Lilly Simmering

Lilly Simmering’s story begins on a small farm in California’s Central Valley, where mornings started before sunrise and the air was still cool before the heat settled in. As the oldest child and only daughter, she worked alongside her family harvesting crops, hands moving quickly through rows of produce as the sun climbed higher. Around her were the voices of relatives and farmworkers sharing stories of culture, family traditions, laughter, and the small moments that made long days meaningful. It was in those fields, listening more than speaking, that Lilly came to understand that community is the foundation of resilience and that lasting change is built together.

That understanding deepened as she watched her father advocate for minority farmers, refugees, and immigrant families navigating systems not built for them. Inspired by his work, Lilly set out to create change from within those systems. She went on to become one of the first Hmong American women to earn a law degree and entered federal service, where she worked in international trade and policy to support U.S. farmers and food producers. Even in global arenas, her focus remained grounded in local communities and the small businesses that sustain them.

Her career continued to bridge policy and people. In King County, Washington, she helped lead one of the region’s early local food system initiatives, expanding access to healthy food while strengthening local economies. Later, in Orange County, California, she took on senior leadership roles, guiding large-scale public systems and advancing programs that improved outcomes for underserved communities. Across each chapter, Lilly has remained focused on turning strategy into impact and ensuring that policies translate into real opportunities for those who need them most.

Now, as she looks ahead, Lilly carries those early lessons with her. She remains committed to championing small businesses and building pathways for families to thrive. With more than 20 years of experience across government and the private sector, she envisions creating solutions that support working families, expanding access to education, enrichment, and care so that every child has the chance to succeed and every parent can pursue opportunity with stability and confidence.