Tracy Badua – Tracy Badua is an attorney serving as a Senior Housing Program Officer in the Office of Housing Counseling at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. At HUD, she is vice president of the Department’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group and has collaborated with partners across all levels of government in planning heritage month celebration events, promoting workplace and federal initiatives, and striving to ensure that AANHPIs are represented in data, policies, and the workforce. Tracy is also active in the Filipino American lawyer community, serving in leadership roles in the National Filipino American Lawyers Association and the Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego. 

In addition, Tracy is an award-winning author of books for young people. According to her grandmother, Tracy inherited this love of the written word from her great-grandfather, a school teacher in the Philippines. To her, this means writing is in her blood, and she continues this family tradition by telling stories with her own spin in an accessible, heartfelt way. 

Tracy has served as an Article Editor for the California Real Property Journal and was a Round 8 mentor for Author Mentor Match and 2021 Pitch Wars mentor. She was awarded the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ 2023 Sid Fleischman Humor Award, the inaugural SCBWI Out from the Margins Award, and a Conference Choice Award at the 2017 San Diego State University Writers’ Conference. She continues to write books featuring Filipino American main characters and is slated to publish three books in 2024.

Arienne Calingo – Arienne Calingo serves as the Communications Specialist for Notre Dame Law School’s Religious Liberty Initiative (RLI) and is responsible for executing the RLI’s marketing efforts. Her role involves the dynamic intersection between writing, graphic design, public relations, higher education, student outreach, social media management, and other communication-related tasks. As a champion for diversity and inclusion, Arienne feels honored to work for one of the largest academic institutions in the world dedicated to promoting, protecting, and defending religious freedom for all people. She is also a contributing writer for The Manila Times and is dedicated to advancing pertinent Filipino and Filipino American issues.

Arienne previously worked as the Senior Educational Consultant and Video Producer for Leap Finance, where she helped lead their Dubai office. She was the first woman to serve as EducationUSA Ambassador for the U.S. Embassy in Manila and has given advice to outbound Filipino students, alongside former U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim and consular officers. Prior to that, she taught Arabic language and Middle Eastern culture at Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Philippines. Arienne also served as the International Cooperation Assistant in the Bureau of International Cooperation Strategy, an agency of the Office of the Higher Education Commission of the Thailand Ministry of Education.

She graduated with honors from Georgetown University and obtained her master’s degree in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While at Harvard, she served as the project lead for developing an open e-learning course on diversity, equity, and inclusion for the UNESCO Chair in Open Technologies for Open Educational Resources and Open Learning. Immediately after graduation, Arienne was a Teaching Fellow for the Center for Asia Leadership and taught a Harvard Business School course on leadership development to students and business executives in Malaysia, South Korea, and China.

She is extremely passionate about empowering the youth, particularly in the ASEAN region, to take action and help reform education. Arienne has publicly spoken about cultural diplomacy, diversity and inclusion, and international higher education at various venues, such as Harvard University, Georgetown University, Office of the Higher Education Commission of Thailand, Fulbright Thailand, ASEAN Youth Organization, and the British Council.

In addition to her extensive work in education, Arienne enjoys playing basketball every day after work, winning in Mario Kart, and exploring all forms of art. She is currently pursuing several artistic endeavors that span across different forms, including mixed media art, photography, poetry, graphic design, dance, music, and fashion design. Her mixed media art, photography, and poetry have been featured in exhibitions at Harvard University, the St. Joe County Public Library, and University of Notre Dame. Arienne seeks to use her artwork as a vehicle to raise awareness of international human rights and social justice issues. One of her first pieces, Droga at Dugo (Drugs and Blood) sought to call attention to the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines’ war on drugs. Arienne is excited to further explore her Filipino culture and bring her international perspectives to the FYLPRO team.

Walbert Castillo – Walbert Castillo is a creative industries leader with a history of working in journalism and documentary storytelling. Walbert currently works at Amazon as an Associate Creative Director for AWS Global Brand Creative and is the Founder/Owner of Istorya, a Filipino pop-up restaurant that serves culinary journeys inspired by Pre-Colonial Philippines. He hopes to provide food experiences that inspire joy, drive exploration of Filipino identities, and rekindle a connection to our roots. Prior to that, he worked at USA TODAY as a Multimedia Journalist in Washington, D.C. and co-founded the network’s first Asian-American Employee Resource Group (ERG). He is currently on the Filipinos@Amazon Leadership Team, the Young Professionals Coalitions Director for the National Federation of Filipino American Association (NaFFAA) Nevada State Chapter, and the Director of Special Projects for the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Nevada (FACCGN). Walbert received his B.A. in Journalism in 2016 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Nikki Chan – Nikki Chan is a community advocate, graphic designer, small business owner, and journalist from Stockton, CA. She comes from a family of field workers of the “Manong” generation who immigrated to the Central Valley to work in the agricultural fields.

She uses her skills in design and journalism to raise voices of marginalized communities. She has designed for various social justice campaigns like Stop Asian Hate, get out the vote, and police-free schools. She has also written and published headlines at Fusion Media and Mahalaya. 

She has lent her skills to city health initiatives like the Healthy Beverage Ordinance, Greenlining the Hood, and issues affecting Asian American Pacific Islanders. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Empowering Marginalized Asian Communities (EMAC) in Stockton, CA, an organization that serves and supports marginalized Southeast Asians by empowering communities through advocacy and healing from our present and past disparities to build an equitable and robust future. Some of EMAC’s programming includes supporting victims of violence, re-entry services, youth leadership development, and 

On the side, Nikki runs her small food business Sarap Sa Chan, that specializes in Filipino and Asian inspired eats that are “yummy for your tummy” and shares taste that are reminiscent of your childhood. She was also finally diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and has been actively navigating and engaging in care practices that support those who are neurodivergent.

Yana Gilbuena – Yana Gilbuena, a Philippine-born, critically-acclaimed, ancestrally-taught chef, started SALO Series as a way to educate folks about the history, culture and rich heritage embedded in Filipino cuisine. Their work centers on the decolonization/redigenization through food. Their pop-up, the Salo Series, seeks to celebrate the beautiful pre-colonial tradition of eating with one’s hands, called Kamayan, and disrupt the western constructs of dining. They founded LAMON: a Filipino Food and Wine Festival, happening this year in October in Berkeley, California.

Their pioneering odyssey of bringing Filipino cuisine and Kamayan to all 50 states in 50 weeks back in 2014, influenced the trajectory of the popularity and awareness of the Filipino Food Movement and inspired them to take this concept globally by extending their tour to Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and their home country, the Philippines.

They are a 2017 Stone Barns Exchange Fellow, a 2021 Real Food Real Stories Facilitator Fellow, a 2021 Mae Writing Fellow, a Food Culture Collective Stewardship Council Member and have also been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, SF Chronicle and National Geographic and more. They’re a contributor to Serious Eats, AllRecipes, and have been published in The Cherry Bombe Cookbook, Feed the Resistance and have self-published their own: No Forks Given in March 2019. This global Filipinx food evangelist aims to further their mission and host a Salo on every continent (and resume this quest once we’ve all been vaccinated for COVID 19). You can follow their adventures @saloseries.

Trish La Chica – Representative Trish La Chica represents Hawaii’s 37th district in Central Oahu, which encompasses Mililani Town, Mililani Mauka, Koa Ridge, and Waipi’o Gentry. Governor Josh Green appointed her in February 2023 following the resignation of the incumbent. With over 15 years of leadership experience, Trish has made significant contributions to non-profit organizations, state, and county government, focusing on public health, Medicaid, housing, and homelessness. Raised in the Philippines by her single father, Trish experienced economic hardship that fueled her determination to overcome challenges. After attending Ateneo de Manila University, her academic achievements caught the attention of ABS-CBN’s The Correspondents, the top investigative documentary show in the Philippines. Immersing herself in the lives of people across the country, Trish passionately pursued human interest stories, shedding light on their struggles and fighting against corruption.

In 2009, Trish embarked on a new chapter, migrating to San Francisco amidst the financial crisis. Despite numerous rejections, her perseverance paid off when she secured a position at the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), a national health advocacy organization. Collaborating with Filipino organizations, Trish successfully advocated for an ordinance requiring language access services in Tagalog, the third most spoken language in San Francisco. Simultaneously, she pursued a Master’s in Public Administration, graduating with honors while balancing her full-time responsibilities.

Trish’s work at APIAHF caught the attention of the Office of the Governor in Hawaii, where she applied to join Governor David Ige’s policy team. Facilitating collaboration among Cabinet members and forging strong relationships with stakeholders, Trish played a pivotal role in shaping health policy initiatives. Later, as the Policy Director at the Hawai’i Public Health Institute (HIPHI), she led impactful advocacy campaigns resulting in the passage of crucial public health legislation. Her achievements include banning smoking and vaping in vehicles when children are present, establishing the “Double Bucks” program supporting local farmers and providing healthier food options for families, implementing “Healthy by Default” children’s meals by removing sugary drinks from kids’ menus, and expanding Medicaid coverage to include preventive dental benefits and 12 months of postpartum care.

In 2022, Trish assumed the position of Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office of Housing in the City and County of Honolulu. Embracing a compassionate and people-centered approach, she tackled the complex issues of affordable housing and homelessness. Recognizing homelessness as a public health concern, Trish prioritized addressing its systemic causes over short-term fixes, ensuring the well-being of vulnerable community members. As a Representative, Trish proudly represents her Filipino heritage, lending a strong voice in the legislature. Active in the Filipino caucus and serving on key committees including education, higher education, economic development, and tourism, she advocates tirelessly for her constituents. Notably, Trish’s achievements during the 2023 legislative session include enacting comprehensive regulations for e-cigarettes and vaping products into law. Trish is currently raising her two children with her husband in Mililani. She finds joy in hiking, exploring the beach, traveling, and experimenting with new recipes.

Athena Lao – Athena Lao has devoted her career to building and supporting initiatives that provide educational access and opportunity, with a particular focus on the intersections of international development and higher education. She currently works at the Institute of International Education (IIE) as a Program Development Lead, where she helps develop large-scale scholarship, exchange, and workforce development programs for U.S. and foreign governments, corporations, and foundations.

She is a seasoned professional in the education, nonprofit, and social impact sectors and has worked with or in 23+ countries. Athena has taught in the U.S. and abroad, led social impact consulting projects and teams, and served as Head Counselor at a college admissions counseling firm. Her past achievements include founding, leading, and growing successful nonprofits, as well as overseeing the implementation of multimillion-dollar international education exchange programs.

Born and raised in Athens, Georgia, Athena holds an AB from Harvard College, MSEd in International Educational Development from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, and an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology. She is currently President of the Harvard Asian American Alumni Alliance (H4A), a volunteer-run organization serving the school’s 20,000+ Asian and Asian American alumni. She is also a proud alumna of the Fulbright Program (English Teaching Assistantship to Bulgaria), Coca Cola Scholarship Program, and Gates Millennium Scholarship Program.

Juslyn Manalo – Juslyn Cabrera Manalo was born in San Francisco of Filipino parents and was raised in Daly City, California. She is raising her 4 year old and 2 year old son with her husband in her hometown. Her lifework to date pushes for equity and justice for the community and creating policies that enhance the quality of life for the residents, ensuring small businesses thrive and supporting youth development and older adult programs.

Early in her career, in the non-profit sector, Juslyn became a Community Service Worker providing direct service to the Filipino World War II Veterans who were deemed inactive from U.S. Congress-an injustice that needed to be resolved. She along with others started SAVE (Student Action for Veterans Equity) to built a national campaign advocating for the Veterans’ rights. Juslyn also managed the Bill Sorro Housing Program (BiSHoP), a program that helped low to moderate income families find, defend and sustain their housing. She also worked in the

corporate private sector as a Community Engagement Manager for Brookfield Properties, building partnerships to create community development such as affordable housing, local job creation, cultural district support, open green space, and youth development- one of the most comprehensive Community Benefits in a Development Agreement in the City and County of San Francisco.

In 2016, Juslyn became the first Filipino American woman on the City Council in Daly City and was appointed Vice Mayor in her first year. Right away, she pushed the needle to bring the issue to support all immigrants. Also, she led raising the minimum wage in Daly City and is still above CA state minimum wage to date. She was an appointed Personnel Board Commissioner for the City of Daly City and was previously chairwoman for the SamTrans Citizen Advisory Committee ensuring that local community voice is represented on transit. She is also on the board of Senior & Disability Action, an organization that fights for policy locally and beyond for older adults and those with disabilities. Manalo earned her Masters of Public Administration, from San

Francisco State University’s School of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement. She has also obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Asian-American Studies and a Minor in Women Studies from San Francisco State University. She believes local activism is key in communities. Juslyn is the

President of the Filipino American Democratic Club of San Mateo County which has been in existence for 40 years and active in the San Mateo County Democratic Central Committee. On the state California Democratic State level, Juslyn is on the Executive Board for the Filipino

American Democratic Caucus(FADC) as Chairwoman. For the League of California Cities, a bi-partisan CA statewide organization with 479 member cities, Juslyn is the President of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus. In 2017, Juslyn became the first Filipino American woman to become Mayor in Daly City. She was re-elected in 2020 with the highest votes ever for a City Council race in Daly City’s history. In December of 2020, she became Mayor for her second term.

Cindy Martin – Cindy Martin is an award-winning Filipina-American documentary filmmaker from Chicago committed to enhancing voices from underrepresented communities, especially Filipino, AAPI, BIPOC and women’s stories. The youngest of three children, Cindy – or Cynthia as is her birth name – was born curious about the world and loved to hear stories from her father, an avid writer, photographer and traveler. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, she drove her parents crazy by asking endless questions, especially the dreaded: “Why?” Her parents, Silvino and Zenaida Martin, were both celebrated athletes in the Philippines and later, Chicago. Her mother even played for the Philippines’ National Volleyball Team. This tenacity and ambition were something instilled in her from a young age, the dual persistent spirits of being an athlete and a Filipina. Coupled with her inquisitive nature, this led her to obtain a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, specializing in Psychology and Politics. Six months after graduation, Cindy moved to London, England, where she started her international broadcast career at ABC News – where amongst her first stories was the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.

She then worked as a reporter/producer for Reuters Television for 11 years, covering the arts and general news across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In 2015, she moved to Los Angeles where she worked as a freelance producer for Sky News, the Associated Press Television Network (APTN) and CGTN. In 2018, she was part of the all-woman team at Sky News that covered the deadly Kilauea Volcano Eruption, which won the award for Best Breaking News by the Newswomen’s Club of New York.

In 2020, Cindy made the leap from news to documentaries, returning to her birth city of Chicago to begin filming her first feature, “Love Is A Stranger”, her family’s nearly 80-year journey to find their long lost Japanese grandfather, while attempting to uncover the roots of Filipino identity and imagining what the Philippines might have looked like had it never never been colonized or occupied by Spain, the United States and Japan. In 2021, Cindy was selected for the Community Film Workshop’s Production Institute, followed by a 2022 fellowship in the prestigious Diverse Voices in Docs program at Kartemquin Films (“Hoop Dreams”, “Minding the Gap”), Chicago’s legendary documentary production company. Also in 2022, she was selected for the CNN/Film Independent Docuseries Intensive Fellowship as a Co-Producer on the feature documentary, “EJ Lee: All-American”. Cindy is the Founder and CEO of production company King Horse Films; a film programmer at the Asian-American Showcase in Chicago; an organizer for the non-profit Doc Chicago filmmakers’ initiative, and a member of the Sundance Institute, Brown Girls Doc Mafia, Asian-American Documentary Network (A-Doc), Asian-American Journalists Association (AAJA) and Mezcla Media Collective.

Christine R. Melendres – Christine R. Melendres, LCSW (she/her), is a Psychotherapist and Founder & CEO of Sweet Mango Therapy Group, Inc. With a deep commitment to providing compassionate, culturally-responsive psychotherapy for the AAPI and Filipinx community, Christine’s roots trace back to Iba, Zambales—recognized as the home of the world’s sweetest mangoes, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. A descendant of the Kapampangan and Sambal people, her ancestral ties extend to Bacolor, Pampanga, and Botolan, Zambales. Born in Iba, Zambales, Christine serves as the Co-Coordinator of Mentorship for the Asian American Psychological Association Division on Filipinx Americans (2023-2025), further dedicating herself to fostering growth and support within the community. Having immigrated to the United States at the age of 3 with her parents, Christine has emerged as a trailblazer within her family, being the eldest granddaughter on both sides, the first to graduate college in the United States, and the only licensed therapist. 

Growing up in Daly City, California, she has actively engaged in community work since the age of 12, serving the Filipino American community. Her own immigration experiences and bicultural identity have fueled her passion for the mental health field. Specializing in providing psychotherapy to high-achieving BIPOC women facing burnout, anxiety, and imposter syndrome, Christine has gained over a decade of experience across various clinical settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and a group home for homeless pregnant women in crisis. Alongside her practice, Christine has been sought after as a speaker by large and mid-size Bay Area companies, sharing valuable insights on mental health and wellness. Furthermore, she has cultivated collaborative relationships with local and national organizations, contributing to the healing and empowerment of the Filipino community.

Lourdes Moldre – Lourdes Moldre is a Nurse Executive Patient Care Director at UCSF Health Mount Zion Hospital in San Francisco. She has over 20 years of healthcare experience as a front-line registered nurse, an acute care nurse practitioner and an executive nurse leader. In her current position, Lourdes has 24/7 leadership over inpatient hospital operations, which include various acute care patient settings. Prior to this role, she was the Clinical Director for UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, which included outpatient clinics (Adult/Peds Clinics, Adult/Peds Infusion Centers, Stem Cell Transplant Program, Radiation Oncology, Supportive Oncology, Satellite Infusion Centers), inpatient oncology units (Heme/BMT units)

and the Cancer Care Network. Her clinical expertise ranges from critical care (cardiovascular, pulmonary and transplant) and aesthetic nursing (dermatology and plastic surgery), to industry-sponsored (medical device and pharmaceutical) clinical operations, R&D management. Lourdes’ progressive leadership responsibilities started when she left her position as a seasoned Critical Care Nurse Practitioner for Sutter & Mercy hospitals (under

Pulmonary Medicine Associates) and became the Sr. Clinical Manager for Cutera (Medical Device laser company) in 2012. During that time, she opened a Clinical Research Center from the ground up, where she was instrumental in 3 novel FDA-approved laser indications, plus published multiple laser journal articles as the Principal Investigator.

Lourdes received her Master’s Degree in Nursing from University of California in San Francisco with a specialty on Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in 2008; an Associate’s Nursing degree in 2003 and a Bachelor’s Nursing in 2004 both from Pacific Union College School of Nursing. She plans to pursue her Doctorate in Nursing Practice in 2024. Most recently, she was recognized as one of 2022 honoree for 40 under 40 by San Francisco Business Times, given to young and influential leaders across the San Francisco region. Lourdes also received the Healthcare Hero Award in 2021, awarded by the California State Senator Richard Pan, for her dedicated

work with focused Covid-19 education within the Filipino communities in Sacramento and San Francisco. Additionally, Lourdes has only been a member of Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) for only 2 years but has been very involved. She is the current President-Elect of Philippine Nurses Association of Northern California (PNANC), and an advisor for both PNA Napa/Solano and the newly launched PNA California Capital City chapter. Furthermore, she was recently appointed by American Nurses Association (ANA) as one of the Commissioners to the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing.

Lourdes Moldre is a female Filipino immigrant, a working mother of 3 biracial children, and a resilient executive nurse leader wanting to improve healthcare equity and access to the underrepresented and be the voice for Filipino nurses.

Christian Osmeña – Christian Osmeña is the vice president for enterprise planning at Arizona State University, which has been named the most innovative university in the United States eight years in a row. In this role, Osmeña contributes to the strategy of the ASU Public Enterprise; leads planning, analysis, and research to advance the ASU Charter; and guides new initiatives, affiliations, and alliances that grow the enterprise’s impact. He leads the executive-level team charged with advising ASU’s president on the enterprise’s budget and finances. He has also been elected as a trustee of California College of ASU, an independent nonprofit college affiliated with ASU and located in Los Angeles. In addition to this leadership on the enterprise’s planning, Osmeña is a professor of practice in ASU’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, where he teaches courses on public policy and finance.

Before joining ASU, Osmeña served for more than a decade as a leader in California’s state government. Most recently, he was a vice chancellor of the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the country. As the leader responsible for the college system’s finance and facilities planning, he served on the chancellor’s executive team, managed the allocation of resources to the state’s college districts, and advocated before the Governor’s administration and the state legislature on the chancellor’s behalf. 

Earlier, he worked at the California Department of Finance, the Governor’s budget office, as a legislative analyst, budget analyst, and principal analyst. He advised state policymakers on education policy and finance, and his most significant assignments included supervision of the team responsible for appropriations to the University of California, to the California State University, and for state financial aid programs, among other programs. He also served in the Office of the Governor of California as a deputy cabinet secretary responsible for coordination of state education, labor and workforce development, information technology, and service and volunteerism agencies.

He began his public service as assistant to the Governor’s chief of staff. Osmeña serves on the Arizona Early Childhood Health and Development Board, the state’s early childhood agency also known as the First Things First State Board. He was appointed by the Governor of Arizona, and his nomination was confirmed by the state senate. In addition, he is a past member of the board of the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, a law school affiliated with the University of California, as an appointee of the Governor of California.

Osmeña earned a doctorate in education from the University of California, Davis, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. He has been a Flinn-Brown Fellow through the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership; a Pahara Fellow through the Pahara Institute; and a California Education Policy Fellow through the Center for California Studies and the Education Insights Center. He is a member of the Filipino Young Leaders Program.

Rey Paolo Roca – Rey “Paolo” Ernesto J. Roca III is a distinguished clinician who is passionate about healthcare, education, and advancing the Filipino community. With an exceptional academic background, he is revolutionizing clinical practice, enhancing patient care, and advocating for healthcare equity.

Currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at the esteemed University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Paolo’s research focuses on improving the health outcomes of Asian Americans, specifically the Filipino community, in relation to type 2 diabetes. His commitment to understanding cultural factors in healthcare allows him to provide holistic and patient-centered care, making him a recognized leader in the field.

In addition to his academic achievements, Paolo holds licenses as a Registered Nurse and Public Health Nurse, along with certifications as a Nurse Educator and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse – Board Certified. This diverse expertise strengthens his impact within the nursing profession.

Paolo’s clinical experience is extensive and meaningful. As a Clinical Educator at Providence Health System, he supports a team of 200 nurses by providing guidance in nursing assessments, care planning, and complex problem-solving. He also leads the development of innovative educational programs to enhance the skills and competency of the nursing staff.

Paolo’s dedication to education is evident through his roles as an Adjunct Professor at Charles R. Drew University and a Teaching Associate at UCLA. He takes pride in mentoring and instructing nursing students, shaping the future generation of healthcare professionals.

Beyond his clinical and teaching roles, Paolo actively engages in community leadership. As the former President of the Filipino Cultural School Board, he works collaboratively to develop educational initiatives that celebrate and promote Filipino culture.

Paolo’s connection to his Filipino roots extends further through his fluency in conversational and written Tagalog. This linguistic proficiency enables him to provide culturally sensitive and personalized care, bridging the gap between language and healthcare delivery.

As a visionary leader, compassionate caregiver, and unwavering advocate, Paolo is dedicated to advancing nursing practice and uplifting the Filipino community. His commitment to bridging gaps, promoting equity, and advocating for sustainable healthcare policies will leave a lasting impact on the field of nursing and beyond.

Jan Tancinco – Jan Tancinco specializes in media, culture and technology. She is currently a Music and Podcasts Content Strategy Lead at YouTube, where she is responsible for launching cultural campaigns and overseeing operations for a global team. Prior to tech, she worked at Atlantic Media.  

Jan graduated from UCLA, holding degrees in World Arts & Cultures and Political Science. She has been awarded a Public Engagement Fellowship with the Vera List Center at The New School, which she will begin in the fall.

Outside of work, she is interested in building a softer and more just world. She enjoys carving out calmness, finding balance and engaging with the documentary arts. She was born in the Virgin Islands, raised in San Francisco and currently lives in New York. She owes everything that she is to her parents and the Bay Area immigrant community that raised her.

Patricia Tumang – Patricia Tumang (she/her) is a Queer Filipina American writer, arts journalist, digital media producer, arts and entertainment marketer, and energy healer based in Los Angeles. She is passionate about highlighting the stories and works of underrepresented contemporary Filipinx/a/o artists, often overlooked in mainstream media. Her awards include a U.S. Fulbright Fellowship (2009) and an Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant (2012), which enabled her to delve into the profound impact of Filipina women’s contributions to Philippine and American history, living traditions, and contemporary art. She holds an MFA in English and Creative Writing from Mills College. An advocate for LGBTQ+ issues and an active supporter of the community, Patricia’s dedication to amplifying marginalized voices within the arts showcases her commitment to fostering inclusivity and celebrating diverse perspectives.