(651)788-7593
As we launch our awards for 2026, we are proud to recognize our 2024 and 2025 award recipients for their outstanding contributions to our organization and community. Each recipient has made a meaningful difference through their service, commitment to cultural preservation, or efforts to advance equity and create opportunities for others.
We celebrate their achievements through our three award categories: Service, Culture Bearer, and Equity Champion. Join us in recognizing these remarkable individuals and thanking them for the many ways they have helped advance KOM’s mission.
Service Award
2024 – Mr. Benjamin Aung, in memoriam
Mr. Benjamin Aung was a pioneering leader in Minnesota’s Karen community and a co-founder of the Karen Organization of Minnesota. Alongside his wife, Priscilla Aung, he helped sponsor and support refugees from Burma, providing essential assistance with housing, food, employment, transportation, healthcare, and other daily needs. Guided by their faith and commitment to serving others, the Aung family played an important role in helping newcomers build stable lives and feel welcome in Minnesota. His legacy of compassion and community leadership continues through Priscilla’s dedication to supporting the Karen community and preserving its cultural heritage.
2025 – Paul Monroe
Paul Monroe has dedicated his career to healthcare and education, including teaching sleep technicians at a local community college. After retiring, he continued his passion for teaching by volunteering at KOM, where he supports instructors in employment services and training programs, particularly the Community Services and Interpreting Program (COSI). Through classroom assistance, group study sessions, individual tutoring, and test preparation, Paul helps students strengthen their skills and pursue their educational and professional goals. His generosity and commitment to lifelong learning have made him a valued member of the KOM community.
Culture Bearer Award
2024 – Rosie Say
Rosie Say received the Culture Bearer Award for her dedication to preserving and sharing Karen traditional weaving with future generations. After arriving in Minnesota in 2014, she joined the Karen Traditional Weaving Circle, where she developed her skills and eventually became an instructor. Today, Rosie teaches children and young people the art of weaving, helping keep her community’s cultural heritage alive. She hopes future generations will continue to embrace not only traditional weaving but also the Karen language and cultural traditions that connect the community to its roots.
2025 – Aye Lwai
Aye Lwai is a master Karen weaver who has dedicated more than ten years to preserving and sharing her cultural heritage in Minnesota. After learning to weave from her mother and community elders in Burma, she joined the Karen Traditional Weaving Circle in 2015 and began volunteering her time to teach youth and young adults the art of traditional weaving. Through her participation in community events and her commitment to passing down Karen traditions, Aye Lwai serves as a role model for cultural preservation, helping ensure that Karen heritage continues to thrive across generations in alignment with KOM’s mission.
Equity Champion Award
2024 – Dr. Tonya Horn and Dr. Shana Sniffen
Dr. Tonya Horn and Dr. Shana Sniffen are dedicated champions of health equity who have worked closely with KOM to address substance use and improve community health. Dr. Horn, a founding board member of KOM, has contributed her expertise in research, grant writing, and clinical social work while mentoring future Karen mental health professionals. Dr. Sniffen co-founded the Karen Chemical Dependency Collaborative (KCDC) and served Karen families as a primary care physician, helping develop culturally relevant resources for substance use prevention and treatment. Through their longstanding partnership, advocacy, and commitment to culturally responsive care, both have helped strengthen support for the Karen community and other underserved populations.
2025 – Georgia Coleman
Georgia Coleman is a committed workforce development professional who helps individuals access meaningful career opportunities and achieve financial stability. Through her collaboration with Mortenson, she has gained valuable insight into preparing and supporting a diverse construction workforce, connecting local residents with union careers and long-term employment. Georgia has played an important role in supporting KOM’s career training initiatives, helping adult participants access skilled trade professions, develop new abilities, and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Her partnership reflects the importance of creating pathways to opportunity and strengthening communities through education and employment.
With Gratitude
KOM extends its heartfelt congratulations to all our 2024 and 2025 award recipients. Their contributions reflect the values at the heart of our mission: service, cultural preservation, equity, and care for one another.
Whether through welcoming newcomers, sharing cultural traditions, supporting education, or expanding access to healthcare and employment, each recipient has helped make our community stronger. We are grateful for their partnership and for the lasting impact they continue to make in Minnesota.
Thank you for being part of KOM’s journey and for helping build a more welcoming, inclusive, and connected community for all.
2026 Award Nominations Are Open
We’re excited to hear your nominations for the 2026 KOM Awards! Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to serve our community and organization? We’d love to hear about them!
Ready to nominate someone? Submit your nomination below:
2026 Annual KOM Awards Nomination Form – Fill out form
