theater. Since graduation, she has developed a diverse resume of professional experiences, including work in higher education, retail and for a large corporation. In addition, Kimberly spent a year as a volunteer in China teaching college students English, intercultural communication and creative writing. She is well traveled, having visited her birthplace of South Korea, as well as India, Thailand, Hong Kong, England and Germany.
Because of her assorted job and cultural experiences, Kimberly is able to see herself as a global citizen and understands both her privileges and disadvantages as an adopted Korean-American. She maintains a strong interest in ethnic studies and in underrepresented populations of people in the United States. Kimberly is also an active board member with the AK Connection, Minnesota’s chapter of adopted Koreans striving to build a community for adult adopted Koreans on both a local and international level.
Kimberly enjoys studying Korean and Spanish, taking photos, playing the piano, drawing, and reading books on ethnic studies, spirituality and veganism. She currently lives in downtown Minneapolis.