Maysee Yang Herr B.A. '98

Maysee Herr receives UW-Whitewater 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement

Written by Dave Fidlin | Photos submitted   

Growing up in Wausau, Maysee Herr had a first-hand look into the inner workings of the business world. Her parents were entrepreneurs who made their mark in the community — through real estate, running a grocery store, establishing a financial institution and opening a church.

Herr first came to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater intending to pursue a degree in business, but she ultimately attained her B.A. in psychology in 1998 after exploring different curricular opportunities. 

“I’ve always been led by a sense of purpose,” Herr said. “I believe my purpose in life is to be here to help provide a voice and bridge gaps for those who may not otherwise have opportunities.”

That purpose led to a decades-long career involving education, consulting and leadership roles as well as the co-creation of a Hmong language and culture program for youth called Camp Phoojwyg-Friend in Central Wisconsin.

This spring, Herr is receiving the UW-Whitewater Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement. The recognition is given to graduates who have exhibited distinguished professional, personal and career achievement and who are recognized for accomplishments in their field.

In the past several decades, Herr has been involved in a variety of different professional pursuits. She also furthered her education after graduating from UW-Whitewater.

“I haven’t been tied to one particular field,” Herr said of her career path. “A desire to help provide access to education and economic opportunities is what led me to these different roles I had.”

She later earned two higher-education degrees from Indiana University — a master’s degree in educational psychology and a doctorate in education and curriculum studies — in addition to training in a Women’s Leadership Program at Yale University. 

Professionally, Herr most recently served as the chief executive officer and executive director of the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, a role she held for six years.

“I loved it,” Herr said. “I worked across the state, and I traveled a lot. I made sure our small business and underserved, underrepresented communities had the resources that they needed.”

When she left her role with the chamber in January 2026, Herr said she felt a sense of satisfaction, knowing she left the organization with even more visibility, resources, and connections than when she first joined it in late 2019.

“I’m very proud of the work that was accomplished during my time with the chamber,” Herr said. “We have been able to bring lots of consulting to them, as well as financial resources that simply did not exist before.”

Herr said the relationships she was able to foster led to meaningful connections. She credits a decade-long role as an assistant and associate professor of education with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, for instance, as a pathway to her role with the chamber.

“I started meeting people and networking,” Herr said. “When I ended up at the chamber, it wasn’t by accident. I still had to interview and go through all of those steps, but by then, I had enough of a reputation that folks knew who I was, and what I was about. At the end of the day, it was about building partnerships and building connections.” 

Along each step of her journey, Herr said UW-Whitewater has been close to her heart. Whenever she steps on campus, she said it feels like home.

“Whitewater propelled my direction,” she said. “I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today, if I had not met the people I met here. I get quite nostalgic every time I come to Whitewater. What I loved about it was that it didn’t matter who I was. People understood what I needed as a first-generation college student and my potential as a future leader. They provided me opportunities I didn’t even know I needed but would serve me well even today.” 

Herr points to Roger Pulliam as an impactful leader and mentor during her time on campus. Pulliam worked at UW-Whitewater for nearly two decades — 1989 to 2018 — in the roles of assistant chancellor of academic support services, director of advising and interim chief diversity officer. 

“Dr. Pulliam saw that we all needed support,” Herr said. “I think that radiated to all of those who worked with him, under him and, certainly, to us students. I also credit Dr. Richard McGregory, director of the Ronald E. McNair Program at the time, as someone who gave me the courage to be the leader I am today.”

Herr — who describes herself as a proud daughter, sister, life partner and mom to a boy named Elijah — is in the midst of mapping out her next stage of life. In a full circle moment, she is planning on delving into the world of business and entrepreneurship as well.

“I am working on something right now,” she said. “I’m hoping to reveal more about it by mid-May. After helping to make other businesses possible and working with entrepreneurs, it was time for me to do my own thing and create something for myself.”