Community in the Capital (CITC) is a policy advocacy fellowship for staff at National CAPACD member organizations. CITC aims to bridge the gap between local and federal policy advocacy. CITC Fellows:
National CAPACD has trained nearly 150 leaders from across the country representing 50 different AA and NHPI community-based organizations over the past 15 years through CITC. We’re proud to see that CITC alumni are becoming leaders in their respective fields, growing strong peer relationships, serving on National CAPACD’s Board of Directors, or becoming policymakers themselves.
Jimina Afuola (She/Her), Advocacy Coordinator, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) (Los Angeles, CA)
Jason Bautista (He/They), Community & Civic Engagement Associate, Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC) (Los Angeles, CA)
Avi Gandhi (She/Her), Senior Community Planner, Chinatown Community Development Center (Chinatown CDC) (San Francisco, CA)
Paying Her (She/Her), Building Community Program Manager, Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM) (Fresno, CA)
Avalon Igawa (They/She), Community Engagement Specialist, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) (Los Angeles, CA)
Susi Feltch-Malohifoʻou (She/Her), Chief Community Engagement & Development Officer, Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR) (Salt Lake City, UT)
Urgen Sherpa, (He/Him), Senior Small Business Organizer, Chhaya CDC (Jackson Heights, NY)
Wenyan Wang (She/Her), Research Analyst, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) (Chicago, IL)
Caroline Calderon, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) (Los Angeles, CA)
Emma Ishida, Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) (Boston, MA)
Naomi Jia, MidTown Cleveland, Inc. (Cleveland, OH)
Frank Lee, 85 Community Development Corporation (85 CDC) (Atlanta, GA)
Derek Lum, InterIm Community Development Association (InterIm CDA) (Seattle, WA)
Monica Lapa, UTOPIA Washington (Kent, WA)
Pa Houa Vang, Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM) (Fresno, CA)
Grace Chan McKibben, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) (Chicago, IL)
Mimi Cheung, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE) (Los Angeles, CA)
Celina Fernando, Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) (Boston, MA)
Yasue Katsuragi-Clark, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) (Los Angeles, CA)
Wanna Lei, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) (Portland, OR)
David Li, Chinese American Service League (CASL) (Chicago, IL)
Jim Nguyen, The Alliance (Houston, TX)
Fahad Rumi, South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) (Queens, NY)
Sayon Syprasoeuth, United Cambodian Community (UCC) (Long Beach, CA)
Karis Tzeng, MidTown Cleveland, Inc. (Cleveland, OH)
Sina Uipi, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) (Los Angeles, CA)
Rosaline Yang, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) (Philadelphia, PA)
Lamei Zhang, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) (Philadelphia, PA)
Weiying Zhang, Chinese American Service League (CASL) (Chicago, IL)
Aian Mendoza, AYPAL (Oakland, CA)
Chrissy Sam, Khmer Girls in Action (Long Beach, CA)
Farzana Linda, Chhaya CDC (Jackson Heights, NY)
Frances Huang, Chinese-American Planning Council (New York, NY)
Journey Chen, Asian Community Development Corporation (Boston, MA)
Kristina Doan, CAPI USA (Brooklyn Center, MN)
Lamei Zhang, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (Philadelphia, PA)
Nikki Sutton, Little Tokyo Service Center (Los Angeles, CA)
Seema Choudhary, South Asian Youth Action (Queens, NY)
William Oh, HANA Center (Chicago, IL)
An Huynh, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation & Development Authority (Seattle, WA)
Carro Hua, Vietnamese American Initiative for Development (Dorchester, MA)
Jeena Hah, Asian Community Development Corporation (Boston, MA)
Manisha Lance, Raksha, Inc. (Atlanta, GA)
Seema Ahesan, Muslim Women Resource Center (Chicago, IL)
Sophanarot Sam, Southeast Asian Community Alliance (Los Angeles, CA)
Tong Thao, Asian Economic Development Association (Saint Paul, MN)
Vicki-Ann Paresa, Hawaiian Community Assets (Honolulu, HI)
Jordyn Danner, Program Manager, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (Kapolei, HI)
Lily Hu, Resident Services Manager, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (Oakland, CA)
Lehua I, Asset Building and Youth Program Coordinator, Hawaiian Community Assets (Honolulu, HI)
Matthew Ides, Director of Economic and Community Development, Hmong American Partnership (Saint Paul, MN)
Debbie Liu, Community Development Coordinator, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (Chicago, IL)
Quynh Pham, Executive Director, Friends of Little Saigon (Seattle, WA)
Will Spisak, Director of Programs, Chhaya CDC (Jackson Heights, NY)
Vong Thao, Loan and Business Development Manager, Asian Economic Development Association (Saint Paul, MN)
Heidi Tso, Program Coordinator, Chinese Community Center (Houston, TX)
Samantha Vang, Community Engagement Coordinator, CAPI USA (Minneapolis, MN)
Aly Arnold, Chinese Community Center (Houston, TX)
Debbie Chen, Asian Community Development Corporation (Boston, MA)
Yihong Dong, Asian American Community Services (Columbus, OH)
Raúl Fernández-Berriozába, Chinatown Community Development Center (San Francisco, CA)
Erika Gee, Chinatown Community Development Center (San Francisco, CA)
Andrea Giese, Pacific Consortium in Employment (Los Angeles, CA)
Jagpreet Khakh, Chhaya CDC (Jackson Heights, NY)
Jamie Lee, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority, (Seattle, WA)
Lei Reidel, Hawaiian Community Assets (Honolulu, HI)
Yaomee Xiong, CAPI USA (Minneapolis, MN)
Christina Baggao, Pacific Consortium in Employment (Los Angeles, CA)
Ching Chan, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (Seattle, WA)
Wai-Ling Chin, Pacific Consortium in Employment (Los Angeles, CA)
Rosalyn Epstein, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (Oakland, CA)
Sarah Fajardo, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (New York, NY)
Duncan Hwang, Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (Portland, Oregon)
Theresa Imperial, Veteran’s Equity Center (San Francisco, CA)
Lucy Pyeatt, Chinese Community Center (Houston, TX)
Alisi Tulua, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (Los Angeles, CA)
Choua Vang, Hmong American Partnership (St. Paul, MN)
Lahela Williams, Hawaiian Community Assets (Honolulu, HI)
Sarah Yeung, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (Philadelphia, PA)
Desiree Vea, Hawaiian Community Assets (Honolulu, HI)
Grace Shim, Minkwon Center for Community Action (New York, NY)
Imtiaz Hossain, Chhaya CDC (Jackson Heights, NY)
Kim Train, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (Los Angeles, CA)
Kimberly Tang, Chinese Community Center (Houston, TX)
Michael Yee, Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (Seattle, WA)
Mike Murase, Little Tokyo Service Center (Los Angeles, CA)
Mindy Au InterIm Community Development Association (Seattle, WA)
Sarah Teater, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (Oakland, CA)
Stephen Lee, Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc. (Atlanta, GA)
Yunie Hong, Hmong National Development, Inc. (Washington, D.C.)
Richard Chang, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (Los Angeles, CA)
Carol Wu, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (Los Angeles, CA)
Linda Yang, Lao Family Community of Stockton (Stockton, CA)
Hieu Lam, Union of Pan Asian Communities (San Diego, CA)
Michael Byun, Asian Service in Action (Akron, OH)
Chi Mei Lin, Chinese Community Center (Houston, TX)
Rosalee Puaoi, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (Kapolei, HI)
Geraldine Mendiola, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (Kapolei, HI)
Jun Yang, Faith Action for Community Equity (Honolulu, HI)
Nam Pham, Vietnamese American Initiative for Development (Dorchester, MA)
Charles Vang, Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (Milwaukee, WI)
Theresa Mah, Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (Chicago, IL)
Noelle Desaki, Hawaiian Community Assets (Honolulu, HI)
Tony Chung, Center for Pan Asian Community Services (Chamblee, GA)
Mamta Gurung, Chhaya CDC (Jackson Heights, NY)
Riamsalio Kao Phetchareun, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (Washington, DC)
Nancy Pomplun, Asian Economic Development Association (St. Paul, MN)
Dae Joong Yoon, Korean Resource Center (Los Angeles, CA)
Genna Byrd, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (Kapolei, HI)
Janelle Chan, Asian Community Development Corportation (Boston, MA)
John Chin, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (Philadelphia, PA)
Phuong Do, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (Washington, D.C.)
Karoleen Feng, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (Oakland, CA)
Jeff Gilbreath, Hawaiian Community Assets (Honolulu, HI)
Hyeok Kim, InterIm Community Development Association (Seattle, WA)
Jeremy Liu, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (Oakland, CA)
Kei Nagao, Little Tokyo Services Center (Los Angeles, CA)
Rosalee Puaoi, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (Kapolei, HI)
Shan Rehman, Chhaya CDC (Jackson Heights, NY)
Nenick Vu, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (Washington, D.C.)
Malcolm Yeung, Chinatown Community Development Center (San Francisco, CA)
Cindy Wu, Chinatown Community Development Center (San Francisco, CA)
Evelyn Bruce, National Alliance to Nurture the Aged and the Youth (North Miami, FL)
Shannon Toriki, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (Kapolei, HI)
Lilia Kapuniai, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (Kapolei, HI)
Laura Matsuoka, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (Kapolei, HI)
Shan Rehman, Chhaya CDC (Jackson Heights, NY)
Margaret Iwanaga-Penrose, Union of Pan Asian Communities (San Diego, CA)
Pany Siharath, Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)
Mark Masaoka, Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (Los Angeles, CA)
Sheng Lee, Hmong Asian Partnership (Saint Paul, MN)
Jeong Yeon Hong, National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (Annandale, VA)
Keh Rachanit Trikandha, Thai Community Development Corporation (Los Angeles, CA)
Bruce Blaisdell, VietAID (Boston, MA)
Richard Lee, Asian Americans for Equality (New York, NY)
Joel Jacinto, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (Los Angeles, CA)
Pronouns: He/Him
Senior Program & Advocacy Manager
Pacific Islander Community Partnership (PICP)
Daly City, CA
Hiram Ali‘ioaiga Reno Anoa’i, affectionately known as “Reno,” is a proud 2nd/3rd generation Samoan-American who currently serves as Senior Program & Advocacy Manager at the Pacific Islander Community Partnership (PICP). PICP is a nonprofit organization that advances health equity, cultural preservation, academic success, civic engagement, and climate and environmental justice for Pacific Islanders across Northern California. In this role, he leads strategic program development, oversees advocacy initiatives, builds cross-sector partnerships, and manages culturally rooted programs focused on the arts and cultural preservation, entrepreneurial and workforce development, climate justice, and civic engagement.
Reno holds a B.A. in Critical Pacific Islands Studies from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, an A.A. in Communications, and a Certificate in Critical Pacific Islands Studies from the College of San Mateo, as well as a Certificate in Urban Climate Planning from Arizona State University. He is the second Pacific Islander to serve on the San Mateo County Arts & Culture Commission, following his mother, Manufou Liaiga Anoa’i. He also serves on the board of YAYA Outdoor Education and as a Pacific Delegate to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. He is a proud fellow of the California Environmental Leadership Initiative. Reno’s work is grounded in service, youth development and empowerment, cultural responsibility, and climate and environmental stewardship, with a deep commitment to building pathways for Pacific Islander, BIPOC, and marginalized youth and voices to thrive.
Brian Liu is the Community Development Manager at APANO, a nonprofit based in Portland, Oregon, that works to build political power, strengthen community, and advance equity for Asians and Asian Americans in Oregon. At APANO, Brian leads place-based strategies in East Portland, where he supports culturally specific affordable housing projects, co-designs community planning initiatives, and advocates for transportation justice in historically under-resourced neighborhoods.
Previously, Brian worked as a community organizer in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, connecting immigrant communities, small businesses, and elders to critical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. He facilitated multilingual public engagement and supported neighborhood-based initiatives to improve access and equity.
Brian holds a B.A. in Geography with a specialization in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from the University of Washington and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) from Portland State University. His work bridges policy and community, with a focus on cultural placekeeping and equitable urban development.
Pronouns: She/Her
Special Projects Manager
Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA)
Honolulu, HI
Lily is located on the island of Molokai. Both her mother and father have lineal ties to the island. Her educational background includes a dual associate’s degree from UH Maui College, a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Western Governors University. Her favorite hobbies are canoe paddling, surfing, and sunbathing. On weekends, Lily and her family enjoy spending time in the yard and playing board games.
Lily came from a single-parent (elderly father) household. Being raised by a single father, Lily learned early on how to adapt, pivot, and remain steady and focused on her life goals throughout her childhood and into her adult years. Initially, Lily began her career by volunteering at numerous agencies, including the Liliuokalani Trust (LT), the American Cancer Society, and the Hawaii Tobacco Coalition. Lily served in positions within the Queen’s Health System – Molokai General Hospital and the University of Hawaii Community Colleges. Through her role with the University of Hawaii, Lily was introduced to the train-the-trainer program with Hawaiian Community Assets in 2015. Since then, Lily has served as an AmeriCorps volunteer with Hawaiian Community Assets on the island of Molokai and has provided financial education workshops to hundreds of on-island residents, students, and kūpuna over the years. Lily is ecstatic to continue serving Hawaiian Community Assets within her new role as Special Projects Coordinator.
Lily hopes to continue the momentum created during her volunteer years with HCA and seamlessly transition into the Special Projects Coordinator position to provide a comprehensive and holistic training experience for both employees and agencies throughout the State of Hawaii and eventually abroad, as Native Hawaiians are found throughout the world.
Pronouns: He/Him
Program Manager, Economic Inclusion
United Cambodian Community (UCC)
Long Beach, CA
Don Pin is the Program Manager for the Economic Inclusion Department at the United Cambodian Community (UCC) in Long Beach, where he leads initiatives that provide business counseling, skill-building workshops, access to capital resources, and technical assistance to support small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. UCC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Cambodian American community and other underserved groups through social, educational, and economic programs.
Don has extensive experience in community economic development, working closely with immigrant and legacy businesses, particularly in Cambodia Town, Long Beach. His background includes providing coaching, connecting entrepreneurs to local resources, and leading initiatives that promote economic inclusion. As a Cambodian refugee who became a U.S. citizen, Don brings a unique perspective and deep commitment to supporting immigrant entrepreneurs. He has also represented UCC on the Midtown Property and Business Owners Association (MPBOA) board, where he provided leadership and advocacy for local businesses during a transitional period. Outside of his work, Don enjoys exploring the outdoors and hiking, embracing the peace and adventure that nature offers.
Pronouns: She/Her
Advocacy Coordinator
Southern California Pacific Islander Community Response Team (SoCal PICRT)
Los Angeles, CA
Isa Sasi is a dedicated community advocate with deep roots in the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) community. Growing up as a first-generation, low-income daughter of immigrants, she developed a strong passion for uplifting her community and addressing the inequities she experienced firsthand. Her work centers on advocating for health equity, language access, and data disaggregation.
In her role at the SoCal Pacific Islander Community Response Team, Isa coordinates regional coalition meetings, develops culturally relevant outreach materials, and supports policy campaigns aimed at improving data standards and access to resources. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a critical role in disseminating vital health information and data, helping her community stay informed and safe. She continues to lead communication efforts through infographics and digital outreach, making complex data more accessible.
Isa has presented research at national public health conferences, managed canvassing and phone banking teams, trained volunteers, and helped foster leadership in young organizers. She has also served as a grant reviewer, intern, and volunteer with various civic and public health organizations, always centering equity, cultural relevance, and community power in her approach.
Isa hopes to continue developing long-term strategic policy plans that advocate for equitable and sustainable resources for all NHPI communities. Her work stands as a testament to the power of lived experience, collective organizing, and the belief that no community should be left behind.
Pronouns: She/Her
Executive Director
Motivating Action Leadership Opportunity (MALO)
Ontario, CA
Lolofi Soakai is a dedicated community leader and the Executive Director of MALO, the only Tongan-led, Tongan-serving organization in the Inland Empire. With a deep commitment to health equity, social justice, and cultural preservation, she has built a grassroots movement that empowers Pacific Islander families through culturally centered health education, economic development, youth programming, and civic engagement.
Drawing on her lived experience as a Tongan American woman and seasoned advocate, Lolofi has led MALO in organizing community-based events, including health fairs, back-to-school backpack drives, and weekly wellness classes, such as Zumba. Under her leadership, MALO serves over 1,000 non-duplicated community members annually—80% of whom are families with children under the age of 18.
Lolofi is a trusted voice on the intersection of health policy and racial equity, actively partnering with public health agencies, funders, and coalitions to uplift Pacific Islander voices in decision-making spaces. She is a passionate systems-change agent who believes in community-led solutions and intergenerational leadership development. Her work is grounded in cultural values, faith, and a vision for thriving, self-determined communities.
Pronouns: He/Him
Policy Manager 政策經理
Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC) 華埠更好團結聯盟
Chicago, IL
Clayton (Jiaxi) Xu currently works as a policy manager at the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC). CBCAC is a 501(c)(3) organization with a primary focus on civic engagement and education within the Chinese American community in Chicago, as well as other areas, including community development and leadership building. His role focuses on language access, small business development, and community-based journalism.
Clayton has had the opportunity to work on several programs supporting local small businesses in Chicago’s Chinatown, including the Corridor Ambassador Program and the Storefront Activation Program—both in collaboration with the City of Chicago’s Office of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP). He has also led or contributed to initiatives aimed at reducing language barriers, such as the Illinois Digital Equity Capacity Kickstarter (DECK) program and the Health Equity through Access to Language Services (HEALS) program.
After completing high school in Guangzhou, China, Clayton began his higher education in the United States at the University of California, San Diego, where he double-majored in Political Science and Economics. He later earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago’s Committee on International Relations. As an avid reader, Clayton is passionate about connecting structural knowledge with real-world community experiences—an interest that drives his work in the nonprofit sector.
