Reorganization Staff Changes Announced at the Department of Human Rights

The Department of Human Rights is excited to announce a change in leadership.  The Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, formerly the Division on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage, is a proud partner in the strategic reorganization of the Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR).  As a result, Henny Ohr has agreed to become the Executive Officer of the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.  Prior to joining DHR, Henny Ohr was a legal advocate and community organizer for social justice issues. 

Reorganized in spring 2010, DHR’s new mission is to ensure basic rights, freedoms, and opportunities for all by empowering underrepresented Iowans and eliminating economic, social, and cultural barriers.  In order to more effectively and efficiently serve our customers, the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs has combined its administrative functions with the other population-specific offices within our newly created Division of Community Advocacy and Services at DHR.  Kathryn Baumann-Reese is the Administrator of the new division.  Cyndi Chen is the Resource Coordinator for the new division and continues to support the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs and others in that capacity.  Iowans should expect to receive the same or a better level of culturally responsive services from the office under our new structure.

For more information about the Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, please contact:

Henny Ohr

Executive Officer, Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs

Iowa Department of Human Rights

Henny.ohr@iowa.gov

515-281-4219