Christine Her

Christine Her is the daughter of Hmong refugee parents from Laos. Christine graduated from East High School in Des Moines, Iowa, and pursued her B.A. at Drake University, studying Creative Writing, Philosophy, and Political Science. She was named “One of 15 people to watch in the State of Iowa” for 2021. Christine is a HealthConnect Fellow with the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation, focusing her project on developing diverse and healing-centered texts reflecting authentic stories of individuals who are minoritized and marginalized. She is also part of Capital Crossroads’ DSM USA 4 Equity Collective and the Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) Equity Diversity Inclusivity (EDI) Community Task Force.

Christine currently serves as the Executive Director of ArtForce Iowa, a nonprofit organization based in Des Moines. Founded in 2012, ArtForce Iowa has a mission to transform youth in need through art. The organization is pioneering a non-pathologizing approach to working with youth who have court involvement or identify as refugee and immigrant, offering a critical humanizing perspective using art and music.

Christine is highly motivated to interrupt social and systemic injustices with hope and art while helping others rise in their own power and lean into their purpose.