Who we are?
Urga Azat, Founder and President
Urga Azat, Founder and President
Urga Azat, Founder and President
Urga Azat is a lawyer by training and the founder of the New Neighbor Initiative (NNI), a nonprofit advancing minority and AAPI community representation through advocacy, civic engagement, and community development. Her professional experience spans the United Nations, international organizations, and civil society, where she has worked o
Urga Azat is a lawyer by training and the founder of the New Neighbor Initiative (NNI), a nonprofit advancing minority and AAPI community representation through advocacy, civic engagement, and community development. Her professional experience spans the United Nations, international organizations, and civil society, where she has worked on high-level partnerships, policy initiatives, and community programs.
Volunteerism is a central part of Urga’s identity. Under her leadership, NNI has launched mentorship programs for youth, facilitated grassroots civic engagement, and organized signature events such as the Congressional Mongolian Lunar New Year celebration. She is dedicated to fostering multistakeholder collaboration and creating opportunities for communities to actively participate in shaping policies and decisions that affect their lives.
Temuulen Jargalsaikhan, CEO
Urga Azat, Founder and President
Urga Azat, Founder and President
Temuulen is a University of Virginia graduate in Economics with a minor in History and a project management professional in the banking industry. He is passionate about mentorship and education, with extensive experience volunteering in Mongolian youth education and college preparation. He is in charge of New Neighbor Initiative's cultural programming and mentorship efforts.
Soo Koo, Senior Advisor
Urga Azat, Founder and President
Soo Koo, Senior Advisor
Soo Koo is a public service leader with experience across government, nonprofit, and international affairs. Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan, she served in the Maryland Governor’s Office focusing on external affairs, partnerships, and engagement with Asian American and Asia-Pacific communities. She contributed to major statewide initiati
Soo Koo is a public service leader with experience across government, nonprofit, and international affairs. Appointed by Governor Larry Hogan, she served in the Maryland Governor’s Office focusing on external affairs, partnerships, and engagement with Asian American and Asia-Pacific communities. She contributed to major statewide initiatives including the 2020 Census, COVID-19 response, and anti-Asian hate efforts, and later served as Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs advancing inclusive policy and outreach.
She has also worked at the U.S. Department of State, supporting strategic communications and public diplomacy across the Asia-Pacific region. Earlier, she held an executive role at a national nonprofit in Washington, D.C., leading programs in civic engagement, education, and U.S.–Asia partnerships.
Soo has been actively involved in civic and political engagement and has mentored over 1,000 students and young professionals. She currently serves on the boards of Maryland Humanities and the YUMI C.A.R.E.S. Foundation.
She holds an M.A. from Georgetown University and a B.A. from Ewha Womans University, and has completed executive training at Harvard Kennedy School.