About Us
Our Team
Our motto, “youth to youth,” is exemplified through our student leaders from a diverse range of backgrounds. Many of us are first or second-generation immigrants and understand the struggles of moving to a foreign country; we are here to support you.
Shefali Meagher, Founder
Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Hi! I’m Shefali Meagher, and I’m a junior at St. Paul Academy. I wanted to create Sincerely Gen 1.5 because I’m passionate about educational equity and empowerment. As a child of immigrant parents and one of the first kids in my family to go to school in America, I understand the struggles of adapting to the American system. I hope this organization will be instrumental in helping new immigrant and refugee youth adjust to school in Minnesota especially considering the large, unique immigrant population here! In my free time, I love playing my musical instruments, trying new foods, and watching Sherlock Holmes!
Zimo Xie, Creative Design Manager
Shoreview, Minnesota
My name is Zimo Xie, and I’m a junior at St. Paul Academy and Summit School. I immigrated with my parents to the U.S. over 10 years ago from China, experiencing the shifts in culture, language, people and more as I grew up. As a member of Sincerely Gen 1.5, I strive to connect with other immigrant youth and offer them a support system through our organization to help ease the transition into another country and culture. Some of my hobbies include playing violin, dancing and chilling out with my two cats.
Carys Hsiung, Outreach Coordinator
St. Paul, Minnesota
Hello! I’m Carys Hsiung, and I’m a junior at St. Paul Academy and Summit School. After living in an expat community in Shanghai, China for seven years, I have interacted with a variety of immigrant communities, making me more interested in civic engagement, advocacy, and representing communities that have historically been underrepresented. I wanted to be involved with Sincerely Gen 1.5 to provide support to immigrant communities in Minnesota, primarily through education. In my free time, I love to draw, make food reels, and play the piano!
Lani Ngonethong, Advocacy Director
St. Paul, Minnesota
Hi, I’m Lani Ngonethong! I’m from St. Paul, MN. I wanted to be a part of Sincerely Gen 1.5 because I come from a family of refugees who fled Laos during the Secret War, and my family had a hard time adjusting to their new lives in the U.S. I want to help immigrant youth adjust to their new home. A fun fact about me is that I like to collect art everywhere I travel. So, my walls are covered with postcards and posters of every place I have visited. For fun, I like to play volleyball and badminton with family and friends.
Sophie Donahue, Social Media Manager
St. Paul, Minnesota
Hello, I’m Sophie Donahue! I wanted to join Sincerely Gen 1.5. because at St. Paul Academy, I was given a lot of help and extra support with my learning disabilities. I was struggling a lot with school and life before my diagnosis, so I hope to help kids who don’t have the resources to receive a diagnosis and are struggling with schoolwork. Some facts about me are that I have five pets and I love to paint and play the piano!
