The CalAsian Foundation is dedicated to accelerating the success of the local, state, and national underserved communities through leadership empowerment.
We empower leadership through relationship building, education, workforce development, civic engagement, and political participation.
As an outgrowth of the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce, the largest ethnic chamber in California, we understand and know the importance of being entrepreneurial to make the most impact for our constituents.
Success does not happen in a vacuum—it requires allyship and relationship building. We pride ourselves in being open minded and open armed in working with diverse individuals, communities, and organizations.
We believe longevity and development of our staff and leadership leads to ever growing and maturing institutional knowledge and know-how that compounds like interest.
We focus on maximizing tangible and measurable outcomes for the constituents.
Hard work is a root trait within various cultures, and at the CalAsian Foundation, we also know hard work leads to great outcomes.
Principal,
RKF Consulting
“I am excited to be part of the CalAsian Foundation at a time when the Foundation has a renewed focus on empowering the AAPI community through its leadership and education programs!”
“As an Asian American who has been a partner in a law firm and held elected office, I continue to believe that AAPI are under-represented in both public and private leadership. We should not have to abandon our heritage and values in order to be recognized as leaders so I am very interested in any work the Foundation does to educate ourselves as well as others about who we are and what we have to offer.”
Chief Dreaming Officer and Founder, Rose to the Occasion, LLC
“I’m very excited to be a part of the CalAsian Foundation! For many years, I have stayed very local – Sacramento based towards my volunteerism and community service. I’m happy to have found an organization that serves statewide to the API and small business community. The foundation really makes a point to strengthen underserved and diverse communities through leadership and professional development.”
“Since Golden 1 Credit Union was founded in Sacramento in 1933, giving back to our communities has been a central part of our mission. We are proud to support our communities, but it would not be possible without the CalAsian Foundation, who works hard every day to improve the lives of the AAPI community.”
Head of Finance Excellence - Central Support, Siemens Mobility, Inc.
“Siemens Mobility strives to represent the communities in which we operate, creating a more equitable and supportive culture for our employees and suppliers. In our daily business we are proud to give businesses owned by minorities, women, the disadvantaged, the disabled, veterans and other diverse suppliers maximum opportunity. We know that the more diverse our workforce and supply chain, the stronger the representation of ideas that drive innovation, the more inclusive the workplace and the stronger our commitment to the Sacramento community. As a member of the Sacramento and California Asian Pacific Chambers of Commerce, we work closely with the chambers to further both our organizational goals and those of the Foundation – growing and strengthening the Asian community in California.”
Consultant
“I am honored to be on the CalAsian Foundation Board of Directors because of the Foundation’s commitment to developing AAPI leaders. This AAPI leadership development is critical to the future of California. Over the last 20 years, I have given my time, talent, and treasure personally and professionally to foster the next generation of AAPI leaders. I am looking forward to engaging with my fellow Board Members to enhance the Foundation’s long standing Catalyst Leadership Program as well as bring new initiatives such as AAPI Strong CA and the California Dream Fund to AAPI leaders, businesses, and the broader AAPI community.”
“Comcast has a deep and longstanding commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and leveraging our numerous platforms to tell the story of the incredible impact that AAPI communities have on our company and country. As one of the nation’s largest distributors of multicultural programming, Comcast is passionate about leveraging our Xfinity TV platforms to celebrate AAPI communities year-round through our Asian American Film & TV collection. As part of an ongoing partnership with Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Comcast NBCUniversal is supporting the Mis/Disinformation Project, an effort to address how misinformation and disinformation campaigns across social media are harmful to AAPI communities. Comcast is also committed to expanding the resources available to Asian-owned small businesses through our Comcast RISE program, where Asian entrepreneurs can receive support ranging from complimentary creative production for a TV commercial to technology makeovers and other support from Comcast Business. We are also deeply proud to have been a founding member of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, with which we share a vision, mission and purpose to recognize excellence and celebrate the contributions of AAPIs.”
Senior Vice President, Hawksbill Group
“I’m excited to be a part of the CalAsian Foundation board to collectively grow leadership capacity and engagement within the AAPI community in California. Together we can support the success and impact of current and future leaders across the state.”
“The Hawksbill Group’s mission is to assist corporations and organizations to grow revenue, solve complex problems and develop effective strategies. Empowering AAPI leadership is in alignment with our priorities through effective workforce development, empowerment through collaboration as well as civic and political engagement.”
Chief Community Connector,
Chicago Asian Network
“I am excited and deeply honored to join the CalAsian Foundation’s Board because it provides a platform for me to further the causes and initiatives that are dear to my heart. I have had the amazing opportunity to be a program advisor to Node, an initiative of the foundation to help budding AAPI nonprofits organizations with training and capacity building. As an Asian American community builder, I have witnessed the resilience, strength, and incredible potential within our community. I believe that by collaborating with the Foundation, we can harness this potential to effect meaningful change, not only for Asian Americans but for the broader society as well. I am eager to contribute my skills, experiences, and passion to help shape and implement programs and initiatives that will empower Asian Americans, promote inclusivity, and foster unity within our diverse community.”
Director of Government & Public Affairs, PG&E
CEO,
Chicken and Rice Guys
“I am excited to be part of the board because I have had the pleasure to work with Pat Fung Kushida through National ACE, as well as Lauren Oto and Matt Sumida through Node. It has been a great experience to work with such a large chamber, and coming from more grassroots organizations, I am learning more and more on what it takes to run a large non-profit organization.”
“I hope my entrepreneurial background will be an asset to the Foundation to help the Foundation think more innovatively, be more nimble, and make the most out of their resources! I believe my entrepreneurial background will also give me intimate knowledge to identify with the needs of small, diverse, millennial business owners, and develop the right solutions for them.”
Principle Managing Director, The Siena Group
Assemblymember, District 10
Founder and Principal, Omni Government Relations
Executive Director
Lauren Oto is a well-respected communications professional with more than 13 years of progressive experience in Marketing Communications, Economic Development, Community Impact and Fundraising. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from California State University, Sacramento and an Associate’s Degree in Design and Marketing.
Since 2015 Lauren has served as VP of Communications and Membership for the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and CalAsian Chamber of Commerce where she works collaboratively with the Senior Staff of Domestic and Global Programs, Public Policy and Executive Leadership to support all communications and ensure positive brand messaging. In 2021 Lauren was named Executive Director of the CalAsian Foundation overseeing the Workforce Development and Community initiatives to help create a pipeline for a diverse workforce, understanding the role diversity, inclusion and advocacy play in advancing our regions forward. Lauren works closely with community leaders and local elected officials developing strong ties to state leadership and government officials helping to drive the mission of the chamber and Foundation.
Foundation Manager
Saeri is a UC Santa Barbara alumna with degrees in Asian American Studies (honors) and Japanese, along with a minor in Professional Writing for Civic Engagement. Since her time as an undergraduate, she has been dedicated to social impact work, getting involved with various nonprofits—from supporting coalition-building at PEN America to assisting in fundraising development at How Women Lead. Her work is deeply rooted in panethnic solidarity efforts, an interest she explored in depth during her senior thesis. At CalAsian Foundation, she strives to contribute to conversations about AAPI unity and collaboration among diverse communities.
Media and Content Specialist
Lauren is a versatile communications professional and community advocate based in California. She studied journalism and media studies at San Diego State University, where she developed skills in reporting and multimedia content creation. Lauren uses her background in journalism, marketing, and multimedia storytelling to support underserved businesses and civic leadership initiatives.
Program Director,
Catalyst Leadership Program
For 35 years, Cassandra Walker Pye has enjoyed a successful career in communications, government, politics and advocacy for corporate interests in global, national, state and local arenas. She has served in a variety of leadership roles including being appointed Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Schwarzenegger, launching her own communication consultancy firm 3.14 Communications, and currently serves as the Executive VP and Chief Strategy Officer for Lucas Public Affairs.
As Program Director, Cassandra is the class mentor and facilitator, offering a wealth of wisdom and guidance from her years of leadership experience.
Program Director, AAPI LIFT
Rob Fong is a third generation Sacramentan. He earned a degree in political science with Phi Beta Kappa distinction from U.C. Berkeley in 1981, and he graduated from the U.C. Davis King Hall School of law in 1984, practicing civil litigation and business law until 2009 with the law firm of Ryan & Fong. In 2009, he started RKF Consulting, his own lobbying and consulting firm.
Rob was elected to the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Trustees in 1998
and served as Board President from 2003 through April 2004. In March 2004, he was elected to the Sacramento City Council. In 2006, he was elected to the position of Vice Mayor. Rob
was re-elected to serve a second term on the City Council in June 2008 until December 2012.
Rob retired from politics in December 2012 after 14 years of public service and returned to the private sector where he provides legal, lobbying and consulting services to a select clientele.
Consultant,
Node Program Director
Upon graduating from Babson College, a top global entrepreneurship school in Boston, MA, with a Diversity Leadership Scholarship, Ian gained experience in the entrepreneurship world working at several startups. In 2012, eager to apply his entrepreneurial studies and work experience to real life, he bought a food truck on eBay for $19,000 and launched his food business, Chicken & Rice Guys. From that initial investment, his business grew into an annual multi-million dollar revenue company with 6 food trucks, 3 restaurants, a 10,000 sf full service food truck commissary and a full-service catering/popup division. In the first 4 years of business, Chicken & Rice Guys was the 9th fastest growing private company in Massachusetts and the 206th fastest growing private company in the USA.
In addition to being a business leader, Ian values being a community leader. He is extremely passionate about using his resources, knowledge, and experience to help others. In 2019, he founded the Chicken & Rice Guys foundation to expand on his company’s mission to “Do Good With Food.” The foundation expands upon the charitable efforts of Chicken & Rice Guys, which through the years, has donated hundreds of thousand of dollars of in-kind donations and tens of thousands of pounds of food to various local Boston charities including homeless shelters, food pantries, and nonprofits focused helping low-income and underprivileged communities.
Program Director,
NextGen Empower U
Jim Tabuchi has an extensive background that includes high tech corporate management, non-profit leadership and program development. He is educated in electrical engineering and applied that to become a Senior Manager in Hewlett-Packard. He then applied his management experience to grow the Sacramento Mandarins to become a leading arts non-profit organization, providing music education programs for over a thousand youth every year. He provides consulting services and leadership coaching to numerous organizations. His impact can be seen in numerous industries including high tech, education, banking, utilities, health care, government and more.
Our Sister Organizations
Non-Discrimination Statement: The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Foundation affirms its commitment to equality of opportunity for all individuals. This commitment requires that no discrimination shall occur in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, age, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, genetic information, covered veteran status, or any other classification prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.
