Sook Jin Ong

• Co-Director of Reclaiming Our Own Time (ROOT)
• Pronouns: she/her
• Year Hired: 2023

I co-direct Reclaiming Our Own Time (ROOT) with Rosalva Hernandez. Growing from the wisdom and work of Rest as a pathway toward liberation and justice movement, the work of ROOT envisions ecosystems of wellness, rest, and rejuvenation for BIPOC changemakers. This work supports BIPOC leaders toward dreaming, reconnecting with self, visioning, and resting as a means to value our gifts and restorative cycles. We also aspire to strengthen and build the capacity of organizations and movements to hold that healing space.

About Sook Jin

I am 翁淑君 Sook Jin Ong (she/her; first name: Sook Jin), a Malaysian Chinese immigrant to Minnesota who believes in the magic of community, and a future of abundance and justice. It is important for me to create spaces for the stories people carry with them. I love facilitating conversations and learning spaces in and among organizations and community.

My career spans years of working with state agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations through rethinking and redesigning their human services programs, processes, and policies to be more equitable and center the perspectives of families, frontline staff, and communities. I completed my Master’s of Public Policy at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and recently became a certified coach. Reading and writing poetry has become my way to reclaim my stories, self, and place in this increasingly complex world.