Who We Are

Amber has guided AAPI NJ’s strategic growth since its founding and oversees the organization’s programs as Co-ED. During her tenure, AAPI NJ has built community power through grassroots organizing and civic engagement efforts in historically overlooked AAPI communities; developed Teach Asian American Stories, a national model for supporting K-12 ethnic studies; promoted AAPI visibility in NJ with public events attended by thousands; and worked in multiracial coalitions to advocate for voting rights, language access, immigrant rights, and police accountability, among other policies advancing the welfare of communities of color.

A Korean American adoptee, writer, and mother of two, Amber graduated summa cum laude from Columbia University with a BA in English literature and holds an MFA in Playwriting from Brooklyn College.

Roslyne Shiao is a second-generation Chinese American nonprofit leader and community advocate, with a deep belief in the transformative power of representation. After a successful career in corporate marketing and fashion e-commerce, Roslyne pivoted to nonprofit leadership to help build greater visibility, belonging, and understanding for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. As a founding Board Member and Co-Executive Director of AAPI New Jersey, she leads initiatives that empower educators, challenge harmful stereotypes, and elevate AAPI voices — including the Teach Asian American Stories program supporting the implementation of New Jersey’s historic AAPI Curriculum Mandate. Roslyne is dedicated to uplifting community histories, fostering solidarity, and creating spaces of belonging and pride. 

Cai Barias is an historian, educator, and community organizer originally from the Oklahoma Panhandle now living in Middlesex County.

Cai is a Ph.D. candidate in history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she researches transnational women’s history during the 20th century. Her research interests include women’s political thought and student activism, as well as science, race, and empire. Cai has presented her research at various conferences including at Harvard University, Cornell University, and the Association of Asian American Studies Annual Conference. In addition to her dissertation, Cai is currently working in an interdisciplinary study on the relationship between Filipino American wellbeing and politics.

Cai’s experience in education began as a teaching assistant at UMass Amherst, where she taught South Asian, Latin American, and Indigenous histories. Additionally, she has served as an Upward Bound instructor in her hometown of Guymon, Oklahoma, and most recently as an adjunct professor in Asian American history at Rutgers University.

Prior to joining AAPI NJ, Cai was a senior program and events coordinator at the Center for American Women and Politics, where she managed the Ready to Run® campaign training program, the Senator Wynona Lipman Chair lecture in Women’s Political Leadership, and provided organizational support for lectures, forums, and educational programs at the Center. She earned her B.A. in history from Barnard College at Columbia University.

Jeffrey Chang, Esq. has over 15 years of experience in the legal, government, and non-profit sectors in diverse roles spanning legal services, organizing & advocacy, external relations, and fundraising. At AAPI New Jersey, he helps guide volunteers, staff, and the Board to pursue and build cross-racial solidarity, as well as services and resources that support the resilience of Asian Americans and other marginalized communities. Raised in New Jersey, he received his law degree from Rutgers Law School where he received the Eli Jarmel Award for highest proficiency in public interest law. He is also a Board Member of Rise and is on the leadership team of a children’s advocacy organization.

Shan Chen is a Rutgers University graduate with a background in design and photography. Raised in South Jersey by Chinese immigrant parents who encouraged her to stay connected to her heritage — including sending her to Chinese school on weekends — she brings a deep cultural awareness to her creative work. With experience in visual identity, print, and digital design, Shan is excited to support AAPI New Jersey in amplifying AAPI voices and stories through thoughtful, engaging design, and looks forward to contributing to projects that foster connection, celebrate identity and strengthen community ties.

Shaira Cruz is a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines, raised in Hudson County. With 8 years of experience in diverse educational settings, she is committed to cultivating inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices. Cruz’s dedication to learning is evident through her Master’s in Social Studies Education from Columbia University and professional development scholarships, including those for Facing History and Ourselves, Library of Congress, and the Center for Racial Justice Education. Over the past 7 years, Cruz has actively organized for causes such as migrant rights and workers’ rights in Jersey City and beyond. Currently, she serves as a secretariat member of Migrante New Jersey and volunteers for the Justice For Jollibee Workers campaign.

Danielle Iwata is a cultural consultant and nonprofit administrator working towards social impact and community transformation. She has served on advisory committees, grant panels and mentor cohorts for various arts organizations in the tri-state area. Danielle holds a BA from Colgate University and unaccreditedly continues her education through facilitating spaces for visioning and healing, deepening connections with her community, and reading the works of adrienne maree brown. 

Sumeet Kapoor is a dedicated advocate for diversity and community engagement, with a record of work promoting cultural awareness and unity. Originally hailing from the vibrant cities of Bangkok and Singapore, with a background in marketing and advertising, she has brought her rich cultural experiences and professional expertise to her current home in Montclair. Sumeet Kapoor played a pivotal role in the establishment of AAPI Montclair as a founding trustee and has been instrumental in shaping the organization’s vision and mission. Sumeet has been actively involved in producing large-scale community events, including Light up Montclair, Lunar New Year, Color Run, and the Lantern Festival. As the Director of Development for AAPI Montclair, Sumeet undertakes a range of responsibilities critical to the organization’s growth and success.

Isabella Kasegrande is a proud Filipino American educator from Montclair and a recent graduate of the School of Education and Engineering at The College of New Jersey. Deeply connected to her Filipino heritage, she is passionate about inclusive education, community engagement, and advocacy. With experience in the classroom, she has worked with diverse student populations, fostering supportive and culturally responsive learning environments. Her commitment to education reaches both her local community and the Philippines, where she has been actively involved in initiatives that expand learning opportunities and provide essential resources to underserved communities. Guided by the values of bayanihan (community spirit) and the shared stories across generations, she looks forward to supporting outreach efforts, developing meaningful programs, and advocating for equitable education. She is especially passionate about ensuring that Asian American history is shared and celebrated throughout New Jersey, helping students and educators gain a deeper understanding of AAPI contributions and experiences.

Ruby Kaur is a Panjabi-Sikh community organizer, cultural worker and outdoor educator and their work is rooted in service, ancestral remembrance and reclamation. Her skills span operations, programming, facilitation and systems-building. She is passionate about advancing equity and strengthening systems that support immigrant, LGBTQ+, and historically marginalized communities. As a first-generation queer woman of color from a working-class background, Ruby brings a strong commitment to collaborative, community-centered work.

Grace Lawson is a Chinese American adoptee who grew up in Hong Kong and now calls Montclair, NJ, home. A Cornell University graduate with a passion for design, Grace began her journey with AAPI Montclair as a volunteer and has since stepped into the role of Communications Assistant at AAPI New Jersey. Motivated by a desire to connect with her community and contribute to meaningful change, she is eager to amplify the voices and stories of the AAPI community. Grace is excited to build relationships, hone new skills, and bring her creative touch to designing cool merch.

Billy Liu has over 20 years of experience in software development and engineering leadership. He has held key roles at Disney, where he helped launch and expand Disney+; Major League Baseball, working on various mobile apps; The New York Times, leading e-commerce and digital subscription initiatives; and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, conducting research in deep space optical communication. Billy holds a B.S. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University.

Isabel Lu is a high school senior in Central New Jersey who joins the team with a political organizing and campaigning background. After growing up as a Chinese-Taiwanese American, Isabel has always been interested in ethno-cultural politics and how our identity reconciles with our political ideologies. She has been involved in New Jersey politics since her Sophomore year of high school and recently contributed to two federal election campaigns. As a field organizer, Isabel is excited to mobilize AAPI communities across the state through bi-partisan work and understanding. In the future, she is looking to be a political science major in college and then proceed to law school.

Sulynn Miao, she/her, is a proud daughter of immigrants from Tianjin, China who grew up in Washington State and now resides on the unceded land of the Lisjan Ohlone people, known colonially as Oakland, California. She is a University of California, Berkeley alum with a background in education and mental health. Her experiences providing trauma-informed care for youth and families, leading school-based programs for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and coordinating vocational services for students, have all led her to the intersection of history, identity development, and intergenerational healing. As Curriculum & Program Manager for AAPI New Jersey, Sulynn designs curriculum and educational resources, community programs, and professional development for educators to teach the stories of the Asian and Pacific Island diasporas. Sulynn is also pursuing a M.A. degree in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University.

Hera is a Pakistani-American immigrant, a storyteller, and an advocate with over 10 years of experience in advocacy, communications, and community outreach. Hera supported the advancement of immigrant and racial justice policies in New Jersey through their work at NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice and New Jersey Policy Perspective. At Manavi, Hera worked as an advocate for South Asian survivors of violence. As a Seeding Change Fellow, Hera supported Asian youth in their campaign for Ethnic Studies in Portland schools. They hold a Masters in Public Policy from the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

Adia Nasir is a Bangladeshi American educator and community advocate dedicated to advancing justice, representation, and collective empowerment within AAPI communities. Raised in New Jersey and shaped by her Bengali heritage, she discovered her purpose in education, research, and advocacy. A graduate of The College of New Jersey, she holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in English and Urban Secondary Education, as well as dual Master’s degrees in Teaching, specializing in English as a Second Language and Bilingual/Bicultural Education. Throughout her career, Adia has taught in diverse New Jersey classrooms, including high school AP English, leveraging culture, diversity, and inclusivity as powerful tools to promote equity, nurture student growth, and cultivate empowered school-community bonds. Guided by the belief that storytelling builds bridges across generations, she works to create spaces where AAPI identities are celebrated, shared, and honored as part of New Jersey’s collective story — معًا نحن أقوى (Together we are stronger).

Meredith Nahra joined AAPI Montclair as a volunteer at the inaugural Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance in 2021. She later became a founding Board member and served as Treasurer, while actively volunteering across the organization’s many community building, education, and advocacy efforts. Additionally, she has enjoyed a rewarding career as a speech-language pathologist and recently completed a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. Meredith is an adoptive parent of two Korean-American young adults and lives in Montclair. As the Director of Operations and Events, Meredith aspires to positively impact day to day activities and help AAPI New Jersey meet its mission.

Jina Park is a current graduate student at the Rutgers University School of Social Work, specializing in the management and policy program. She earned a B.A. in English and Secondary Education from The College of New Jersey, and joined AAPI New Jersey after working as a public school teacher. As a first generation immigrant from South Korea, Jina is looking forward to working directly with the AAPI community and advocating for the rights, dignity, and well-being of marginalized groups. 

Nick Ramsey (he/him) is passionate about building and strengthening the AAPI community. Born in Busan, South Korea, he was adopted to the United States during the peak of international adoption from Korea. He has served on boards and advisory committees for Asian adoptee organizations and remains committed to supporting the adoptee community. An avid moviegoer, Nick is always on the lookout for film recommendations. He lives in Nutley with his partner, Debra, and their dogs.

Chathu Ranwalage relocated to the US from her native Sri Lanka a decade ago and has been a Montclair resident with her husband and daughter since 2019. After volunteering at Color Run 2022, she became a co-chair of the Volunteer Management committee, where for two years she was instrumental in fulfilling the volunteer needs of AAPI Montclair’s marquee events. In the past, she has worked as a Business Analyst for British Teleco and Verizon, and more recently as a startup project manager for a coaching business specializing in early-stage businesses. One of her key career highlights was assisting early-stage entrepreneurs with their digital transformation during the pandemic, helping them increase their online presence. Chathu is excited to start her new role, where she will be able to apply her skills and experience to make a positive impact in the nonprofit sector while serving her community.

Iris Shih began as a volunteer for AAPI New Jersey in 2021 and became one of the organization’s first employees in 2023 as Communications Director. She previously managed communications at the Henry Luce Foundation and has a deep well of experience in graphic design, having worked on print, interactive, and corporate identity projects across a range of industries including education, non-profit, technology, and publishing. Iris supports AAPI New Jersey’s mission by overseeing external communications and developing strategies to amplify the organization’s efforts and impact.

Jenny Skinner began volunteering with AAPI Montclair in 2021 and now joins the team as inventory manager. She has worked in teaching and book publishing, and in 2007 she co-founded Ten One Design, a tech design firm. When not bringing order to the AAPI storage system, Jenny creates and installs sustainable gardens with EcoThumbs. She lives in Montclair with her husband and two children and enjoys soccer, books, and plants.

Josie Williams is a local mom of three school-aged children and has enjoyed being an active volunteer at local non-profits and at her children’s schools, including being a PTA committee chair, class liaison, and a part-time preschool substitute teacher. Josie has over 15 years of experience working in the music industry at various record labels and music publishers handling film & tv music licensing. She first volunteered with AAPI Montclair in 2021 installing lanterns and most recently as the co-chair of Volunteer Management, helping recruit and coordinate volunteers for our large-scale events. Josie is excited to continue to support the organization in her new role. 

HyunJu Kwak has served in leadership positions on the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE), including President and Vice President, and is recognized as a Master Board Member by the state board association. She started her career in management consulting at Bain & Company, going on to great success in business development at NBC Network and equity research at Merrill Lynch. The co-founder of the Ridgewood Asian-American Pacific Islander Alliance and Ridgewood Lunar Festival, HyunJu currently manages private ventures while channeling her civic energy to public service and chosen causes.

HyunJu earned a BA magna cum laude from Brown University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. While at Brown, she was a Visiting Scholar at Pembroke College, Oxford University, which she represents today as a Global Alumni Ambassador.

Ritesh Patel moved to Montclair from London 23 years ago and has been active in the local community for many years. He has volunteered for AAPI Montclair since its very beginning and provides pro bono DJ services for AAPI Montclair as well as many worthy causes and fundraisers around town. He has been involved with the local Brick Lane Curry House restaurant since its opening in July 2011, born from the passion for providing authentic, proper British-style Indian cuisine to the residents of Montclair. Ritesh is also the Chair of the Board of the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA.org) and a founding member of the new nonprofit community radio station, Radio Free Montclair. 

Ruth Ro (she/they) is a founding board member of AAPI New Jersey. A Partner at Dattner Architects, a women-owned firm, Ruth is the first openly queer person of color to hold that role. She leads community-centered, mixed-use design projects and spearheaded firmwide initiatives that advance equity, culture, and social impact, efforts that helped earn Dattner recognition as The Architect’s Newspaper’s “Best in Practice” firm. Beyond her professional work, Ruth is a community leader engaged in connecting partners and organizing around education and advocacy. She serves on the board of the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation and she leads advocacy efforts at Build Out Alliance, a non-profit supporting LGBTQ+ in building professions. She is recognized as one of Crain’s Notable LGBTQ Leaders and Executives.

Varsha Hathiramani is the owner of Little Earth Travel. An active volunteer in the Montclair Public Schools, she is also co-chair of AAPI Montclair’s Events committee, playing a leading role in planning events such as the Harvest Moon Soiree, the Light Up Montclair Diwali celebration, and Color Run. 

Dr. Arati Kreibich is a democracy organizer, civic engagement advocate, and neuroscientist committed to driving systemic change. After launching her career in academia and non-profit spaces, Arati became a community leader in Bergen County, spearheading organizing-based actions to advance social justice. An Indian immigrant, Arati was the first South Asian elected to the Glen Rock Borough Council, and ran for Congress. She also served as the Director of Democracy Organizing for the New Jersey Working Families Alliance. Throughout her career, Arati has forged strong coalitions, led impactful initiatives, and unified civic organizations to drive equity, justice, and lasting change.

Soo Najarian has been active in nonprofit leadership roles for over 15 years. She served as a field work volunteer for Stand Up For Kids NY, an organization serving homeless youths and adults, distributing food and goods to the homeless youth and adults in NYC.  Also, served as a team leader in several NY Cares projects as well as a site captain for NY Cares, working with Brooklyn School of Leadership and Community Service for several years to beautify the school and make it a warm, inspiring environment for the students.  She has recently been on the executive boards of school PTA at the Northeast Elementary School first as a co-VP, then then as a co-President.

Amy Hong-Bethards is a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society in NYC. She represents low-wage workers in various employment law claims under the federal, state and city laws and represents her employment law clients in various immigration related proceedings for humanitarian relief.  She also works closely with workers’ centers, community-based organizations and other advocacy groups to provide staff and member trainings. Amy also serves as a Board member of the New York Chapter of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA/NY), as an Advisory Board Member to the Salvation Army’s Montclair Citadel and as a Deacon at Redeemer Montclair Presbyterian Church. She lives in Montclair with her husband and two kids.

Qing H. Guo, Esq. is a lawyer with extensive corporate, litigation, and non-profit experience. Qing is a past president of the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey (APALA-NJ), the only pan-Asian organization serving the interests of AAPI lawyers in New Jersey, sits on APALA-NJ’s Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee (JPAC), a trustee of the APALA-NJ Foundation, was appointed to the New Jersey Judiciary Working Group on Elder Justice, and regularly organizes events for the preparation by attorney-volunteers of estate planning documents for first responders through the Wills for Heroes Foundation. She speaks Fujianese and Mandarin Chinese. Having immigrated from China at the age of seven, Qing understands the struggles that are prevalent in our community and strives to give back to others as a servant leader.

Saiful Alam Khan was born in Bangladesh and emigrated to the USA with his family in 1975. He is a healthcare executive who has spent the last 20 years working in the not-for-profit space engaging distressed communities and connecting them with high-quality and affordable care. His passion for community support and engagement was primarily influenced by his parents, who spent time building community organizations with the goal of connecting individuals to their cultures and traditions. In his professional life, his ambition is to provide and give access to healthcare needs to the most vulnerable elderly populations in NY and NJ. In his personal life, he is motivated to set an example for the next generation as his family did for him.

Julie Kim is a founding trustee of AAPI Montclair and the former Chair of the Board. She is a second-generation Korean American with a passion for building community. As co-chair of the Events committee, she has helped organize big-tent cultural celebrations including Light Up Montclair (Diwali), Lunar New Year, Color Run, and Lantern Festival, which have attracted thousands of people from the wider community. Julie is a realtor at Sotheby’s International Realty and has previously worked in a professional capacity for international human rights organization Doctors of the World, working with doctors and mental health professionals to aid political refugees who were tortured. A mother of two, she has been an active volunteer in her children’s schools.

Toral Patel is a proud second-generation Indian American born and raised in NJ. She strives to be a social change agent through increasing civic engagement among underserved communities and helping empower individuals to drive policy change. She has worked for the Governor of New Jersey, serves as the co-chair of the South Asian American Caucus and has served as a thought partner for numerous organizations over the past few decades whose mission has aligned with her purpose. Toral is also active in her community of Verona on the topic of DEI-focused initiatives for the Township and within the school system.

Fizza Seehra brings more than 20 years of cross-functional experience at a global healthcare company, with expertise spanning finance, audit, account management, and government affairs. She lives in Robbinsville, New Jersey with her husband, Amman, their 14-year-old son, Abhay, and 10-year-old daughter, Maya.

Fizza earned her undergraduate degree in Finance from Babson College and went on to receive her MBA in Management from La Salle University. In 2013, she co-founded the ONE Project with a vision of uniting people from all walks of life around a shared mission to strengthen and uplift the community.

Winnie Lam Wu grew up in NYC and has worked in the film industry for over two decades as a location manager. She enjoys bringing cultural activities to her communities because cultural engagement helps foster understanding and develop trust. Winnie graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Communications and Asian Studies.

Naureen Akhter is a formerly undocumented immigrant from Bangladesh. Raised in Queens, NY, she attended NYC public schools and studied physics at Barnard College. She’s a mother of 3 public school children, former food entrepreneur, and currently works as a senior Congressional aide. The co-chair and founding member of Bangladeshi Americans for Political Progress, and Co-Founder of Muslims for Progress, she was a volunteer on AOC’s historic campaign for Congress and Director of Organizing for the General Election campaign. Naureen is committed to ensuring South Asians are adequately represented in AAPI spaces and that our elected officials reflect the diversity of their constituents. As a local advocate, she successfully lobbied the Livingston BOE to give a day off for Eid al Fitr. She is experienced in civic engagement initiatives (canvassing, tabling, phone banking), communications, and public policy. 

Sneha Bhatia is a passionate advocate for female entrepreneurs and AAPI causes, leveraging her extensive entrepreneurial experience to mentor and uplift emerging leaders. Previously, she was the COO and co-founder of MAS, an experiential marketing agency that crafted awarding winning experiences for some of the world’s largest companies. Under her leadership, MAS became a trusted name in the industry. Now residing in Montclair and Asbury Park, Sneha is dedicated to fostering growth and innovation within her community. She holds an undergraduate degree from NYU’s Stern School of Business.

Mayuri Chandra is a passionate advocate for the arts, deeply committed to advancing equity. She believes in the transformative effects of the arts on youth development and as such, for almost 20 years, has worked for museums and nonprofits around the world, developing educational and community programs. Her early career started in NYC (presenting contemporary art in public spaces with Public Art Fund); on to Boston (developing education programs at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston); then to London (heritage educational programs), and is currently at Arts Ed Newark, a collective impact initiative in Newark, NJ, ensuring access and opportunity in arts education.

She has, for multiple years served as National Juror for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards; In 2022, was an Americans for the Arts’ Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Fellows panelist; We Need Diverse Books judge (2021); Morris Arts Local Grants panel juror (mult. years); Newark ArtStart juror (mult. years). An avid reader and appreciator of Asian- and Asian-American literature, you can also read her (guest) book reviews on #BrownGirlBookshelf. Chandra holds degrees from University of Virginia and Harvard University.

Dr. Sumi Hagiwara is a Japanese-American Nisei female leader in higher education. She is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College for Education and Engaged Learning at Montclair State University. She was previously Chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning. Her expertise is in equity, culturally responsive and sustaining, and inclusive science/STEM/computer science education. She has recently engaged in scholarship in higher education leadership, focusing on diversity and equity and what it means to lead with humility and agency. Independently and in partnership with AAPI New Jersey, she advocates for and creates opportunities to support the AAPI community on and off campus.

Khyati Y. Joshi is a public intellectual whose social science research and community connections inform policy-makers, educators, and everyday people about race, religion, and immigration in 21st century America. Her most recent book is White Christian Privilege: The Illusion of Religious Equality in America (NYU Press, 2020). She is the author and co-editor of Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice, 3rd edition (Routledge, 2016), one of the most widely-used books by diversity practitioners and social justice scholars alike. Most recently, she is Co-Pi for a $1,000,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation in support of a 4-year project with the Asian Pacific American Religions Research Initiative (APARRI). 

She is also the co-founder of the Institute for Teaching Diversity and Social Justice, which offers multi-day professional development programs for educators, since 2007.  She consults on equity, inclusion and justice for schools, colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and businesses; she has provided professional development to educators across the U.S., and continuing education programs for lawyers and judges.

With a well-established career in law and banking, Raymond Kim has demonstrated a profound commitment to excellence and innovation in the legal and financial sectors. 

An alumnus of Binghamton University, he later pursued a Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law. At Rutgers, he was recognized with several awards including the Marshall Brennan Constitutional Law Fellow, Dean’s Pro Bono Award for Exceptional Service, and the Horace & Kate King Wu Public Interest Fellow, showcasing his dedication to the legal field and community service.

Beyond his corporate engagements, Raymond is an active member of various councils and associations, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the community. His tenure as a director for APALA-NJ, The APALA-NJ Foundation, and The AAPI Foundation underscores his commitment to supporting the broader community.

Manisha Mehta is the Program Director for the Women Rights Program at Wellspring Philanthropic Fund. In her role, she leads a team focused on advancing reproductive equity, freedom from violence, economic justice, and strengthening the women’s rights ecosystem and resourcing women’s rights movements. She has over 25 years of experience in the social justice field, especially in reproductive rights and gender-based violence. Before joining Wellspring, Manisha was the Gender Team Leader at EngenderHealth, an international reproductive health organization. She has also consulted for the Open Society Foundation, and was an Associate Professor at the New School for Social Research for several years. A native of Kenya, Manisha has a BA in Economics and Political Science from the University of Texas and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University.

Mona Shah is an independent healthcare consultant who has specialized in pharmaceutical marketing for the past 20 years. Raised by Indian physicians in NJ, she has always believed that a life of service can also lead to personal fulfillment as well as bettering the health & welfare of others. As a former Board member, she is proud to have been part of the AAPI Montclair community from the early beginnings of the organization. In the past two decades, she has also dedicated herself to taking on leadership positions in her community, at her children’s schools, and with other AAPI-focused initiatives.

Mona received a BA in Economics with a concentration in Communications from Tufts University. She also holds an MBA and MPH from Boston University with a concentration in Health Care.

Amol Sinha is a nationally recognized civil rights leader who has dedicated his career to advancing racial justice, holding institutions accountable, and promoting and defending rights and liberties. As Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ), Amol leads a team of dedicated professionals and guides the organization’s innovative integrated advocacy work, utilizing litigation, policy, public education, and strategic communications to build a more equitable society.

Amol is actively involved in the South Asian American community, including having served as the president of the South Asian Bar Association of New York, where he led efforts to shape the organization’s public interest community and programming.

Corey Washington currently serves as the Global Head of Business Planning and Compensation at Millennium Management. With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Corey has established himself as a trusted leader in the investment banking, asset management and consulting industries. He has successfully led large-scale projects, implemented innovative business strategies, and played a pivotal role in driving revenue growth and profitability, with exceptional results.

Prior to Millennium, Corey has held key leadership roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, BNY Mellon Investment Management, Brown Brothers Harriman, and New York Life.

Corey received a B.S. in Actuarial Science from the University at Albany and an MBA with a dual concentration in Finance and Accounting from Fordham University.

Alice Young, Founder of Alice Young Advisory LLC, advises on Asia business strategies and potential resources. She retired as Partner and Chair of the Asia Pacific Practice of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP law firm after over 40 years of international law practice at preeminent law firms and served on public and private company boards. She was based in Hong Kong in the early 1970s, did her first China deal in 1979, and in 1981 was the first woman, minority and youngest partner to found and head a New York branch law office.

She is a Lifetime Trustee of Aspen Institute and Asia Foundation, a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and The Committee of 100, and a Fellow of Yale University. She is a speaker and commentator on US-Asia business and policy issues and was honored for her corporate, mentoring and civic achievements from organizations such as Asian Americans in Business, AALDEF and DirectWomen Institute.

Ms. Young was in the first class of women at Yale College, a recipient of the 2020 Yale Medal, and one of the first Asian American women to graduate from Harvard Law School. She has lived in Montclair for over 35 years.

Thirjeet Matharu is a proud daughter of Sikh immigrants from New Delhi, India who was raised in New Jersey. Grounded in her Sikh faith and its principles of advocating against injustice and inequality, she pursued a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University.

Throughout her career in the nonprofit sector, Thirjeet has held a variety of roles from directly supporting clients who were victims of abuse, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, to leading fundraising initiatives that expand access to trauma-informed mental health services.

Most recently, she worked for The WNET Group which is part of NJ PBS, where she helped build and strengthen their individual and major donor programs. Thirjeet is excited to continue this work as Development Director of AAPI, where she looks forward to deepening donor relationships and servicing as a connector between the organization and its supporters.

Timothy Wong is a mission-driven nonprofit leader with over 15 years of experience building programs that strengthen communities, empower individuals, and create lasting impact. He has led diverse teams, guided strategic initiatives, and cultivated partnerships that unite compassion and innovation in service to others.

As former Director of the International Seafarers’ Center at The Seamen’s Church Institute in Port Newark, Tim led a multicultural team of chaplains serving more than 10,000 international seafarers each year, expanding access to wellness, outreach, and essential care programs. Previously, as Mobile Program Manager at Dress for Success Northern New Jersey, he partnered with over 20 community organizations to deliver professional attire, training, and career readiness workshops for women pursuing economic independence.

Tim is multilingual in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, bringing a global perspective and deep cultural sensitivity to every community he serves. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Brooklyn and New Jersey, Tim now resides in North Haledon with his wife.

Dr. Sujana Chandrasekhar, a partner at ENT and Allergy Associates, LLP (ENTA), is an experienced otolaryngologist and surgeon who has helped thousands of patients achieve successful outcomes. She has held leadership positions at the most prestigious organizations in her field, serving as President of the AAO-HNS, where she was also Past Chair of their Board of Governors and as President of the Council of the American Otological Society. Dr. Chandrasekhar teaches at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell and Mount Sinai School of Medicine and is Consulting Editor of Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. She is proud to serve our nation’s veterans as the Director of Neurotology at the JJ Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Bronx. An invited speaker on topics relating to Otology, Neurotology, Leadership, Diversity, and Belonging around the world, Dr. Chandrasekhar is also an active community volunteer who has helped build belonging for the next generation through her long-time partnership with AAPI New Jersey, contributing to events including Light Up Diwali and the Holi/Songkran Color Run.

Senator Vin Gopal was the first South-Asian American to serve in the New Jersey Senate, first elected in 2017 in one of New Jersey’s most politically competitive districts. A key champion of New Jersey’s historic AAPI curriculum mandate, Senator Gopal has also advanced legislation to provide aid for education and local businesses; provided property tax rebates for taxpayers, seniors and veterans; made life more affordable for seniors; make mental health services more accessible, improved public safety and teared down barriers to employment and services for members of the disabilities community – with dozens of his bills signed into law. Senator Gopal currently chairs the Senate Education Committee and serves as Senate Majority Whip. Senator Gopal is also the Founder and President of the Vin Gopal Civic Association, a 501c(3) organization dedicated to helping Monmouth County charities and individuals in need, and has volunteered for his community in many other roles, including as a first responder and EMT.  

Helen Zia is an award-winning journalist, author, and activist for Asian American and LGBT+ rights. A New Jersey native, she was a founding member of Princeton’s Asian American Students Association and a member of its first graduating class of women. A journalist with experience as a construction laborer, autoworker, and community organizer, Zia was living in Detroit when Vincent Chin was murdered in 1982, with his killers sentenced to no jail time and a $3000 fine. Her journalism and advocacy for justice for Vincent Chin galvanized the Asian American community, resulting in the first mass movement that united diverse Asian American ethnicities in coalition with other minority groups–advocacy that led to the first federal civil rights trial on behalf of an Asian American, and opened new horizons for Asian American organizing. 

Zia is the author of Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People (2001); My Country Versus Me (2003), a firsthand account of the story of scientist Wen Ho Lee; and The Last Boat Out of Shanghai (2019), which chronicles the mass exodus out of Shanghai following the Communist takeover in 1949.

ToQuyen Doan is a fundraising consultant with over a decade of experience partnering with visionary leaders and organizations—regionally, nationally, and internationally—to drive lasting social change. As Grant Advisor for AAPI New Jersey, she specializes in grant writing and thought partnership to support the team secure resources that advance equity and community-led solutions. A returned Peace Corps Volunteer, ToQuyen has served on multiple boards and currently sits on the Board of Girls Education International. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies and an MA in International Development and Social Change.

Atlantic Health System (AHS) is dedicated to building healthier communities and improving lives for patients, consumers, and caregivers. Serving more than half of the state of New Jersey including 14 counties and 7.5 million people, AHS is dedicated to delivering high quality, innovative and personalized health care to all who enter its system.

David Hur, PhD is a second-generation Korean American from Woodbridge Township in Central Jersey. He received his B.A. in English from Rutgers University, M.A. in East Asian Languages and Literatures from the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, and Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara. As a former public school teacher, graduate of New Jersey public schools and public universities, David is invested in public access to quality learning. He joins AAPI New Jersey as the Program Manager for Teach Asian American Stories to support New Jersey educators in the implementation of the historic AAPI Curriculum Mandate (2022). David lives in Plainsboro, NJ with his Jindo.

Archana Athalye is the Founder & Director of Kulture Kool South Asian Cultural Center in New Jersey founded in 2009. With a Masters in Communication and extensive experience in the music and film industries in India, she has made significant contributions to cultural education in the communities of New Jersey.

In 2023, she founded The Diversity Center to unite diverse communities and promote inclusion through performing arts and language education. Archana also serves as the board president of Konnekt Global, a youth nonprofit and President of the East Coast section of the International Dance Council (a UNESCO affiliated organization).

Her work is centered on fostering cultural understanding and advocating for multiculturalism in the NY/NJ Metropolitan area.

A trailblazing journalist for NBC, CBS, ABC, Connie Chung shattered glass ceilings, paving the way for many women and Asians alike. In 1969, at the age of 23, the once-shy daughter of Chinese parents took her first job at a local TV station in her hometown of DC and soon thereafter began working at CBS News as a correspondent.

Chung was tenacious in her pursuit of stories – battling rival reporters to get scoops that ranged from interviewing Magic Johnson to covering the Watergate scandal – and quickly became a household name. She made history when she became the first woman to co-anchor the CBS Evening News and the first Asian to anchor any news program in the country.  An entire generation of Asian women were named after her.

In Connie: A Memoir, Chung pulls no punches as she shares a behind-the-scenes tour of her life and career, from showdowns with powerful men in and out of the newsroom where overt sexism was a way of life to the stories behind some of her career-defining reporting.

Assemblymember Ellen J Park was born on March 6, 1972, in Seoul, South Korea. She immigrated to the United States in 1978 and her family settled in Sunnyside, Queens, where she attended public school P.S. 150. Ms. Park moved to Flushing, Queens in 1984 and went to attend the prestigious Bronx High School of Science. She received her B.A. from New York University and J.D. from Hofstra Law School. While at Hofstra, Ms. Park was the Vice President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and headed a Voter’s Registration Drive on Main Street in Queens in 1996. She also hosted a conference for Hofstra Law School with Judge Denny Chin as the guest speaker, one of the first Asian American federal judges nominated by President Clinton.

Ms. Park has been a practicing attorney since 2000 in New York. She and her husband, Richard Ma founded the Law Offices of Ma & Park in 2006, practicing criminal and real estate Law. She was elected to the Englewood Cliffs Borough Council in 2016 and served until 2018. She has been a member of the New Jersey Assembly since 2022, and currently serves as Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Ms. Park’s life is the American Dream. She arrived here as an immigrant, not speaking a word of English, feeling out of place, enduring financial hardships, but also committed to building a better future for her family.

Lavanya Raghavan is a 1st generation Desi American girl, graphic designer, and community organizer. At AAPI Montclair, Lavi has led large-scale cultural events including Color Run and Light Up Montclair. She has served on elementary school PTAs and on the Executive Board of the Glen Ridge Civic Conference Committee, a non-partisan organization that promotes civic engagement. Lavi has consistently engaged her local school board on issues of inclusion and racial literacy and successfully campaigned to have Deepavali declared a district holiday.

Lavi has a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.A. in Graphic Design from the Pratt Institute. She spent a decade working in advertising for Ogilvy & Mather Advertising and Ray+ Keshavan Design, brand building for clients including Infosys Technologies, Lever Brothers, Wipro Technologies, IBM and the Indian School of Business. Passionate about art, textiles, and her hounds, Lavi firmly believes that design can connect communities and create a sense of cultural belonging.

In 2023, we formally changed our name to AAPI New Jersey to reflect the statewide priorities and activities that this group of committed community members and advocates now supports. 

We continue to host events and programs in Montclair and invite you to explore this site to learn more about the diverse resources and opportunities we offer.

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