Elevating Leaders Summit 2022

Manjusha P. Kulkarni (Manju) is Executive Director of AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity), which serves and represents the 1.5 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Los Angeles County. In March 2020, Manju co-founded Stop AAPI Hate, the nation’s leading aggregator of COVID-19-related hate incidents against AAPIs.  

In 2021, Manju was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential individuals and by Bloomberg/Business Week as one of the 50 individuals “with the ability to move markets or shape ideas and policies” with the co-founders of Stop AAPI Hate, Cynthia Choi and Russell Jeung. Cynthia, Russell and Manju also were awarded the 2021 Webby Social Movement of the Year.

Manju’s work has been featured in the New York Times, and on CBS News and CNN, as well as in numerous ethnic media outlets. Manju is a member of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission and was recently appointed to the California Racial and Identity Profiling Adivsory Board by CA Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

In 2014, she received the White House Champions of Change award from President Barack Obama for her dedication to improving health care access for Asians American communities. In March 2021, she testified before Congress at the House Judiciary Committee on the issue of anti-Asian hate. 

Manju holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and a Juris Doctor degree from Boston University School of Law. Manju lives in Los Angeles with her daughters Vaishali and Meghana and her husband Shai Halbe.

Shyam R. Gadwal is the Vice-President of Programs at Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars. APIA Scholars is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to creating opportunities that provide access to higher education and professional success of Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) students. Shyam comes to APIA Scholars having spent almost a decade at Teach For America (TFA) on teams leading teacher training and enterprise initiatives. He served on TFA National’s Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Advisory Committee supporting the leadership development of AANHPI staff and teachers. He has consulted and coached leaders around the world at organizations such as Teach For India, Urban Teachers, and Imaginable Futures. In his free time, he enjoys practicing various types of yoga and riding his motorcycle with his childhood best friend.

Belle (she/her/hers) is the AANAPISI Initiative’s Student Success Project Coordinator and a proud Fresno native and Fresno State alumna eager to serve the Asian American and NHPI communities. She graduated with two bachelor’s in Marketing and Public Relations and three minors in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Philanthropic & Community-based Leadership; and Asian American Studies. As a first-generation, Southeast Asian American scholar, Belle has first-hand experience in the complexities of navigating higher education through a cross-cultural lens. Strongly connected to her community, Belle plans to pursue a PhD in Ethnic Studies to research the SEAA communities and show students in the Central Valley that anything is possible with the support of community. As a cultural advocate, she works with a local CBO, A Hopeful Encounter, Inc. to uplift youth in their journey of self-exploration, cultural cultivation, and community land usage. As an intersectional feminist, she serves Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW) as the Board Secretary and scholarship committee chair to empower Asian American and NHPI women from the Central Valley. As a social justice activist, she moves to make changes with various grassroots and local CBOs as a member of the Fresno Asian American Collaborative. Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmoobelle/ 

Varaxy Yi is an assistant professor of Educational Leadership at California State University, Fresno. She also serves as coordinator for the Higher Education Administration and Leadership (HEAL) graduate program and is a core faculty member in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. As a first-generation Khmer American graduate and faculty, Dr. Yi is committed to advancing knowledge to serve racially minoritized communities. She conducts research to advance equity, access, and opportunity for historically underserved communities, such as racially minoritized, Southeast Asian American, and refugee populations. Her dissertation was a phenomenological exploration of the racialized experiences of Southeast Asian American community college students. Her work focuses on building capacity within higher education institutions to advance issues of racial justice and equity to serve diverse students. https://www.linkedin.com/in/varaxyyi

Jacqueline Mac (she/hers), Ph.D., is a first-generation Southeast Asian American college graduate and assistant professor in higher education at Northern Illinois University. She teaches courses on public policy, research methods, and equity in higher education. Jacqueline’s research focuses on racialized campus environments, institutional transformation towards equity, and higher education access policies. She has a particular interest in racially marginalized, Southeast Asian American, and refugee populations, as well as minority-serving institutions. Prior to her doctoral work, Jacqueline worked primarily in institutional diversity and multicultural affairs offices at multiple post-secondary institutions, as well as at a national education nonprofit. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinemac 

Raised in Orange County, California, Tina Ly (she/hers) is a recent graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles with a major in Statistics and minor in Digital Humanities. Proud to be a first generation student from a low-income background, she designs with a humanistic purpose and has experience working in the public sector, healthcare, and financial technology. She previously worked at the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment as a Communications Assistant, creating graphics to portray research findings in the community in the most concise and creative way possible. She strives to utilize her user experience design skills to address health inequities and improve educational systems. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, and creating videos. You can always find her drinking matcha drinks or eating fruit. She hopes to share her nontraditional path to design and her experiences navigating her college journey.

Anam Khalid is a first generation college student at the University of Arizona studying Nutritional Sciences and is passionate about mental health, advocating for social issues, and supporting her fellow peers succeed in their goals. Throughout her undergraduate experience, she has led various clubs and philanthropy works across campus and hopes to open her own non-profit one day serving the community around her. 

Andre Pak is a first-generation college student at Drexel University studying music business with a minor in marketing. He is an advocate for mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and Asian representation in the media. He is also passionate about giving back to his community, which granted him opportunities to discuss youth mental health with local newspapers and the United Nations. Throughout his undergraduate experience, he has explored his Cambodian-Vietnamese roots by engaging in such spaces, like the Lunar New Year Festival and Chinatown Night Market, in his hometown of Philadelphia. While Andre is approaching his senior year, he strives to be a source of support and provide valuable insight to incoming students.

Joey Uy is a recent graduate at Columbia University, Teachers College with a Masters in International Education Development. They have experience in nonprofit management, from evaluating the effectiveness of programs, implementing social media campaigns, to policy tracking. Along with working at nonprofits, Joey is also a creative powerhouse, known for creating one-of-a-kind couture pieces using single-use materials and for photographing conceptual photos in ordinary places. Moreover, they are passionate about living life frugally and finding ways to save money. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Joey aspires to work at organizations that allow them to further the advocacy efforts of the queer community and address the needs of LGBTQ+ Asians through data reporting and policy initiatives. 

Noor is a first generation college graduate from Hunter College, having majored in Psychology and minor in Asian American Studies and Chinese. She has actively advocated for language access, more resources for first generation students, mental health and many other social issues. She has taken part in many Hunter HCAP Programs for Asian American students, as well as served as a mentor in Hunter HCAP Peer Mentor program. Noor has also worked as an Outreach Coordinator for NAPAWF, where she recruited and grew the South Asian Canvassing teams, creating translated flyers and facilitated a focus group discussion in Urdu for a first of its kind NAPAWF research project on medication abortion. She is very dedicated to building the power of the AAPI community and hopes to continue finding ways to help the community throughout graduate school.

Living abroad as a military child dependent, Melissa developed a deep passion for building community and serving others. Melissa earned her dual degree in Business Management and Global Studies with a minor in Spanish Language and Cultures at the University of Washington Tacoma. During university, Melissa was heavily involved with her campus’ Asian and Pacific Islander student club. As a second generation Filipino American and first-generation college student who navigated a variety of industries (aerospace, financial institutions, higher education, and nonprofits), Melissa is thrilled to support and guide students in cultivating success in a career they love. Melissa currently works as a Program Manager for a nonprofit that supports students to succeed in college and career in order to build more equitable communities.

Dedicated to closing the gap of achieving higher education, Melvin Nguyen has served as a College Access Mentor for Breakthrough New York, Let’s Get Ready, and Strive for College to support first-generation low-income BIPOC high school seniors navigate the complex college application process. In addition to college access, Melvin is passionate about the power of hands-on learning in kitchen environments, working in the back and the front of restaurants since his high school years. His experience includes working at Haley House, and fellowships with the Edwin Gould Foundation Accelerator and Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars Organization. Melvin graduated from New York University with a major in Hospitality & Tourism, with a concentration in Organizations and Operations and a minor in Food Studies. He currently works as a Program Specialist at Future Chefs and is pursuing his Master’s in Gastronomy at Boston University. 

Hafa Adai yan Tirow! Sami Birmingham-Babauta is a Gates Millennium Scholar (2011) and an Obama Pacific Leader (2020). She graduated with her BS in Kinesiology from California State University, Northridge (2016), her MPH in Global Health from the University of Washington (2022), and will begin her PhD in Public Health at the University of Hawai’i, Mānoa this fall. She worked for five years in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana (CNMI) public health sector and is passionate about decolonizing health services, policies, and research to better represent Pacific Island cultures and knowledge. She is Chamorro and was born and raised on the island of Saipan, CNMI. 

Talofa lava! My name is Tammalivis Salanoa I come from the beautiful island of American Samoa. I am a first generation college graduate from UAA with a bachelor’s degree in digital art and design. I currently work as the program assistant for TRIO Student Support Service at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I help first generation students from economically challenged backgrounds transition to post secondary education. I’m the current title holder of the Alaska State Fair Queen as of 2021. I play a key role in promoting, advocating, and representing the Alaska State Fair in the community. I also help facilitate conversations, and experiences that bridge distance and difference. Share and preserve the stories of people and places across our vast state, and explore what it means to be Alaskan through the Alaska Humanities Forum. I’m an aspiring local artist with plans to share the joys of civic engagement and creative experiences with my local community. I have worked on murals located in downtown Anchorage, collaborated with other local artists on upcoming projects, and strive to be a figure for youth in my community to look up to.

Yoo Ra Sung (she/her) is a rising senior at Stanford University pursuing a major in International Relations and a minor in History. She is a first generation college student and proud first generation Korean American immigrant. Yoo Ra is passionate about human rights, transitional justice, and gender equality issues in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in North and South Korea. She has pursued her interests in law, government, and international affairs by interning at a number of organizations in the past three years: at the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, Massachusetts State House Representative Tackey Chan’s Office, Pacific Forum, and most recently, at the Department of State in the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program. At Stanford, Yoo Ra is involved in the Society for International Affairs at Stanford (SIAS), Hoover Student Fellowship Program, Stanford Center for Teaching and Learning, and Stanford Undergraduate Law Review. Yoo Ra was born in Incheon, South Korea, and grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Aloha Kākou! Alana Wilson hails from the rural island of Kauaʻi. She holds a BA in Psychology and is currently a graduate student at Hawaiʻi Pacific University studying Public Health in concordance with being the Lead Researcher for Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) Intergenerational Participatory Action Research (IPAR) project with AAPI Women Lead. After taking time off of her educational journey to be a caregiver for her grandmother in her homeland, she discovered her passions are addressing Gender-Based, Intimate Partner, and Domestic Violence from a non-shaming indigenous worldview and further decolonizing the approach in which these issues are politically addressed for the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) diaspora. In her free time, she substitute teaches and will teach Hawaiian Studies part-time in the local public elementary schools starting Fall 2022. It is an honor for her to have the privilege to further serve the NHPI and Asian communities through the APIA Elevating Leaders Summit and beyond. Mahalo piha, wholehearted gratitude!

Amandip Chauhan (she/her) is of Punjabi descent and takes a lot of pride in being a part of the Punjabi community as it is very strong and resilient. She is currently a student at University of the Pacific and is majoring in pharmacy. She hopes to work in underserved communities like the one she grew up in so that health outcomes in those areas improve. She has previously served her very own rural community by being a mentor to first-generation, low-income students who were in the TRiO Upward Bound Program, a program that she also participated in while in high school. She has seen how mentors have made an impact in her educational journey and hopes to make an impact as a facilitator for the Elevating Leaders Summit.

Victoria Naleialoha “Nalei” Stewart, 20, is the cultural lead of E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center and student of Kumu Kaleo Trinidad of Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā. Nalei travels back to Hawai‘i each year to study with Kumu Kaleo as the immersion strengthens her cultural connection and solidifies lessons learned. In addition to cultural immersion, Nalei values serving communities both near and far; her various contributions earned her a gold President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2019 (250+ service hours). As a military child, Nalei visited a variety of places: although born in the Chicago, Illinois area, she spent most of her life in the Maryland, D.C., Virginia (DMV) area where she first enjoyed the start of her hula journey at Hālau O ‘Aulani with Kumu Keith Awai and Kumu Kimo Awai; she spent several summers and springs in Hawai‘i attending Kamehameha School’s Exploration/Ho’omāka’ika’i Series, Ho’olauna and Ipu Kuku’i programs, spent a few years in Hawai‘i attending Hālau Lōkahi with Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu as her cultural instructor. Currently, Nalei works for Na Ali’i as an Administrative Assistant while attending University of Maryland, Global Campus pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business.”

Kylie has dedicated her career to supporting underserved communities to access and excel in higher education. Her areas of focus over the years have been across student leadership development, multicultural student development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) education. She began her career working at institutions such as Illinois Wesleyan University, George Mason University, and George Washington University before joining APIA Scholars last year.

In her current role as Development Manager, Kylie works to advance the APIA Scholars mission and reach by developing and stewarding strategic corporate and foundation partnerships. The mission of APIA Scholars aligns deeply with her both personally and professionally; during her many experiences, she's been fortunate to serve as faculty advisor for Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native American student organizations, supporting student leaders as well as a mentor and friend to young AANHPI students who are navigating their collegiate experience.

As the daughter of a first generation immigrant from the Philippines, Kylie is a proud first generation college student who graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from James Madison University and an M.A. in College Student Development from Appalachian State University. Kylie lives in northwest DC and loves the DC foodie life, finding the best sunrise views around the city, and exploring nature trails with her loved ones.

Operating from a social justice framework, Chingcha took his passion for Asian American History to the classrooms of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a High School social studies teacher at the Hmong American Peace Academy, Chingcha received the Excellence in Teaching Award at his school during his first year and was promoted to Social Studies Department Chair where he led successful efforts in crafting culturally responsive learning experiences in not just the classrooms, but also in the curriculum. After working as an educator and at the administrative level at his school, Chingcha received his Master's Degree in Educational Policy and Leadership from Marquette University. Chingcha shifted his energies towards recruiting and retaining extraordinary and diverse leaders from colleges across the Midwest to teach preK-12th grade students within one of the Teach For America's 51 regions. He continued to work at TFA in a coaching and development role, where he supported over 20 first and second year teachers across 10 middle and high schools in Milwaukee, WI. Most recently, Chingcha’s passion of developing leaders and centering Asian and Pacific Islander communities at the forefront of his work has led him to Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP). He currently serves as a Program Manager at LEAP where he leads efforts in designing and facilitating inclusive workshops with hopes to continue developing API leaders in both the corporate and non-profit sectors. In his free time, Chingcha serves across a multitude of non-profits in various roles from a Founding Board Member of Our Scholarship to a Board of Director of CAPAL.

Lindsay Ah Loo is the Executive Director of the Nakupuna Foundation, a Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) with a mission to support the economic advancement of the Native Hawaiian community primarily through culturally-centered STEM educational opportunities and careers. A seasoned leader with more than 15 years of federal government experience in financing strategy and program execution, Lindsay joined the Foundation in 2020 to focus on community impact operations for the Nakupuna organization. She pursues new ways of creating value for the Native Hawaiian community by finding the connective tissue between disparate efforts and synthesizing resources for maximum impact while building relationships with nonprofit partners on the community frontlines.

Kapua Ioane was born in Tucson, Arizona, and while she lived in Hawaii for 3 years as a toddler, she was primarily raised in Tucson - about an hour away from the Mexican border. Kapua had a hanai upbringing with her grandfather who she grew very close with. Kapua would sit and listen to his stories about growing up in Hawaii. Because of her lack of Hawaiian culture and influence growing up, these stories and lessons became vital to her identity as a Native Hawaiian. While growing up, Kapua became exposed to Science and Engineering in junior high, and quickly became very involved in community outreach regarding science and engineering, especially in regards to underrepresented communities. After graduating high school in 2019, she started attending the University of Arizona majoring in Computer Science. Currently, she is about to start her 4th year and has expanded her degree plan to be a dual degree in Computer Science and Information Science with minors in American Sign Language and Asian Pacific American Studies as well as a certificate in Entrepreneurial Leadership. In addition to studying, she spends her semesters working as the lead Teaching Assistant for one of the introductory Computer Science Courses and working with the College's requirement team on the recruitment and retention of students in the College of Science. 

Victoria Naleialoha “Nalei” Stewart, 20, is the cultural lead of E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center and student of Kumu Kaleo Trinidad of Ka Leo O Laka I Ka Hikina O Ka Lā. Nalei travels back to Hawai‘i each year to study with Kumu Kaleo as the immersion strengthens her cultural connection and solidifies lessons learned. In addition to cultural immersion, Nalei values serving communities both near and far; her various contributions earned her a gold President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2019 (250+ service hours). As a military child, Nalei visited a variety of places: although born in the Chicago, Illinois area, she spent most of her life in the Maryland, D.C., Virginia (DMV) area where she first enjoyed the start of her hula journey at Hālau O ‘Aulani with Kumu Keith Awai and Kumu Kimo Awai; she spent several summers and springs in Hawai‘i attending Kamehameha School’s Exploration/Ho’omāka’ika’i Series, Ho’olauna and Ipu Kuku’i programs, spent a few years in Hawai‘i attending Hālau Lōkahi with Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu as her cultural instructor. Currently, Nalei works for Na Ali’i as an Administrative Assistant while attending University of Maryland, Global Campus pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business.”

Jessica Tsae-Ni Lin (she/they) is a queer, disabled, and first generation Taiwanese Chinese American with over 15 years' experience in holistic health. Her dedication to healing comes from her lifelong journey with chronic illness and her experiences as a survivor of sexual assault and domestic abuse. As a certified yoga teacher, she teaches with an emphasis on body inclusivity and decolonization. Topics of focus include LGBTQ+ mental health, decolonized yoga in the modern world, self-care to prevent burnout, and more. Her workshops and panel contributions would best be described as interactive and engaging. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbeyondthebody/

Tammalivis Salanoa is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a local female Polynesian artist. She received her Bachelor's degree in digital art and design. She has a passion for the youth of Alaska, civic engagement, and the influence art can have in expressing one's true self. Tammalivis has assisted on a mural commission by the Anchorage Museum and the Municipality of Anchorage. She collaborated with the local artist network to find resources for youth interested in public art. Tammalivis has made an impression in her community and has been a beacon for young artists. She has not only participated in art projects, but has led public art discussions on climate change and how art can translate the words we can't find into being. Tammalivis strives to plant seeds and pathways for future generations. Even though she may not live to see the results of her efforts, it brings her peace knowing that she is leaving the world a better place than how she arrived.

Eva Ulukivaiola was born & raised in Alaska, is Tongan, and is a proud first generation college student. In 2017, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and her Master of Science degree in Global Supply Chain Management (MS GSCM) both from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)

While attending UAA for her undergraduate and graduate career, Eva made it a point to be involved on campus to serve her community. She was highly involved with USUAA Student Government as a Senator/Delegate for the graduate school, Vice President of the Economics Club, and a Big in her sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha (AΣA).

After graduating from UAA Eva has taken on a full-time position with the university as a Retention Coordinator for UAA TRIO Student Support Services (SSS). TRIO SSS is a federally funded program through the Department of Education designed to assist first generation college students, limited income students, and students that experience a disability navigate through college. She is where she is today because Eva was an alumna and product of the TRIO Programs. Now, it is her turn to give back to the organization and help other marginalized students reach their goal of graduating with a 4 year degree.

Kenrick Ross (he/him) is Executive Director of the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), the nation’s leading organization empowering LGBTQ APIs. Over the past 15 years, he has held senior management roles in sectors as diverse as education, community health, civic engagement, and equitable entrepreneurship. He previously served as Executive Director of the Indo-Caribbean Alliance; Director of Education, Career Services, and Community at the YWCA of Queens; and Director of Professional Development and Quality Assurance for The Leaguers, Inc. In 2011, he founded Urban&Out, an LGBTQPOC professional and leadership development network. Kenrick has made two short films, spoken and presented at 40+ events, and served on a dozen boards. He’s also a fierce advocate for LGBTQ-inclusive sports, especially tennis. Born in Guyana and raised in the NYC area, he lives with his partner in Newark, New Jersey. He holds a BA in Politics from New York University, and an MS in Urban Policy and Leadership from CUNY-Hunter College.

Amandip Chauhan (she/her) is of Punjabi descent and takes a lot of pride in being a part of the Punjabi community as it is very strong and resilient. She is currently a student at University of the Pacific and is majoring in pharmacy. She hopes to work in underserved communities like the one she grew up in so that health outcomes in those areas improve. She has previously served her very own rural community by being a mentor to first-generation, low-income students who were in the TRiO Upward Bound Program, a program that she also participated in while in high school. She has seen how mentors have made an impact in her educational journey and hopes to make an impact as a facilitator for the Elevating Leaders Summit. 

Anam Khalid is a first generation college student at the University of Arizona studying Nutritional Sciences and is passionate about mental health, advocating for social issues, and supporting her fellow peers succeed in their goals. Throughout her undergraduate experience, she has led various clubs and philanthropy works across campus and hopes to open her own non-profit one day serving the community around her. 

Andre Pak is a first-generation college student at Drexel University studying music business with a minor in marketing. He is an advocate for mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and Asian representation in the media. He is also passionate about giving back to his community, which granted him opportunities to discuss youth mental health with local newspapers and the United Nations. Throughout his undergraduate experience, he has explored his Cambodian-Vietnamese roots by engaging in such spaces, like the Lunar New Year Festival and Chinatown Night Market, in his hometown of Philadelphia. While Andre is approaching his senior year, he strives to be a source of support and provide valuable insight to incoming students.

Joey Uy is a recent graduate at Columbia University, Teachers College with a Masters in International Education Development. They have experience in nonprofit management, from evaluating the effectiveness of programs, implementing social media campaigns, to policy tracking. Along with working at nonprofits, Joey is also a creative powerhouse, known for creating one-of-a-kind couture pieces using single-use materials and for photographing conceptual photos in ordinary places. Moreover, they are passionate about living life frugally and finding ways to save money. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Joey aspires to work at organizations that allow them to further the advocacy efforts of the queer community and address the needs of LGBTQ+ Asians through data reporting and policy initiatives. 

Noor is a first generation college graduate from Hunter College, having majored in Psychology and minor in Asian American Studies and Chinese. She has actively advocated for language access, more resources for first generation students, mental health and many other social issues. She has taken part in many Hunter HCAP Programs for Asian American students, as well as served as a mentor in Hunter HCAP Peer Mentor program. Noor has also worked as an Outreach Coordinator for NAPAWF, where she recruited and grew the South Asian Canvassing teams, creating translated flyers and facilitated a focus group discussion in Urdu for a first of its kind NAPAWF research project on medication abortion. She is very dedicated to building the power of the AAPI community and hopes to continue finding ways to help the community throughout graduate school.

Living abroad as a military child dependent, Melissa developed a deep passion for building community and serving others. Melissa earned her dual degree in Business Management and Global Studies with a minor in Spanish Language and Cultures at the University of Washington Tacoma. During university, Melissa was heavily involved with her campus’ Asian and Pacific Islander student club. As a second generation Filipino American and first-generation college student who navigated a variety of industries (aerospace, financial institutions, higher education, and nonprofits), Melissa is thrilled to support and guide students in cultivating success in a career they love. Melissa currently works as a Program Manager for a nonprofit that supports students to succeed in college and career in order to build more equitable communities.

Dedicated to closing the gap of achieving higher education, Melvin Nguyen has served as a College Access Mentor for Breakthrough New York, Let’s Get Ready, and Strive for College to support first-generation low-income BIPOC high school seniors navigate the complex college application process. In addition to college access, Melvin is passionate about the power of hands-on learning in kitchen environments, working in the back and the front of restaurants since his high school years. His experience includes working at Haley House, and fellowships with the Edwin Gould Foundation Accelerator and Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars Organization. Melvin graduated from New York University with a major in Hospitality & Tourism, with a concentration in Organizations and Operations and a minor in Food Studies. He currently works as a Program Specialist at Future Chefs and is pursuing his Master’s in Gastronomy at Boston University.

Hafa Adai yan Tirow! Sami Birmingham-Babauta is a Gates Millennium Scholar (2011) and an Obama Pacific Leader (2020). She graduated with her BS in Kinesiology from California State University, Northridge (2016), her MPH in Global Health from the University of Washington (2022), and will begin her PhD in Public Health at the University of Hawai’i, Mānoa this fall. She worked for five years in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana (CNMI) public health sector and is passionate about decolonizing health services, policies, and research to better represent Pacific Island cultures and knowledge. She is Chamorro and was born and raised on the island of Saipan, CNMI. 

Talofa lava! My name is Tammalivis Salanoa I come from the beautiful island of American Samoa. I am a first generation college graduate from UAA with a bachelor’s degree in digital art and design. I currently work as the program assistant for TRIO Student Support Service at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I help first generation students from economically challenged backgrounds transition to post secondary education. I’m the current title holder of the Alaska State Fair Queen as of 2021. I play a key role in promoting, advocating, and representing the Alaska State Fair in the community. I also help facilitate conversations, and experiences that bridge distance and difference. Share and preserve the stories of people and places across our vast state, and explore what it means to be Alaskan through the Alaska Humanities Forum. I’m an aspiring local artist with plans to share the joys of civic engagement and creative experiences with my local community. I have worked on murals located in downtown Anchorage, collaborated with other local artists on upcoming projects, and strive to be a figure for youth in my community to look up to.

Raised in Orange County, California, Tina Ly (she/hers) is a recent graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles with a major in Statistics and minor in Digital Humanities. Proud to be a first generation student from a low-income background, she designs with a humanistic purpose and has experience working in the public sector, healthcare, and financial technology. She previously worked at the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment as a Communications Assistant, creating graphics to portray research findings in the community in the most concise and creative way possible. She strives to utilize her user experience design skills to address health inequities and improve educational systems. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, and creating videos. You can always find her drinking matcha drinks or eating fruit. She hopes to share her nontraditional path to design and her experiences navigating her college journey.

Yoo Ra Sung (she/her) is a rising senior at Stanford University pursuing a major in International Relations and a minor in History. She is a first generation college student and proud first generation Korean American immigrant. Yoo Ra is passionate about human rights, transitional justice, and gender equality issues in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in North and South Korea. She has pursued her interests in law, government, and international affairs by interning at a number of organizations in the past three years: at the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, Massachusetts State House Representative Tackey Chan’s Office, Pacific Forum, and most recently, at the Department of State in the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program. At Stanford, Yoo Ra is involved in the Society for International Affairs at Stanford (SIAS), Hoover Student Fellowship Program, Stanford Center for Teaching and Learning, and Stanford Undergraduate Law Review. Yoo Ra was born in Incheon, South Korea, and grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Aloha Kākou! Alana Wilson hails from the rural island of Kauaʻi. She holds a BA in Psychology and is currently a graduate student at Hawaiʻi Pacific University studying Public Health in concordance with being the Lead Researcher for Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) Intergenerational Participatory Action Research (IPAR) project with AAPI Women Lead. After taking time off of her educational journey to be a caregiver for her grandmother in her homeland, she discovered her passions are addressing Gender-Based, Intimate Partner, and Domestic Violence from a non-shaming indigenous worldview and further decolonizing the approach in which these issues are politically addressed for the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) diaspora. In her free time, she substitute teaches and will teach Hawaiian Studies part-time in the local public elementary schools starting Fall 2022. It is an honor for her to have the privilege to further serve the NHPI and Asian communities through the APIA Elevating Leaders Summit and beyond. Mahalo piha, wholehearted gratitude! 

Christina Lambert is the new Senior Director of Student Success with APIA Scholars. She was born in South Korea and adopted at 2 years old and was raised in Connecticut with her parents, an older brother, and a bunch of dogs and cats. She attended Wheaton College in Massachusetts to study Sociology, and then earned a Master's degree at Colorado State University in Student Affairs in Higher Education. Professionally, Christina has worked in college access and success, as well as within the community college setting and for an AANAPISI (Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution) grant. You can usually find Christina at live concerts (that ideally end before 10pm because she likes sleep), hanging with her wife and dog in the Bay Area, or trying to find the world’s best sandwich.

Noël Harmon is President and Executive Director of Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars, formerly, the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund. She joined the organization in June 2018. Harmon comes to APIA Scholars from Say Yes to Education, where she was Senior Vice President for Strategic Partnerships. Harmon has also held positions at the Brookings Institution where she was the Associate Director of the Global Cities Initiatives, a joint project of Brookings and JPMorgan Chase, and at CEOS for Cities, where she was the Chief Program Officer and National Director of the Talent Dividend. She led the National Talent Dividend Network and Prize, a joint initiative of Living Cities and CEOs for Cities, to foster post-secondary attainment, through cross-sector collaboration among more than 60 network cities. She also served as a senior research analyst at the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) where she managed several long-term national initiatives.

Harmon spent the first decade of her career in direct service to students, working in administration at post-secondary institutions including Hofstra University, University of Michigan, Western Illinois University, and four years in Athletic Student Services at the University of Iowa.

Harmon holds a PhD in Higher Education and a BA in English from the University of Iowa, and a MA in Student Affairs Administration from Ball State University.

Kent Tong (he/him) is the Programs Manager at OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, where he oversees the organization's youth programs, including high school and college leadership and advocacy trainings, scholarships, and internships. Kent was born and raised in the Greater New Orleans Area to Vietnamese refugee parents. An alumnus from Loyola University New Orleans, majoring in Studio Art and minoring in Film Studies, Kent dedicated his time outside the classroom to various Vietnamese-interest organizations. It's through his experiences as Executive Director of Camp Delta, President of the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations Gulf Coast, and President of the Loyola Asian Student Organization where Kent developed a passion in youth development and programming. Prior to joining OCA, Kent was a volunteer staff member of The 2020 Project, 2017 Jubilee Project Fellow, and 2014 Disney College Program Cast Member. In his free time he enjoys watching movies in theatres, usually one or two every weekend, and writing reviews on his blog. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentdtong/

Taelani Camacho is the Program Coordinator for Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC). As the Program Coordinator, Taelani supports the growth and development of programs for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities through incorporating cultural perspectives that respect Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander histories. Through her experience working with At-Promise populations navigating educational spaces, Taelani is excited to continue her journey uplifting her community. Taelani is committed to raising awareness, advocacy, and efforts surrounding the Pacific Islander Community. 

Taelani is Chamorro, born on the island of Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands raised on the Kumeyaay Lands of San Diego, California. Taelani holds her Master’s Degree in Sociological Practice, and Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and Justice Studies from California State University, San Marcos.

Jimina Afuola currently serves EPIC (Empowering Pacific Islander Communities) as their Advocacy Coordinator. As an advocacy coordinator, Jimina leads EPIC’s policy efforts in CA toward the organization’s mission to promote social justice and increase the political power of NHPI. She is passionate about ensuring that NHPI's are accessing resources and developing a pipeline for the next generation of NHPI leaders.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Jimina and her family later relocated to Sacramento where she attended SCC for 3 years before transferring to UC Riverside. Prior to her role with EPIC, Jimina worked at the API Legislative Caucus as a Senate Consultant.

Sarah is an Outreach and Selection Officer with Schwarzman Scholars, a fully-funded masters program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Sarah has worked in international higher education for almost ten years at Pitzer College in California, and Vassar College and Barnard College in New York. Passionate about global education, she received her masters at Teachers College, Columbia University in International Education Development, where she completed qualitative and quantitative research in Chinese education reform and US higher education.

William Wang is a Manager at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. He leads multiple teams on innovation projects to transform and modernize infrastructure and operations within the agency. Within the transportation community, he serves as the Chair and CEO of the Young Professionals in Transportation International nonprofit organization. At New York University, he majored in Politics with honors and Public Policy through NYU Wagner. He served as Senior Class President and International Relations Society Co-President. He intends to advance regional urban and transportation infrastructure through improved government collaboration and policymaking within North America. William is from the United States.

Jessica is an incoming member of the 7th cohort of Schwarzman Scholars and a lifelong racial and gender justice advocate. For the last three years, she has worked as a social sector consultant at Redstone Strategy Group, she has helped design strategies to expand early childhood development services for families of color in Los Angeles, built a community-led collaborative to address racial health disparities in Brooklyn, launched pilots to expand health care access for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, and has centered the voices of those with lived expertise in the design, implementation, and evaluation of philanthropic initiatives.

She currently serves as a Board Member for the United Nations Women USA San Francisco Chapter and supports advocacy and fundraising efforts to support women’s empowerment initiatives globally. Prior to joining Redstone, Jessica worked in the Office of Governor John Hickenlooper, where she supported the implementation of the Colorado Health IT Roadmap to help alleviate health disparities throughout Colorado.

She is a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder, where she was named Outstanding Graduate of the Year, graduated first in her class, and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship.She is a Colorado native and passionate about cooking (and eating!) good food, traveling, and creating art. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicayan1/ 

Kevan Shah is the Founder and Executive Director of End Overdose Together, a statewide nonprofit that recruits, trains, and mobilizes students to lead workshops on overdose prevention. Kevan has helped shape policies and programs to combat the overdose crisis at Integrity House, New Jersey Reentry Corporation, Opioid Overdose Prevention Network, and St. Luke’s Sacred Heart Hospital. His research and recommendations have been championed by former governors and become the basis of legislation. He received his bachelor’s degree, as a Charles A. Dana Scholar, in Public Health from Muhlenberg College. Kevan hopes to serve as a physician-leader.

Dr. Curtiss Takada Rooks, a professor in Asian and Asian American Studies at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), teaches courses and conducts research on API ethnic community issues, including educational access; community health & wellness; diversity; mixed race & transnational identity; and systems thinking. Dr. Rooks is a senior research associate with the LMU Psychology Applied Research Center and a Senior Fellow with APIA Scholars. In addition to over 100 academic guest lectures, presentations and publications on ethnic community, diversity and multiracial issues, he also brings practical and applied experience to these areas.

Dr. Rika Houston received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine and is a Professor of Marketing in the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Los Angeles where she teaches qualitative marketing research, sustainability marketing, and community-based social marketing. At Cal State LA, she also serves as the Faculty Director of Community Engagement for the Center for Engagement, Service, and the Public Good and as an Advisory Board Member for both the Center for the Study of Genders and Sexualities and the Center for Japanese Studies. With a diverse background that spans the worlds of academia, corporate marketing, consulting, and community engagement, Dr. Houston integrates a wealth of experience to ensure student success.

Alvinnie Kwok is a leadership consultant at Elastic, and a life coach for women of color. She empowers her clients to express themselves authentically and embrace self-advocacy within their personal and professional lives. Outside of work, she loves scenic hikes, boxing, exploring cities, and cafe hopping. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvinniekwok/ 

Amandip Chauhan (she/her) is of Punjabi descent and takes a lot of pride in being a part of the Punjabi community as it is very strong and resilient. She is currently a student at University of the Pacific and is majoring in pharmacy. She hopes to work in underserved communities like the one she grew up in so that health outcomes in those areas improve. She has previously served her very own rural community by being a mentor to first-generation, low-income students who were in the TRiO Upward Bound Program, a program that she also participated in while in high school. She has seen how mentors have made an impact in her educational journey and hopes to make an impact as a facilitator for the Elevating Leaders Summit. 

Anam Khalid is a first generation college student at the University of Arizona studying Nutritional Sciences and is passionate about mental health, advocating for social issues, and supporting her fellow peers succeed in their goals. Throughout her undergraduate experience, she has led various clubs and philanthropy works across campus and hopes to open her own non-profit one day serving the community around her. 

Andre Pak is a first-generation college student at Drexel University studying music business with a minor in marketing. He is an advocate for mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, and Asian representation in the media. He is also passionate about giving back to his community, which granted him opportunities to discuss youth mental health with local newspapers and the United Nations. Throughout his undergraduate experience, he has explored his Cambodian-Vietnamese roots by engaging in such spaces, like the Lunar New Year Festival and Chinatown Night Market, in his hometown of Philadelphia. While Andre is approaching his senior year, he strives to be a source of support and provide valuable insight to incoming students.

Joey Uy is a recent graduate at Columbia University, Teachers College with a Masters in International Education Development. They have experience in nonprofit management, from evaluating the effectiveness of programs, implementing social media campaigns, to policy tracking. Along with working at nonprofits, Joey is also a creative powerhouse, known for creating one-of-a-kind couture pieces using single-use materials and for photographing conceptual photos in ordinary places. Moreover, they are passionate about living life frugally and finding ways to save money. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Joey aspires to work at organizations that allow them to further the advocacy efforts of the queer community and address the needs of LGBTQ+ Asians through data reporting and policy initiatives. 

Noor is a first generation college graduate from Hunter College, having majored in Psychology and minor in Asian American Studies and Chinese. She has actively advocated for language access, more resources for first generation students, mental health and many other social issues. She has taken part in many Hunter HCAP Programs for Asian American students, as well as served as a mentor in Hunter HCAP Peer Mentor program. Noor has also worked as an Outreach Coordinator for NAPAWF, where she recruited and grew the South Asian Canvassing teams, creating translated flyers and facilitated a focus group discussion in Urdu for a first of its kind NAPAWF research project on medication abortion. She is very dedicated to building the power of the AAPI community and hopes to continue finding ways to help the community throughout graduate school.

Living abroad as a military child dependent, Melissa developed a deep passion for building community and serving others. Melissa earned her dual degree in Business Management and Global Studies with a minor in Spanish Language and Cultures at the University of Washington Tacoma. During university, Melissa was heavily involved with her campus’ Asian and Pacific Islander student club. As a second generation Filipino American and first-generation college student who navigated a variety of industries (aerospace, financial institutions, higher education, and nonprofits), Melissa is thrilled to support and guide students in cultivating success in a career they love. Melissa currently works as a Program Manager for a nonprofit that supports students to succeed in college and career in order to build more equitable communities.

Dedicated to closing the gap of achieving higher education, Melvin Nguyen has served as a College Access Mentor for Breakthrough New York, Let’s Get Ready, and Strive for College to support first-generation low-income BIPOC high school seniors navigate the complex college application process. In addition to college access, Melvin is passionate about the power of hands-on learning in kitchen environments, working in the back and the front of restaurants since his high school years. His experience includes working at Haley House, and fellowships with the Edwin Gould Foundation Accelerator and Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars Organization. Melvin graduated from New York University with a major in Hospitality & Tourism, with a concentration in Organizations and Operations and a minor in Food Studies. He currently works as a Program Specialist at Future Chefs and is pursuing his Master’s in Gastronomy at Boston University. 

Hafa Adai yan Tirow! Sami Birmingham-Babauta is a Gates Millennium Scholar (2011) and an Obama Pacific Leader (2020). She graduated with her BS in Kinesiology from California State University, Northridge (2016), her MPH in Global Health from the University of Washington (2022), and will begin her PhD in Public Health at the University of Hawai’i, Mānoa this fall. She worked for five years in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana (CNMI) public health sector and is passionate about decolonizing health services, policies, and research to better represent Pacific Island cultures and knowledge. She is Chamorro and was born and raised on the island of Saipan, CNMI. 

Talofa lava! My name is Tammalivis Salanoa I come from the beautiful island of American Samoa. I am a first generation college graduate from UAA with a bachelor’s degree in digital art and design. I currently work as the program assistant for TRIO Student Support Service at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I help first generation students from economically challenged backgrounds transition to post secondary education. I’m the current title holder of the Alaska State Fair Queen as of 2021. I play a key role in promoting, advocating, and representing the Alaska State Fair in the community. I also help facilitate conversations, and experiences that bridge distance and difference. Share and preserve the stories of people and places across our vast state, and explore what it means to be Alaskan through the Alaska Humanities Forum. I’m an aspiring local artist with plans to share the joys of civic engagement and creative experiences with my local community. I have worked on murals located in downtown Anchorage, collaborated with other local artists on upcoming projects, and strive to be a figure for youth in my community to look up to.

Raised in Orange County, California, Tina Ly (she/hers) is a recent graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles with a major in Statistics and minor in Digital Humanities. Proud to be a first generation student from a low-income background, she designs with a humanistic purpose and has experience working in the public sector, healthcare, and financial technology. She previously worked at the UCLA Institute for Research on Labor and Employment as a Communications Assistant, creating graphics to portray research findings in the community in the most concise and creative way possible. She strives to utilize her user experience design skills to address health inequities and improve educational systems. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, and creating videos. You can always find her drinking matcha drinks or eating fruit. She hopes to share her nontraditional path to design and her experiences navigating her college journey.

Yoo Ra Sung (she/her) is a rising senior at Stanford University pursuing a major in International Relations and a minor in History. She is a first generation college student and proud first generation Korean American immigrant. Yoo Ra is passionate about human rights, transitional justice, and gender equality issues in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in North and South Korea. She has pursued her interests in law, government, and international affairs by interning at a number of organizations in the past three years: at the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, Massachusetts State House Representative Tackey Chan’s Office, Pacific Forum, and most recently, at the Department of State in the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program. At Stanford, Yoo Ra is involved in the Society for International Affairs at Stanford (SIAS), Hoover Student Fellowship Program, Stanford Center for Teaching and Learning, and Stanford Undergraduate Law Review. Yoo Ra was born in Incheon, South Korea, and grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Aloha Kākou! Alana Wilson hails from the rural island of Kauaʻi. She holds a BA in Psychology and is currently a graduate student at Hawaiʻi Pacific University studying Public Health in concordance with being the Lead Researcher for Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) Intergenerational Participatory Action Research (IPAR) project with AAPI Women Lead. After taking time off of her educational journey to be a caregiver for her grandmother in her homeland, she discovered her passions are addressing Gender-Based, Intimate Partner, and Domestic Violence from a non-shaming indigenous worldview and further decolonizing the approach in which these issues are politically addressed for the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) diaspora. In her free time, she substitute teaches and will teach Hawaiian Studies part-time in the local public elementary schools starting Fall 2022. It is an honor for her to have the privilege to further serve the NHPI and Asian communities through the APIA Elevating Leaders Summit and beyond. Mahalo piha, wholehearted gratitude!

Shyam R. Gadwal is the Vice-President of Programs at Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars. APIA Scholars is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to creating opportunities that provide access to higher education and professional success of Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) students. Shyam comes to APIA Scholars having spent almost a decade at Teach For America (TFA) on teams leading teacher training and enterprise initiatives. He served on TFA National’s Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Advisory Committee supporting the leadership development of AANHPI staff and teachers. He has consulted and coached leaders around the world at organizations such as Teach For India, Urban Teachers, and Imaginable Futures. In his free time, he enjoys practicing various types of yoga and riding his motorcycle with his childhood best friend.

Christina Lambert is the new Senior Director of Student Success with APIA Scholars. She was born in South Korea and adopted at 2 years old and was raised in Connecticut with her parents, an older brother, and a bunch of dogs and cats. She attended Wheaton College in Massachusetts to study Sociology, and then earned a Master's degree at Colorado State University in Student Affairs in Higher Education. Professionally, Christina has worked in college access and success, as well as within the community college setting and for an AANAPISI (Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution) grant. You can usually find Christina at live concerts (that ideally end before 10pm because she likes sleep), hanging with her wife and dog in the Bay Area, or trying to find the world’s best sandwich.

Cindy Luo is the Program Associate at APIA Scholars, where she works to support different programming initiatives and academic advising services for students as they navigate their higher education journeys. As a first-generation college graduate, Cindy believes that a commitment to high quality education and college access can be personally transformative while also fueling systemic change. In her role, she strives to help foster a stronger sense of community and belonging for students of all backgrounds while encouraging their identity exploration and leadership development. Cindy brings a global mindset to her work and is also inspired by the power of storytelling, intercultural communication, and language learning. Prior to joining APIA Scholars, she worked at the University of Pennsylvania’s Division of Student Engagement. Cindy also holds a B.A. in Sociology with minors in Asian American Studies and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. In the fall of 2022, Cindy will begin her Masters in Sociolinguistics at Georgetown. 

Justine Suegay is an Elevating Leaders Summit Programs Intern at APIA Scholars. She identifies as a 1.5 generation settler-immigrant from the Philippines, but has considered Northern Virginia home for the past 12 years. She graduated from George Mason University with a double major in Global Affairs and Spanish. There she served on the Immigration Monologues Committee, AAPI Studies Minor Working Group, and was President of the Filipino Cultural Association as well as the Asian Pacific American Coalition. Currently, she is an organizer with Kabataan Alliance DMV with previous involvement with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), and the Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (APAICS). Justine is passionate about Lakers basketball, women’s sports, food sociology, diasporic identities, linguistics & language access, and working towards true liberation for all oppressed peoples. Currently, she is a second year Master's student at the University of Maryland, College Park in the Student Affairs program.