Fatima Said, Executive Director
Fatima joined Project FINE as Executive Director in July 2005. A refugee to the United States from her native Bosnia, she came to Project FINE with a background in education and business, as well as 12 years of experience as a teacher and director of the Head Start program at Child Care Resources and Referral in Rochester.
As Executive Director, Fatima provides direction for the organization and builds partnerships with businesses, service providers and organizations in the Winona community. Fatima and Project FINE seek to sustain Winona as a community that welcomes all newcomers and is sensitive to cultural diversity. The organization continues to help immigrants and refugees adjust to life in their new homes and become active, contributing members of the community.
In addition to her duties at Project FINE, Fatima is also very involved in both the Winona and Rochester Communities. She currently serves on the Winona Human Rights Commission, Winona County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Winona County Community Services Advisory Committee, University of Minnesota Extension Advisory Committee, Cotter School Board of Directors, Winona Health Board of Directors, Winona Workforce Development Board, WNB Financial Board of Directors and the Women's Foundation of Minnesota Board of Directors and is a member of the Winona Rotary Club. She is a former Board Chair of the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association and member of the Rochester Public Health Advisory Board. She is also a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®).
Under Fatima's leadership, Project FINE has received a number of awards, including the 2009 League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions Award; the 2010 Engaged Partnership Award from Winona State University; the 2012 Nonprofit Excellence Award from the MN Council of Nonprofits; a 2014 Community Partner Award from the Winona Education Association; the 2015 Outstanding Leadership in Community Citizenship Award from the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce; and a 2016 Equity Recognition Award from Winona State University. Fatima has also been recognized for her personal commitment with a 2010 Woman of the Year Award from the Winona Women in Business organization, a 2013 Virginia McKnight Binger Award in Human Service from the McKnight Foundation, a 2013 Welcoming America Champion of Change at the White House in Washington DC, the 2016 Presidential Award for Outstanding Merit from Saint Mary's University, and a 2017 Outstanding Refugee Award for Civic Leadership from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Fatima joined Project FINE as Executive Director in July 2005. A refugee to the United States from her native Bosnia, she came to Project FINE with a background in education and business, as well as 12 years of experience as a teacher and director of the Head Start program at Child Care Resources and Referral in Rochester.
As Executive Director, Fatima provides direction for the organization and builds partnerships with businesses, service providers and organizations in the Winona community. Fatima and Project FINE seek to sustain Winona as a community that welcomes all newcomers and is sensitive to cultural diversity. The organization continues to help immigrants and refugees adjust to life in their new homes and become active, contributing members of the community.
In addition to her duties at Project FINE, Fatima is also very involved in both the Winona and Rochester Communities. She currently serves on the Winona Human Rights Commission, Winona County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Winona County Community Services Advisory Committee, University of Minnesota Extension Advisory Committee, Cotter School Board of Directors, Winona Health Board of Directors, Winona Workforce Development Board, WNB Financial Board of Directors and the Women's Foundation of Minnesota Board of Directors and is a member of the Winona Rotary Club. She is a former Board Chair of the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association and member of the Rochester Public Health Advisory Board. She is also a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®).
Under Fatima's leadership, Project FINE has received a number of awards, including the 2009 League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions Award; the 2010 Engaged Partnership Award from Winona State University; the 2012 Nonprofit Excellence Award from the MN Council of Nonprofits; a 2014 Community Partner Award from the Winona Education Association; the 2015 Outstanding Leadership in Community Citizenship Award from the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce; and a 2016 Equity Recognition Award from Winona State University. Fatima has also been recognized for her personal commitment with a 2010 Woman of the Year Award from the Winona Women in Business organization, a 2013 Virginia McKnight Binger Award in Human Service from the McKnight Foundation, a 2013 Welcoming America Champion of Change at the White House in Washington DC, the 2016 Presidential Award for Outstanding Merit from Saint Mary's University, and a 2017 Outstanding Refugee Award for Civic Leadership from the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Chong Sher Vang, Community Engagement Director
Chong Sher has been working with Project FINE since 1999. His family came to the United States from Laos & Thailand in March of 1980. When they arrived in Burnsville, MN they experienced many challenges adjusting to the language and culture.
Chong Sher graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. He is responsible for program development and is involved in all organizational programs and services. He says it is an honor to work for such a wonderful organization that provides important services to meet the needs of refugee and immigrant families in Winona County and the surrounding area.
Chong Sher has been working with Project FINE since 1999. His family came to the United States from Laos & Thailand in March of 1980. When they arrived in Burnsville, MN they experienced many challenges adjusting to the language and culture.
Chong Sher graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. He is responsible for program development and is involved in all organizational programs and services. He says it is an honor to work for such a wonderful organization that provides important services to meet the needs of refugee and immigrant families in Winona County and the surrounding area.
Katie van Eijl, Program Manager
Katie joined Project FINE in June of 2009 as a Family and Youth Outreach Coordinator. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Winona State University and has worked with youth in school, day care and community settings.
In her current role as Program Manager, Katie ensures that day-to-day operations run smoothly and is involved in grant writing, bookkeeping and program planning and implementation. She is also a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®).
Katie joined Project FINE in June of 2009 as a Family and Youth Outreach Coordinator. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Winona State University and has worked with youth in school, day care and community settings.
In her current role as Program Manager, Katie ensures that day-to-day operations run smoothly and is involved in grant writing, bookkeeping and program planning and implementation. She is also a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®).
German Victoria, Program Manager
German coordinates the Language Services program at Project FINE. He was born in Michoacan, Mexico and moved to the United States when he was 15 years old. He started working for Project FINE as an interpreter in the summer of 2006 and joined our staff in 2011. German is involved in all organizational programs and serves as an interpreter and cultural consultant. He is also a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®).
In his free time, German enjoys cooking, running and learning about other cultures. In the future, he would like to travel to South America and help people of low socio-economic backgrounds.
German coordinates the Language Services program at Project FINE. He was born in Michoacan, Mexico and moved to the United States when he was 15 years old. He started working for Project FINE as an interpreter in the summer of 2006 and joined our staff in 2011. German is involved in all organizational programs and serves as an interpreter and cultural consultant. He is also a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®).
In his free time, German enjoys cooking, running and learning about other cultures. In the future, he would like to travel to South America and help people of low socio-economic backgrounds.
Maria Rodriguez-Ramirez, Program Coordinator
Maria grew up in Winona and attended Winona Senior High School. In July 2005, she began as a VISTA Volunteer for Project FINE and in 2009 she joined our staff. Maria's time is spent helping newcomers in Winona and St Charles, both as an interpreter and cultural consultant.
She says that working with the diverse population of Winona County has been a good experience. Outside of work, Maria dedicates her time to her younger sister and her family. In the future, Maria plans to continue helping people in Winona County and pursuing a career in nursing.
Maria grew up in Winona and attended Winona Senior High School. In July 2005, she began as a VISTA Volunteer for Project FINE and in 2009 she joined our staff. Maria's time is spent helping newcomers in Winona and St Charles, both as an interpreter and cultural consultant.
She says that working with the diverse population of Winona County has been a good experience. Outside of work, Maria dedicates her time to her younger sister and her family. In the future, Maria plans to continue helping people in Winona County and pursuing a career in nursing.
Pang Vang, Program Coordinator
Pang joined Project FINE in May of 2016. Her family came to the United States from Thailand when she was two years old. She grew up in Hildebran, North Carolina and later moved to Winona to start a family. Pang has an A.A.S. degree in Medical Coding Specialist from Minnesota State College-Southeast.
In her free time, Pang enjoys being with her family and crafts such as: knitting, crochet, sewing, or and any do it yourself crafts. She enjoys working with the diverse community and helping those who are in need.
Pang joined Project FINE in May of 2016. Her family came to the United States from Thailand when she was two years old. She grew up in Hildebran, North Carolina and later moved to Winona to start a family. Pang has an A.A.S. degree in Medical Coding Specialist from Minnesota State College-Southeast.
In her free time, Pang enjoys being with her family and crafts such as: knitting, crochet, sewing, or and any do it yourself crafts. She enjoys working with the diverse community and helping those who are in need.
Christian Cruz Cartagena, Program Coordinator
Christian was born and raised in Caguas. Puerto Rico and moved to Winona MN in early 2018. He started as an on call Spanish interpreter at Project FINE and joined our staff in June 2018.
Christian enjoys being with his family, reading and playing video games. In his spare time, he cuts hair and is planning to become a licensed barber and open his own barbershop in Winona.
Christian was born and raised in Caguas. Puerto Rico and moved to Winona MN in early 2018. He started as an on call Spanish interpreter at Project FINE and joined our staff in June 2018.
Christian enjoys being with his family, reading and playing video games. In his spare time, he cuts hair and is planning to become a licensed barber and open his own barbershop in Winona.
Paige Yangwakue, Program Assistant
Paige was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and she attended Stillwater Area High School. She came to Winona in 2018 to pursue a degree in Social Work at Winona State University. In April of 2021, Paige joined Project FINE as a Program Coordinator.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, connecting with nature, and travelling. She values helping those who are in need and learning about diverse backgrounds. Paige would like to continue providing resources and aid for the underserved communities.
Paige was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and she attended Stillwater Area High School. She came to Winona in 2018 to pursue a degree in Social Work at Winona State University. In April of 2021, Paige joined Project FINE as a Program Coordinator.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, connecting with nature, and travelling. She values helping those who are in need and learning about diverse backgrounds. Paige would like to continue providing resources and aid for the underserved communities.
Jose Alexander Ulloa Melendez, Program Coordinator
Alex was born in McKinney Texas, grew up in New Jersey and moved to Puerto Rico at the age of 7. He learned Spanish as a second language while there as well as how to play guitar. He later became a Dental Assistant at the age of 21 and worked in the dental field. He moved to Winona MN in early August 2021 and began working for Project FINE as a Program Coordinator.
Alex enjoys spending his time with family, creating music, and learning new skills. He is very passionate about people, culture, helping others and getting to know their back story. He feels very blessed to work alongside Project FINE and in the future hopes to make a difference in the community.
Alex was born in McKinney Texas, grew up in New Jersey and moved to Puerto Rico at the age of 7. He learned Spanish as a second language while there as well as how to play guitar. He later became a Dental Assistant at the age of 21 and worked in the dental field. He moved to Winona MN in early August 2021 and began working for Project FINE as a Program Coordinator.
Alex enjoys spending his time with family, creating music, and learning new skills. He is very passionate about people, culture, helping others and getting to know their back story. He feels very blessed to work alongside Project FINE and in the future hopes to make a difference in the community.
