During the 2026 Minnesota Compass Annual Meeting, our distinguished panel of experts shared their lessons on community engagement, representation and inclusion, data-informed approaches, and community-driven decision-making.
Dir. Pablo Obregon
Director of Community Growth, City of Willmar
J. Pablo is the Director of Community of Growth for the City of Willmar, He brings ample experience addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion work and excellent knowledge about the Willmar area and Minnesota. Before working for the City of Willmar, Pablo was the Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the Minnesota Council on Foundations. Pablo’s networking and leadership with many state-wide BIPOC organizations are examples of his passion and commitment to Welcoming and Belonging work. Pablo holds a master’s in divinity from Luther Seminary.
Dr. Stacie Stanley
Superintendent, Saint Paul Public Schools
Dr. Stacie L. Stanley became Superintendent of Saint Paul Public Schools in May 2025. She previously served as superintendent of Edina Public Schools and has held a range of educational leadership roles. Dr. Stanley earned her doctorate from Bethel University, where her research focused on intercultural development and K–6 administrative leadership. A fierce advocate for creating safe spaces of belonging, she believes dignity-centered leadership is essential to organizational transformation. She is co-author of Women Mentoring Women for Momentum- The Next Step in Leading While Female and a contributing author to Innovative Voices in Education, and she also serves as adjunct faculty and advisor in Bethel University’s doctoral program.
Dr. Pahoua Yang
Vice President of Community Mental Health and Wellness, Wilder
Dr. Pahoua Yang serves as vice president of Community Mental Health and Wellness at Wilder, where she leads the organization’s mental health strategy with a focus on equity, healing, and culturally grounded care. In this role, she leads mental health and substance use programs that meet people where they are—supporting individuals and families across Saint Paul and beyond.
At Wilder, Pahoua works to ensure that mental wellness is seen as essential to whole-person and whole-family well-being. She has helped shape Wilder’s healing-centered approach, expanding culturally responsive practices and staff development efforts across the organization.
A licensed clinician and respected leader in the field, Pahoua has worked across multiple settings with diverse communities. Her career spans direct practice, systems change, and policy leadership. She has contributed to state and national initiatives focused on mental health equity, workforce development, and culturally-informed care.
Pahoua’s work has earned her numerous honors, including, the BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya Distinguished Elders Award for Leadership in Minnesota Psychology (2023), the Bush Fellowship (2022), and the Thomas P. Carrillo Leadership in Diversity Award (2021).
Pahoua earned her doctorate in educational psychology, with a focus on counseling and student personnel psychology, from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Science in social work from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Raised in Minnesota, her personal and professional commitments are deeply rooted in the communities she serves.
She is a board member of the Learning Disabilities Association of Minnesota and HealthPartners Institute, and is an advisory board member for the Morrison Family College of Health at the University of St. Thomas.