About Us

Kirin Macapugay, DSW, MSW, is an educator, community organizer, author, public servant, and proud mama. She is Vice-Chair for the California Commission on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, chairing the Higher Education Committee, which spearheaded the historical Student Achievement Program to support lower-income Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian American higher education students. She is a tenured faculty of Human Services at San Diego City College, created PEER, an award-winning program preparing students to work in homelessness prevention, and is co-principal investigator of the college’s federally supported Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) program. She has a Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Southern California, bachelor’s in Psychology, Master’s in Social Work from San Diego State University, and a certificate in indigenous peoples rights from Columbia University’s Columbia X program. Kirin was awarded “Best Professor” by San Diego State University students, “Civil Rights Woman Leader” by RISE San Diego , “Civic Leader of the Year” by Asian Pacific American Coalition, a “Woman Who Inspires Us” by San Diego Magazine, and named one of the “50 Most Influential Asian Leaders” by the San Diego Business Journal. December 12, 2022 was proclaimed Kirin Macapugay Day in the County of San Diego.

She is Chair of Made in Paradise Hills honoring the community that raised her, a founding board member of the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, a core member of the statewide FIERCE Policy Forum, and board member for Only Stronger. She founded Asian Pacific Islander Community Actions (APICA) in 2015 to serve as a catalyst for grassroots efforts. An Indigenous person from Kalinga, Philippines, Kirin co-founded Indigenous Knowledge, Art, and Truth (IKAT) advocating and educating for the culture and autonomy of Indigenous Peoples from the Philippines. She has several publications, articles in journals, and was awarded the International Research Hypothesis Excellence Award in 2024.

Lance Toma is the Chief Executive Officer of San Francisco Community Health Center (formerly Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center), an LGBTQ and people of color community health center that believes everyone deserves access to the highest quality health care. Lance has worked at this organization since 1999 and became the CEO in 2006. In 2015, San Francisco Community Health Center was awarded HRSA-designated federally qualified health center status, the first new FQHC in San Francisco in over 30 years.

Lance has over 20 years of nonprofit management and leadership experience with deep commitment to AANHPI, LGBT, HIV/AIDS, and people of color communities. He has served as co-chair of the San Francisco HIV/AIDS Providers Network for the past seven years and was a founding steering committee member of the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network established in 2007. He has been the vice president of the board of directors of NMAC (formerly National Minority AIDS Council) for the past six years and also serves on the board of CenterLink because he cares deeply about the vitality of people of color HIV organizations and LGBTQ community centers across the country.

Lance was born and raised in Hawaii. Prior to re-locating to San Francisco, Lance worked in Chicago and directed programs targeting LGBTQ youth, adults, and older adults. He received a Master’s degree in social service administration from the University of Chicago.

Rajan Gill is a Historian and Professor at Yuba College. Gill’s academic career began at the University of California, Davis where he served as vice-president to the History Honors Society. Gill completed his Masters in History at the University of California, Santa Cruz where he researched the Indian Diaspora in California. Gill specifically focuses on the Punjabi-Sikh diaspora in the United States, and how the groups perceived American Identity. He also has an interest in immigration and labor history. Gill is also a California farmer, producing peaches, prunes, walnuts, and almonds throughout the state.

Tahra brings strong skills in leadership, management, policy advocacy, and public affairs. She is experienced in diverse issue areas across multiple sectors including nonprofit management, business, and government. Currently, Tahra serves as the President and CEO of Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP). Previously, Tahra was an organization consultant as well as an executive coach. Tahra has served as the Director for Zero to Three Western Regional Office, a national early childhood public policy and research organization; District Director for California State Senator Carol Liu; National Director for the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), a national American Muslim civil rights organization in Washington, DC; and Executive Director of Day One in Pasadena, a substance abuse prevention and policy organization. She considers herself a generalist who is adept at leveraging strategic relationships, building cross-cultural and cross-sector coalitions, crafting public policy, and organizing multi-faith and grassroots communities.

Tahra is a graduate of the University of California at Irvine with a degree in Biology, has a Masters in Organizational Management, and a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Notable achievements include recipient of the Barbara Jordan Award for Women’s Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School Woman and Public Policy Program, Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year by the California State Senate and Assembly, Founder of Monterey Bay Muslim Neighbors, and Advisor to Latino Muslim Unity.

Ted is a veteran of building global businesses in technology, entertainment, media and lifestyle, leveraging and monetizing brands, platforms and IP with deep experience as an international corporate executive and entrepreneur.

Ted most recently served on the Board of Directors at KAPE Technologies (LON: KAPE) and was Head of North America for Private Internet Access (PIA) where he served as Chief Executive Officer when PIA was acquired by KAPE. Ted was concurrently the CEO of PIA’s parent company, London Trust Media (LTM) whose portfolio of media and entertainment companies grew to include Character Media, the leading Asian American lifestyle publication and events company and the Legacy Fighting Alliance, the largest MMA developmental league for the UFC with a broadcast and streaming deal at UFC’s Fight Pass.

Previously, Ted started and led the US efforts for CJ E&M, a Korea based conglomerate and its globalization efforts for over a decade overseeing theatrical exhibition, distribution, film production, television, music, and live events. Ted spearheaded CJ’s efforts to distribute Korean films, television shows and music in the US as well as leading cross-border transactions with media companies, lifestyle brands and celebrities primarily between Korea and the US.

Ted last served CJ as the CEO and President of MNET America, setting vision, mission and strategy as well as overseeing all aspects of the operations. As primarily a Korean music and lifestyle channel, MNET America identified and aggregated the then nascent KPOP audience which culminated in the inaugural launch of KCON, the world’s leading KPOP music festival and K-lifestyle convection. KCON ushered in and planted the flag for CJ, cementing its position as the global leader in KPOP and all Korean content.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, Ted received his JD from the University of Arizona College of Law. An active member of the community, Ted currently serves as the President of the Board of the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (www.KYCC.org) which services the Los Angeles community. Ted has previously served as a board member of numerous non-profit organizations including the Lodestone Theater Ensemble and the Korean American Coalition (www.kacla.org).

Dr. Diann Kitamura is the Deputy Superintendent of Equitable Education Services at the Sonoma County Office of Education. She returned to this position after retiring from Santa Rosa City School (SRCS) where she was a superintendent and associate superintendent for 10 years. During her tenure in SRCS she led the district through several crisis situations including wildfires, flooding, power shutdowns, and then COVID. Her public education career spans 41 years as a teacher, school counselor, site administrator and district administrator. Dr. Kitamura teaches at UC Berkeley Leaders for Equity and Democracy (LEAD) doctoral program. Dr. Kitamura volunteers her time as the Executive Director of the California Association of Asian and Pacific Leaders in Education (CAAPLE).

Among her accomplishments, Diann was awarded the Association of California School Administrator 2020 Ferd Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Award. This is the highest award ACSA presents to a California administrator. Diann currently is on the statewide ACSA Superintendents Council. She was appointed to the Fiscal Crisis Management Team (FCMAT), the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence Advisory Council, and the California School Boards Association (CSBA) Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

As the granddaughter of immigrants and whose mother was interned at the Amache Internment Camp, Diann is committed to serving students and their families by ensuring that our educational systems and structures provide quality equity centered educational and behavioral health opportunities for all students. She believes in sense-making learning experiences and supports that embrace our students’ assets, will engage, inspire, and empower them to dream big, find purpose, and thrive.

Helen Lee brings almost 40 years in leadership positions in large, complex organizations such as the County of Los Angeles, Kaiser Permanente and the City of Los Angeles as a Human Resources Manager and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. She is known for getting people involved at all levels of the workforce, and bridging business and HR objectives – so that talent and organizations can grow in tandem. Lee was a HR consultant for the Regional Government Services Authority and RGP, and a principal in her own consulting practice. She served as a counselor for the Asian Rehabilitation Services and Mayor Tom Bradley’s Office for Persons with Disabilities.

Lee is a member of the Southern California Public Management Association (SCPMA), Southeast Regional Occupational Program Governing Board (SEROP) and the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee. She is a member of CA Women Lead and attended the CALNET summit for California Asian Pacific Elected and Appointed Leaders. She was president of the Asian Pacific Women’s Network. Lee was appointed by CA’s Ninth Circuit Court to chair the Women’s Employment Program during the construction of the Century Freeway (I-105), one of the nation’s largest transportation projects.

Lee has received numerous accolades during her career, including the Lotus Award from the Kaiser Permanente Asian Employees Association. She earned her Master’s Degree from CSULA in Counselor Education – Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree from UCLA in Sociology. She holds a Senior Certified Professional certificate (SPHR) from Society for Human Resources and Human Resources Certification (IPMA-CP) from International Public Management Association – Human Resources.

Jason S. Tam, a seasoned Real Estate professional, boasts a rich background spanning housing development, asset management, team leadership, and sales. Hailing from San Francisco, Jason’s roots in the city run deep, having been born at the San Francisco Chinese Hospital and raised by Chinese Cantonese immigrants who instilled in him a profound connection to his heritage.

Growing up immersed in the vibrant tapestry of San Francisco’s Chinatown, Jason attended Sunday school at the First Chinese Baptist Church, honed his swimming skills at the Chinatown YMCA, and engaged in youth programs at the Cameron House. His formative years, coupled with his professional trajectory, have cultivated in him a profound appreciation for the city’s diverse landscape, cultural richness, and community ethos.

Educated at Spring Valley Elementary School, Francisco Middle School, and Philip & Sala Burton High School, Jason’s commitment to preserving his cultural heritage led him to attend Chinese school, nurturing his fluency in Cantonese and Mandarin. His deep ties to the community were further solidified through his role as Vice President of the Taraval Parkside Merchant Association, where he spearheaded initiatives such as the McCoppin movie nights, Taraval Street Fair, and the cherished Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Having resided in both Nob Hill and Crocker-Amazon, Jason’s passion for community engagement remains unwavering. His dedication to public service was underscored by his appointment by the San Francisco Superior Court to the San Francisco Civil Grand Jury in 2017. In this capacity, he led pivotal initiatives across various communities and authored impactful public policy reports on issues ranging from pedestrian safety to counterterrorism efforts. In 2019, Jason was appointed to the San Francisco Building Inspections Commission where he served as vice-chair and president of the Abatement Appeal Board till 2023. Currently, he is an active member of the San Francisco Police Department Asian Pacific Islander Committee. Now poised for a new chapter, Jason is eager to leverage his extensive real estate expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and steadfast commitment to public service in his next endeavor.

Taunuu Ve’e has over 25 years working in diverse populations both domestic and international to promote and improved health outcomes through collaborative development on national, state, and local level, established public and private partnerships across government and multi-sector organizations to provide not only capacity building smaller organizations and faith community but to broker many relationships by convening those leaders at the table in order to lift the voices of the underserved and unserved because they are invisible within the system. She co-founded the first Bay Area Regional Pacific Islander Taskforce in 2015, an advisory council to the six-county directors of health departments in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Sonoma counties. The plan is to establish relationship with all 10-counties by end of 2022. The goal is to raise awareness and visibility of Pacific Islander (PI) health and social issues by educating counties on PI history and culture, improving regional data collection, and reporting on PI community, and increasing PI civic engagement participation.

National Work: Tau was a National advisor on Pacific Islander Affairs for Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) to represent one of the most under-served and invisible populations across the United States and its affiliated Pacific Island jurisdiction for 8 years. The APIAHF is the oldest and largest health advocacy organization in the nation. Tau was also appointed and led the Racial Equity Initiative, a collaboration of 26 community-based organizations in California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, and Mississippi. The APIAHF was one of the anchor institutions representing Asian and Pacific Islanders for the Kellogg Foundation’s “American Healing” initiative.

When Taus not busy with work, she’s very active at her church as a deacon’s wife, choir, women’s ministry member for the region in northern California and American Samoa. For releasing stress, she enjoys a round of golf with her husband Pete Noga when she can.

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.