Announcing the 2020-2021 LEAP Impact Cohort!
2020-201 LEAP Impact Cohort
LEAPImpact: Leadership Development for Nonprofit Staff is a three-part, six-month leadership development program designed to develop Asian and Pacific Islander (API) staff for future and current leadership and management roles in nonprofit organizations and increase the retention of those committed to working in the nonprofit sector. The program provides 16 participants each year with an opportunity to receive 80 hours of leadership development training and 6 hours of executive coaching. Due to COVID-19, this year's cohort is entirely virtual!
We are excited to officially announce the LEAPImpact Class of 2019-2020!
LEAPImpact Class of 2020-2021:
Joy Lin, Vice President of Journalism , Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Dr. Fritzie de Mata, Associate Director of the Alumni Scholars Program, Cal Alumni Association at UC Berkeley
Amy Trieu, Policy and Advocacy Associate, Children’s Institute
Taylor Amdal-Barela Asuncion, Project Coordinator III, Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault & Family Violence
Madoka Leonetti, Director of Programs, Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW)
Yvonne Chang, Operations & Special Projects Manager, SVP International
Daranee Teng, Director of Program Learning, OneGoal
Amy Vu, Head of Programs, FEAST (Food, Education, Access, Support, Together)
Uyên Vũ, Operations & Capacity Building Manager, Powerful Voices
Lisa Flores, Senior Program Manager, ADA - Developers Academy
Grace Lee, Senior Program Manager, Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco (KACF-SF)
Miguel de la Fuente-Lau, Program Associate, The Haas Leadership Initiatives
Harmit Kaur, Director of Community Engagement, Sikh Family Center (SFC)
Darryll Lim, Senior Program Manager, City Year Los Angeles
Krishna Parmar, Director of Development, Hindu American Foundation
Tracey Fugami, Human Resources Director, Asian Counseling and Referral Service
Mia McFarland, Economic Development Program Assistant, White Center Community Development Association
+ Joy Lin
Joy Lin is Vice President of Journalism at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. She is responsible for strategy, planning and major initiatives. Ms. Lin brings with her more than a decade of experience as a network television news producer with ABC News, Fox News and CBS News.
Prior to joining CPB, Ms. Lin was a producer at ABC’s “This Week With George Stephanopoulos.” She also served as a White House producer for Fox News during the Obama administration, traveling domestically and overseas to cover the president. She also served as a presidential campaign embed, as well as a producer at “Special Report with Bret Baier.” Before that, Ms. Lin worked as an assignment editor, campaign reporter and associate producer at CBS News.
She graduated cum laude from Harvard University with an A.B. in Social Studies. She and her husband have three daughters and live in northern Virginia.
+ Dr. Fritzie de Mata
Dr. Fritzie de Mata has more than ten years of experience in higher education, from undergraduate teaching and advising, curriculum development, academic research, leadership development and training, program management to fundraising. She currently serves as the Associate Director of the Alumni Scholars Program at the Cal Alumni Association at UC Berkeley, where she oversees programming that supports students from low-income, first generation, and underrepresented communities. She graduated from UC Berkeley and received her doctorate in literature from UC Santa Cruz specializing in world literature, Asian American studies, and critical theory. Her work as an administrator, teacher, scholar, and mentor is grounded on her commitment to justice and diversity as well as serving underrepresented communities in education.
+ Amy Trieu
Amy Trieu’s role at Children’s Institute as Policy and Advocacy Associate is focused on guiding community-led approaches to help shape early childhood policy in Oregon. She is grateful for all the students and families who have shared their lives with her, and in turn, she hopes to elevate their voices at the policy table. She has held various roles in public service as a policy advisor at Portland City Hall, youth programs coordinator for students ranging from preschool to high school, and as a grant manager for a citywide teen program.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton College in sociology and anthropology with a concentration in educational studies, serves on the board of College Possible Oregon, and volunteers with Portland Literacy Council. She is also working to be the sixth man for the Portland Trail Blazers.
+ Taylor Amdal-Barela Asuncion
Taylor Amdal-Barela Asuncion received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Public Administration from the University of Guam. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Taylor made Guam her home and began her career working in the social services field with her start at the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault & Family Violence. Taylor started as a Project Coordinator at the Coalition and was tasked, among different projects, to work with youth and young adults as peer trainers facilitating sessions on healthy and safe relationships. As a Project Director, she took on a more administrative role and supervised other Project Coordinators and Project Assistants to implement the Coalition’s training and community outreach projects. Taylor moved briefly to San Diego, California where she worked as a patient rights advocate for individuals in behavioral health settings. Taylor found her way back to the Pacific region and rejoined the Guam Coalition, coming full circle. She is passionate about helping the community and hopes through her advocacy she can help make the world safer for everyone.
+ Madoka Leonetti
Madoka Leonetti is Director of Programs at the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW) where she coordinates and leads all organizational programs and events. Her responsibility includes community relations, marketing, fundraising, and staff development. Madoka joined JASDFW in November 2017 as Programs and Events Manager and she played an important role in setting new fundraising records in both 2018 and 2019. Prior to JASDFW, Madoka worked as a relocation consultant for H&R Consultants in Nagoya, Japan and provided relocation services to expatriates for three years. She was recognized and awarded for being a Top Performer of the Year in 2015. She also worked as a marketing coordinator at Interpoint Events, an event management company for six years in Sydney, Australia. She earned her Bachelor's of Business Administration in Marketing at Chukyo University in Nagoya, Japan. In her free time, Madoka enjoys outdoor activities and baking healthy snacks for her family.
+ Yvonne Chang
Yvonne Chang joined SVP International in May 2019 as the Operations & Special Projects Manager, focusing on organizational operations, executive support and a variety of different projects. Yvonne comes to SVP International from SVP Seattle, a local SVP Affiliate, where she focused on bookkeeping, communications, event planning, and supported both SVP Seattle and SVP International’s operations as the Office & Event Coordinator. Prior to SVP, Yvonne was the executive assistant at a small consulting firm in Shanghai that worked on construction projects in various parts of Asia. She also interned at the US Environmental Protection Agency and worked on various sustainable community projects, including reducing food waste and improving climate resiliency within smaller communities. Yvonne grew up in the Greater Seattle region and has a BA in Environmental Studies with a focus on Sustainability from University of Washington. Outside of work, Yvonne enjoys cooking, traveling, baking bread, spending time with her nieces and nephews, and learning new things.
+ Daranee Teng
Daranee Teng is the Director of Program Learning for OneGoal, a national postsecondary access and success program supporting over 12,000 students in six regions across the country. She manages qualitative research and learning efforts to inform improvements to OneGoal’s social, emotional, and academic development program to support students from low-income communities in reaching their highest postsecondary aspirations.
Before OneGoal, Daranee was a consultant for MAIA Colegio Impacto, a nonprofit school for indigenous Maya girls in Sololá, Guatemala. She also worked as a Program Director for the I Have a Dream Foundation in Denver, where she coordinated academic and social-emotional support services for a dedicated cohort of students over the course of 10 years, from third grade through high school graduation.
Daranee’s work - both personally and professionally - is centered on advancing equity, racial justice, and opportunities for individuals from underrepresented communities in predominantly white spaces, including postsecondary education, yoga, wellness, and the outdoors. She lives in Denver, CO and enjoys traveling, cooking, and preserving the cultural heritage of her Thai and Chinese ancestors. Daranee received a BA in Spanish and a BS in Journalism from Appalachian State University and an MA in Educational Policy & Practice from the University of Colorado Boulder.
+ Amy Vu
Amy is a registered dietitian with a Master's in Public Health from the CUNY School of Public Health and Health Policy. Growing up as a first-generation Chinese American, she learned at a very young age about how the role food plays in connecting health, identity, and community. While pursuing her master’s degree in New York City, she worked as a Nutritionist at Harlem Children's Zone, leading family-based obesity prevention programs through the Healthy Harlem initiative. After obtaining her degree, she was accepted into the NYC Small Business Services Neighborhood 360 Fellowship program where she led the community engagement strategy to develop nutrition programs in the new Essex Street Market's demonstration kitchen. She is passionate about community-based solutions to increase fresh food access for all. Currently, she is the Head of Programs at FEAST (Food, Education, Access, Support, Together) in Los Angeles and is working to bring the 16-week wellness program to more communities locally and nationally. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and rock climbing.
+ Uyên Vũ
Uyên (she/they) is currently located in Seattle. She was born in Vietnam and grew up in Houston after immigrating. For their nonprofit work, Uyên is currently at Powerful Voices, a nonprofit that aims to create brave spaces with girls of color through social justice and activism based programming (= those that identify or socialize as a girl). They’re also fortunate to be part of RVC’s Community Impact Fellowship Program where they are continuously learning and growing from other nonprofit leaders of color in a cohort style space.
Their experience growing up as a first–generation immigrant and a queer person of color has shaped their passion for supporting community based organizations. As an operations and capacity builder, she is continuously thinking about how to challenge the capitalist structures that nonprofits operate in, while being rooted in social justice and centered around community. In their nonprofit experience, they have implemented systems to increase organizational effectiveness, led organizational capacity building, and trained nonprofit leaders. Fun Fact: she has played over 60 different board games & has three cats, whom she wishes could learn how to play board games with her.c
+ Lisa Flores
Hi all – My name is Lisa and I’m the Sr. Program Manager at Ada. I’ve lived in Seattle for the past 4 years working in marketing at Amazon and Starbucks before joining Ada last year. Before that, I lived on the East Coast for several years, mostly in New York City. I started out my career as an 8th-grade teacher in the South Bronx and then moved on to education nonprofits.
I’m originally from California, so returning to the West Coast was always in the plans. Though I’m originally from sunny California, I love living in Seattle with its mix of sun and rain. I’m particularly fond of coffee shops, dog-friendly places and events, and love finding fun stuff to do in Seattle with my husband.
I’m very excited to be back in the nonprofit world and look forward to continuing to support Ada!
+ Grace Lee
Grace Jiyun Lee is the Senior Program Manager at the Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco (KACF-SF) where she oversees grant-making, external programs, and special initiatives. She is committed to advancing social justice and equity by supporting organizations through meaningful collaboration and capacity-building efforts. Prior to joining KACF-SF, Grace worked as a nonprofit strategy and evaluation consultant as well as in arts administration, mounting public exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. She has a BA in Visual Arts and an MPA in nonprofit management and policy.
+ Miguel de la Fuente-Lau
Miguel is passionate about empowering individuals and organizations in the face of adversity and inequity, to thrive. For him, this means utilizing his background in social work to seek and distribute resources needed to tear down oppressive systems and help people access transformative opportunities to achieve their goals. This orientation led him to a career in development, which allowed Miguel the privilege of advocating for the needs of underrepresented communities, including immigrant households seeking financial stability, and first-generation students of color pursuing higher education. Miguel learned about and served these communities through roles at Mission Asset Fund and at iMentor, where he was responsible for raising critical revenue through grant writing and online fundraising campaigns. Now as a program associate at the Haas Leadership Initiatives, Miguel is taking his training in fundraising and storytelling toward philanthropy, and dedicates himself to seeking equity and liberation for all communities through the unique position he and his colleagues occupy in this sector.
Miguel spent several years exploring how stories can inspire and incite action for social change. He worked as a photographer capturing social justice work in New York City. While living abroad in Penang, Miguel worked as a writer and editor for print and online publications showcasing innovators living in the margins of society. And in fundraising, Miguel harnessed the power of the personal narrative, often incorporating first-person accounts into his fundraising projects.
Miguel lived the first decade of his life in the Philippines, immigrating to the United States when he was 11. Having also lived in Australia as a child, and later in life in Malaysia, Miguel considers himself a global soul. He earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies, and a minor in ethnic studies at the University of California - San Diego. He later earned a master of social work degree at the University of Southern California.
Miguel is the proud parent of two incredible daughters, and the humble partner to an amazing mother and educator. Together, they make their home in Oakland, California.
+ Harmit Kaur
Harmit has nearly a decade of professional experience in the anti-violence movement providing supportive services to victim-survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. While working with survivors from diverse backgrounds shaped her passion for addressing gender based violence, her approach has always been deeply rooted in cultural humility, language advocacy and social justice.
In her current position with Sikh Family Center (SFC), Harmit has established best practices to meet community needs, and leads various program initiatives: crisis intervention, volunteer management, and community advocacy. She has coauthored evidence-based community reports, uplifting the unique experiences of Sikh American survivors of intimate partner violence, along with identifying interventions, possible prevention, and methods to strengthen diverse families.
Through SFC, Harmit strives to change the way issues such as family/intimate partner violence and mental health are discussed and addressed in the community. As a life long learner, she continues to explore new contexts to heal and empower communities. She feels her most important role is being a mother of two: making up bedtime stories, taking them on adventures, and teaching them to appreciate the simple things in life.
+ Darryll Lim
Darryll Lim proudly serves as a Senior Program Manager with City Year Los Angeles. Over the last 6.5 years, he has been committed to collaborating and leading groups in supporting unmet needs of marginalized communities, particularly in schools across South Central Los Angeles and Watts. In his current role, he is responsible for managing and supporting a team of nine (9) AmeriCorps Members to implement City Year’s Whole School, Whole Child (WSWC) service model. Darryll is also responsible for overseeing the day to day operations of City Year’s service model as well as managing and sustaining collaborative relationships with administration, teachers and other school staff. Darryll received his B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In his free time and pre-COVID, Darryll enjoys playing volleyball, going to Disneyland, trying new places to eat with friends, and spending time with family and his dog, Kona. Darryll is excited to participate and be part of the LEAP_Impact_ Program to build community and learn alongside other API leaders who are committed and dedicated to serving others.
+ Krishna Parmar
Krishna Parmar is the Director of Development at Hindu American Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization advocating for the Hindu American community. Driven by passion and persistence, she oversees all fundraising events within the organization and creates campaigns to encourage donations and engagement from supporters. Krishna holds a B.A. in Advertising from Southern Methodist University, and currently resides in Dallas, Texas. When not wearing her HAF hat, you’ll find Krishna practicing and teaching yoga postures on the mat, listening to financial and entrepreneurial podcasts, and scheduling social media content for her family business--Needle in a Haystack, a gift and stationery boutique.
+ Tracey Fugami
Tracey Fugami was born and raised in Seattle Washington. During her undergraduate degree at Cornish College of the Arts, she studied theatre and the visual arts. She performed on stage at the Northwest Asian American Theatre in Seattle and curated many exhibitions including the grand opening of the Wing Luke Asian Museum. She attained a Masters degree from New York University in Non-Profit Arts Administration and she worked in many institutions such as The Drawing Center and Whitney Museum in New York, and the Paine Art Center in Wisconsin as an arts administrator and has several published essays in arts journals and magazines. Later recognizing the need for Human Resources expertise in her work and non-profits, she completed a certificate in Human Resources Management from the University of Washington. Currently a board member of the certificate program and additional Human Resources affiliate groups, she continues to find creativity and innovation in her work at Asian Counseling and Referral Service as the Human Resources Director.
+ Tracey Fugami
Mia McFarland is from Seattle, Washington and has lived in the area her whole life. Mia earned her Bachelors in Urban Planning and Sustainable Development and has been working in community ever since. She is the current Economic Development Program Assistant with the White Center Community Development Association, whose vision is “A bold, innovative, community-led, sustainable, and results-driven organization committed to eliminating racism and creating positive economic and social change.”. She is also the Outreach Coordinator for the Pacific Islander Health Board of Washington, as well as an Assistant Track Coach at Kentlake Highschool.
Mia found her passion for community work at a young age when she got involved with community organizing groups such as Seattle NOW, APALA Seattle, Reel Grrls. She has served on the City of Covington Human Services Commission and has worked for the City of Seattle Parks and Recreation department.
Now in her free time, Mia prioritizes her commitment to her many communities. She volunteers with the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of Washington, assists the Tacoma, Seattle, and King County Mutual Aid groups, helps distribute food to Pacific Islander community members in need in Washington, and is a founding member of the Washington State Pacific Islander COVID-19 Taskforce.
Previous cohorts shared the following testimonials with LEAP at the end of the program:
“I'm glad to have met these great people and be able to learn from them. I hope to maintain these relationships as it has really helped me to transition into a better leader.”
“Given the time we spent together getting to know each other, it was clear to see how connected we are to each other. I am leaving feeling invested in all my cohort members' lives and in our collective investment in the lives of our communities.”
“These few days [of the program] have been such a reminder of the strength, brilliance, and collective wisdom of this group and of our communities and…reinvigorated my conviction in wanting to make sure that wisdom and those stories are FULLY represented in our society and that is truly necessary for equity.”
This year, the program will be held from December 9, 2019 – March 26, 2020.
