Board of Directors

Sefa Aina, Associate Dean and Director of the Draper Center for Community Partnerships at Pomona College. Sefa is a founding member and currently serves as the Board Chair for EPIC (Empowering Pacific Islander Communities), a founding member of PIECE (Pasefika Inland Empire Coalition for Empowerment), and a founding member of NPIEN (National Pacific Islander Educators Network) and UCLA PIER (Pacific Islander Education & Retention).

Fullerton on Community Engagement and Pacific Islander History and Communities in the U.S. In September of 2010, Sefa was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Sefa served as the Vice-Chair of the Commission from 2010 – 2014.

Pooneh Fracyon Butler has more than 13 years of organizational and development experience with America’s Promise Alliance, a non-profit organization with over 450+ national partners devoted to delivering services to America’s most vulnerable youth. After a four-year tenure as a Senior Director specializing in executive operations, she assumed the role of advisor and liaison to the CEO and the Chair of America’s Promise Alliance. In the interim, she supported her growing family and recently relocated to Florida with her husband and 3 young children. Pooneh holds an MBA from George Mason University.

With over 40 years of education experience, Gene Chasin is the visionary catalyst of Community Catalyst Partners (CCP). Prior to founding CCP, Gene worked in all arenas of education, serving young people and supporting organizations in literally all regions of the country. He spent 12 years overseeing the evolution and implementation of the Say Yes to Education community-wide strategies in cities like Syracuse and Buffalo, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio. Before joining Say Yes, he was the director of the Institute for Urban School Improvement at the University of Connecticut and served as CEO of Accelerated Schools, one of the largest, longest-lived, most-researched school reform models in the country. Gene also served as a Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Principal, and public school teacher.

William Cho, First Vice Chair and Seattle Chapter President of the Asian McDonald’s Operators Association (AMOA). Mr. Cho has more than twenty years of experience in owning and operating McDonald’s locations in the Greater Seattle area. He currently owns eight restaurants in the cities of Auburn, Federal Way, Fife, and Tacoma. Mr. Cho’s current leadership positions include: First Vice Chair of Asian McDonald’s Operator’s Association (AMOA), Seattle Chapter President Asian McDonald’s Operator’s Association (AMOA), Chairman of OPNAD Asian Consumer Marketing Committee, Executive Board of OPNAD, Executive Board of Western Washington Operator’s Association, and Chair of Regional Multicultural Committee (Walnut Creek).

Jennifer Peru Gary is a Managing Partner at litigation support services firm Trustpoint’s Washington, D.C. office. Prior to her role at Trustpoint, Peru Gary also served as a federal prosecutor with the US Department of Justice and subsequently, as a white-collar criminal defense litigator with a law firm. She was born and raised in Waialua, a small sugar plantation town in Hawaiʻi, and is a first-generation college graduate, who had first-hand experience in the K-12 and university systems in Hawaiʻi. “As a proud Native Hawaiian, this opportunity is such a blessing because it will allow me to not only give back to my Native Hawaiian community, but to come alongside stakeholders back home to work together to overcome some of the challenges that Hawaiʻi faces with their educational system, which directly impacted me while I was growing up, and shaped who I am today. I am very excited about and humbled by this opportunity to serve on APIA Scholars’ board.” said Jennifer Peru Gary.

Lindsay Ah Loo has served as the Executive Director of the Nakupuna Foundation since 2020. Tasked with shaping the Foundation’s vision and managing its charitable activities, she has supported the Nakupuna Foundation since its formation. A Kamehameha Schools Graduate and Oahu native, Ah Loo received a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Yale as well as an MBA from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. For over 15 years, she supported the U.S. Navy as both a civil servant and consultant. Since 2015, she has been part owner of Na Aliʻi Consulting & Sales, which was founded in 2003 by her father, the late Warren Nakupuna Ah Loo—namesake of the Nakupuna Foundation and Nakupuna Companies.

Scott served as a former APIA Scholars Board Member and Chair of the Development Committee (2008-2018). He was the Vice Chair Board of Directors (2011-2017) for Spark 10, served as a board member of the Montgomery County Business Roundtable for Education (2008-2011) and currently sits (2021–present) on the Board of Advisors for the Rochester institute of Technology (RIT) Hospitality Program.

Aimée Meher-Homji is a strategic global executive renowned for her expertise in talent acquisition, executive search, diversity & inclusion, and sales across diverse sectors. With extensive experience spanning various prestigious roles and organizations globally, including Aptiv, Nielsen, Adidas, Sodexo and Accenture, Aimée embodies executive leadership, relationship building, and transformative strategy execution. Aimée is also a recognized thought leader and speaker in talent, equity, and inclusion is a notable contributor in the field.

Jacinta Titialii-Abbott is a former healthcare executive, attorney, and business consultant who advised companies in corporate structuring, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and other business transactions. Titialii-Abbott was Vice President of Acquisitions and Development at Tenet Healthcare Corporation, and also served as Assistant General Counsel. Titialii-Abbott started her career at the Seattle firm of Bogle & Gates in the business and real estate group.

In 1996 Modern Healthcare Magazine selected Titialii-Abbott as one of 10 up and coming healthcare executives in the United States. In 1999 President Bill Clinton appointed her to the first White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Commission.

Jacinta has been active for three decades on various non-profit and hospital boards of directors across the country, including the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Arts Commission, the Jack Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, and APIA Scholars. Titialii-Abbott has two Bachelor of Arts degrees with majors in Political Science, Economics, and Art History from the University of Washington. She has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law.

Dr. Rowena M. Tomaneng has been a multicultural educator in the California Community Colleges for 28 years. Her work in leadership, teaching, service, and research is deeply rooted in social justice and equity frameworks. She is the President of San José City College in the San José Evergreen Community College District. Dr. Tomaneng serves on the board of the Chief Executive Officers of the California Community Colleges (CEOCCC). She is the President-elect of the National Asian Pacific Islander Council-Association of American Community Colleges and Vice President of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE).

Hans Yang is currently the General Manager for Microsoft for Startups, a role he has held since July 2022. With expertise in digital strategy and mentoring, he brings a wealth of experience to his position. Prior to his current roles, he served as Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he led the launch and scaling of new ventures for Fortune 500 companies. Hans has also held leadership positions at Luxe, where he oversaw operations for an on-demand valet business, and at The Walt Disney Company, where he managed the transition in mobile gaming. His career also includes significant roles at Zynga, Yahoo, and Taco Bell, demonstrating his broad expertise in product management and marketing.

Wai-Ling Eng is a founding member and former Chair of APIA Scholars’ Board of Directors. With over four decades of dedicated service, Wai-Ling Eng has established a remarkable legacy in healthcare, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. As a Registered Nurse since 1978, she has exhibited compassion and expertise, notably participating in medical missions with Interplast International (now ReSurge) in India and Nepal. Transitioning into entrepreneurship, Eng successfully owned and operated 10 McDonald’s restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area for almost 30 years. Beyond business, her commitment to community empowerment is evident. Eng has chaired and founded numerous organizations, including APIA Scholars and the SF Bay Area Ronald McDonald House College Scholarship Program. Her contributions have been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Bay Area Jefferson Award and the Executive Excellence Award from National OCA. Additionally, Eng has been profiled in esteemed publications like JADE magazine and World Journal.

Kimo Kippen, Founder of Aloha Learning Advisors, is a thought leader, speaker, and advocate for lifelong learning and talent development. A native of Hawai’i, former Chief Learning Officer at Hilton, recognized by CLO Magazine as Chief Learning Officer of the year (2015). Former Chair of ATD (2007), and VP of Learning at Marriott International, Kimo has been creating life-long learning solutions for hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Kimo currently serves as a Senior Fellow and Program Director for two Councils of The Conference Board: Talent & Organizational Development Executive Council (TODEC) in New York City and the Learning & Development Council in Brussels, Belgium. He is currently an Advisor at the Council for Adult & Experiential Learning (CAEL), GP Strategies, SkillSoft, New Markets Venture Partners, L&D Cares, Chair Emeritus for the Asian Pacific Islander American Scholars, and the Development Committee Chair at Education Reimagined. Kimo is also a founding member of ATD’s CTDO Next Organization.

Aimée Meher-Homji is a strategic global executive renowned for her expertise in talent acquisition, executive search, diversity & inclusion, and sales across diverse sectors. With extensive experience spanning various prestigious roles and organizations globally, including Aptiv, Nielsen, Adidas, Sodexo and Accenture, Aimée embodies executive leadership, relationship building, and transformative strategy execution. Aimée is also a recognized thought leader and speaker in talent, equity, and inclusion is a notable contributor in the field.

Jacinta Titialii-Abbott is a former healthcare executive, attorney, and business consultant who advised companies in corporate structuring, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and other business transactions. Titialii-Abbott was Vice President of Acquisitions and Development at Tenet Healthcare Corporation, and also served as Assistant General Counsel. Titialii-Abbott started her career at the Seattle firm of Bogle & Gates in the business and real estate group.

In 1996 Modern Healthcare Magazine selected Titialii-Abbott as one of 10 up and coming healthcare executives in the United States. In 1999 President Bill Clinton appointed her to the first White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Commission.

Jacinta has been active for three decades on various non-profit and hospital boards of directors across the country, including the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Arts Commission, the Jack Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation, and APIA Scholars. Titialii-Abbott has two Bachelor of Arts degrees with majors in Political Science, Economics, and Art History from the University of Washington. She has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law.

Dr. Underwood is a founding member and a former Chair of APIA Scholars’ Board of Directors. Robert Underwood, former U.S. Congressman and longest-serving President of the University of Guam, boasts a diverse career spanning education, administration, and advocacy. With a robust background as a high school teacher, curriculum writer, and academic leader, he’s widely recognized for his scholarly contributions on education, indigenous issues, and cultural transformation. A staunch advocate for Guam’s history and political development, Underwood’s leadership in Congress saw significant legislation for insular areas and Asian Pacific American issues. His extensive service on boards and commissions, including national and regional educational bodies, underscores his dedication to community advancement. Appointed by President Biden, he currently serves as a Commissioner for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders. Continuously active in academia and community, Underwood leads projects documenting endangered languages, preserving CHamoru culture, and analyzing Pacific Island security through the Pacific Center for Island Security.

Michael Fung served as the interim Chief Financial Officer for JC Penney Co. from October 2018 through April 2019 and as the interim Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the Neiman Marcus Group from November 2016 through June 2017. While Michael’s career is accentuated by executive positions with many retail giants, it is his kindness that we will remember and miss. As a Founding Board Member for APIA Scholars, Michael imparted his amazing leadership on those who spent any amount of time with him. Michael had the ability to inspire us all and to encourage us to reach for our fullest potential.

Dr. Victor Kuo was a leading advocate for equity in education and an internationally recognized student advocate. With a distinguished career, he was the Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness at Seattle Colleges and founder of VHiK Global Advising. Dr. Kuo’s expertise in organizational change, strategy development, and international affairs has left an indelible mark on higher education. Dr. Kuo was a champion of equity in higher education and racial justice, particularly for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Dr. Kuo’s legacy of service and advocacy will be deeply missed