Pauline arrived in the United States in 1994 as her family sought asylum as refugees from South Sudan. She grew up in City Heights, a densely populated and vibrant community of immigrants and refugees in San Diego, California.

She studied Interpersonal and Organizational Communications and Journalism at Azusa Pacific University. Her work in the nonprofit sector started as she served as co-convener of the Episcopal Young Adult Delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Later, her work expanded to programs working with immigrants and refugees in the US.

In 2016, she moved to Rwanda to continue working in international development serving on the technical team for microfinance programs with World Relief. After moving back to the States, she served as a Program Manager at Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and launched a housing program serving housing-insecure seniors. Currently, she works with PICO California as a project manager with the organizing team and supports work in organizing federations across the state.

 Pauline is married to her college sweetheart, Kenny. They live in Sacramento, California with their one-year-old son.