NATIONAL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

As the oldest daughter of APAPA Founders, CC & Regina Yin, Mary is committed to continuing her parents legacy with APAPA. Since the organization started in 2001, Mary has served in various roles, including a local chapter leader, treasurer, and event planner. She is committed to leading and building a strong team for APAPA as the organization grows.

As a McDonald's Franchisee, she was elected as the first female and minority President of the Northern CA McDonald's Operators Association. In her prior career, she worked as a Deputy District Attorney. She also served as Vice-President of the Solano County Women Lawyers Association, and was also appointed to the Yolo County Planning Commission. She is the founder of the nonprofit Thriving Pink, and is passionate about giving back to the community.

NATIONAL CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Marilyn manages APAPA’s relationships with policymakers, major sponsors, and key stakeholders. She aims to expand organizational capacity with new partnerships, represents APAPA as a spokesperson and public affairs representative, and is part of the HQ team developing media strategy, chapter support and training, and enhancing operational efficiency. She has experience as staff for a CA legislator, is a First 5 Commissioner and Commissioner for Women and Girls in Contra Costa County, and serves on the Tri-Valley APAPA board. She holds degrees in communications, psychology, and education from Santa Clara University and a Public Leadership Credential from the Kennedy School of Government.

NATIONAL CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER

Andrew works closely with our HQ team to plan core APAPA programs, including the APAPA National Internship Program, APAPA Youth Leadership Academy, Legislative Advocacy Days in California and Washington DC, and community partnerships. Andrew has been an active Davis Chapter board member, and a past APAPA volunteer for over a decade. In his prior career, he worked as a U.S. congressional staffer, and is currently a commercial real estate broker. He also serves on the Economic Development & Housing Commission for the City of West Sacramento, and the Climate Action Commission for Yolo County. Andrew is a Certified Project Manager from Stanford University, and a proud UC Davis alumnus.

NATIONAL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Isa Kelawili Whalen is a well-researched educational and community advocate skilled at exercising longitudinal and cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative research and collaborative projects that center BIPOC and AANHPI equitable policy and social service creation: including climate justice, public safety, diversity in representation, affordable multi-generational housing, K-12 and higher education curriculum, and culturally conscious and accessible healthcare. Isa is an Indigenous Chamoru and Filipina woman raised through the assistance of neighborhood intervention. The collective culture of her upbringing, called inafa'maolek among Chamoru, taught restoration of order through cooperation, reciprocity, and social support. Inafa’maolek has driven Isa to become a transformational leader at APAPA, leading our community-based social services and signature programs. 

CHAPTER ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Melody manages APAPA's digital and social media presence, updates our website, and works closely with chapter leaders to support and coordinate our events and programs. She also played a key role in a historic campaign to elect Sacramento County’s first Asian-American District Attorney Thien Ho. Prior to joining APAPA HQ, she was an APAPA intern for Congressmember Doris Matsui. Melody graduated from UC Berkeley as a political science major.

OFFICE COORDINATOR

Manny is a dedicated and enthusiastic team member who organizes the office and supports our local partnership events.  He also coordinates chapter kits and outreach supplies for our grassroots volunteers. Manny has worked for other nonprofit organizations in the area of advocacy, community relationships, and policy.  He also has extensive administrative experience at a private construction company. 

As a current UC Davis student, Manny is graduating this coming year with a degree in Quantitative psychology and a minor in Neuroscience. He is also a strong writer with a passion for research and public policy.

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

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.

GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSOCIATE

Aaron believes in partnership and collaboration in bringing our community together. He provides graphic design elements for our special events, programs, and newsletters. Aaron has served as a dedicated board member for the APAPA Davis Chapter. He is passionate about community service and volunteers much of his time to help others. Aaron has been recognized as a 'Most Effective Volunteer' by the local newspaper and an 'Outstanding Ambassador' for the local chamber of commerce. He is also the founder of the Davis Communications Guild, and the owner of Smartz Graphics.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Patrick is an experienced manager across multiple industries with a successful business and marketing background. He has an aptitude for team building and utilizing best practices from the private and public sectors. Patrick leads the strategy and detailed planning for the APAPA National Internship Program. He coordinates professional development workshops, community service projects, and research and writing projects for the local diversity caucuses. Patrick is very passionate about advancing the next generation of leaders.

TECHNOLOGY MANAGER

Byron has 35 years of experience in software development and information technology. He works with a team of developers and a large footprint of hosting systems in a SOC3 data center. Byron supports and manages the APAPA database, website, software programs, and secure applications. He is also a dedicated board member of the APAPA Greater Sacramento Chapter. Byron brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to support APAPA and its chapters.

CHAPTER GRANT COMMITTEE

Margaret Liang is deeply involved in the community with a passion for positive and inclusive change. She serves as Board Chair for the APAPA Tri-Valley chapter, and is a board member of the Three Valley Community Foundation. Locally, she serves as a Heritage and Cultural Art Commissioner, as well as an Economic Development Advisor Committee for the City of Dublin, CA. She graduated from UC Davis and has an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley.

CHAPTER GRANT COMMITTEE

Stephen DeGuzman endeavors to lead by example to pay it forward, and has been an avid volunteer for numerous organizations. He is a board member of the APAPA Washington DC Chapter, and has served 21 years on Active Duty with the US Air Force. He has also supported the California Cadet Corps, the Filipino Consulate in Kuwait City, and Habitat for Humanity. Stephen currently serves our country within the Department of Defense as the Chief of Strategic Workforce Design for the United States Space Force Headquarters at the Pentagon.

Several APAPA student interns from Northern California also work at APAPA HQ each week. They provide support in the areas of event planning, student led workshops, and research projects related to our programs. These local college student interns also engage with our chapter leaders and community partners. APAPA interns are an important part of our APAPA HQ Team.