Terri has the Experience the East Side Needs

Terri Thao has lived her life helping build and improve her community. Terri’s involvement in her local block club sparked her youth leadership. She learned the importance of a strong work ethic at a young age while working at several of her family businesses.

Terri served on the City of Saint Paul’s Planning Commission for 9 years where she worked on community projects and assisted with small business development. As a committed community leader, Terri has served as board chair of many local nonprofits including Neighborhood House, Asian Economic Development Association and the East Side Neighborhood Development Company. Her many years of working on affordable housing led to her appointment by Governor Mark Dayton to the Board for Minnesota Housing.

While attending the Humphrey School for Public Affairs, Terri deepened her knowledge of public policy and improved her community development skills so she could become a better advocate for her community.

She is currently the program director at a local organization where she trains and supports leaders of color and indigenous leaders on how to become active participants in city and regional policymaking. Terri is passionate and committed to ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of our community are present at all the decision-making tables.

Building a Better Community Together

Terri Thao believes in the power of people. She knows that by working together we can create a prosperous East Side and overcome any challenges facing our community. Terri is a long time resident who has invested her time and energy into Saint Paul since she was very young, dedicating her life to giving back to the community.

Terri is running for City Council because she recognizes the tremendous opportunities we have in Ward 6 to shape the East Side’s future.

Terri believes neighborhoods work better when they’re inclusive, which is why she works with a wide range of people to help them become leaders in their communities.

One of the reasons Terri is running for City Council is because she sees the tremendous opportunities we have to improve our housing stock and create economic development. Terri has the experience and know-how to work with local entrepreneurs to ensure our great local businesses thrive. She will work to ensure that the community benefits from the redevelopment of the Hillcrest Golf Course and Hafner’s lot.

Terri knows that by working together we can create the neighborhood we want to live in. She understands that no matter how much money you have or where you live that everyone deserves a high quality of life.

As our next Ward 6 Council Council Member, Terri will strive to create safer streets and public safety programs because she understands we are all better off when we improve police-community relations and that we need to focus on finding community-based solutions to crime prevention.

Terri chose her campaign slogan because she knows that by working together we can solve the issues facing our most vulnerable community members, and the entire East Side and all of Saint Paul benefit.

Terri is the only candidate who has the vision and experience to make sure the East Side is the first neighborhood in the nation where development does not cause any displacement.