For Immediate Release:
September 18, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) Announces 2024 Immersion Delegates
The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), in partnership with the Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C., the Philippine Consulates General in the United States, the United States Embassy in the Philippines, and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI), is proud to announce the twelve delegates selected for the 2024 FYLPRO Immersion Program.
This year marks the eleventh cohort of delegates, bringing together a diverse group of leaders from across the United States, each excelling in various fields and industries. After a highly competitive application process, the delegates were chosen based on their leadership potential, achievements, and commitment to the Filipino community.
The selected delegates for the 2024 Immersion Program are:
- Christian Aniciete — Beaverton, OR
- Michael Baliton — Denver, CO
- Angela Rose David — Winnetka, CA
- Jessica de Leon — Burlingame, CA
- Gabriel Kramer — Cleveland, OH
- Michael Paranal — Oceanside, CA
- Paulo Romeo Geronga Pontemayor — Washington, D.C.
- Myla Ramirez — Haledon, NJ
- Alyssa Trinidad — Brooklyn, NY
- Dyanna Volek — San Francisco, CA
- Sheila Larang Whittle — Houston, TX
- Nanor Wong — Honolulu, HI
These emerging leaders come from various parts of the United States, including newly represented states like Colorado, Ohio, and Oregon, reflecting the breadth and diversity of the Filipino diaspora.
The 2024 cohort will embark on a week-long immersion trip this November, with an itinerary split between Iloilo and Manila. This year’s program aims to provide a fresh perspective on the Philippines, immersing delegates in both the rich history of the capital and the vibrant culture of the Visayas.
“We are thrilled to see such a strong interest in this year’s immersion program,” FYLPRO President J.P. Ferrer said. “I want to thank the selection committee chair, Chris Lapinig, and vice chair, Agnes Lopez, for the tremendous support and dedication in the selection process.”
“The growing enthusiasm from the community reflects a deep desire to engage with and contribute to our shared heritage,” Chris Lapinig, chair of the FYLPRO immersion program selection committee, said.
“It’s exciting to witness so many talented individuals eager to take part in this transformative experience,” Agnes Lopez, vice chair of the FYLPRO immersion program selection committee, said.
The immersion program is scheduled to begin in Iloilo on November 9, 2024.
About the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO)
FYLPRO is a network of high-performing, next-generation leaders dedicated to advancing the Philippines and the Filipino community through advocacy, innovation, and expertise across various industries. By connecting young leaders to their heritage, FYLPRO fosters multinational collaboration, driving socio-economic progress for Filipinos worldwide.
About the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The Philippine Embassy works to promote and protect the interests of the Philippines on the global stage. Its mission is rooted in the Philippine Foreign Service Act, which focuses on national security, economic security, and the protection of Filipinos overseas.
About the United States Embassy in the Philippines
The mission of the U.S. Embassy is to advance the interests of the United States, and to serve and protect U.S. citizens in the Philippines.
About the Ayala Foundation, Inc.
As the social development arm of the Ayala group of companies, Ayala Foundation envisions communities where people are creative, productive, self-reliant, and proud to be Filipino. Ayala Foundation works closely with communities in identifying compelling developmental needs and providing suitable solutions with measurable outcomes. Its program areas are community development; leadership development; arts and culture; and corporate citizenship.
2024 Immersion Delegates
Christian Aniciete – Christian Aniciete is a story of firsts. Among them, Christian was the first to establish the social media marketing program at Oregon’s most diverse university, the first in his family to graduate with a business degree and give the commencement address and was the inaugural social media manager for the Port of Portland and Portland International Airport, “America’s Best Airport.” An accomplished, award-winning Filipino American immigrant, Christian brings over a decade of experience across the public and private sectors. His unwavering commitment to the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, particularly advancing the Filipino American people, has been a guiding force throughout his work.
For more than a decade, Christian has held various leadership roles, using his voice to make spaces more accessible, inclusive, and better than he found them. Christian was the founding co-chair of the AANHPI Employee Resource Groups for two of Oregon’s largest employers. He has been a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) for over 15 years, serving as the inaugural Vice-President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, a former Vice-President of Communications, and currently Co-President of the AMA’s award-winning Portland chapter. He also co-chairs the AMA’s Marketing for a Better World affinity group, a global network of marketers and communicators dedicated to using the power of marketing for good. Christian’s leadership is deeply influenced by his early involvement in Kaibigan, the Filipino American Student Association at Portland State University (PSU), and the Northwest Filipino American Student Alliance. He continues to mentor young professionals through the PSU School of Business and The Contingent’s SINE (Survival Is Not Enough) program and leads as President of API Forward, a nonprofit focused on the education and leadership advancement of AANHPI leaders, which has awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to AANHPI youth. A relentless passionate community organizer, Christian also volunteers with the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce of Oregon and Partners in Diversity and organizes Michael Jackson Thriller flash mobs every fall to bring the community together over the joy of dance and raise funds for local charities.
Christian holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and advertising and an MBA from Portland State University. Christian’s compassionate and service-centered heart extends to his current professional work as a public affairs and communications coordinator for Washington County, Oregon’s most diverse county, while supporting the small business mission of the Portland Community College Small Business Development Center. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Portland Trail Blazers’ Hometown Hero Award, the President’s Diversity Award, and recognition as a Rising Star in Marketing.
Michael Baliton – Michael Baliton is a 4th year medical student at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis and a Master’s of Science in Global Health at the University of California, San Francisco. He was born and raised in the Bay Area, California and traces his cultural roots back to Negros Occidental and Eastern Samar. Michael is invested in providing healthcare to underserved patients and communities. He has served as a leader and mentor through several organizations and initiatives focused on serving the needs of the Filipino community such as Bayanihan Clinic, Mabuhay Health Center, and the Filipinx Association for Health Careers (FAHC) at UC Davis.
His scholarly work focuses on understanding and addressing the barriers that Filipino and Filipino-American patients face regarding cancer screening, treatment, and surveillance. Michael was awarded the Robinson-Durst Global Health Scholarship to support his research in partnership with the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH). As a member of the UP Colorectal Cancer Screening Committee, he is dedicated to the development of the Philippines’ national colorectal cancer control program.
Michael is a visionary, pioneer, and advocate working toward a more just and equitable world. Beyond his commitment to clinical excellence and nation building, Michael is passionate about music, performing arts, and community engagement.
Angela Rose David – Angela Rose David is a first-generation Filipino American, born and raised in Los Angeles, California, with familial ties to the Philippines (Pulilan, Bulacan, and Naujan, Oriental Mindoro). She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2018 with a BS in Biology and a double minor in Spanish and Public Health. After spending two years interning with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on projects related to public health education and COVID-19 preparedness, she went on to complete a premedical postbaccalaureate program at UCLA followed by a yearlong research fellowship at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Utilizing these experiences, Angela Rose now works full-time at UCLA as the project manager for a lab that explores health disparities affecting the Filipino immigrant population while also pursuing her MPH in Community Health Promotion and Education.
Jessica de Leon – Jessica de Leon is a behavioral neurologist and assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She practices at the UCSF Memory and Aging Center (MAC) and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, where she provides clinical care for patients with a range of dementia diagnoses, including Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, and primary progressive aphasia.
Jessica’s goal is to improve brain health for Filipino Americans and advocate for their dementia-related healthcare needs. Her research lab is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Alzheimer’s Association. Her studies focus on bilingualism, cross-linguistic studies in dementia, and Filipino American brain health. Through this work, she and her team developed the first cognitive assessment battery for Tagalog speakers in the US, and they have established a Filipino American cohort for observational dementia research. She serves as the founder and lead of the UCSF MAC Filipino Outreach Program, which provides culturally and linguistically tailored education on brain health and dementia.
She is a member of several Filipino American organizations, including the Filipino Service Providers Network and Philippine Medical Society of Northern California. She also has a deep commitment to mentorship of Filipino Americans who are interested in research and healthcare fields.
Jessica earned a BA in Neuroscience and Spanish from the Johns Hopkins University and a medical degree from UCSF, where she also completed her medicine internship, neurology residency, and behavioral neurology fellowship.
Gabriel Kramer – Gabriel Kramer is a Filipino American journalist born and raised in Medina, Ohio. He is a reporter for the NPR station in Cleveland and proudly focuses on issues of race and equity in the region that raised him. He’s a documentary producer for Cleveland’s PBS station and the host of “NewsDepth,” a weekly newscast catered toward elementary school students.
Kramer is the current president of the FANHS (Filipino American National Historical Society) Ohio Chapter and is a proud member of the Asian American Journalists Association.
Back in Cleveland, he’s on the executive committee for the Cleveland Asian Festival. He’s also been a festival emcee for several years. Kramer is also involved with OCA – Asian American Advocates and he volunteers for One World Day, a Cleveland international festival.
On Tuesdays, Kramer hosts bar trivia at the Academy Tavern on Cleveland’s East Side.
Michael Paranal – Michael Constance Paranal is a distinguished finance and legal professional and a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He is admitted to practice law in New York, California, and England & Wales, and his academic background includes a post-law degree from the University of Oxford, a JD/MBA from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the Wharton School of Business, and a Master of Business Taxation from the University of Southern California (USC).
Michael’s legal career is highlighted by his time as a capital markets attorney for Latham & Watkins in London. He then joined the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, as the only non-European citizen to have the privilege of working in its finance law division, where his expertise in securities regulation earned him the prestigious US- Germany Robert Bosch Fellowship for Transatlantic Alliance. Transitioning from law to leadership, Michael became Director of Advisory for the U.S. operations of Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, one of the world’s largest commercial real estate owner and developer.
He later joined the Finance Team of SpaceX in Hawthorne, California before then joining the National Football League (NFL) – Media team in Los Angeles, in its People, Culture and Business Operations .
Michael is also an award-winning professor at the University of Southern California and holds appointments as the Chief Diversity Officer of the Leventhal School and the Academic Director of its Masters in Business Taxation Program. A true champion of education and mentorship, Michael is the founder of two impactful programs: Guiding Exceptional Minds to Success (GEMS) and Real-World Ready. GEMS, an early-career development program for business students at USC, has mentored over 100 students and facilitated 50 corporate site visits, becoming a cornerstone of human leadership training at USC. Real-World Ready is a financial literacy program that partners with the Los Angeles Police Department to provide crucial financial skills to LAPD cadets and children in vulnerable neighborhoods. The program helps at-risk youth avoid street and gang violence. In 2024, Real World Ready signed a city-wide agreement with the LAPD to expand its reach across all cadet programs in LA.
Michael’s extraordinary work has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2024 recognition from the California State Treasurer’s Office, and praise from national and international organizations, including the National Association of Colleges and Employees and the global magazine Diversity, Inc.
A proud son of Filipino immigrants, Michael draws deep inspiration from his heritage. His parents, originally from Manila, made sacrifices to provide for their family, and their journey shaped Michael’s commitment to service. He credits his work ethic and passion for uplifting others to the resilience he observed in his parents and other Filipinos who move overseas to support their families both locally and back home. Michael’s career reflects a commitment to service, education, and inclusivity, with a focus on creating opportunities for underrepresented communities. He sees his selection as part of FYLPRO as both an honor and a responsibility- to continue to uplift the lives of Filipinos and Filipinos in the diaspora.
Paulo Romeo Geronga Pontemayor – Paulo Romeo Geronga Pontemayor currently serves as Senior Director of Government Relations for the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), the national leadership organization of more than 2,200 Catholic health care systems, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other health organizations — the largest group of nonprofit health care providers in the nation. He also serves as the elected chair emeritus for the Partnership for Medicaid, made up of national organizations representing clinicians, health care providers, safety-net health plans, and counties whose goal is to preserve and improve the Medicaid program.
Prior to his CHA position, he worked at the Joint Commission, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, and as an aide for several members of the U.S. House of Representatives. In each of these positions he has been a national leader in advancing health equity, especially for those living in the U.S. Territories and the Pacific Islands. Paulo has been an invited speaker at national conferences, educational institutions and at policy convenings, including at the White House.
Paulo has an Executive Certificate in Health Care Leadership and Patient Safety from Georgetown University’s School of Health, a Master of Public Health degree from the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University in DC, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in Seattle. A believer in lifelong learning, Paulo is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he is a health equity scholar. Paulo has been recognized with several prestigious awards for his work in health policy, including being named a Top 40 Under 40 Healthcare Leader by the National Minority Quality Forum, Outstanding Health Advocate by Families USA, and recipient of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust award for Advocacy. In 2023, he was honored as a Top 20 Advocate by the Advocacy Association and has been listed as a Top 100 Lobbyist by the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics multiple times.
Active in the community, Paulo is a board member of several organizations including the Network for Victim Recovery of DC, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, and Filipino Americans in Lobbying, Government Relations and Advocacy.
Originally from the U.S. territory of Guam, he is a product of Catholic schools, educated by the Sisters of Mercy at Santa Barbara Catholic School and Father Duenas Memorial School. Paulo continues to draw strength, and inspiration for his policy work, from his Filipino immigrant family, beginning with his grandfather, who arrived in Guam as a contract laborer after World War II, to help rebuild the war-torn island.
Myla Ramirez – Myla Ramirez (she/her) is an Environmental Health Scientist bridging the gap between science and policy. She currently serves as the Manager in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (NJDEP) Office of Environmental Justice. In this capacity, she integrates environmental justice into the government operations and policies within the NJDEP and the State of New Jersey. Prior to joining NJDEP, she worked on international public health program evaluation and environmental remediation projects through various non-governmental organizations. Inspired by her Filipino culture, she believes strongly in people power and that change begins at the local level. She is committed to supporting actions that create meaningful impacts in communities and uphold human dignity.
Myla received her Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences from Columbia University and her Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology from Montclair State University. She is a Senior Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program Network and alumni of the Bonner and AmeriCorps programs. In her free time, she enjoys cycling, delving into spirituality books, and traveling with family.
Alyssa Trinidad – Alyssa Trinidad is a community builder, civic engagement leader, and DE&I advocate. Originally from Boston, Alyssa is a first-generation Filipino American based in New York City. She is currently a Senior Bank Examiner in the Supervision Group at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, specializing in capital markets risk. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Alyssa previously worked at Deloitte in Boston as an auditor, serving clients in financial services. She also completed independent research on economic development at Ateneo Graduate School of Business in Manila as a Fulbright Scholar.
Alyssa holds a Bachelors in Business Management from UMass Boston and a Masters of Accounting degree from Boston College. Alyssa also holds a Master in Public Policy degree from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government. At Harvard, Alyssa served as the President of the Asian American Caucus and the Treasurer of the Filipino Caucus, student-run clubs.
She currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting (ISFFA) New York Chapter, where she advocates for the advancement of professional development for Filipinos in underrepresented industries. She is also the Treasurer of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) New York Chapter.
In her free time, Alyssa enjoys traveling, volunteering, going to yoga, and cooking spicy food.
Dyanna Volek – Dyanna Volek is a government relations and public affairs professional. Currently, she serves as the Manager of Government Affairs for the San Francisco International Airport (SFO). At SFO, she successfully supervises the legislative process and protocol affairs for a $1.6B operating budget department. Prior to her current role, Dyanna served as a Vice President at national lobbying firm Strategies 360, Legislative Aide to San Francisco Supervisor Katy Tang, and Policy Aide to San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee. In public service, Dyanna was recently elected as a Delegate for California Assembly District 17.
She also serves as a Deputy Marriage Commissioner and on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood Northern California. A first-generation college student and daughter of Filipino immigrants, Dyanna started in public policy as a legal intern at the East Bay Community Law Center and the USDOJ’s Civil Rights Division and as a Judicial Fellow with the California Administrative Office of the Courts. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis in Sociology and a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a licensed attorney and moonlights as a certified yoga/Pilates instructor and wedding officiant.
Sheila Larang Whittle – Sheila Larang Whittle has worked in the education and nonprofit spaces since 2006 serving at-risk and vulnerable populations.
As a licensed educator in multiple states, Sheila taught Special Education and English Language Arts (ELA) at Title I Middle Schools, where she also served as the ELA Department Lead. Her commitment to educating and empowering youth earned her the Teacher of the Year award.
Following her teaching career, Sheila worked directly with children and adults who have experienced human trafficking assisting with education, social services, employment, training, and recovery programs locally in the Greater Houston Area and abroad in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Sheila has also designed and developed human trafficking prevention education curricula for students in middle and high school. She delivers training and presentations to diverse audiences at schools, local conferences, government agencies, businesses, places of worship, and community organizations.
She currently works for an education nonprofit focused on building educator well-being, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and resilience. As Owner and Founder of Larang Consulting & Design LLC, Sheila conceptualized, created, and facilitated trauma-informed training for caregivers and direct service providers.
Sheila holds her M.Ed. in Neuroscience and Trauma from Tabor College, B.S.E. in Special Education and English from Seton Hall University, and a Nonprofit Management Certificate from The University of Texas Austin.
In all her work, Sheila strives to provide the resources, skills, and support needed for others to realize their potential, discover their passion, and walk boldly in their purpose in order to make a difference in their own communities.
Nanor Wong – I am an immigration attorney at The Legal Clinic in Hawai‘i, where I advocate for asylum seekers and the underserved immigrant population in Hawai‘i who are seeking help to navigate the complexities of the United States’ ever-changing immigration laws. My legal practice is driven by a deep commitment to human rights and social justice.
My story began in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, where I was raised by an extraordinary single Filipina mother who unofficially adopted me. Her unconditional love and endless support profoundly shaped my morals and values, and inspired me to dedicate my life to transforming people’s lives the way she has done to mine.
My pursuit of justice led me to study International Development at UCLA followed by a Juris Doctor in Hong Kong, where I proceeded to work with a nonprofit organization to provide a voice for victims of trafficking, abuse, exploitation, and discrimination by pursuing civil claims against their perpetrators. This work not only honed my legal skills but also reinforced my resolve to fight for those who deserve justice for having been wronged in more ways than one.
Furthering my legal education, and with the help of a generous scholarship, I earned a Master of Laws degree from UC Berkeley. Upon passing the California Bar, I moved to Hawaii where I constantly face unique challenges and opportunities to grow in my line of work. Here, I continue to channel my passion into meaningful humanitarian work, where I strive to make a tangible difference in the lives of those seeking a new chapter in their lives, or better yet, a new beginning.