WENDA FONG

CSU Trustee

APAPA-GAC Honorary Chair

CSU Trustee Wenda Fong's family history in Northern California dates back to more than 120 years when her brave grandparents left China. As a Sacramento native, her family's name is embedded in the rich history of the city. In 2024, Sacramento city officials celebrated the Fong family with the grand opening of its newest park and named it Fong Ranch Park. Public service is in Wenda's DNA.

In 2018, Governor Brown appointed Wenda to the CSU Board of Trustees. In 2020, she served as its vice chair and from 2022-2024, she was the first Asian American to serve as chair in this role. Governor Newsom has reappointed Wenda to the CSU Board of Trustees for another term. Prior to entering public service, Wenda has more than 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry and has an impressive list of accomplishments. She holds the dual distinction of being the first person of color and the first woman to have produced the Emmy Awards.

Wenda is a producer, director, creative executive, and community leader. She can claim credit on hundreds of television programs ranging from all-star variety specials, award shows, live spectaculars, sitcoms, talk shows to documentaries and PSAs. Wenda has launched productions across the United States and around the world.

Wenda joined Fox as its first Vice President of Creative Diversity Development in 2001. In 2002, she was appointed to oversee American Idol, which became the historical groundbreaking and ratings phenomenon. In 2003, Wenda was promoted to Vice President of Alternative Entertainment. While at Fox for more than 13 years, she supervised all reality series and specials representing thousands of hours of programming including American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Hell’s Kitchen, MasterChef, and The X Factor to name just a few.

Wenda is co-founder and chairperson emeritus of CAPE, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, the longest-running, largest and most influential organization for AAPIs in the entertainment industry. She was co-founder of Asian Americans for Fair Media, Association of Asian Pacific American Artists board member, co-president of East West Players, and was cofounder of The ACTION Project. Wenda is a member of the Directors Guild of America and is founding co-chair and chairperson emeritus of the DGA Asian-American Committee, a member of the Producers Guild of America and the Television Academy, and past California Humanities board member and co-chair of the Leaders Forum.

CATHRYN RIVERA

Former Newsom Appointments Secretary 2019-2024

APAPA-GAC Advisor

Cathryn Rivera served as Appointments Secretary for California Governor Gavin Newsom from 2019 to 2024, finding the right people with the right skills for over 3,000 positions responsible for governing the 5th largest economy in the world.

Throughout her 25 year tenure at the heart of California’s governance, Cathryn was tapped by governors to serve as a liason to their Cabinet, interface with businesses and industry leaders to address complex challenges,and develop solutions in the face of crisis.

Most recently, Cathryn established two new independent Offices, within the executive branch, including the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, to ensure efforts and actions directed by Executive Order would continue beyond Governor Newsom’s tenure.

Before joining the Newsom Administration, Cathryn served as a Board Member on the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, at the nexus of a critical workforce and the $57 billion agricultural industry. In this role, Ms. Rivera helped develop a level playing field for farmworkers and a regulatory framework for mandatory mediation that survived a decade of legal challenges, including at the Supreme Court of the United States.

From 1999 to 2002, Cathryn was the Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Governor Gray Davis, serving as the Governor’s key liaison to state agencies, departments, and boards. In that role, Cathryn was responsible for the development and implementation of administration policies for the largest, most complex government agencies including Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and Department of Food and Agriculture.

Cathryn also served multiple terms on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, the largest affiliate of the national organization, with 35 health centers in 42 counties across California and Nevada. Cathryn held positions as Treasurer, Vice-Chair and Chair during her tenure on the board.

Cathryn received a B.S. in Business Management from Arizona State University, graduating from The Barrett Honors College. She obtained her law degree from the University of California, Berkeley where she was co-editor-in-chief of the La Raza Law Journal. 

DR. DAVID YEE

Commissioner for CA Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander American Affairs

APAPA-GAC Chair

Dr. David Yee is a sixth-generation Californian and physician, and his family ties to Northern California are part of the region’s history. His great-great-great grandfather, Dr. Yee Fung Cheung, was an herbal doctor in the Gold Country, and his store in Fiddletown, California is a state landmark. 

In 1862, Dr. Yee brewed an herbal remedy that cured California First Lady Jane Stanford of a severe pulmonary illness. A humanitarian and philanthropist, Dr. Yee’s grandfather, Dr. Herbert Yee, was the first overseas Chinese to help build a school and other public works in his family’s village in Toishan, China in 1981.

Dr. Yee graduated Phi Beta Kappa as an undergraduate and completed medical school at the University of California, Davis. During medical school, he obtained a Master of Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley pursuing his interest in cancer epidemiology and healthcare policy. He then completed his residency in urologic surgery and served on faculty at the University of California, Irvine, where he also completed his fellowship training in robotic surgery. In addition, Dr. Yee completed fellowship training in urologic oncology and was a clinical instructor at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.  

Currently, he is the Director of the Urology and Genitourinary Oncology Services at Sutter Roseville Medical Center and serves as a principal investigator of prostate cancer clinical trials at Sutter Health. 

He is also the Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Sutter Roseville Medical Center Foundation and is on the Board of Directors of Sutter Medical Group. An advocate for legislation that places patients first and promotes healthcare to underserved communities, he serves as the President-Elect of the Placer-Nevada County Medical Society and as a California Medical Association Delegate.

Recognized for his leadership and research endeavors in the field of urology and urologic oncology, he has published over thirty peer-reviewed journal articles and serves as a journal reviewer for his field’s leading journals. Concerned with the lack of published health data on Asian Americans, he has presented at international conferences and published his research findings on ethnic disparities in urologic cancer. He was also selected as an American Urological Association International Volunteers in Urology scholar and traveled to Vietnam and Thailand as a visiting surgeon. He serves on clinical faculty at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, and is a physician mentor at the Paul Hom Asian Clinic in Sacramento. He also serves on clinical faculty and as Associate Dean of Clinical Medicine at California Northstate University College of Medicine. In addition, he serves as a member of the California State Railroad Museum Foundation Board and the Sacramento Zoo Board of Trustees.

DR. ETHAN HUYNH

APAPA-GAC Member

CEO, Alpha Medical Healthcare, Inc.

Dr. Ethan Huynh, PharmD is a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary leader whose innovative pursuits span across pharmacy, health and wellness, finance, media, and technology. Combining a deep understanding of market dynamics with a passion for disruptive technologies, Dr. Huynh consistently delivers solutions that enhance quality of life and raise industry standards.

In addition to his entrepreneurial achievements, Dr. Huynh is a committed community advocate, serving on numerous boards and committees where his expertise drives meaningful impact. As a member of the APAPA Government Appointments Committee (GAC), Dr. Huynh upholds APAPA’s mission to advance Asian American and Pacific Islander representation and participation in public service. He diligently fulfills his responsibilities, collaborating with fellow committee members, student interns, community leaders, and sponsors to identify and elevate qualified candidates for government and judicial appointments. Dr. Huynh operates with integrity and accountability, embodying the values of stewardship, teamwork, and professionalism to ensure the GAC’s success.

Dr. Huynh’s dedication extends globally, with active participation in medical missions abroad, where he contributes to leadership development and empowers emerging talent. His role as a mentor is integral, inspiring the next generation of leaders to embrace bold, impactful action while fostering collaboration and innovation.

In the financial services sector, Dr. Huynh focuses on team-building and equipping families with tools for financial independence, reflecting his holistic commitment to uplifting communities. His philanthropic efforts and leadership embody a dedication to driving sustainable, positive change across industries and borders.

Through his diverse endeavors, Dr. Ethan Huynh stands as a respected leader and advocate, committed to advancing opportunity, representation, and progress for all.

MAIHOUA LO

APAPA-GAC Member

Assistant Director of Customer Service & Operations at Chico State University

MaiHoua Lo has dedicated nearly 20 years of her career in the education field and has worked in the financial aid industry to make dreams come true for students who want to pursue a higher education. Currently at CSU Chico, she oversees all customer service operations and financial aid processes in the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office as the Assistant Director.

In addition, as co-founder of the Asian Pacific Islander Council (APIC), MaiHoua has dedicated her time to creating a strong community while offering resources and enhancing the educational opportunities for API students, faculty and staff at Chico State. In essence, she strives to provide a positive environment for API students, faculty, and staff. MaiHoua has held the role of president for two terms and continues to be involved by serving on the planning committee to assist the institution to gain Asian American and Native Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) status.

MaiHoua also has served as an advisor for the Hmong Student Association (HSA) for decades and has mentored many API students for nearly two decades. In 2021 and seeing a need for a local chapter of APAPA to serve the thriving API communities in the North State, MaiHoua cofounded the APAPA Butte County Chapter and has stepped into the role of Vice President.

While public service is important to her, she is also a spiritual woman as she believes it can provide a sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to her community through shared beliefs and practices. MaiHoua is very well-connected with her Hmong community and has volunteered in different capacities such as holding different positions from secretary/treasurer to helping with the Children’s Ministry Department at her local church. Prior voluntary work involves helping organize the Hmong New Year’s events for local organizations. Her true passion is working with API students in higher education, helping to connect them with resources and mentoring them so they can reach their educational goals.

LINDA NG

APAPA-GAC Member

Chair, City of Sacramento Ethics Commission 

Advisory Member, CA Department of Consumer Affairs Professional Fiduciaries Bureau

Linda is a seasoned professional with a career that spans financial and risk management, as well as taxation, in both the private and public sectors. Over the past three decades, she has been deeply committed to community service, finding inspiration and fulfillment in volunteering her time to various causes.

She has served two terms as the National President of OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, a prominent organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. In her leadership role, Linda helped shape national initiatives that promote equity and opportunity.

Linda is also the Chair of the Sacramento City Ethics Commission, where she provides oversight on the ethical conduct of the city's elected and appointed officials. She is an advocate for integrity in public service and plays a critical role in ensuring accountability within local government.

In addition, Linda serves on the Professional Fiduciary Advisory Committee for the Department of Consumer Affairs, where she contributes to consumer protection through the licensing, education, and enforcement of the Professional Fiduciaries Act.

Previously, Linda was appointed by the governor to serve on the Fair Employment and Housing Commission, where she contributed to policy decisions regarding sexual harassment training regulations, advancing fairness and protection in the workplace.

A long-time supporter of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA), Linda has been actively engaged in its educational programs and initiatives since its inception, helping to empower the next generation of leaders.

JACQUI NGUYEN

APAPA-GAC Consultant

Solano Community College Trustee

Co-Chair, Solano County Commission for Women and Girls

Jacqui brings more than two decades of experience from the broadcasting industry as a former television reporter and anchor. She also has experience at the California State Legislature as a Press Secretary. She provides strategic communications planning and engagement for our team. In the APAPA Government Appointments Committee, she provides guidance to AANHPI leaders who are interested in expanding their service to the community. She is the first Asian American to serve on the Solano County Commission on Women and Girls. She also serves on the board of the Asian Pacific State Employees Association (APSEA) and the Greater Sacramento Chapter of APAPA.