DAY 1
PANELISTS
Breakfast Plenary: Krystal Ka‘ai, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
PANELIST
Krystal Ka‘ai
Executive Director
White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Commissioner Designate
President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Krystal Ka‘ai is the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. In this role, she is responsible for advising the Biden administration on the coordination and implementation of federal programs and initiatives to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities. Prior to joining WHIAANHPI, Krystal worked on Capitol Hill for over a decade, including serving as the Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) for eight years. She previously held positions with the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the State of Hawai‘i, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation. Krystal was born and raised in Hawai‘i and is the first Native Hawaiian to ever lead WHIAANHPI.
Diverse Voices, Better Science: The Imperative of Inclusivity in Clinical Trials
PANELISTS
Fiby Daniel
Senior Associate
Representation in Clinical Research at Amgen
Fiby Daniel is a Senior Associate in Representation in Clinical Research at Amgen, with 4 years of experience in life sciences, including work in academia, healthcare, and community organizations. Her focus has been addressing challenges faced by underserved and underrepresented communities in healthcare. At Amgen, she collaborates with the RISE team to improve diversity and representation in clinical research. Fiby works to embed inclusive research principles across the clinical trial lifecycle and partners with R&D and healthcare communities to advance health equity. She is pursuing an MPH at UNC Chapel Hill, focusing on disease impact in marginalized U.S. communities.
LaShell Robinson
Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Clinical Research
Takeda
LaShell Robinson is the Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Clinical Research at Takeda, leading efforts to ensure equitable trial access. She and her team focus on partnerships, education, and addressing barriers to improve diversity and inclusion in clinical trials. With over a decade of experience, LaShell previously worked at Janssen, supporting DE&I initiatives in trials, including COVID-19 vaccine studies. Her expertise includes patient recruitment, site engagement, and improving the clinical trial experience. A proud alumna of Tuskegee University, her passion for DE&I in research is fueled by her personal experiences and dedication to service.
Dr. Lan N. Ðoàn
Assistant Professor, Department of Population Health
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Center for the Study of Asian American Health
Dr. Lan N. Ðoàn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and part of the Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH). Her research focuses on structural determinants of health, particularly cardiovascular disease and psychosocial factors in minoritized and immigrant communities. She specializes in social epidemiology, data disaggregation, and community-based participatory research. Dr. Ðoàn collaborates with Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities and is a member of the NHPI Data and Research Council. She holds a PhD in Health Promotion and an MPH from Oregon State University and Touro University, respectively.
Dr. Fornessa T. Randal (Moderator)
Executive Director
Asian Health Coalition
Dr. Fornessa T. Randal is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Public Health at Penn State College of Medicine, where she directs the Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities. She is also the Executive Director of the Asian Health Coalition, leading efforts across 43 states. With over 25 years of experience in health systems innovation and minority health planning, she focuses on rural, immigrant, and underserved communities. Dr. Randal serves as PI and Co-investigator on several federally funded programs, including the NIH and NHLBI AANHPI Cohort Study.
AANHPI Sexual Health & Wellness Across the Spectrum: Strategies to Reduce Stigma and Improve Care
PANELISTS
Dr. Rita K. Kuwahara, MD, MIH
Primary Care Internal Medicine Physician
Senior Advisor for Medicine and Health Policy at the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations
Dr. Kuwahara is a primary care internal medicine physician and Senior Advisor for Medicine and Health Policy at the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations. She also serves on the Primary Care Physician Peer Perspective Board at Healio News. She formerly served as Health Policy Advisor in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressional Fellow in the U.S. Senate, and CMS fellow at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. She completed her clinical fellowship in primary care health policy at Georgetown University and cared for patients at a federally qualified health center in Connecticut during her internal medicine residency training. Dr. Kuwahara received her M.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, her Master’s in International Health from the University of Copenhagen, and her undergraduate degree in chemistry and peace and justice studies from Wellesley College.
Dr. Noel B. Ramirez, DBH, MPH, MCSW, LCSW
Founder & Director
Mango Tree Counseling & Consulting
Dr. Ramirez is a certified clinical anxiety treatment professional, trained in relational-psychoanalytic psychotherapy, with a certificate in Clinical Social Work Supervision. Since 2007, he has worked as a social worker and clinician, leading HIV prevention programs and developing recovery-resilience initiatives for federally qualified health centers in the Philadelphia area. Dr. Ramirez also teaches graduate courses in social work at Columbia University and West Chester University, focusing on intersectional approaches to practice. As founder and director of Mango Tree Counseling & Consulting, Dr. Ramirez provides mental health care for Asian & Pacific Islanders and innovative support to Queer BIPOC communities.
Dr. Monica Hahn
Clinical Director
Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center
Dr. Monica Hahn is an Associate Clinical Professor at UCSF, specializing in HIV care and prevention. As Clinical Director of the Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center, she integrates HIV treatment and sexual health into primary care. She co-directs the Family HIV Clinic at San Francisco General Hospital and provides perinatal HIV care at HIVE Clinic. Dr. Hahn also mentors students and leads UCSF’s HIV specialty training program. With a focus on health equity and anti-oppression, her work addresses disparities in communities of color. She holds degrees from UC Berkeley and UCSF, including an MPH and MD/MS.
Fajer Saeed Ebrahim
Senior Policy Manager
NAPAWF
Fajer is the Senior Policy Manager at NAPAWF, leading efforts to advance reproductive justice for AANHPI women and gender-expansive people. With a strong background in legal advocacy, organizing, and policy, Fajer previously served as Senior Advisor at the Coalition to Expand Contraceptive Access, forging key partnerships and expanding contraceptive access. Her work with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders focused on strategic recommendations to improve community services. Fajer has collaborated with state advocates to defend abortion rights, expand immigrant healthcare, and address campus sexual assault. She is Vice Chair of the board of the Guttmacher Institute and holds a J.D. and M.S.W. from Washington University in St. Louis, and a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College.
Adrianna Suluai
Program Director
SPEaC Change
Adrianna is an unapologetic Faʻafafine who made way to the great pacific northwest in 2003 in search of better opportunities. At this time there was no support or space that can help foster her in becoming the woman she felt she was. This is why UTOPIA and its work is extremely important to her. Being a part of its inception in 2009, she is no stranger to the work at UTOPIA. She aims to bring her lived experience with sex work and her background in direct support services to help meet the needs of community. In her free time, she takes to the virtual world in her competitive mode with other LGBTQI+ communities around the world. Her passion fuels her to keep pushing the norm barriers to ensure a better future for her QTPI community.
Ben Cabangun-Hice, MA (Moderator)
Chief of Staff
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
Ben Cabangun-Hice is a problem solver and human-centered design expert who thrives on cultivating creativity with teams. At the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, he co-designs solutions to administrative and operational challenges across programs. Previously, he was the managing director at Capacity for Health, a CDC-funded HIV capacity building program, where he led the development of consulting frameworks and training curricula for public health. Since 2010, Ben has been an active member of the San Francisco HIV Community Planning Council, serving in various leadership roles. He holds a graduate degree from San Francisco State University and is an alum of several leadership programs. Ben enjoys indoor cycling, yoga, and single-origin coffee.
Engaging Gen Z: Best Practices for AANHPI Health Equity
PANELISTS
Carlo Patenia
Program Coordinator
Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership (APPEAL)
Carlo Patenia is an alumni from The University of San Diego and a proud islander from Guam. Organizing in artistic spaces since high school he now specializes in developing and jump starting various creative leadership programs. His passions in social justice range from racial equity to climate justice and is a strong advocate for utilizing art as a voice to create sustainable change. Some of his successful projects include The Collective a Queer anti-tobacco young adult coalition from SAY San Diego, Less Than Three the first multicultural dance team at the University of San Diego, and the young adult coalition United in Hope from APPEAL. With all these projects he hopes to continue inspiring youth and young adults to create impactful change and be leaders for a more equitable future.
Kristen Sze-Tu
Senior Program Coordinator
Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF)
Kristen Sze-Tu is a Senior Program Coordinator at the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF). Since joining the organization in November 2021, Kristen has worked with partner organizations to collaboratively develop and implement Healing Ourselves, Healing Our Communities, a healing-centered workshop series designed to support the mental health of pan-Asian youth. Among other Leadership Development programs, Kristen also supports CACF’s Asian American Student Advocacy Project, an advocacy program for AAPI youth across New York City.
Ji Hae Lee
M.D. Candidate
Stanford University School of Medicine
Ji Hae Lee is a third-year medical student at Stanford University School of Medicine. Born and raised in the culturally diverse milieu of Honolulu, HI, she served as the only native English speaker in her family, which gave her a deep appreciation for the importance of culturally sensitive care. While in medical school, Ji Hae has had the fortune of working with the Center for Asian Health Research and Education and Bay Area community-based organizations, such as APIAHF, focusing on health equity and social justice initiatives. She is dedicated to collaborating with community partners, federal agencies, and academic institutions to address the unique health concerns of AANHPI communities. Her life’s mission is to return to the islands and provide high-quality, compassionate care to the communities that raised her.
John Gutierrez
Program Director
Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA)
John Gutierrez is the Program Director for the Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance’s (OCAPICA) youth development programs, ROOTED and LUNA. ROOTED empowers high school students across Anaheim Union High School District to become active leaders in their communities and future careers. LUNA is a suicide prevention program developing mental health awareness and resource navigation for junior and high school students.
Nancy Tiên (Moderator)
Board Member
Act to Change
With over a decade of experience in education, Nancy Tiên (she/her) is a Board Member with Act to Change, focused on anti-bullying education programming and policy, and a Program Associate with WestEd, specializing in educator training and technical assistance around culturally responsive systems. A child of Vietnamese immigrants, a first-generation college graduate, and former classroom teacher, her passion is to create equitable outcomes and welcoming and affirming spaces and systems for communities of color and marginalized identities.
Addressing Aging and Eldercare in Our Diverse Communities
PANELISTS
Daphne Kwok
Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Asian American & Pacific Audience Strategy
AARP
Daphne Kwok serves as Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Asian American & Pacific Audience Strategy at AARP, bringing her extensive experience in AAPI community leadership. She was appointed by President Obama to chair his Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, focusing on data equity and disaggregation. Her career includes executive roles at various AAPI organizations, including OCA and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies. A Wesleyan University graduate, Kwok was the first Asian American to serve on its Board of Trustees. She continues to serve on multiple advisory councils and boards, including the Amplify AAPI Advisory Council and Committee of 100.
Clayton Fong
President & CEO of NAPCA
National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA)
Senior Executive and Board member in Business, Health, Aging and Government. Previously served as Deputy Assistant to the President in the White House, Deputy Appointment Secretary for the Governor of California, CEO of NAPCA, Executive Vice President and Member of the Board of a NASDAQ listed international energy company. Served on numerous boards including Commissioner of the White House Fellows program, Commissioner of the White House Conference on Aging, US Delegate to the World Assembly on Aging, Chair of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, ITN America, CMS Advisory Panel on Medicare Education, AT&T Advisory panel on Aging and Disability, Washington State Alzheimer’s Association, Board of Visitors of University of Washington School of Nursing. UC Berkeley Bachelors in Health Science, Recipient of the President’s Fellowship Grant. Public Policy Fellow UCSF Institute for Health Policy Studies
Douglas Panto
Community Programs Manager
Southeastern Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association
Douglas Panto is the Community Programs Manager for the Southeastern Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association and works on their Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Community Impact Group. He has dedicated over 20 years to helping families affected by Alzheimer's and Dementia, offering practical knowledge and resource assistance. Douglas serves on the Virginia Peninsula Task Force on Aging and has held positions on various aging-related task forces. He previously chaired the board for the Williamsburg Historic Triangle Senior Center. Douglas resides in Williamsburg, VA with his family.
Seiuli Tiare Chanel
Elders Service Manager/Wellness Navigator
Pacific Islander Community Association of WA
Seiuli Tiare Chanel is a Wellness Navigator and Cultural Weaver, dedicated to supporting her Pacific Islander community by connecting them with vital resources and services. She also creates safe and supportive spaces for Pacific Islander elders. In addition, Seiuli is a committed Community Organizer, working in outreach and advocacy on issues related to sexual assault and domestic violence.
Didier Trinh (Moderator)
National Director
Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC)
Didier Trinh is the National Director at the Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC), advocating for policies that improve aging for diverse communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Previously DEC's Director of Policy and Advocacy, he has extensive experience in shaping policy priorities and elevating diverse older adults' visibility in public policy discussions. His background includes leading advocacy efforts for small businesses during the pandemic and managing a coalition focused on U.S. foreign assistance. Didier's career, which began on Capitol Hill, spans domestic and international issues with a focus on community-led and equity-based approaches. As the son of elder immigrant parents, he is deeply committed to DEC's mission and growth.
Lunch Plenary: Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
PANELIST
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure
Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure is the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), overseeing Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and the ACA health insurance Marketplaces. A key figure in the passage and implementation of the ACA, she has extensive experience in federal government and the private sector. Brooks-LaSure previously led ACA implementation as deputy director for policy at CMS and director of coverage policy at the Department of Health & Human Services. Earlier, she worked on health care laws like the Medicare Improvements Act as part of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee staff. She began her career at the Office of Management and Budget, focusing on Medicaid and CHIP. In 2023, she was named Modern Healthcare’s most influential person in health care and included in Time’s 100 most influential global health leaders. Brooks-LaSure is committed to advancing health equity and improving access to care for underserved populations. She holds degrees from Princeton and Georgetown University and is married with one daughter.
Medicare As We Know It: How the Inflation Reduction Act Enhanced Opportunities for AANHPI Seniors
PANELISTS
Liza Emma Laguana Merrill
Community Health Worker
Lead Health Care Enrollment Navigator
Outreach and Training Manager
Asian Pacific Community in Action
Liza Merrill is a Certified Community Health Worker and Lead Healthcare Enrollment Navigator at Asian Pacific Community in Action in Phoenix, Arizona. She helps individuals from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and refugee communities enroll in affordable healthcare and find medical homes. Liza is trusted by diverse communities for her outreach work and promotes culturally competent healthcare. She values cultural humility and continuously learns from the communities she serves. Originally from Guahan, Liza is supported by her husband, Paul, and their four children and seven grandchildren.
Andrea Harris
Director of Policy Programs
Protect Our Care
Andrea Harris has 15 years of experience in federal health policy and has held senior roles in the legislative and executive branches. She most recently served as Chief of Staff to Rep. Lauren Underwood, a nurse and health policy expert, helping enact legislation to lower health care and prescription drug costs, and improve maternal health outcomes and end disparities. During the Obama Administration, Andrea served as Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary for Health and Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary for Legislation at HHS, helping implement the Affordable Care Act and fund family planning programs. She began her career in public service working on the Affordable Care Act, women’s health, and children’s health as an aide to Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairmen Ted Kennedy and Tom Harkin. Andrea earned a Master’s degree in health policy and economics from the London School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree from UCLA.
Dr. Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD
Deputy Administrator and Director
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD is a healthcare executive, physician, and health policy expert with a strong background in health economics. She most recently served as Vice President of Clinical Care Transformation at MedStar Health, where she led nationally recognized population health and value-based care initiatives. Previously, Dr. Seshamani was Director of the Office of Health Reform at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, overseeing Affordable Care Act implementation. She holds a B.A. from Brown University, an M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Health Economics from the University of Oxford, where she was a Marshall Scholar. Dr. Seshamani completed her residency at Johns Hopkins and practiced as a head and neck surgeon.
Sohini Gupta, J.D. (Moderator)
Executive Vice President
Government Affairs & Innovations at AHIP
Sohini Gupta, J.D., is Executive Vice President, Government Affairs & Innovations at AHIP. In this role, she leads AHIP’s advocacy teams in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 states, engaging with legislators and policymakers on matters impacting coverage, care, and patient outcomes. Gupta joins AHIP with 25 years’ experience in policymaking, advocacy, and strategic engagement with the government. She has served as a Senate Health and Social Policy Counsel and as a lobbyist, consultant, and strategist for payers and providers and for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, health, technology, and financial services companies. Gupta has held government affairs leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group; WellCare, which was acquired by Centene; the American Hospital Association; and Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas. Gupta joins AHIP from Global Medical Response, where she led government affairs for the nation’s largest ground and air emergency response company. She earned her undergraduate degree from Butler University and a J.D. from Indiana University.
NHPI Health Priorities Post-Covid
PANELISTS
Bernice Musrasrik
Project Coordinator
Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services FQHC
Bernice Musrasrik is a Project Coordinator at Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services FQHC in Honolulu. She recently completed a $2M HRSA virtual care project, "Optimizing Virtual Care," which improved virtual care, communications, data integration, telehealth rooms, and digital equity. With 8 years at KKV, Bernice has contributed to programs like ROOTS, Hui Hoaka, and Hoʻoulu ʻAina, focusing on food systems, SDOH support, and integrating land and culture into healthcare.
Dr. Kayla Titialii-Torres, PhD
Program Analyst/Health Communications Specialist, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health Research Office, National Institutes of Health
Dr. Kayla Titialii-Torres is a Program Analyst/Health Communications Specialist at the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Health Research Office, NIH. She focuses on NHPI health disparities, researcher development, and partnerships with academic institutions and NHPI-serving organizations. Previously, she was an iCURE Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Cancer Institute and a Health Policy Analyst at the National Human Genome Research Institute, specializing in policy and legislative work. With over a decade of experience in science communication, community engagement, and professional development for underrepresented populations, she is passionate about advancing NHPI health.
Ofa Matagi
Executive Director
Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition
Ofa was appointed Executive Director of the Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition in Fall 2023. She also serves as Environmental Justice Project Manager at the University of Utah's Neighborhood Partners. Ofa has over a decade of experience in advocacy and community-building, including roles at Utah Clean Energy and various leadership positions with organizations such as the YWCA of Salt Lake and the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander State Caucus. She is a former candidate for Utah House of Representatives HD33 and continues to actively support civic engagement and women's leadership.
Ualani Ho`opai
Executive Director
Pacific Islander Health Partnership (PIHP)
Ualani Ho`opai was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai`i and has been living on the continent for the last 30 years in New York, North Carolina, Illinois, and now California. After a 20+ year career in the clothing industry, Ualani returned to higher education to attain a Master of Public Health degree to support the transition into the non-profit health arena. Currently serving as the first Executive Director of Pacific Islander Health Partnership (PIHP) since 2021, Ualani is focused on continuing the work of PIHP’s 20-year legacy to uplift and connect the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities to overall health and wellness.
Dr. Kealoha Fox, PhD, MA (Moderator)
Director of Health Equity
AlohaCare
Dr. Kealoha Fox is a practitioner-scientist from Hawai‘i specializing in Indigenous innovation and health equity. As the Director of Health Equity at AlohaCare, she leads efforts focused on social determinants of health. A 2017 PhD graduate from the University of Hawai‘i, she advances culturally effective public health initiatives in the Pacific. She co-authored Mana Lāhui Kānaka and Haumea, books centered on Indigenous resilience and women's health. Dr. Fox is also a climate change expert, serving as a Commissioner for Honolulu and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. She sits on several boards, including the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum. Among her many accolades, she has been recognized as an Obama Foundation Leader Asia Pacific and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeeper. Trained in ancient healing practices, she remains committed to social justice, mentoring, and protecting Oceania.
Afternoon Plenary: Schuyler Bailar, author of He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters.
PANELIST
Schuyler Bailar
Advocate, Educator, Author
Schuyler Bailar is an educator, advocate, and bestselling author of He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters. He is also the first openly transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA Division 1 men’s team. Originally recruited to swim for Harvard women’s swimming, Schuyler eventually decided to swim for the men’s team. His story hit Facebook’s top trending news and has been recounted in hundreds of media outlets from the Washington Post to the Ellen Show and the Olympic Channel. Schuyler’s athletic performance and intersectional social justice advocacy has earned him numerous and diverse awards throughout the years – from a multi-time All-American swimmer and national record breaker in high school to being named to the Out100, Forbes 30 Under 30, and LGBTQ Nation’s Instagram Advocate of the Year. Schuyler is here today to share his journey, insights, and perspectives. He will start by telling us his story, and then open up for discussion – so get your questions ready. Please join me in welcoming Schuyler Bailar.
Mental Health Across Generations
PANELISTS
Anita Gundanna
Co-Executive Director
Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF)
Anita Gundanna Co-Executive Director of CACF since 2017, has dedicated her career to preventing violence against women and children, particularly in minority and immigrant communities in New York City. She holds a PhD from Columbia University School of Social Work, conducts research on organizations and social movements, and teaches program evaluation and advocacy. Anita previously worked as a consultant for non-profit organizations and held positions at the Fund for Social Change and Womankind. She also worked at CACF from 2001-2004 in child welfare policy advocacy for Asian American and immigrant communities. Anita holds degrees from Duke University and Columbia University, and resides with her family in South Orange, NJ.
Thanh Bui
Community Outreach Manager
Austin Asian Community Health Initiative (AACHI)
A project manager as well as a personnel manager, Thanh Bui wears multiple hats as AACHI’s Community Outreach Manager. From building organizational processes and policies to coordinating community events, she has created a standard placing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Accessibility (IDEA) at the forefront. Thanh also oversees the maintenance of AACHI’s online mental health directory and strategizes for collaborations and community engagement. With 5+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector serving marginalized communities and 10+ years of creating materials for the public, Thanh works at the intersection between health, culture, progress, and service. In her free time, she is an actor and writer.
Phuong Do, LICSW
Co-owner
New Path Counseling LLC
Phuong Do, an LICSW in MA and LCSW in CT, immigrated from Vietnam as a teenager and holds degrees from Siena College and Smith College. With over 20 years of experience, she provides therapy to diverse communities, utilizing various approaches including Mindfulness, CBT, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy. Phuong believes in supporting clients to find their inner strength and tailors her expertise to meet their needs. She has volunteered extensively with the Vietnamese American community, leading workshops and teaching classes. Phuong is co-owner of New Path Counseling LLC, serving individuals and families in MA and CT.
Dr. Pata Suyemoto
Associate Director
Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention (MCSP)
Dr. Pata Suyemoto, a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, is a multifaceted professional serving as the Associate Director of Equity for MCSP. She also leads initiatives in AANHPI mental health and suicide prevention, co-authoring a racial equity toolkit and speaking openly about her lived experience with mental health challenges. Pata holds leadership roles in various mental health organizations and committees, including chairing SPRC's Lived Experience Advisory Committee. In 2024, she received the American Association of Suicidology's Transforming Lived Experience Award. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Pata is also known for riding her bicycle across the country in 2012.
Krystle Canare (Moderator)
Deputy Director
The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
Krystle Canare, a Filipina American with mental health experience, is Deputy Director of NAAPIMHA, promoting mental health for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Her career spans roles in various mental health organizations and government initiatives. Currently, she co-chairs the Health Committee for the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans and advises the Filipino Young Leaders Program Tayo. Krystle's work is informed by her heritage as a descendant of Filipino immigrants. She lives as a digital nomad, traveling the US in an RV with her partner and dog.
Health Equity Through Language Access and Cultural Understanding
PANELISTS
Clark Lee
Senior Advisor
Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Clark Lee is a Senior Advisor at the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Administration, he was a public affairs consultant and lawyer, advising on advocacy, civic engagement, and civil rights. He has worked as general counsel for a voter engagement nonprofit and held various leadership roles, including directing efforts for two Democratic National Conventions and serving on Los Angeles County commissions. Clark holds a B.A. in Government from Claremont McKenna College and a J.D. from Southwestern Law School.
Tuyet Tran
Executive Director
Southeast Asian Coalition of Massachusetts (SEACMA)
Tuyet Tran, a refugee from Vietnam, holds a master’s degree in social work from Boston College and a bachelor's in psychology from Emmanuel College. With 30 years of leadership in public health and social services, she served as Director of Integrated Care at Community Healthlink for 18 years and was recognized as a "40 Under 40" rising star by the Worcester Business Journal. For the past 5 years, Ms. Tran led the Community Partner Program at the Behavioral Health Partners of Metrowest, designing a multiregional care coordination program. She has lived in Worcester since 2000 and was instrumental in founding SEACMA, where she now returns as Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter.
Dr. Cindy Hou
Infection Control Officer and Medical Director of Research
Jefferson Health
Dr. Cindy Hou is the Infection Control Officer and Medical Director of Research at Jefferson Health in New Jersey, where she leads initiatives in antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention, and sepsis efforts. She is the Principal Investigator for Project ROLE, a federally funded program aimed at improving language access and health equity. Dr. Hou also leads the system’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee and collaborates on CDC Project FirstLine to educate nurses on infection prevention. She has received numerous awards, including national recognition as a Hero of Infection Prevention and ACOI’s Researcher of the Year. Dr. Hou co-edited the book COVID-19 Viral Sepsis and is the Chief Medical Officer for Sepsis Alliance. She enjoys traveling and exploring foodie destinations with her husband Brian.
Sheri-Ann Daniels, EdD, CSAC
Executive Director
Papa Ola Lōkahi
Sheri-Ann Daniels assumed the helm of Papa Ola Lōkahi in 2016. Born and raised on Maui, Dr. Sheri-Ann Daniels is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama campus. She holds degrees in the field of counseling psychology and has several license certifications. She has more than 25 years of experience in social services programs across Hawai’i in both the non-profit and government sectors. She was recognized in 2014 with the Maui County Women of Excellence award. Other awards include the Pacific Business News – 40 under 40 (2010) and Ka Ipu Kukui Fellow (2008). She is actively involved in various community organizations on Maui, including Hawaiian Language education.
Thuy Do (Moderator)
Senior California Program Manager
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center
Thuy is SEARAC’s Senior California Program Manager and works to provide thought partnership and execute SEARAC’s state-level programming focused on advancing education, immigration and health for Southeast Asian American communities through data disaggregation and language access. She is responsible for managing coalitions, cultivating strong relationships, building capacity of community leaders through engagement and mobilization, and organizing events and campaigns. Thuy holds a Master of Public Health from San Diego State University (SDSU) and is a UC Santa Barbara alumnus. Thuy is a proud 1.25 generation Vietnamese-American and currently resides in Sacramento with her husband and two rescue dachshund terriers. In her free time she enjoys guiding yoga, taking indoor cycling, and rock climbing.
Insights into Oncology: Addressing Cancer Disparities
PANELISTS
Dr. Kimlin Tam Ashing
Professor
Beckman Research Institute and Associate Cancer Center Director at City of Hope Medical Center
Dr. Kimlin Tam Ashing is a Professor at the Beckman Research Institute and Associate Cancer Center Director at City of Hope Medical Center. She leads community outreach and engagement efforts, collaborating with BIPOC, multidisciplinary, and multisectoral partners to conduct culturally responsive research. Her work focuses on health equity, cancer survivorship, and translating research into public benefit. Dr. Ashing plays a leadership role in organizations like the American Association for Cancer Researchers and the NIH-funded African-Caribbean Cancer Consortium. She is co-Principal Investigator of the iCCaRE Consortium, improving survivorship care for Black men. Globally recognized for her work on health disparities, she has published over 120 articles and co-authored Detecting and Living with Breast Cancer: for Dummies. Her mission-driven research honors her Cantonese father and Afro-Caribbean mother, both cancer survivors.
Dr. Salma Shariff-Marco
Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics
University of California San Francisco
Dr. Salma Shariff-Marco is a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). She is also a co-director of the Biostatistics & Population Research Shared Resource for the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCSF as well as a Co-Investigator of the Greater Bay Area Cancer Registry. Trained as a social and behavioral scientist, Dr. Shariff-Marco’s research portfolio aims to understand and address the roles of structural and social drivers of health in shaping and perpetuating health disparities. One main area of focus is on place and health, evaluating how neighborhood characteristics (e.g., social, built, and physical environment attributes) and geographic variation may shape cancer-related health behaviors, risks, and outcomes. Dr. Shariff-Marco is leading studies investigating the impact of residing in ethnic enclaves on cancer outcomes and the impact of structural racism on mortality. Along with Drs. Scarlett Gomez and Iona Cheng, Dr. Shariff-Marco will be leading the first national cancer epidemiology cohort study exclusively focused on Asian Americans.
Nishith Pandya
Director, Federal Relations
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Nishith Pandya is the Director of Federal Relations at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, focusing on FDA and tobacco issues. Prior to joining ACS CAN, Nishith spent nearly 16 years on Capitol Hill working for former Rep. Bobby L. Rush (IL-01), where he most recently served as Chief of Staff. During his time in Rep. Rush's office, Nishith worked on a variety of issues related to the Energy and Commerce Committee, including legislative and regulatory efforts to limit menthol and other flavors in tobacco products, regulate e-cigarettes, and address the impact of environmental pollution and tobacco use on asthma rates. He also led efforts on prostate cancer prevention and insulin affordability. Nishith is from the Chicago, Illinois area and is a proud alum of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Karen Kwok, MSN, FNP-BC, MPH (Moderator)
Associate Investigator
FDA/NIH role in Digital Oncology Studies
Karen is an advocate, educator, and collaborator in public health and family nursing. With over 20 years committed to patient health advocacy, she serves as an appointed DC Commissioner for Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs, a Nurse Practitioner in her local community, and an Associate Investigator in her FDA/NIH role in Digital Oncology Studies. Her areas of scholarship include improving access to primary health care and community-based partnership development with recognition from Robert Wood Johnson, Bill and Melinda Gates Institute, California Governor Gray Davis, President Obama, and Fulbright Specialist for her service. Her broader vision of public health programs derived from providing clinical services for communities of color, developing the public health leadership pipeline with diverse communities, and evaluating health systems strengthening projects in Latin America, Central and Southeast Asia, and Africa.
DAY 2
PANELISTS
Civic Engagement Part A: Making Our Ballots and Voices Count
FACILITATORS
Bob Sakaniwa
Director of Policy and Advocacy
APIAVote
Bob Sakaniwa is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at APIAVote, bringing years of experience from working in Congress and with civil rights and immigrant rights organizations. He has deep insight into the workings of the House and Senate and advocates for civil rights and immigration reform. Previously, Bob worked on immigration policy at the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Japanese American Citizens League. He has been instrumental in building coalitions with organizations representing diverse interests in immigration policy. Bob’s extensive background in legislative work makes him a key player in shaping policies that impact the AAPI community. He holds a B.A. from Middlebury College and a J.D. from Loyola Law School..
Kyle Van Fleet
Anti-Disinformation Project Manager
APIAVote
Kyle Van Fleet monitors online threats and manages efforts to counter disinformation at APIAVote. A 2019 graduate of James Madison University with a B.A. in International Affairs, Kyle has experience in the counter-disinformation space and congressional offices. He supports APIAVote’s Policy and Communications teams in addressing misinformation targeting AAPI communities. Kyle’s passion for safeguarding democracy fuels his dedication to combating digital threats. Outside of work, he enjoys photography, collecting vinyl records, and traveling.
Non-Profit Best Practices Part A: Fundraising and Compliance for 501c3s & 501c4s
FACILITATOR
Hannah Zlotnick
Hannah Zlotnick Consulting LLC
Hannah Zlotnick (she/her) provides services to mission-driven organizations. Her nearly 20-year career in the social impact sector has involved nearly equal parts nonprofit compliance and fundraising. Her current consulting services focus on areas such as U.S. tax exempt law, the Lobbying Disclosure Act, and state/local lobbying regulations. She is adept at distilling complex compliance requirements into processes and procedures that are easy for staff to understand and manage, allowing them to focus their full attention on the crucial program work that advances their missions.
Racism, Equity and Beyond
FACILITATORS
Yvette Leung, MPH, ORSCC
y’s change
Yvette Leung, MPH, ORSCC is an organizational coach and systems change agent, and has led y’s change since 2012, coaching individuals and teams on equity and collaborative leadership. With previous roles at Alameda County Health Care Services and Contra Costa Health Services, she is known for spearheading large-scale, multi-sector strategic planning efforts. Her experiences as a health translator for her immigrant parents shaped her deep listening skills, a key element in her work. Yvette has tirelessly worked to amplify the voices of students, residents, and service providers in public forums. As a coach and facilitator, she leads complex discussions on race, bias, and leadership, helping her clients embrace their power. Yvette holds an MPH from UC Berkeley and certifications in Organizational & Relationship Systems Coaching and conflict mediation.
James Lin
Founding Director
GLIDE’s Center for Social Justice
James Lin grew up in both the San Francisco Bay Area and in central Massachusetts, with shorter stints in Portland Oregon and Heidelberg, Germany. He worked at the intersection of human services and social justice for 18 years at the GLIDE Foundation in San Francisco, where he was the founding director of GLIDE’s Center for Social Justice, co-led its Human Resources and Organizational Integration team, and oversaw the iconic GLIDE Memorial Church. In the community, James facilitates an interpersonal dynamics course at Stanford Business School, anti-racism groups with the UNtraining, and retreats at radical faerie gatherings. He has worked as a doorman, a school teacher, and at a biotech startup. He has an A.B. in Molecular Biology from Princeton University and did doctoral work in Germanic Languages and Literatures at Harvard University. James lives in Oakland, California.
Civic Engagement Part B: AANHPI Voices Beyond Election Day
FACILITATORS
Naomi Tacuyan Underwood
Executive Director
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
Naomi Tacuyan Underwood is the Executive Director of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), a national membership nonprofit advancing diversity in newsrooms, and ensuring fair and accurate coverage of communities of color. Naomi has nearly two decades of experience in nonprofit management, coalition and stakeholder engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact-oriented program development and management. Her career has been built on empowering communities and building capacity for successful and effective civic engagement partnerships and coalitions. Through this work of empowering AAPIs and capacity building and strategic positioning of AAPI organizations and their efforts, Naomi has helped increase the visibility and the civic potential of the AAPI community. Prior to AAJA, she served as Director of Programs at The Faith & Politics Institute, where she crafted programs to foster bipartisanship on Capitol Hill. Previously, she served as legislative staff for Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo, where her portfolio included territorial issues, natural resources and the environment, and AAPI issues. Naomi's prior experiences include political and constituency outreach at the Democratic National Committee, where she developed and implemented comprehensive national outreach and voter contact plans for the 2010 and 2012 elections, as well as having served as Deputy Director for APIAVote overseeing training, capacity building, outreach and voter contact, and media efforts for the 2008 presidential election. APIAVote built capacity and mobilized partners across 14 states to turn out AAPI voters in 2008. Naomi is a Filipina immigrant who grew up on the island territory of Guam. She received her Master of Public Policy from UCLA, and her undergraduate degree in Journalism and A/P/A Studies from NYU.
Nisha Ramachandran
Executive Director
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)
Nisha Ramachandran is the Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), chaired by Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28). She is the first South Asian American to serve in this role. She served as Policy Director for the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) and as an APAICS fellow in the office of Congressman Ami Bera (CA-06). Before joining CAPAC, she managed her own consulting business that focused on AANHPI federal advocacy.
Christine Chen
Co-founder and Executive Director
APIAVote
Christine Chen is the co-founder and Executive Director of APIAVote, dedicated to empowering AAPI communities through civic engagement. Under her leadership, APIAVote expanded to 29 states and played a pivotal role in mobilizing AAPI voters in the 2020 election. Christine's efforts resulted in the first-ever direct engagement of a presidential nominee with the AAPI electorate. She has also been a driving force in training and resourcing community leaders across the country. Christine has served on numerous boards, including the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and was a 2022 Resident Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. She continues to serve on various advisory boards and committees.
Non-Profit Best Practices Part B: Building Robust Nonprofit Operational Frameworks
FACILITATORS
Shobhana Johri Verma
South Asian American Policy and Research Institute
Shobhana brings to the South Asian American Policy and Research Institute a unique blend of public policy, outreach, advocacy and public relations experience. Most recently she has built and also led one of the first and most effective South Asian Voter Engagement Programs at the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners that has helped unprecedented numbers of South Asian Americans in the city exercise their right to vote by participating in the electoral process. Prior to joining the Chicago Election Board, Shobhana held numerous roles as a researcher, educator and journalist advocating for environmental causes and gender and immigrant interests, including challenging roles supporting victims of sexual exploitation, human trafficking and domestic violence. She has written for and been published in both the digital and print media in both, the United States and India. Shobhana holds two Masters Degrees in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Cincinnati and Lucknow University. She is a certified Sexual Violence Prevention Educator and is trained in Medical and Legal Advocacy. She is a past student board member of the Cincinnati Chapter of Planned Parenthood. Shobhana was recently appointed to the Asian American Family Commission by the Illinois Senate President. The commission advises the governor, General Assembly and state agencies how to best improve and expand services and opportunities for Asian American families in Illinois. A former member of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council on Equity that advises the Mayor and City Council of Chicago on policy matters regarding civil rights issues, Shobhana is currently a member of the Chicago Mayor’s Office AAPI Community Engagement Council; the Language Access Advisory Committee and the Chicago Committee on Asian and Pacific Islander Hate Crimes. Shobhana has been an active and trusted leader within the South Asian American community in the Greater Chicago Area and as SAAPRI’s Executive Director, she looks forward to continuing her work as a researcher, organizer, and strategist on a wide range of human rights and social justice issues with diverse and collaborative coalitions in Chicago and beyond.
Ben Cabangun-Hice, MA
Chief of Staff
San Francisco AIDS Foundation
Ben Cabangun-Hice is a problem solver and human-centered design expert who thrives on cultivating creativity with teams. At the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, he co-designs solutions to administrative and operational challenges across programs. Previously, he was the managing director at Capacity for Health, a CDC-funded HIV capacity building program, where he led the development of consulting frameworks and training curricula for public health. Since 2010, Ben has been an active member of the San Francisco HIV Community Planning Council, serving in various leadership roles. He holds a graduate degree from San Francisco State University and is an alum of several leadership programs. Ben enjoys indoor cycling, yoga, and single-origin coffee.
