CAPA Board

Dr. Suchiraphon (Su) McKeithen-Polish

Professional Background

• Macomb ISD Bilingual Education Program Director/Title III Consultant.
• President of the Thai-American Association of Michigan, providing support and leadership to the Thai and other Southeast Asian communities.
• Adjunct Professor at Wayne State University in Bicultural/Biliteracy Program in Education Department/School.
• Macomb A.C.T. (Diversity) Steering Committee Officer – OneMacomb/Macomb County
• Council of Asian Pacific American (CAPA) member
• American Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC) Strategic Planning Committee Member

Educational background:

• Ph.D. Degree in Education, with a concentration in Educational Leadership, 2012
• Education Specialist – School Administration from Oakland University, 2007
• Michigan Professional Teacher License, with ESL/Bilingual endorsement, 2003
• MA in Curriculum & Instruction with ESL/Bilingual emphasis
from the University of Colorado at Denver, 2000
• Colorado Professional Teacher License, with ESL endorsement, 1993
• California teacher certification/license in Multilingual & Multicultural emphasis, with an ESL/Bilingual Language Development Specialist Certification from Sacramento StateUniversity, 1992
• BA in Political Science from San Francisco State University, 1987

Awards Received:

• Rise Beyond The Horizon – awarded at the Martin Luther King event in Macomb County, for working with diverse communities and student population, 2012
• Women Leadership Award – given by the International Institute of Metro Detroit, 2017
• Diversity Leadership Distinction – awarded by City of Sterling Heights, 2018
• Welcoming Michigan Certificate of Appreciation – awarded for my commitment to helping in making Macomb County more welcoming to all immigrants and refugees, 2018

Personal Background:

I was born and raised in Thailand. When my mother remarried an American diplomat, my world has changed. Because of my father’s job, my family and I have traveled and lived in many countries, including Laos and Haiti. This has made a huge impact on my life and my career choice. I am fluent in 3 languages: Thai, English, and Lao. While living in Haiti for 3 years, I studied French and continued to do so throughout high school and college. I am also familiar with Haitian Creole and Spanish. My passion has always been in culture, language and education. I am a lifelong learner. I have been in the educational field since 1984, working as a part-time after-school program coordinator for the San Francisco Chinatown Branch YMCA in California, while attending college.

I am married and have three daughters. My oldest daughter is doing her Ph.D. in Political Science and International Studies at the University of Southern California. My second daughter is an Engineer, working in San Francisco. My youngest daughter is a 9th grader in Utica Community Schools. Currently, we have a new addition to our family, my amazing nephew, who is also going into 9th grade. I am truly blessed with an amazing family and a very loving spouse. Without their support, I wouldn’t have accomplished my goals. They have traveled by my side throughout my life journey.

Julie Rosario is an entrepreneur who owns a Filipino Inspired Full-Service Catering Company, Julie Ryan Philippine Cuisine & Catering. With a passion for serving delicious meals, Julie has taken her business to new heights and has earned recognition for great tasting cuisine and high rating service.

In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Julie also serves as a community CMS Navigator under EMU-CHDIS, where she partners with the federal government’s Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Her dedication to helping others navigate the healthcare system and access the services they need has made her an invaluable resource in her community.

Julie’s commitment to community extends further as she holds the Vice President position for both the CAPA and Circulo Pangpangqueno in Michigan. Through these organizations, Julie actively contributes to the development and support of the Asian American community in her area.

Julie is an accomplished professional with a diverse educational background. She is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the Philippines, showcasing her dedication to the healthcare field. Additionally, Julie also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majoring in Financial Management, highlighting her expertise in managing the financial aspects of her business.

With her entrepreneurial spirit, community involvement, and impressive educational background, Julie Rosario continues to make a positive impact in both the business and local community sectors.

Melanie Steele is a Partner and Chief Operating Officer for Stateline. Melanie oversees all facets of the company’s operations from Marketing, Sales, Operations, IT and Finance. She was named Crain’s 40 under 40 for the extraordinary contributions she has made both to her former employment and her community. She has led an award winning team and works to bring to bear similar successes to Stateline. Her expertise in strategic planning, productivity and efficiency will add depth and breadth to Stateline’s key strengths. Melanie provides project oversight and brings Stateline’s seasoned team to assist, train and start the project implementation phase for its clients. She combines entrepreneurial drive with aggressive business strategies to enhance the overall quality, productivity and bottom line performance. Melanie has cultivated and managed accounts valued at over $50M.

Melanie attended University of Detroit Mercy with a degree in Political Science, completed classes at Walsh College for Project Management and successfully completed training as an energy manager at The Association of Energy Engineers. She regularly takes Executive Education classes at University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business focusing on leadership, strategy and high performance. She has also created energy efficient curriculum and taught at Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), Pontiac School District and Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA).

Melanie currently mentors other small businesses ranging from engineering firms, health care to technology start ups.

I am a first generation born US citizen to Hmong immigrant parents. In 1979, my parents immigrated to the United States alongside their family members and settled in California before moving to Minneapolis, MN in 1990. In 1995, my family and I moved from Minneapolis, MN to Detroit, MI to be closer for family. My family and I have lived in Michigan for over 25 years and during this time I have pursued a higher education where I earned my Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Psychology from Wayne State University in 2011. In 2016, I earned my Master of Science Degree in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Kaplan University. I am currently a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and continue to pursue a career in working with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Over the years I have been an active volunteer in the community. I was part of the planning committee from 2006 – 2007 for the 12th Annual Hmong National Development Conference held in Detroit, MI in April 2007. From 2007 to 2010, I was a founder, member, and co-chair of HLUB (Hmong Leaders United for the Better). In addition, I have volunteered with DAY (Detroit Asian Youth) Project, APIAVote MI (Asian Pacific Islander American), Great Lakes Hmong Assocation, and shelters for women and children at risk. I currently hold the position of Vice President for the Michigan Hmong Women’s Association and have held this position for 2 terms.

I look forward to contributing to the mission and goals of CAPA through education, community service, and culture.

Keira is a student at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor. During the school year, I spend most of my time outside of school rowing and studying. However, I still find time to learn more about my own culture and the issues that Asian Americans currently face. Through CAPA, I plan to learn more about other Asian American experiences and share my own.

Dan is a passionate Filipino-American multimedia artist, photographer, musician, performer, and graphic designer. He was born in Manila, Philippines, and adopted into his American family. Dan graduated from Oakland University with honors in 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrative Studies focusing on Advertising, Marketing, Sociology and Communications. He also has obtained two associates degrees from Macomb Community College graduating in 2012 in Photographic Technology & Animations with Summa Cum Laude honors.

Dan currently works for HOUR MEDIA LLC who own HOUR Detroit Magazine as an Advertising Designer/Production Staff employee. He also does a lot of freelance work in graphic design and photography for various clients around Southeast Michigan. Dan always had a passion for studying various cultures and people which led him to CAPA as well as other organizations. He is a graphic designer for Paaralang Pilipino, a photographer for Refuge for Nations, and a member of the Filipino-American National Historical Society (FANHS). He is also co-founder of #LetMeListenToYou, a round table discussion group focusing on opposing viewpoints dealing with heavy topics while creating a brave-space for civil dialogue and progressive solutions for society with a sense of belongingness on a multi-political and multi-diverse basis.

Musical instruments have always been a passion for Dan he collects various instruments from around the world and educate others about them as well as writes and produces his own music. Dan also has been a stage performer for the Michigan Renaissance Festival and has been juggling the diabolo Chinese yo-yo for 18 years. His work can be found on Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, Tic-Toc and other music platforms. Dan also is the owner of his own business Dijuri Media – www.dijurimedia.com.

Jacqueline (Jackie) is very active in providing support and leading cultural events in the Vietnamese community. She is one of the community leaders who is active and advocating for her community from the city to the state level. Jackie is one of the main organizers of many events, including the Vietnamese New Year. She is looking forward to joining the CAPA team and has expressed her interest in assuming the role of the Cultural Committee Chair.

Luna is currently studying at WSU Nursing School, with expected graduation in 2024. Luna has worked as a volunteer in her community as well as in other communities as a youth leader. In 2018, she was a youth leader for one of the CAPA Youth Leadership Programs. Luna’s passion is also in education. She plans to continue her studies, including education. She worked as a summer program lead teacher at Macomb Intermediate School District last summer. She’s experienced in working with students of K-12. Her specialty is working with students of diverse cultural and language backgrounds. Her other attributes include the ability to speak and understand Hmong.

She is interested in being the Educational Committee Chair.

Ryan Rosario is an Agency Owner for State Farm Insurance. He has been providing insurance and financial services to businesses and individuals since 1992. Mr. Rosario leads over 45 Filipino member organizations as Filipino American Community Council of MI President, a council that coordinates and assists all member organizations various projects, activities and advocacies. He serves as current Chairman for the Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Michigan whose mission is to promote and enhance the economic growth for Michigan Filipino-American businesses and professionals. In addition, he serves as a Board Member for Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce of Michigan.

Mr. Rosario past awards include:
– 2010 APACC Salute to Excellence
– 2011 CORP Magazine Salute to Diversity Business Leader
– 2012 Race Relations & Diversity Task Force Champion.

In addition, Ryan has chaired numerous events including the following:
– 2009 FILAMCCO Rizal Day
– 2010 NaFFAA 7th Annual Banquet
– 2012 PACCM Valentine’s Ball

Mr. Rosario holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Detroit-Mercy.

A seasoned and strategic business professional, Pina Vyas has comprehensive experience across a broad range of strategic leadership roles. An inclusive thinker, Pina looks to developing solutions that are collaborative to drive long term business growth and create sustainable outcomes. With 25 years of experience in the consumer goods and energy industries, Pina has core competencies in contract negotiation, strategic & operational planning, lean & Six Sigma leadership, process optimization, productivity improvement, product & brand management, project management and building motivating cross-functional teams that exceed expectations.

As manager of DTE’s Joint Use business that facilitates third-party attachments to DTE assets, Pina is responsible for $56M of revenue that helps offset customer rates. Pina joined DTE Energy as the program owner for the Outdoor Protective Lighting business, a part of DTE’s Electric Sales & Marketing organization and has held various roles of increasing responsibility throughout the enterprise. She has been one of the architects behind DTE’s annual strategic planning process and has been a Chief of Staff (business advisory role) to DTE executives for most of her career at DTE, providing strategic oversight and organizational accountability for business success.

Prior to joining DTE Energy, Vyas was a professor at an MBA institute in India, where she taught most of the marketing and advertising courses. Her international experience also includes working as a product manager for an engineering firm in Singapore.

Vyas holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Science degree. She is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She has significant experience in strategic and operational planning, change management, event planning, project management and designing and implementing highly successful marketing strategies and promotional campaigns. Vyas is consistently recognized for exceptional organization and planning abilities balanced with interpersonal and talent-development skills.

Pina has served on the boards of the Energetic Women Conference (affiliated with the Midwest Energy Association) and the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) as the Vice President, President Elect, Executive Director and the Communications & Marketing committee chair. She currently serves as the President of CAPA, as a consultant to the Structure & Operations Committee for 313 Connect (United Way of Southeastern Michigan) and is a board member with Micah 6.

Pina is a certified personal trainer, an avid reader, home chef and lover of all four-legged beings!

Joseph Paul Pacis Javier is Filipino-American who is passionate about diversity and strengthening the community. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Joseph has also lived in the Philippines and Canada. During his time as a journalist, he has traveled extensively throughout the Asia-Pacific region and brings his global perspective to support the Council of Asian Pacific Americans.

Joseph has over 15 years of experience working in the media in the Philippines. He was an award-winning radio broadcaster at 89.9 DWTM as well as a travel and lifestyle show presenter on Studio 23 Television. Joseph has also worked as a columnist for the Manila Bulletin, editor for the Manila Times, and writer for several other publications. Aside from his experience in the media, Joseph has worked in the fields of public relations, strategic brand management, and event production.

Currently, Joseph is a PharmD candidate at Wayne State University’s Doctor of Pharmacy Program. He completed his undergraduate studies at Oakland University where he graduated with honors obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. He has done additional studies in Integrated Marketing Communication at the University of Asia and the Pacific as well as Neurobiology and Genetics at Harvard University. Joseph also obtained a graduate certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy through Harvard Business School and is now in the process of completing an additional certificate in Business Analytics.

Joseph has served as president of the Alpha Omicron Rho chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and president of Spectrum LGBTQ Alliance. He is currently an active member of WSU’s Mu Omicron Pi chapter of Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Theta Chi Fraternity at Oakland University and the Student Pharmacist Diversity Council at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Given Joseph’s diverse background and passion for building partnerships, he offers these talents to bolster CAPA’s presence in the Asian-Pacific community and inform the public about the many resources and events that CAPA has to offer.

Al Pacha is owner and President of ALPAC, Inc., minority owned software development and IT consulting company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Technology) from India.

He is an innovative Information Technology leader with a proven track record managing technology development teams along with conceptualizing and directing development of business-driven technology solutions. Proficient in formulating strategies for technology acquisition, integration, migration, and implementation. Provides vision and dedicated leadership to C-suites for key technologies including application solutions, network infrastructure, database management systems, quality assurance testing, and internet solutions.

Co-founded three startup companies in the areas of vendor management, home-garden management software, and student soft skill assessments.

Serves as an Advisory Board member for Wayne County Community College District, Detroit.

Awarded ‘2012 Emerging Leader Award’ by Leadership Detroit/Detroit Regional Chambers – recognizing individuals who have shown unrelenting commitment to making a difference and positively impacting those around them and the community.

Anshi is a freshman at Georgetown University, Washington DC. She is the past Youth Committee chair of CAPA. She is very passionate about Model United Nations and founded the SkyMUN club at her high school during her freshman year.

In the winter of her high school freshman year, she ran a successful socks drive for CAPA by collaborating with Detroit Children’s Center.

She sails during the summer and actively teaches youth how to sail at the Michigan Sailing Club.

Dedicated and Results Oriented Executive with broad proven track record in Global Non-Profit General Management, Marketing and Strategic Planning. Adept at organizing global resources and promoting innovative solutions. Skilled at mobilizing cross-functional global support to accomplish the task at hand. Excellent leadership and relationship building skills. Accomplished cross-cultural ambassador between the US and China.

Lisa Gray is a former anchor and reporter for the BBC and Guangdong Broadcasting Corporation in China. Out of the passion in serving the community, Lisa formed APIA News Network, AAPI Voice and Dragon Eagle TV to be the voice of Asian Pacific Islander Americans and promote cross cultural education and diversity. She has interviewed many influential people such as Governors, Senators, Business and Community Leaders. She has covered many community events and the News Network has become the media partner of major APA organizations, local governments as well as large corporations and beyond. Lisa’s efforts have made a big impact within the community.

Lisa is also a respected community leader who has served as a Governor appointed commissioner for Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC), the Co-chair for North American Chinese Coalition (NACC), and President of Chinese Association of Greater Detroit (CAGD). Lisa also served on the board of American Citizens for Justice, Council of Asian Pacific Americans, and many different community organizations.

Lisa is an outspoken advocate for AAPI community as well as Michigan and for collaboration with China to create jobs within the state. Lisa has been actively engaged with the State of Michigan and City of Detroit on bridging China in economic, cultural, and educational areas, having helped organize delegations from Michigan to China and China to Michigan.

Lisa has a master’s degree in broadcasting and journalism.

Lisa’s involvements of some major activities:

Suman Desaraju is the Principal Supervisor of DTE’s Customer Service Operations and Support Continuous Improvement team. She holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Michigan and has been with DTE for 12 years. Before coming to DTE, Suman worked in various industries which included positions at GE Transportation Systems in Erie, PA and Tiffany & Co in Manhattan, NY.

As a first generation Indian American, Suman has stayed close to her cultural roots through the arts. A trained classical Indian dancer since the tender age of 4, Suman has always felt most connected to her heritage while performing on stage. Her pursuit of dance has led to performances all over the world and she has expanded her repertoire to include numerous classical and folk-dance styles of India. Aside from being an accomplished soloist, Suman has choreographed numerous performances for individual students and groups across the state. Throughout her college years, Suman was an active member of the Indian American Student Association and helped choreograph and execute the organization’s annual cultural program which brought in an audience of 5000 people each year. She went on to help organize large cultural programs for various Indian community events over the years and in 2015, she started her own company offering Indian dance inspired fitness classes which she continues to teach on the weekends.

A strong advocate of female empowerment, Suman also serves as a board member for Sikhya, an organization that provides educational opportunities for underprivileged girls in rural India. When she’s not working or dancing, Suman loves cooking, reading, playing the piano, and spending time with her husband, daughter and son.