2024 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Federal Employee Leadership Development Conference

Krystal Ka‘ai

Executive Director, White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders  

Krystal Ka‘ai is the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. In this role, she is responsible for advising the Biden administration on the coordination and implementation of federal programs and initiatives to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities. Prior to joining WHIAANHPI, Krystal worked on Capitol Hill for over a decade, including serving as the Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) for eight years. She previously held positions with the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the State of Hawai‘i, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation. Krystal was born and raised in Hawai‘i and is the first Native Hawaiian to ever lead WHIAANHPI. 

Pete Buttigieg
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation 

Pete Buttigieg, the 19th Secretary of Transportation, assumed office on February 3, 2021, with a mission to enhance America's transportation system for economic growth and public benefit. Under his leadership, the department prioritizes safety, jobs, equity, climate, and innovation. Notably, Buttigieg played a key role in advancing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, facilitating significant investments in transportation infrastructure. He also tackled pandemic-related challenges, easing container congestion at ports and distributing COVID-19 relief funds to transit agencies. Notably, Buttigieg served two terms as mayor of South Bend, Indiana, implementing transformative policies. A Navy Reserve officer with a background in philosophy, politics, and economics from Harvard and Oxford, Buttigieg is recognized for his dedication to public service. He resides with his husband, Chasten, and their children, Gus and Penelope, along with their dogs.

Erika L. Moritsugu -Moderator
Deputy Assistant to the President and AA and NHPI Senior Liaison, The White House 

Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and the first-ever Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Senior Liaison at the White House, supports the Biden-Harris Administration's priorities, focusing on policy development and outreach for AA and NHPI communities. Her government experience includes roles at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Moritsugu also served on Capitol Hill, representing senators and contributing to legislative efforts. In the nonprofit sector, she advocated for gender and race equity in workforce and health policies at the National Partnership for Women & Families and led government relations at the Anti-Defamation League. Moritsugu holds degrees from Brandeis University, the College of William and Mary, and George Washington University Law School. Born in California and raised in Hawaiʻi, she resides on Capitol Hill with her family.

Julie Su 
Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of Labor

Julie Su, current Acting Secretary of Labor since March 11, 2023, previously served as the deputy secretary of labor, overseeing the department's operations, budget, and priorities. Before her federal tenure, Su was secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, enforcing workplace laws and promoting job access. With a legal career dedicated to civil and workers' rights, she served as California's labor commissioner, earning acclaim for her enforcement strategies, including the "Wage Theft Is a Crime" campaign. As a litigator at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, she championed multi-faceted approaches to advocacy. Recognized for her legal prowess, Su has earned accolades and has taught at esteemed law schools. She holds degrees from Stanford University and Harvard Law School and speaks Mandarin and Spanish.

Kiran Ahuja
Director, U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Kiran Ahuja, Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate on June 22, 2021, becoming the first South Asian American and Asian American woman to lead OPM. With over two decades of public service and executive nonprofit experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Ahuja is dedicated to recruiting, retaining, and honoring the American workforce, overseeing initiatives that impact millions of federal workers across various agencies. Prior to her current position, she served as OPM Chief of Staff from 2015-2017, where she championed policies and initiatives benefiting federal employees. Ahuja's career includes roles in the Department of Justice, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and leadership positions in the nonprofit sector. She holds degrees from Spelman College and the University of Georgia School of Law.

Nani A. Coloretti 
Deputy Director, U.S. Office of Management and Budget

Nani A. Coloretti currently serves in a strategic role across the federal government, focusing on funding and implementing initiatives to enhance the well-being of Americans. Previously, she managed financial strategy and operations at the Urban Institute. During the Obama Administration, Coloretti held the position of deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and played pivotal roles in creating the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and serving as its first COO. With a background in budget analysis and policy advising, she also worked for the City and County of San Francisco under Mayor Gavin Newsom. Coloretti holds degrees in economics and communications from the University of Pennsylvania and a master's in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley. Raised in Hawaii, she currently resides in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband and son.

Amy Yip
Somatic Life Transformation and Mental Fitness Coach,
Keynote Speaker, Self-Confidence Trainer, Author

Amy Yip is a Somatic Life Transformation and Mental Fitness coach, keynote speaker, author, and self-confidence trainer. She works with women of color leaders to strengthen their mental fitness, heal intergenerational wounds, find their voice and the courage to speak up, and have agency to let go of all the ‘shoulds’ so that they can be the authors of their own life stories. Her mission is to empower AAPI women to be seen, to be heard, and to f-ing rock the boat. Amy is an International Coach Federation Professional Certified Coach, a Certified Hudson Institute Coach, a Certified Strozzi Institute Somatic Coach, and a pioneer Mental Fitness Coach certified through Positive Intelligence. Amy received her MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, and her BS in computer science and BA in communications from the University of Maryland. Amy resides in Maryland with Greg, her best friend and husband, and her son Logan, the cutest kid ever.

Mark Nozaki, MSOD, MSOR, PCC
President and Co-Founder
Odyssey Leadership Consulting

Breakout Session Facilitator - Executive Development: Strategic Thinking Skills for Career Growth

President and co-founder of Odyssey Leadership Consulting, which is an organization and leadership development firm that serves government, commercial, and non-profit organizations. He has been a faculty member for OPM’s Center for Leadership Development and the Federal Executive Institute during the past 20+ years. His areas of expertise include leadership and team development, executive and leadership coaching, managing organizational change and transition, strategic thinking and planning, leadership assessment and development tools (OPM 360, Kouzes and Posner LPI, MBTI, DiSC, Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, and others), Appreciative Inquiry, SWOT and TOWS analyses, conflict management, and organizational culture assessments.  In addition, he has an engineering and technical background, which enables him to provide a quantitative and analytical approach in developing client solutions. 

In addition to his faculty appointment to FEI, he has served on the faculties of the University of Virginia Leadership Development Center, the Center for Executive Development, and the UVA LEAD Program, Georgetown University Continuing and Professional Studies, and American University MSOD Program. In addition, Mark has been a consultant, trainer, and executive coach for the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) organization since 2002. He is an ICF-certified Executive Coach and has worked with hundreds of federal and private sector leaders. Mark holds a Master of Science Degree in Organization Development from American University/NTL Institute, a Master of Science Degree in Operations Research, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from the University of Southern California. He currently resides in Northern Virginia with his wife, Grace.

Akemi Mechtel
Assistant Director of Leadership Development
LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics)

Breakout Session Facilitator - Risk Taking: Making Changes Happen

Akemi Mechtel (she/her) joins the Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) team as the Assistant Director of Leadership Development, with a decade’s worth of experience working across the non-profit and public sectors. After graduating from Augsburg University in Minneapolis, she started her career in education working as a tireless advocate for accessibility and equity in the classroom. After witnessing the barriers her students faced she went back to school to better understand the impact of policy in our communities, and obtained a Master’s in Public Policy. She has impacted both large government systems and small nonprofits to think critically about the way that race shows up in how we do our work, and build better systems that decentralize power, maintain momentum, and push back against the status quo. The years she has spent supporting students to further their education, engaging in policy reform, and building relationships across the communities that she occupies has further solidified her passion for working towards a socially-just future. When Akemi isn’t working to change systems she can be found spending time with her dog, reading a good book, or traveling to see friends and family.

Linda Akutagawa
President and CEO
LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics)

Breakout Session Facilitator - Build Your Personal Brand: Marketing & Managing You

Linda Akutagawa is President and CEO of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), an organization focused on encouraging and empowering Asian and Pacific Islanders in all industries and sectors to lead authentically and confidently. In her role, she is responsible for LEAP’s strategic direction, sustainability, and collaborations and is deeply committed to LEAP’s vision of diverse leaders driving change for the benefit of all.

Ms. Akutagawa is a nationally recognized speaker and facilitator on topics such as leadership and Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) communities. She co-hosted the third season of The LEAP Podcast with Dr. Yon Na, focusing on multi-dimensional Asian and Pacific Islander identities and leadership. She has also authored an Asian American Journal of Psychology article: “Breaking stereotypes: An Asian American’s View of Leadership Development. ”Active in the community, Linda is a Board Member of the AAPI Equity Alliance (a co-founding organization of #StopAAPIHate) and a Board member of Japanese American Community Services (JACS). She is also a Past Chair of the Alliance for Board Diversity, a national partnership advocating for greater diversity on public company corporate boards of directors. Civically, Linda is an appointed Commissioner on the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission and an appointed member of the California Department of Insurance’s Diversity Task Force. Ms. Akutagawa received her B.S. in International Business with a minor in Economics from California State University at Los Angeles. Linda is married and a fur-mom to two well-loved rescue dogs.

Chingcha Vang
Program Manager
LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics)

Breakout Session Facilitator - Embracing the Generational Differences in the Workplace

Operating from a social justice framework, Chingcha took his passion for Asian American History to the classrooms of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a High School social studies teacher at the Hmong American Peace Academy, Chingcha received the Excellence in Teaching Award during his first year as a teacher and was then promoted to Social Studies Department Chair where he led successful efforts in crafting culturally responsive learning experiences for students. While working as a full time educator and then at the administrative level, Chingcha received his Master's Degree in Educational Policy and Leadership from Marquette University. Chingcha shifted his energies to supporting Teach For America with roles that include recruitment, leadership development, and teacher coaching. Most recently, Chingcha’s two passions: 1) developing leaders and 2) centering Asian and Pacific Islander communities at the forefront of his work led him to Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP). He currently serves as the Program Manager where he leads efforts in designing, crafting, and facilitating leadership programming specifically tailored to Asian and Pacific Islanders within the corporate, public and nonprofit sectors. On his free time, Chingcha spends his time serving other nonprofits in various roles from a Founding Board Member of Our Scholarship Inc., being a Mentor for APIA Scholars, and most recently Vice Chair for Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL).

Jessica Choi
Diversity and Inclusion Thought Leader, Executive Coach, and Speaker

Breakout Session Facilitator - HypERGolic Propulsion: Guide Your ERGs through the Propelling and Hindering Forces

Jessica Choi is a dynamic and influential leader in the field of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With a track record spanning over two decades in both corporate and nonprofit leadership, she has consistently empowered executives and high-potential employees to actualize their full potential while fostering positive and inclusive work environments that drive transformative change in organizational culture. 

Currently, Jessica is the Senior Director, Field Diversity & Inclusion and the Asian Segment Lead, at Northwestern Mutual (NM). In this role, she leads a Center of Excellence responsible for developing, delivering, and enhancing D&I strategy, programs, processes, and tools; and growing the organization’s Asian segment. Prior to NM, Jessica served as AVP, Talent Acquisition, Development & Diversity at Penn Mutual where she designed, directed, and implemented strategic and innovative initiatives to advance recruiting, development, retention, and diversity practices. 

In addition to her role at Northwestern Mutual, Jessica serves as a faculty member for Elevate, a renowned organization dedicated to leadership and professional development. With an MBA in Global Management and a Bachelor's degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management, Jessica combines her academic achievements with her practical experience to drive significant business outcomes, leveraging the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the corporate world.

Robert Chen
Partner 
Exec-Comm

Beakout Session Facilitator - Leadership Presence and Influence

Robert Chen is a partner at Exec-Comm, a global professional skills training firm. He works with Fortune 100 leaders and their teams to lead, communicate, and influence with more impact. In addition to his client work, he teaches executive MBA students Leadership and Managerial Communication and Storytelling at the Wharton Business School. Robert is the author of the WSJ bestseller, Selling Your Expertise. He leads the Ascend Executive Network with the mission to increase diversity in the corporate C-suite and was a recipient of the Top 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business Award. Robert sits on the board of the Wharton Club of NY and lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife and two sons.

AM Large Group Engagement Session – Mastering the Art of Celebrating Your Wins!

Reflecting on your achievements– big or small– improves your physical and mental well-being, fast-tracks your career advancement, and builds your self-confidence. In fact, celebrating even the small wins stimulates dopamine release in the brain. This feel-good chemical reinforces the learning experience (spoiler alert: change and growth are promoted through positive emotions more so than through discipline). The experience of true celebration also strengthens our sense of connection to colleagues. Yet, most of us don’t celebrate ourselves nearly enough because it feels uncomfortable sharing our achievements. During this session we'll explore how to celebrate your wins to build your confidence, improve overall well-being, and even fast-track your career.

Executive Development: Strategic Thinking Skills for Career Growth

Explore and enhance your strategic thinking skills for career success! Join our breakout session, based on a decade of analysis at the Federal Executive Institute. Discover the crucial role of Strategic Thinking, a key competency aligned with Executive Core Qualifications, consistently rated high by executives. This workshop is applicable to all career stages, providing insights into strategic planning and offering practical tools to boost your strategic thinking capacity. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your effectiveness as an executive and contribute to organizational success! This workshop addresses what strategic thinking is, why it is important for executive and organizational effectiveness, and its relationship to strategic planning. Most importantly, participants will be introduced to concepts, tools, and hands-on activities to help them begin to grow their strategic thinking capacity. 

Risk Taking: Making Changes Happen

Though sometimes feared, taking risks is essential to personal and professional development. Participants will define risk taking, explore why people do or do not take risks and discuss possible cultural influences on risk-taking. Through this practical, cultural-based workshop, participants will learn the strategies of how and when to use a risk-taking process model to think “outside the box” and go beyond their comfort zones.

Build Your Personal Brand: Marketing & Managing You

In a competitive workplace, an effective personal brand grabs the attention of managers and colleagues and boosts career marketability. Through this session, participants will explore the definition of branding; consider cultural perspectives and implications on personal branding; discuss strategies for personal branding; and gain insights from their first impressions. Participants will develop the beginnings of a personal branding action plan so they can be deliberate and intentional about developing and communicating who they are in an effective way.

Embracing the Generational Differences in the Workplace

Too often, generational differences and stereotypes inform the ways in which colleagues interact. In this workshop, we’ll explore best practices that revolve around communication, curiosity and self-assessing our own biases toward generational differences. Keep in mind that someone’s generation is just one layer of someone’s identity and should be treated similarly to all identity markers that people subscribe to. The conversations within this workshop will center not only how to expand our self-awareness, but also how to build the necessary bridges between generations within the workplace.

Executive Insights: Elevate Your Interview Skills with Federal Senior Executive Service (SES) Members

Embark on a transformative journey to elevate your interview skills alongside a seasoned professional from the federal Senior Executive Service (SES). Our purpose-driven session is crafted to immerse you in a mock interview experience, delivering invaluable insights and strategies that will propel your career to new heights. Don't miss this unique opportunity to refine your interviewing skills and uncover the key tips for success in the landscape of leadership.

HypERGolic Propulsion: Guide Your ERGs through the Propelling and Hindering Forces 

A hypergolic component spontaneously combusts when combined with certain substances and generally fuels rockets. We emphasize the “ERG” in hypergolic without the need for your ERGs to be rocket scientists, yet still benefit with these strategic brains. The HypERGolic Propulsion Blueprint guides you systematically to identify propelling vs. hindering forces that exist when accomplishing your ERG plans.

Leadership Presence and Influence

As a leader, whether you’re working from home or in-person at the office, how you show up matters. Professionals who exude strong leadership presence will gain access to more senior stakeholders and higher-impact opportunities. In this highly interactive session, you will learn practical tips to project confidence and poise and enhance how others experience your leadership. You’ll also learn drivers for influence to accomplish your goals more effectively.

RN Strategic Collaboration and Innovation Workshop (Regional Network Only)

Join us for a dynamic workshop on Strategic Collaboration and Innovation, designed to foster creativity, teamwork, and forward-thinking initiatives within the WHIAANHPI community. This interactive session will provide participants with practical tools and strategies for building effective partnerships, driving innovation, and achieving collective impact across regions.

Rachel Park (RAY-chul PAHRK)
Chief Counsel, OGC Region II, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Rachel is a graduate of New York University School of Law and Swarthmore College, where she received her degree in chemistry and psychology.  Rachel joined HHS’s Office of the General Counsel in 2000 and was appointed Chief Counsel in January of 2020.  She oversees a legal team responsible for providing advice and litigation support to the Department in a wide array of matters arising out of Region II, including bankruptcy, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, Head Start and Federal foster care, nursing home and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), Medicare provider/supplier enrollment, HIPAA, civil rights enforcement, employment and tort litigation.  Before joining OGC, Rachel litigated at the New York law firm of Chadbourne & Parke, taught law at the University of Miami School of Law, represented the City of Philadelphia in commercial disputes, and represented foster care children in class action lawsuits throughout the country.  

Manan Dalal (MAH-nahn LAHL)
Assistant Chief Information Officer, Satellites (ACIO-S) for the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services (NESDIS); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

He has 20 years of experience in information technology, cloud enterprise architecture and program management. Prior to this, he served as the cloud technical director, where he led a team of cloud enthusiasts on a pilot to develop a cost-effective, well-architected cloud-agnostic solution to provide end-to-end capabilities for the NESDIS Ground Enterprise.
Prior to joining the government, Mr. Dalal worked for Northrop Grumman Information Technology (NGIT) and Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT) as a software/system engineer responsible for systems integration and software engineering projects for the NWS, NESDIS and NARA. He holds several professional certifications for cloud architecture and cybersecurity. He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Maryland College Park, and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland University College. 

Victoria Wei  (Vik-TOR-ee-uh WAY)
Honolulu District Manager for Technical Operations, Federal Aviation Administration; U.S. Department of Transportation

Victoria leads as the Honolulu District Manager for Technical Operations at the FAA, overseeing the safety and operations of air traffic control systems across the Pacific Rim. With a rich background in legislative implementation, dispute resolution, and labor relations, she excels in enhancing organizational performance and employee engagement. Victoria's journey at the FAA has spanned from a staff attorney to senior leadership roles, including Vice President of Management Services for the Air Traffic Organization, where she managed a significant budget and administrative functions. Her career also includes stints as the Alaska Regional Administrator and Deputy Assistant Administrator for Policy. A proponent of professional development, she actively mentors leaders. Victoria holds a BA in English and Sociology from Harvard University and a JD from Northwestern University, reflecting her diverse expertise and commitment to aviation safety.

Nanda Srinivasan (NAHN-dah Shree-nee-VAH-sun)
Associate Administrator for Research and Program Development, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; U.S. Department of Transportation
 
Nanda oversees four offices within the agency that formulate, implement, and evaluate traffic safety programs. His team provides national leadership and technical assistance to states and other stakeholders in the identification, research, planning, development, demonstration, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of highway safety programs. The programs are designed to prevent or reduce traffic-related crashes and the resulting deaths, injuries, property damage, and associated costs. Srinivasan oversees the development of programs to increase seat belt use, to decrease impaired driving, and to improve the safety of motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, older drivers, and emergency medical services.

Michael W. Kim (MY-kuhl KIM)
Administrative Patent Judge at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. Department of Commerce 

The honorable Michael Kim has been an Administrative Patent Judge (APJ) at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) since April of 2011, and has been a member of the Senior Executive Service as Vice Chief Judge since September of 2020. In addition to his executive responsibilities, including managing PTAB’s workload and overseeing its DEIA Committee, Judge Kim has conducted many trials under the America Invents Act, and also has reviewed numerous adverse decisions of examiners upon applications for patents. Prior to his appointment as an APJ, Judge Kim was a patent attorney at the PTAB. Prior to joining the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Judge Kim was a patent attorney at a private law firm. Judge Kim received his law degree from the Duke University School of Law, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Amillita Marayag (Ah-mil-litah Mah-rah-yah-g)
FBI Section Chief, Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Department of Justice

After serving as a US Marine Corps Officer, Section Chief Amillita Marayag entered the FBI in June 2006 as a Special Agent assigned to FBI Honolulu’s criminal program where she investigated drug trafficking organizations, organized crime, kidnappings, crimes against children, fraud against the government, bank robberies, and assault against federal officers. She then reported to FBI New York where she investigated violent gangs and was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent for the Asian and African Transnational Organized Crime squad. Section Chief Marayag has served at FBI headquarters in Washington DC to the Criminal Investigative Division Executive Staff and was promoted as an ASAC to the Chicago Division’s Intelligence and Violent Crime/Resident Agencies Branches in 2021. While in Chicago, Section Chief Marayag connected with the AAPINH community in various ways, to include conducting trainings and meetings to AAPINH community members regarding Hate Crimes, providing mentorship regarding FBI career opportunities, as well as participating in AAPI events. Currently, Section Chief Marayag oversees and manages the FBI’s National Covert Operations Section. 

Anil “Neil” Chaudhry (Ah-neel CHOW-dhree)
Associate Administrator, Office of Planning and Analytics (AA OPA) at Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration; U.S. Department of Transportation

Anil Chaudhry boasts over two decades of leadership in strategic planning and federal program management, particularly in the defense, intelligence, and national security sectors. As the current Associate Administrator for Planning and Analytics at PHMSA, he leverages his vast experience, including a fellowship at the White House and as Director for Federal AI Implementations at GSA, to advance data governance and artificial intelligence applications. His background also includes significant roles within US Customs and Border Protection and military service in the U.S. Army. Chaudhry, who holds advanced degrees in Labor Law, National Security Strategy, and Management Information Systems, is a certified Project Management Professional and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Practitioner. Committed to community service, he mentors veterans and supports technical education for underrepresented groups. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, woodworking, and reading. Chaudhry is a family man with three children.

Steve Shih (STEEV SHEE)
Director of the Office of Civil Rights; U.S. Agency of International Development

Steve Shih, Director of the Office of Civil Rights, is a distinguished Senior Executive Service member with over 30 years in federal service, focusing on civil rights, diversity, EEO, and human capital management. A Presidential Rank Award recipient, he's significantly contributed to NASA since 2017 as Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity, advising on diversity, inclusion, and EEO matters. At NASA, Shih led policies and initiatives enhancing workplace equality and managed external STEM programs' compliance. Previously, at OPM from 2010 to 2017, he oversaw human capital management for federal senior executives, enhancing performance management and employee engagement across the government. His tenure at the Department of Homeland Security and as EEO director at OPM further cemented his leadership in civil rights. Holding degrees from Duke University and Washington University School of Law, Shih is an esteemed member of Virginia and D.C. bar associations.

Jun Jin (JOON JEEN)
Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Agency for International Development; U.S. Agency of International Development

Jun Jin serves as Deputy General Counsel (Civil Service) at USAID, with a career spanning since 2004. A Senior Executive Service member, Jin has held roles including Acting General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel for Acquisition and Assistance, and Senior Development Advisor to the World Bank Group. His early career included five years in private law practice focusing on government contracts and construction litigation. Jin also contributes to academia, teaching international development law and procurement. Active in leadership and advocacy, he is the Executive Champion for the Asian Pacific American Employee Council at USAID and Vice Chair of the AAGEN. Jin holds a law degree from George Washington University, an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, and is a D.C. Bar member.

Jer Donald (Don) Get (JUR DAHN-uld GET)
Director for the Special Defense Task Force; U.S. Department of Defense

Jer Donald "Don" Get, a distinguished member of the Senior Executive Service, currently leads the Special Defense Task Force, overseeing the National Security/Emergency Preparedness (NS/EP) Program. With a team of government and contractor personnel, Mr. Get is at the helm of formulating strategic concepts and plans for comprehensive NS/EP programs. His military career spanned from 1973 to 2000 in the U.S. Army, holding various command and intelligence positions, and specializing as a China foreign area officer. Post-military, he has held several key civilian roles, including Director for Army Customer Requirements at Northrop Grumman, Executive Director of the Air Force ISR Agency, and more recently, the Deputy Director for Security Cooperation at US Africa Command’s J5 Directorate. Throughout, Mr. Get has contributed significantly to national defense and strategic planning, bringing a wealth of experience to his current role in national security and emergency preparedness.

Stacy K. Hirita (STAY-see hee-REE-tah)
Chief for Military Programs Integration Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Army

Since June 2017, Mr. Hirata has led the Military Programs Integration Division, overseeing the Corps' global execution of $14B in major construction for the Army, Air Force, and the Department of Defense. He coordinates $34B in engineering, construction, real estate, environmental, and support programs, also guiding the Military Programs’ Programs and Project Management Community. Previously, as Chief of Installation Support and Director of Public Works and Logistics, he managed facility operations post-construction. With roles in the Department of the Army and as Military Deputy to the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installations and Environment), he gained extensive program management experience. His six-month deployment in Kabul as Director, Joint Programs Integration Office, involved overseeing substantial infrastructure programs. A United States Military Academy alumnus, Mr. Hirata holds a Master's in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Virginia and Hawaii.

Dr. Jiashen You (JEE-ah-shen YOH)
Chief Data Officer and Director for the Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics (OEDA); U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Dr. Jiashen You, as the Chief Data Officer and Director for the Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) since 2018, spearheads the agency's strategic data initiatives and Data Governance Board. His achievements include developing the EEOC's Enterprise Data Warehouse and launching the public data query tool, EEOC Explore. Prior to EEOC, he enhanced data science capabilities at the Department of Homeland Security and started his federal career as a mathematical statistician at the U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, Jiashen chairs the Asian American Government Executive Network (AAGEN), advocating for AANHPI leadership in government. He holds degrees in computer science and mathematics from the University of Hawaii, a master's in mathematics from UCLA, and a Ph.D. in statistics, contributing as a lecturer at George Washington University from 2013 to 2023.

John Unyong Moon (JAHN OON-yong MOON)
Director, Office of Chief Engineering Department Energy Environmental Management (DOE EM)
U.S. Department of Energy

Mr. John Moon is currently the Director of the Office of Chief Engineering within the Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Management (EM). In the past, he has managed Minority Serving Institute Partnership Program at the DOE EM and served as the Principal Deputy to the Assistance Secretary at the DOE Economic Impact & Diversity. With a career spanning over 30 years of DOE activities, Mr. Moon possesses a wealth of expertise in management, nuclear operation, nuclear technology, and radiological safety.
Mr. Moon holds BSE & MSE in Nuclear Engineering and an MBA. His is a certified DOE Federal Project Director and DOE Senior Technical Safety Manager. Additionally, he has completed the SES CDP and FEI Leadership for Democratic Society Program #504. Mr. Moon was on the board of AAGEN from 2012-2023.

Catherine C. Mitrano, JD (KATH-er-in mee-TRAH-no)
Founder and CEO
Mitrano Consulting, LLC

Catherine (Cathy) Mitrano, with over 35 years of experience in the Federal Government, has served in various legal, leadership, and strategic program management roles across seven agencies. A founding member of the Department of Homeland Security, Cathy is versed in Administrative Law, Diversity and Inclusion, and ethics, with a track record of testifying before Congress and media engagement. She recently transitioned to consulting, leveraging her extensive background as a senior executive advisor.

Retiring in December 2022 as the Acting General Counsel of the VA, Cathy led an expansive legal team, overseeing all legal aspects including health care, benefits, and employment law. Her roles have included VA’s Designated Agency Ethics Official and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Resolution Management, enhancing antidiscrimination efforts and dispute resolution.
Previously, at the Department of the Army, she oversaw military personnel boards and law enforcement programs. A Massachusetts Bar member and part of the Asian American Government Executives Network, Cathy has received top civilian honors from both the Army and VA, and was featured in Boston University School of Law’s 150th Anniversary Book for her impactful career.

Sam Le (SAM LEE)
Director of Policy Planning and Liaison; U.S. Small Business Administration

Sam Le, the Director of Policy Planning and Liaison at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), oversees size standards, the small-business scorecard, and regulatory development programs. A Federal government Senior Executive Service member since 2021, Sam champions small-business goals across CFO Act agencies and strives for diversity in government spending. He chairs the Small Business Procurement Advisory Council and was awarded the SBA Embrace Award for his contributions to diversity and equity.

An accomplished attorney, Sam has successfully represented the SBA in numerous legal cases and is recognized for his expertise in procurement policy, having significantly revised SBA regulations. He actively contributes to procurement policy discussions at the White House and serves on several federal acquisition councils. Sam's policy work earned him the Small Business Champion Award from the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

Also noted for his data analysis contributions, Sam developed the SBA’s Small Business Data Hub. An avid runner, he has completed seven Marine Corps Marathons and resides in Annandale, Virginia.

Thomas Kodiak (Tah-mus KOH-dee-ak)
Administrator for the Office of Grants Management, Employment and Training Administration; U.S. Department of Labor

Thomas Kodiak ascended to the Senior Executive Service at the Department of Labor in May 2023, becoming the Administrator for the Office of Grants Management within the Employment and Training Administration. His extensive background includes pivotal roles at the U.S. Department of State, where he oversaw grants policy and managed a portfolio exceeding $12 billion in federal assistance. As the Key Management Single Audit Liaison, he enhanced grants management practices domestically and abroad. Thomas co-chaired the Financial Assistance Committee for E-Government, promoting interagency cooperation and the integration of racial equity in grantmaking. His diverse experience spans from managing grants for democracy and human rights initiatives to receiving Small Business Administration grants in Illinois. A recent graduate of leadership programs at the Department of State and AAGEN, Thomas has also managed a large cattle ranch in Colorado and studied bonsai in Japan, showcasing his versatile skills and interests.

Emily Su (EM-uh-lee SOO)
Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement, U.S. Department of Energy

Emily Su is the Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Energy where she and her team promote and enforce compliance with federal water and energy conservation standards. Previously, Emily served as the Civil Rights Director for four agencies within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There, she improved access to translated materials, quadrupled the number of audits and training programs conducted, and partnered with other agencies to set up USDA’s groundbreaking Equity Commission. Before USDA, Emily was Assistant Chief Counsel for Litigation and Enforcement at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and, before that, Assistant Chief Counsel for Civil Enforcement at the Transportation Security Administration. Emily serves on the Board of Directors for WAEPA, has been recognized as the Federal Bar Association’s National Transportation Security Attorney of the Year, is a Lawyers of Color Wonderful Women honoree, and mentors aspiring leaders across federal agencies.  Emily attended Pomona College, where she graduated as a Distinctive Scholar in Comparative Literature, and Duke University School of Law, where she earned a joint J.D. and LL.M. in International Law.

Polly Trottenberg - Lunch Plenary Kick-off Speaker
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)

Polly Trottenberg supports Secretary Buttigieg as the agency's Chief Operating Officer. She spearheaded the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, fostering over 40 programs for transportation investment, including a national EV charging network. Additionally, she leads efforts on roadway safety, technology, and cybersecurity. In 2023, Trottenberg served as Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, focusing on aviation safety and infrastructure. Previously, as New York City’s Transportation Commissioner, she initiated the Vision Zero program, reducing traffic fatalities. Amid COVID-19, she prioritized street transformations for livability and economic recovery. Trottenberg's vast experience includes roles in the Obama Administration, the Senate, and a focus on transportation policy. She holds degrees from Barnard College and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Dr. Mamta Patel Nagaraja - Speaker
Associate Chief Scientist for Exploration and Applied Research in the Office of the Chief Scientist, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Dr. Mamta Patel Nagaraja is currently the NASA Associate Chief Scientist for Exploration and Applied Research in the Office of the Chief Scientist.  In this role, she advises the Chief Scientist in the areas of exploration and biomedical and physical sciences performed by humans in space.  Her research expertise is on the molecular effects of microgravity on bone cells.  Additionally, Dr. Nagaraja has previously served as a program scientist for space biology, led science communications, served as the lead mechanical engineer for a scientific instrument, trained astronauts for their missions in space, and worked in the Mission Control Center. One of her most coveted recognitions was getting an interview to become a NASA astronaut.  She learned the most about how to succeed after failing (twice!) to achieve this dream. Lastly, Dr. Nagaraja is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusivity in science, and she loves mentoring others to help them find their best career pathway.  She lives in the Washington D.C. metro area with her husband and three children.  Dr. Nagaraja is a bilingual, first generation American and first generation college graduate from an immigrant family, with five kids and dedicated, selfless parents.  

Ellen Jo Heier - Lunch Plenary Moderator

Ellen Jo Heier is a Senior Advisor to the Deputy Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). In her role, Ellen provides strategic leadership on agency communications, external affairs, and operations. She serves as a culture champion with a focus on employee experience and wellness. Prior to this, Ellen held various positions in private and public sector and nonprofit organizations, including Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and most recently NASA. In addition, she helped launch the Department of the Interior’s Every Kid Outdoors program during the Obama-Biden Administration. Ellen is a proud Nittany Lion, with a B.S. in Premedicine/Health Policy and Administration from Penn State and an M.H.S. in Health Administration from Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Ellen is also a NASM-Certified Personal Trainer and enjoys hiking and all outdoor adventures.  

Jenn Chang, White House Liaison and Senior Advisor to the Chair at the National Endowment for the Arts

Jenn (she/her) joined the Biden Administration in January 2021, serving as the White House Liaison and Senior Advisor to the Chair at the National Endowment for the Arts. In this role, she helps advance equity and inclusion, health and well-being, social cohesion, and civic engagement through the arts. 
A graduate of Harvard College with a degree in Social Studies, Jenn joined the NEA after working on the appointments team with the Biden-Harris Transition. Prior to that, she worked as an associated consultant at WolfBrown with a portfolio of arts and education clients. She spent over a decade at Google, where she worked in Strategy and Operations across Google Fiber, AdWords, and Grow With Google. In 2016, she took a sabbatical to serve as the Expansion States Operations Director at Hillary for America. 
While at Google, Jenn received her Master's degree in viola performance at The Juilliard School, studying with Heidi Castleman and Misha Amory. Venue highlights include the MoMA sculpture garden, Dizzy’s Jazz Club, and Carnegie Hall in New York, Jordan Hall in Boston, and Cafe Revolution in San Francisco. 
 
Philip Kim, Special Assistant to the President and Director of Employee Engagement & Leadership Development, Office of Management and Administration 

Philip Kim (김제중) serves as a Special Assistant to the President in the White House Office of Management and Administration. Previously, Philip served as Senior Advisor in the White House Office of Public Engagement, the White House Liaison at AmeriCorps and the Deputy Director in the Office of the White House Liaison at the U.S. Department of Education where he focused on political appointments for each of the federal agencies. Prior to serving in the Administration, Philip was the Western States Deputy Director for the Biden-Harris coordinated campaign and served in the Office of Public Engagement for the Democratic National Convention Committee. He was also the Director of AA and NHPI Engagement at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) before leading Senator Booker’s Nevada state team in 2019. Philip also served as a middle school math teacher in Clarksdale, MS and is a proud graduate of UC Berkeley. 

Erika Ninoyu
Senior Advisor, White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

A policy advisor, musician educator, cultural ambassador, and systems-level leader, Erika Ninoyu’s ikigai is to enact positive social change through inclusive policymaking and community-based action. Erika currently serves as Senior Advisor to the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. She previously served federal appropriators Congresswoman Barbara Lee's (D-CA) and Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) to advance health equity, educational opportunity, and civil rights for all communities. Erika is also invested in promoting U.S.-Japan relations as a U.S.-Japan Council member, Founding President of the Japan Alaska Association, and former Vice Chair of the Japanese American Citizen League’s Alaska Chapter. Holding a Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts in Teaching from UAA, and a Master’s in Education from Harvard University, Erika has instructed, performed, and directed numerous groups as a classically trained percussionist, composer, and conductor. Erika has trained for years with professional Japanese taiko (drumming) group, Shidara, that has preserved her ancestors’ 750-year-old festival, "Hanamatsuri" within the mountains of Toei, Japan.  Erika previously played with Odaiko New England and currently performs with the Mark H Taiko Connection throughout the DMV area.

Kota Mizutani

Kota found his love for taiko as a child with Sonoma County Taiko, based in Santa Rosa, CA. Upon moving to the East Coast for college, Kota joined Brown University’s collegiate taiko ensemble, Gendo Taiko, where he directed the 2017 East Coast Taiko Conference.  Kota now lives in Washington, D.C. where he continues to perform taiko with the Mark H Rooney Taiko Connection. After working for five years in the U.S. House of Representatives, Kota will join the White House Office of Public Engagement this month.