About Us - Burma Research Institute

The Burma Research Institute (BRI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Ellicott City, Maryland, in the United States. It conducts research and advocacy primarily focused on freedom of religion or belief in Burma. BRI advocates for human rights and for protection and assistance for refugees and internally displaced persons from Burma. BRI also empowers the local Chin community in Maryland and across the United States to successfully integrate into American society.

Since the February 2021 military coup in Burma, BRI has conducted research and published eight reports and numerous statements and press releases. It has presented its findings and recommendations to Congress and the Administration, and to diaspora communities from Burma, UNHCR, and NGOs. including numerous times at the International Religious Freedom Summit, International Religious Freedom RoundTable, and the Refugee Council USA. BRI also held five Congressional briefings on Capitol Hill.

Mission: To advance religious freedom and human rights in Burma and advocate for the protection and humanitarian needs of refugees and internally displaced people.

Vision: A Burma where religious freedom and human rights are protected, and refugees and internally displaced people receive protection and humanitarian assistance.

Burma

Burma, also known as Myanmar, is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia with territory covering about 676,577square kilometers–slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Texas. It is bordered by India, China, Thailand, Bangladesh and Laos. The population is 51 million people,

Burma’s population consists of Buddhists (87.9 percent), Christians (6.2 percent), Muslims (4.3 percent), Animists (0.8 percent), and Hindus (0.5 percent). The 2008 constitution recognizes Buddhism as the de facto state religion, but also recognizes Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Animism.

Christians are concentrated in Chin, Kachin, Karenni, and Karen States, with Chin State having the largest proportion of Christians at 85 per cent.

Structure

Board of Directors

Rev. Dr. Robin Stoops

Board Chairman

Rev. Dr. Robin Stoops

Board Chairman

Rev. Dr. Robin Stoops is currently serving as the Transitional Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of Topeka, KS. He is also working part-time with ABCUSA as the Mission Resource Coordinator, and the Coordinator of the Burma Refugee Commission. The Rev. Dr. Robin D. Stoops has been a pastor for thirty-nine years. He served as Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska for twelve years. During his ministry he has pastored churches in South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, and Nebraska. Stoops is a graduate of Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kan., with a bachelor’s degree in education, North American Baptist Seminary (now Sioux Falls Seminary, Karios University) with a Master of Divinity degree, and completed a doctoral degree in Missional Leadership/Contextual Theology at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Ill. He also completed a professional certificate in Negotiation and Mediation from the Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas and received a certificate in Religious Fundraising from the Lake Institute at Indiana University. He was awarded the Pastor of the Year award in 2008 by the American Baptist Men of Nebraska. His work with the American Baptist Churches has included preaching, pastoral searches, leadership training, conflict transformation, and consultation with churches in mission giving and development. He has also led multiple Mission Study Trips in South America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa with pastors from ABC of Nebraska to visit missionaries and partners. Stoops has been a Special Assistant to Theological Education for Burma with International Ministries. He has also served as the Treasurer for the Regional Executive Ministers Council, one of three officer positions in the REMC. He is the founder and director of ChurchHelp.net, a ministry working with unaffiliated churches to provide pastoral searches, leadership training and conflict transformation on a fee basis. Stoops and his wife Kathy Stoops will celebrate 50 years of marriage in July of 2025. They have three grown children, eight grandchildren and two miniature dachshunds.
Zo Tum Hmung

President & CEO

Zo Tum Hmung

President & CEO

Zo Tum Hmung is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Burma Research Institute. He previously co-founded and served as the Executive Director of the Ethnic Nationalities Affairs Center-Union of Burma (ENAC), a research center that supports the peace process and development of democratic institutions in Burma. Mr. Hmung completed his master’s in public administration (MPA) from Harvard University’s Kennedy School, concentrating on foreign policy and negotiations. He earned another master’s degree with a concentration in Christian Faith and Public Policy from Eastern University’s Palmer Seminary. He also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theology (Christianity) in Burma.
A long-time advocate for democracy and human rights in Burma, he advocates for freedom of religion or belief, including by testifying before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. He was born in Chin State, Burma, and currently lives with his family in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Download Bio
Dr. Jenny Siegel

Manager of Research
Rev. Tim Siemens

Advisory Member
James Montana

Advisory Board Member

James Montana

Advisory Board Member

James Montana is the founder of The Law Office of James Montana PLLC. After graduating from Yale Law School in 2011, he began his career as an immigration lawyer at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, where he served as a legal aid attorney for five years before opening up his own firm. He practices in federal court, immigration court, before USCIS, and the Department of State. He serves as a member of the board of the Borromeo Legal Project, Inc., and volunteers each summer with the Diocese of Arlington to teach teenagers to repair old homes.

Staff

Zo Tum Hmung

President & CEO

Zo Tum Hmung

President & CEO

Zo Tum Hmung is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Burma Research Institute. He previously co-founded and served as the Executive Director of the Ethnic Nationalities Affairs Center-Union of Burma (ENAC), a research center that supports the peace process and development of democratic institutions in Burma. Mr. Hmung completed his master’s in public administration (MPA) from Harvard University’s Kennedy School, concentrating on foreign policy and negotiations. He earned another master’s degree with a concentration in Christian Faith and Public Policy from Eastern University’s Palmer Seminary. He also graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theology (Christianity) in Burma.
A long-time advocate for democracy and human rights in Burma, he advocates for freedom of religion or belief, including by testifying before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. He was born in Chin State, Burma, and currently lives with his family in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Download Bio
Dr. Jenny Siegel

Manager of Research
Esther Far Chin Par

Coordinator of Research and Advocacy

Esther Far Chin Par

Coordinator of Research and Advocacy

Esther Far Chin Par is currently a PhD student in Heath Services and System Research in the Department of Health Policy and Management at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Esther holds a BA in Biology with a Health Sciences concentration and an MPH specializing in Health Policy and Management. She currently serves as the Coordinator of Advocacy and Research at the Burma Research Institute, where she leads efforts to support and advocate for the Chin community.
Virginia Farris

Policy Advisor

Virginia Farris

Policy Advisor

Ms. Farris became Policy Advisor of the Burma Research Institute (formerly known as the Chin Association of Maryland) after retiring from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops where she covered Asia and human rights in their Office of International Justice and Peace. During her almost 17 years with USCCB, she accompanied U.S. bishops on solidarity visits to a number of Asian nations, including Burma/Myanmar. Prior to working with USCCB, Virginia served as a Public Affairs Officer with the U.S. Department of State with tours in six foreign countries as well as in Washington, DC. She has a Masters in National Security Studies from the National War College as well as degrees from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
Zolian Sang Zoong Lwe, PhD Candidate

Research and Communication Advisor
Field Office in Asia

Burma

Structure

Board of Directors

Rev. Dr. Robin Stoops

Zo Tum Hmung

Dr. Jenny Siegel

Rev. Tim Siemens

James Montana

Staff

Zo Tum Hmung

Dr. Jenny Siegel

Esther Far Chin Par

Virginia Farris

Zolian Sang Zoong Lwe, PhD Candidate

Field Office in Asia