APAC Board of Directors
Steve Hsieh
Board Chair
Steve Hsieh Bio
Jantima Danford
Treasurer
Jantima Danford Bio
Alexander Nguyen
Parliamentarian
Alexander Nguyen Bio
Steve Hsieh
Board Chair
Steve Hsieh Bio
Jantima Danford
Treasurer
Jantima Danford Bio
Alexander Nguyen
Parliamentarian
Alexander Nguyen Bio
Steve Hsieh has been living in San Diego for over 30 years and has devoted his effort promoting API involvement in public affairs. Steve has also been actively involved in community affairs to boost API visibility.
Steve is currently serving on San Diego City’s Commission on Police Practices as well as the vice president of Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce of San Diego. Steve is also a commissioner to the Republic of China Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council.
Steve Hsieh holds a bachelor’s degree from University of California and a master’s degree from the University of Texas. Steve also receives a board member certificate from The Nonprofit Institute at University of San Diego.
Fluent in Thai and Lao and English – Subject Matter Expert (SME) of Thai language and cultural studies. Over twenty years in the United States of America, as a community leader, helping the Thai community and Asian Pacific American communities. Innovative and highly motivated individual with strong experience in foreign language acquisition and intercultural communication. Specialized background in counseling, training, and organizational development. Strong interpersonal skills and organizational communication.
Over thirty years experience working as a Medical Convention Organizer managing international conventions and exhibitions in several specialties in Thailand and in the United States. Offered full-service organization for convention and exhibition of any size and type. Planned, programmed, budgeted and directed the acquisition of conventions and exhibitions involving millions of dollars, thousands of people, and state-of-the-art technical equipment in coordination with both civilian and government agencies in Thailand and other countries. Experience working in Sales and Marketing/Project Manager/Office Manager, Casino Marketing, Payroll, Executive Secretary,
Marketing Coordinator, and Fundraising fields. Managed staff, payroll, office management, equipment procurement, and financial matters.
Alexander Nguyen is an Emmy award-winning journalist. He is currently the web producer for KPBS News. As web producer, he is responsible for covering breaking news online, writing web stories, and copy editing and updating the station’s website and social media.
Alexander has covered Southern California extensively for several publications, including Patch, Times of San Diego, MyNewsLA.com, and NBC San Diego where he won several Society of Professional Journalists and San Diego Press Club awards for his writing. He is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association and San Diego Press Club.
In addition, he’s been on the board of several community organizations, such as the Mira Mesa Town Council, Mira Mesa Theatre Guild, Vietnamese American Youth Alliance. He is also involved in producing, either directly or indirectly, several community events, such as the annual San Diego Tet Festival, City Heights Lantern Festival, among others.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in journalism innovation from Syracuse University.
Mary works with individual private investors on off-market acquisitions from building master plan town centers to acquiring large scale projects. She also serves as Vice President of the HOA Board of The Legend condominium complex in downtown San Diego, actively participates in East Village BID board, and the Downtown Community Planning Council (DCPC).
It is because of her hardships she continues to engage, encourage, and actively participate in giving back to the community. This past year she has dedicated time and built friendships within the Filipino community as Deputy CIO of United Pilipino International (UPI) board, COPAO’s 50th Anniversary Event Co-Chair, and assisted with Ditas Yamane campaign for National City District 3 Council member. She also served as a trustee on La Jolla Town Council.
Natasha Wong is an international law attorney who began her career in San Diego as the Executive Director of the Chinese Service Center. Providing various social services to low-and middle-income Chinese, the Center provided services ranging from job referrals to free financial literacy courses. Wong helped implement the first IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for mono-lingual Chinese.
Under her leadership, hundreds of Chinese restaurant workers also received training and earned a Food Sanitation certificate from the County of San Diego Health Department to work in restaurants all over San Diego County. Wong earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California at Berkeley.
She earned her Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School and a Master of Law in International Law from the University of San Diego, School of Law. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Avery Tsui Foundation. She is a trustee of the Stephen Hawking Professorship at Cambridge University in England. She also serves on the Board of Advisors for the University of California at Berkeley’s School of Letters and Sciences. She is also the treasurer and serves on the board of directors of San Diego Balboa Park’s House of China.
Mitz Lee has been a community leader, coalition builder and neighborhood advocate for nearly three decades. Mitz’ early public service started the same way many others have served. She was a military spouse, a Youth Soccer and Little League Team Mom, a Den Mother, a school classroom volunteer, and a School Parent Volunteer Coordinator.
Later, Mitz was elected to the San Diego Unified School District’s Board of Education. Mitz has also served on San Diego City Human Relations Commission. She cofounded several nonprofit organizations and has served on their Board of Directors. In addition, she is now spearheading two neighborhood-focused projects as Executive Director of Mira Mesa Senior Center and Chairperson of D6 Night Market. She continues to serve as President and CEO of Alliance for Quality Education. She also accepted the position of Chair of the Board of Directors of Parents for Quality Education and Asian Pacific American Coalition.
Mitz has received numerous awards for her efforts including the Governor and First Lady’s Service Award, Special Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives, the California State Legislature, and from local elected officials, and was named one of the Top 50 People to Watch in San Diego by San Diego Magazine. She also received the 2016 Woman of the Year for the Assembly 77th District, State of California
Mitz received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Economics from the University of the City of Manila and a master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Financial Management from National University in San Diego. Mitz has made San Diego her home for 37 years with her husband, a U.S. Navy veteran, and their 2 sons.
Kenya Benitez is a San Diego native, born and raised in the South Bay. She has a bachelor’s degree in Rhetoric and Writing Studies and is currently pursuing her master’s in public health. Through her degrees, she plans to work in the health policy sector to fight for vulnerable populations that don’t have access to reliable healthcare.
During her time as a student, she has mentored incoming college freshmen, helped fellow students as a writing tutor, and joined the Lavin entrepreneurship program.
Dr. Gil Ontai is dean of DeVry University San Diego and Long Beach, former chair of doctorate committee, School of Psychology, California Southern University, college professor, architect, and urban city planner. He holds advanced degrees in education psychology and architecture.
A former city planning commissioner, downtown redevelopment board director, and consultant to the CA Architects Board, he also served on California’s first Citizens Redistricting Commission. He received national design awards for affordable housing, educational facilities, and for his civic engagement role from Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center.
Dr. Ontai is an active member of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities, where he currently serves as group chair for the Kanaka Davis Trust Group, president of Pacific American Education and Scholastic Foundation, board member of the Gaslamp Quarters Historic Foundation, and as a founding member of Pacific Islander Festival Association.
Dr. Ontai is a decorated Air Force veteran who served in the Strategic Air Command, Office of Inspector General.
