Transforming survival into empowerment and empowerment into impact.
Our Name
The name carries both intimacy and resilience.
Em is an endearing Vietnamese word for “younger sibling” or “the more vulnerable one” in a relationship - someone who deserves care, protection, and guidance. Sen means lotus, Vietnam’s national flower, which symbolizes beauty and strength that rise from adversity, blossoming from the mud.
Together, Emsen House embodies a mission to provide a safe and nurturing place where those facing vulnerability are not only protected but also supported to flourish. It is more than a shelter - it is a sanctuary that provides stability, dignity, and the foundation for growth, helping survivors of gender-based violence reclaim dignity, build resilience, and pursue futures defined by strength, not circumstance.
Our Mission
We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise (EIN: 39-4538726) dedicated to reshaping the future of recovery and economic mobility for underserved communities. Our mission is to empower individuals facing systemic barriers, including survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, abused youths, immigrants, and others navigating instability, to reclaim their identities, pursue bold aspirations, and build futures defined by strength, not circumstance.
At the core of this mission lies one of the most critical barriers to long-term stability: financial independence. Emsen House bridges the gap between vulnerable populations and sustainable career pathways through integrated vocational training and job placement. Our model combines workforce development with revenue-generating social enterprises, such as cafés,... creating self-sustaining economic engines that both fund our mission and serve as real-world training environments.
We meet these communities where they already are. Rather than asking participants to overcome the logistical, financial, and personal obstacles of traveling to us, we bring the training to them, delivering flexible, hands-on vocational programs free of charge at locations hosted by our partner organizations.
We believe that those we serve are not defined by their circumstances, but by their potential, not only to rebuild their own lives, but to contribute meaningfully to a more inclusive and resilient society.
Our next Barista Training is in September 2026. Please check back later or email us for further details.
Our Founder & CEO
Fiona Le, RA, DBIA, MBA
Fiona Le is the founder and CEO of Emsen House, a social-impact organization transforming survivor recovery through vocational training, trauma-informed design, and community-rooted social enterprises.
A Wharton MBA graduate with over 15 years of experience leading multidisciplinary teams across the United States, Singapore, and Vietnam, Fiona brings a rare blend of technical rigor, interpersonal compassion, and global perspective to her work. Her career in design and construction has shaped her into a resilient, solutions-driven leader - one who navigates conflict and complexity with clarity, empathy, and unwavering perseverance.
Fiona’s international background allows her to see people for who they truly are, valuing their stories, strengths, and identities across cultures. This human-centered approach is at the core of Emsen House’s mission: creating dignified, empowering recovery pathways for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
From 2022-2024, Fiona volunteered as a certified domestic-violence counselor with WOMAN Inc., deepening her commitment to compassionate, client-centered support. Her lived dedication - to healing, empowerment, and dignity -shapes Emsen House’s holistic model and guides its vision for long-term change.
Our Board of Directors
Professor Gideon Nave - Innovative Marketing and Branding Advisor
Professor Gideon Nave is an associate professor in Marketing at The Wharton School. He studies how technological developments may advance efficiency, productivity and innovation, and evaluate the ethical challenges that they give rise to. To this end, he develops theories and methods that allow businesses and policy makers to focus their efforts in a more targeted fashion, with the premise of better addressing the needs of their customers and delivering the right products, services and messages to the right people, at the right time. He also assesses the unique threats that such technologies might impose on consumer autonomy and privacy.
He advises on innovative approach to marketing and branding management at Emsen house to better deliver our mission and reach the populations that we aim to serve.
Thomas Silva, FAAR, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP - Architectural Design Advisor
Thomas Silva, is a licensed architect with more than four decades of experience leading complex, design-focused projects across the United States and abroad. Currently Project Director, Design at Webcor Builders, he specializes in aligning architectural vision with cost, schedule, and constructibility from concept through completion. His career has spanned healthcare, higher education, cultural, and research facilities, including the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, the UC Merced campus expansion, and advanced research laboratories at Stanford and UC campuses. Previously, he founded Thomas Silva Architects, a San Francisco practice centered on sustainable and institutional design, and has collaborated with renowned international firms such as Herzog & de Meuron and Perkins & Will. A Rome Prize Fellow and recipient of the Graham Foundation Grant, he brings a deep commitment to design excellence and social responsibility. His expertise in human-centered, resilient design supports Em Sen House’s mission to create spaces that foster safety, dignity, and renewal for those rebuilding their lives after trauma.
He serves on the Board of Directors, advising on design standards, sustainability, and the creation of restorative environments for survivors.
Charles Li - Federal Grants Advisor
Charles has served as a Senior Manager at the Port of Los Angeles for the past six years in the Financial Planning and Analysis Division. During his tenure, he built the Port’s first Line of Business Profit and Loss statement, structured the Port’s second-highest guaranteed revenue lease, and led the buildout of data analytics capabilities to support internal decision-making. In addition to the Port, he has worked in the City's Chief Administrative Office. His extensive experience in the public sector and deep understanding of government regulations will support Emsen House in advancing its mission. Before joining the public sector, Charles worked in Corporate Finance and Strategy at Pacific Life, a Fortune 500 life insurance company, and began his career as an analyst at The TCW Group, a boutique investment manager.
Noelle Payomo - Strategic Operations Advisor
Noelle Payomo is the Chief Operating Officer of Kidango, one of California’s largest early childhood education nonprofits, where she oversees strategic operations, systems design, and large-scale initiatives that serve thousands of children and families every day. Under her leadership, Kidango has expanded its operating capacity and strengthened its infrastructure to advance equitable access to quality early learning and family supports.
A values-driven leader and current Executive MBA candidate at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Noelle brings deep experience in scaling mission-driven organizations with a focus on operational excellence, innovation, and social impact. Her work bridges strategy and compassion, designing systems that not only perform efficiently but also honor the dignity and potential of every individual served.
As a member of the Board of Directors for Emsen House, Noelle supports strategy and operations, helping to build sustainable models for transitional housing development that integrates vocational training and business models to empower survivors of gender-based violence. She is especially passionate about integrating wraparound supports that promote long-term stability and healing for families rebuilding their lives.