Jason Paguio, Chair

Jason Paguio is a recognized leader working with and for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities across the country. Jason’s impact and advocacy span multiple sectors and industries, from nonprofit organizations, and government entities to political action committees — providing a perspective that is wide-ranging to maximize a greater collective impact to diverse communities. He currently serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Business Association San Diego and the Asian Business Association California Foundation. Jason was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, the California Entrepreneurship and Economic Mobility Task Force, and by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria to the City of San Diego Small Business Advisory Board and the Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Group.

An advocate for increased AANHPI representation and priorities, Jason leads efforts that prioritize diverse candidates and issues, helping to develop leaders and elect AANHPI candidates regionally, statewide, and nationally, creating and organizing AANHPI voter registration and GOTV programs, and leading redistricting efforts resulting in higher percentage AANHPI empowerment districts.

Jason was named “Minority Small Business Champion of the Year” by the US Small Business Administration,  “San Diego’s 500 Most Influential People” and “CEO of the Year” by the San Diego Business Journal, and is a recipient of the “Libby Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership” by The Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego.