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Phimmasone Kym Owens is an accomplished social entrepreneur and advocate with a focus on empowering refugees and addressing age-related issues in education. Currently serving as an optiMize Social Innovation Challenge Fellow for the Age and Gender Equity Scholars Foundation since October 2022, Phimmasone has also founded the Refugee Garden Initiatives to support refugees through food, community, and storytelling. Additionally, Phimmasone co-founded the Age and Gender Equity Scholars Foundation in January 2023 to raise awareness about ageism and promote systemic change for nontraditional students. Previous experience includes a DEI Internship at Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum and participation in the optiMize Social Innovation Challenge for the Refugee Garden. Phimmasone holds a Bachelor's degree in General Studies with a focus on food and refugee policies from the University of Michigan, complemented by an Associate's degree from Washtenaw Community College.