Harrisburg, Pa – Today, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs announced the appointment of 28 commissioners that will make up its 2025-27 advisory board. The Commission’s purpose is to gather information regarding AAPI Pennsylvanians’ experiences and needs; review, evaluate, and assess programs affecting them; provide the Governor with information and recommendations regarding how best to meet their needs; and serve as a liaison from the Governor’s office to the community, providing information about programs and services that may be relevant to the needs of AAPI Pennsylvanians. The Commission was established by Governor Josh Shapiro through an Executive Order.
“It is my distinct honor to work alongside these exceptional leaders from across our Commonwealth who are devoted to uplifting the voice of the community at the highest level in the Commonwealth’s government” said Executive Director Razin Karu. “While there are challenges to improve access to economic opportunity, education, healthcare, public safety, and public transportation, the Shapiro Administration is committed to intentional community engagement to come up with solutions to some of the most pressing concerns faced by all Pennsylvanians.”
Throughout the last two years, the Commission on AAPI Affairs worked across the Shapiro Administration to address the concerns of AAPI Pennsylvanians head on and made meaningful investments to advance opportunity in communities across Pennsylvania. This includes improving language access for state government programs and services, doubling investments in community and economic development grants, and doubling the investments in protecting the safety and security of communities vulnerable to hate crimes throughout the Commonwealth.
The Commission Chair and members are listed below.
Wei Chen, Philadelphia County, Chair
Aminah Arshad, Dauphin County, Vice Chair
Paresh Birla, Bucks County
Subhi Brenner, Delaware County
Ren Egawa, Montgomery County
Fred Faylona, Dauphin County
Raihan Izimbetova, Allegheny County
Susan Jin Davis, Chester County
Marwan Kreidie, Philadelphia County
Cindy Lam Guo, Lancaster County
Nagi Latefa, Lehigh County
Hyeonock “Mel” Lee, Montgomery County
Leilani Mears, Butler County
Abdul Mughees Chaudhri, Chester County
Jennie Nam, Philadelphia County
Cat Nguyen, Philadelphia County
Tilak Niroula, Dauphin County
Uday Palled, Allegheny County
Arthur Pang, Allegheny County
Shahidul Partha, Montgomery County
Bong Pil Yang, Montgomery County
Vasu Singh, Northampton County
Vicki Sundara, Montgomery County
Saedullah Taraky, Erie County
Wilson Tong, Delaware County
Oliver Truong, Philadelphia County
Suryakala Vankatadri, Cumberland County
Hong Zhang, Allegheny County
To learn more about the Governor’s Advisory Commission on AAPI Affairs, follow the Commission on Facebook.
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