Staff – Students for a Free Tibet
Transforming our world
through nonviolent action
Staff

Tenzin Myinlek

Interim Executive Director

Myinle was born a state-less refugee and moved to the US at the age of six. Growing up, she made sure to honor her Tibetan identity by organzing events at her high school on Tibet, leading local protests each March 10th, Tibetan Uprising Day, and by performing traditional dances and playing the dramyen at universities and community centers across North America. At university, Myinle founded the Tibetan Interest Association at the University of Connecticut, a group on campus that engaged in cultural and political advocacy for Tibet.

Myinlek first joined the SFT staff team as the Grassroots Coordinator, where played a central role in organizing critical programs such as the Annual Youth for Tibet in Europe, SFT’s North America Longsho Tour, as well as the Tibet Climate Crisis regional talk tour, and SFT’s flagship International Cross Movement Action Camp, as well as Free Tibet! Action Camp in Dharamsala, India. All of which has led to the establishment of over 60 SFT chapters since the start of her time at SFT. As Grassroots Director, she expanded her effective grassroots leadership on a global scale. Myinlek currently serves as the Interim Executive Director at SFT. In her free time, Myinlek finds peace and restoration in playing the trumpet and listening to Taylor Swift on repeat.

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Nyima Lama

Operations Director

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Tsela Zoksang

Campaigns Director

Tsela Zoksang is a Tibetan student-activist from New York. Growing up, Tsela’s childhood was shaped by the roar of the protest, instilling in her the importance of collective action from a young age. But her official SFT journey began as a high-schooler, when she served as Grassroots Intern in 2019. It was at SFT Action Camp – surrounded by individuals of all walks of life equally committed to the cause – that she crystallized her belief in the power of grassroots organizing, the power that is born in the collective will of those who yearn for change.

Before stepping into her current role on staff, Tsela served as both North America Grassroots Coordinator and Campaigns Coordinator. Now as Campaigns Director, she works with Tibetan communities in exile and global stakeholders to advance strategic campaigns for Tibetan rights and freedom. She recently graduated from New York University with a Bachelor’s degree in Politics. In her free time, Tsela enjoys hiking, learning new languages, and is currently on a lifelong hunt for the best Pad Thai in NY!

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Chevonne Wang

Development Coordinator

Chevonne Wang is a human rights advocate whose political consciousness was shaped by growing up in China under state propaganda and political control. Moving to the United Kingdom marked a political awakening, where open debate and civic participation reshaped how she understood democracy and human rights. Through learning about Tibet and standing in solidarity with Tibetans in exile, Chevonne developed a deep commitment to the Tibetan freedom movement. This work also led her to support the struggles of Hong Kong, East Turkistan, and Taiwan. Her professional background reflects a strong commitment to social justice and frontline support. She has worked with advocacy organizations alongside caseworkers supporting individuals affected by human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and homelessness, with experience in service development, data analysis, and improving access to essential resources.

Since joining the Students for a Free Tibet headquarters team in August 2024, Chevonne has served as Development Coordinator. She leads donor engagement and major fundraising initiatives, including SFT’s 30-Year Donation Campaign and 108 for Tibet. She also manages the Rangzen Circle sustaining members program, helping strengthen long-term financial stability for the Tibetan freedom movement. Chevonne holds a BA in Sociology from Durham University and is fluent in Mandarin and English, bringing a transnational and cross-cultural perspective to her work.

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Kunsel Rinchen Dorjee

Europe Grassroots Coordinator

Kunsel Rinchen Dorjee is a dedicated Tibetan youth activist based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. At the age of 14, she traveled to Northern India to study the Tibetan language at the Tibetan Children’s Village in upper Dharamsala. Here, she deepened her understanding of the realities of displacement faced by Tibetans. This experience started her activist journey, leading her to join a local political youth party. Hereafter, she joined International Campaign for Tibet, where she focused on organising political campaigns aimed at engaging youth organisations. During her undergraduate studies in Public Administration, she founded a local SFT chapter, which quickly grew into a national network with a strong student support base in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Her leadership and organisational skills have made her experienced in building youth solidarity for Tibet. She believes strongly in the importance of intersectionality in today’s activism. She recognises that struggles for freedom and justice are interconnected and that it requires an intersectional approach. By acknowledging how various forms of oppression intersect, she advocates for a movement that uplifts all marginalised communities. She is passionate about empowering the next generation of young Tibetan activists, hoping to equip them with the tools to counter China's narratives on university campuses and beyond.

Next to her activism, Kunsel has worked in policy research, where she prioritises participatory approaches to ensure the visibility of marginalised groups. Currently, she is pursuing a master's degree in International Law, specialising in Human Rights Law. In her free time, she plays on her university’s basketball team.

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Tenzin Namgyal

North America Grassroots Coordinator

Tenzin Namgyal is a Tibetan-Japanese student activist born and raised in Queens, NY. When Namgyal’s father was 14 years old, he escaped from Tibet. His father’s stories of hardship and resilience played a pivotal role in inspiring him to become an activist. At the same age his father trekked the snowy mountains of Tibet, Namgyal first joined SFT as a Grassroots intern in 2022. He went on to support SFT's many successful campaigns, including the ‘Hands Off Tibetan DNA!’ and ‘Rise Up Against Xi’ campaigns.

Now a student at Hunter College, Namgyal continues to work within SFT’s grassroots network in the NY/NJ area, where he organizes local protests and sports fundraisers. Outside of SFT, Namgyal enjoys playing basketball, watching movies, and learning songs on the guitar!

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Kunsel Baro

Office Manager

Tenzin Kunsel is a Tibetan-Nepali student raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. She grew up in the Tibetan community, where she faced the hardships of being Tibetan with limited opportunities to advocate for her people. Moving to the U.S. gave her the chance to engage in activism, and she was thrilled to get involved with Students for a Free Tibet during her undergraduate years at Yale. She is dedicated to making Tibetan voices heard and ensuring the world recognizes their right to freedom. Kunsel is currently pursuing her master’s in Biomedical Engineering at The City College of New York.

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Tenzing Lhamo Dorjee

Graphic Designer

Tenzing Lhamo Dorjee is a cartoonist, illustrator and designer. Born in Washington, Tenzing uses her skills in storytelling and humor to connect with other Tibetans around the world. In May 2019, she graduated with a BFA in Design at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. In the summer of 2021, Lhamo joined SFT as their Graphic Designer. She's most well known online for her comic series My Tibetan Tendencies, her informational gif set Taboo Tibet, and her comic on her childhood bully with the online publication The Lily. She's also a proud member of the Yakpo Collective and has her work featured in galleries in Seattle, New York, Canada, and Lhasa, Tibet.

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National Network Staff

Tenzing Passang

India National Director

Passang was born as a stateless refugee in India, where she completed her Master’s Degree in Sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University, one of India’s most prestigious academic institutions.

During her studies, Passang attended SFT India’s ‘Free Tibet! Action Camp’ twice, first in 2017 as a participant, and again in 2019 as a student trainer. In 2020, Passang interned at SFT India, where she helped coordinate key projects, including a solidarity initiative with the global campaign to #save12HKYouths, an initiative to stand in solidarity with the 12 Hong Kong activists arrested under the National Security Law.

Since joining the SFT India team as the Programs Director in 2021, Passang has successfully organized key programs such as the ‘Free Tibet! Action Camp’ 2022, and Little Lhasa Program in 2022 and 2023, all while overcoming, and winning, a tremendous battle with cancer.

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Tenzin Lhawang

Tenzin Lhawang

Interim SFT Canada National Coordinator

Tenzin Lhawang who is on SFT Canada's Board of Directors is the current the Interim National Coordinator until the National Director position is filled.

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