Dr. Chris Her-Xiong came to the United States as an 11-year old refugee with no English skills.  She is the Founder/CEO of the Hmong American Peace Academy (HAPA) that operates a high-performing and award-winning K4-12 public charter school, which opened in 2004 with 200 scholars.  To date, HAPA has attracted over 1,800 scholars.  

HAPA is a college and career preparatory school that provides rigorous academics, character development, and Hmong cultural values, preparing them to excel in colleges, universities and careers. Dr. Her-Xiong was the first Hmong teacher and principal in the City of Milwaukee.  Under her leadership, HAPA has been named Wisconsin School of the Recognition by the Department of Public Instruction and the Charter School of the Year by the Milwaukee Charter School Advocates.  

As the founder, she challenged and changed the face of educational equity for the underserved Hmong children in the City of Milwaukee. Dr. Her-Xiong was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by College Possible for her impact and influence in 2023. She was also a recipient of the Doug Jansson Leadership Award honoring inspirational leadership in the nonprofit sector by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation in 2018.  Dr. Her-Xiong was named the Milwaukee Business Journal 2016’s Woman of Influence.  She was the recipient of the Outstanding Alumna of the Year by Alverno College in 2014.  Dr. Her-Xiong was named Hmong Woman of the Year by the Milwaukee Hmong Consortium in 2009.  Her desire is to stand as a beacon of hope and inspiration; as she is always able to lead.        

Chris earned her PhD from Cardinal Stritch University.  Her MA from Alverno College and her BA from Central College