Leakena "Keena" Phal was born and raised in Massachusetts. She is the 1st generation in her family to be born in the United States, after fleeing Cambodia's killing fields. For almost 10 years, Keena has been working to help our communities with resources, support, and advocacy. In her past roles as a job recruiter at ATA Employment Agency in Lowell, MA she directly assisted community members in finding sustainable employment. Keena also has experience as a Street Worker and Transitional Coach at UTEC in Lowell, MA. In these roles at UTEC, Keena successfully worked with at-risk and underprivileged young adults, supporting them in transitioning from a life of being on the streets, to becoming a positive role model in their community. Keena also has experience assisting intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in gaining soft job skills and supporting them to become independent in their working lives. Keena has a long presence in the nonprofit sector, also having worked at CMAA in Lowell, MA. In conjunction to being a community leader, Keena is also a small business owner. In 2013, Keena opened Essentials Gifts & Fashion, and now owns an event designing/planning business, where she assists the community in having budget-friendly events. Keena was recently honored by HCFA (Health Care For All) for her work with the MassHealth Redetermination Campaign and is currently the Co-Chairwoman of the Lowell DTA Advisory Board Committee and has been the MC for Khmer New Years at Pailin-Clemente Park. Keena resides in the highlands of Lowell, with her Husband and 3 kids.