Toc Soneoulay-Gillespie is a 1.5 generation refugee from Laos. Her lived experience being resettled to the U.S. and navigating the various systems, provides a unique perspective on acculturation and the concept of success. Her life’s work has been centered on advocating for communities impacted by inequitable systems and structures of oppression. Toc is also a consultant and trainer who is deeply committed to raising awareness about meaningful language access through a workshop grounded in the intersectionality between power, privilege, and access. She served as a commissioner on the Oregon Commission on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs and was a council member on the Governors Behavioral Health Advisory Council. Toc was appointed Director of the newly established Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement by Governor Kate Brown. Prior to this role, she served as the Director of Community Health at Health Share of Oregon. Before making the transition to healthcare, she served as the Director of Refugee Resettlement at Catholic Charities of Oregon. Toc holds a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology/Sociology from Eastern Oregon University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Alaska Anchorage.
