Meet our new
Executive Director

In December 2023, Khydeeja Alam was appointed as the Executive Director of California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA). Khydeeja was officially sworn in by the Speaker of the California State Assembly Robert Rivas.

Khydeeja has over fifteen years of experience in California politics, government and external relations, budget, policy development, and coalition building. Khydeeja worked on passing major legislation and budget in California, including the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), the Transitional Kindergarten, the California Dream Act, the College Readiness Block Grant, Safe Schools for Immigrant Students, Early education, State Census funding, and many others.

She is currently the board President of CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California and serves on the Advisory Council for Muslimahs in Policy (MIPS). Previously, Khydeeja served on the statewide Early Childhood Policy Council and Educare California at Silicon Valley. 

Before joining the Commission, Khydeeja was Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointee and served as the Director of External and Legislative Affairs at California Volunteers, Office of the Governor. In her capacity she led statewide initiatives, oversaw state grants, worked with Mayors across the state, statewide elected officials, higher education institution leaders, and community partners. Khydeeja successfully led expansion of two major programs at California Volunteers and built a strong relationship with the legislature; for which California was awarded the Innovation in Policy Making Award by the America’s Service Commissions.

Prior to her public service, Khydeeja served as the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy for Catalyst California.

In 2023, Khydeeja was recognized by the National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs (NAAPPPA) list of top 40 Under 40 AAPI political operatives and public affairs professionals in the country. Khydeeja graduated from the University of California, Berkeley.