Three New Leaders Join APAPA Committee
Published for Immediate Press Release on January 7, 2025
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) announces the appointments of three well-known and respected women leaders in California who will join its Government Appointments Committee (GAC) in January 2025. California State University Trustee Wenda Fong has been named GAC honorary chair, former Appointments Secretary for the Newsom Administration Cathryn Rivera will serve as GAC advisor, and OCA National Past President Linda Ng will join as GAC committee member.
Click here to learn more about the three new GAC members, the current committee, and its achievements. The APAPA-GAC is a volunteer-led committee who is committed to ensuring that various levels of state government have a diverse voice. In 2024, the committee has achieved nine gubernatorial appointments, including two judicial appointments.
“APAPA welcomes these incredible three leaders who are respected in their fields and in our community,” said C.C. Yin, Founder of APAPA. “With their knowledge, leadership, and deep commitment to public service, GAC will continue to do amazing work in 2025 and will create opportunities for AANHPI community leaders who are interested in public service.”
CSU Trustee Fong will step into her new role as GAC honorary chair in 2025. Appointed in 2018, Governor Newsom reappointed her for a second term in 2024. Fong is the first Asian American to chair the board of trustees from 2022-2024 and with more than 40 years of experience in the entertainment industry, she also holds the dual distinction of being the first person of color and the first woman to have produced the Emmy Awards.
“I am pleased to join such a wonderful organization who is deeply committed to providing a voice for our community,” said Honorary Chair Wenda Fong. “GAC has been doing incredible work over the past two years and has achieved excellent results. I look forward to us making an even more significant difference for the AANHPI community.”
Rivera served in the Newsom Administration as the Appointments Secretary from 2019-2024. During her time with the Newsom Administration, Rivera’s leadership built an inclusive administration reflecting California’s diverse state.
“I am honored to join GAC in this newly-created role as its advisor,” said GAC Advisor Cathryn Rivera. “I look forward to sharing my experience and shared commitment to diversity to build on the foundation the current committee has achieved.”
Ng retired in 2018 after 20 years in state service but has continued to serve the community, including being appointed to the Sacramento Ethics Commission where she is the current chair. For than a decade, Ng also has served in various leadership positions for OCA with the most recent as its National Past President.
“I am honored to join GAC to share my experience and open doors for others who want to serve,” said GAC Committee Member Linda Ng. “Public service has been rewarding and meaningful work for me and I am eager to work with fellow committee members to build a stronger AANHPI presence within local and state government.”
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APAPA, founded in 2001, has grown into a nationwide organization with chapters across the country, from Sacramento to Washington, D.C. with the national headquarters located in Sacramento. We are a community-based, non-profit, non-partisan organization focused on increasing API leadership and civic engagement at the local, state, and national level through voter registration and education, internships, and civic leadership programs.