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Connie Tingson-Gatuz, PhD, Past Chair Advisory Board
Dr. Tingson Gatuz served as the project director of a Fulbright-Hays federal grant supplying opportunities for faculty to engage in research, language training, and curriculum development projects overseas in the Philippines. As a Lead Consultant for the national Gates Millennium Scholarship Program, she trained reviewers to select America’s best and brightest across the nation to receive college scholarships, for over a decade. Enthusiastic about developing community leaders, she developed the curriculum for a national college leadership program, based in Washington DC. A national Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute (APAWLI) Fellow and National OCA Pioneer Community Educator Awardee, she has dedicated her career to educating and developing people in organizations. Contributing author in Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Higher Education: Research and Perspectives on Identity, Leadership, and Success, she highlighted the importance of mentoring leaders. Spanning a 30-year career in higher education, she is a recipient of the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators API Knowledge Community Breaking the Glass Ceiling and Outstanding Mentor Awards, the National OCA Pioneer Community Educator Award, the International Mentoring Association Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award, and the Republic of the Philippines’ Outstanding Educator Recognition. Tingson Gatuz has served on the faculty and co-chaired a national symposium for aspiring executive women leaders in higher education and is a Fellow alum of the national Asian Pacific Islander Women’s Leadership Institute. She is an active member of Chief, a private membership network of women executive leaders and is a Board member and State-Chair Elect of the Michigan American Council on Education Women’s Network (MI-ACE). Tingson Gatuz earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, master’s degree in college and university administration, and a doctorate in educational administration from Michigan State University. Past Chair, Advisory Board Associate Vice President for Student Life, University of Michigan |
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Katherine M. Lee, Vice Chair, Advisory Board
In addition to her outstanding accomplishments in the business sector, Ms. Lee balances her career with a strong devotion in making a difference to the community. She was recognized in 2005 as one of the most influential Asians in Michigan by “Corp!”, one of Michigan’s largest business magazine; Her passion and countless volunteer hours in promoting, inspiring support and greater awareness of cultural diversity in the corporate world have earned her the honor as one of 2007’s “Diversity Champion” by the Race Relations and Diversity Task force in the Metro Detroit area. She was also voted as the 2009 honoree by the International Women’s Day Association for her outstanding leadership in Michigan Asian American community. Ms. Lee was knighted in 2008 with the honourable title “Dame Katharina” by the Royal Papal Knights of the Vatican, His Holiness Pope BENEDICT XVI, and by the Secretariat of State, His Eminence Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone for her devotion and service to medical communities worldwide. Affiliations: Public Appearances & Presentations: Education: Vice Chair, Advisory Board President, Health Secrets, Inc. Past President, CAPA |
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Stephanie Beau, Advisory Board
With a vision to unite and empower the diverse Asian Pacific American communities here in Michigan, Stephanie aspired to create one organization to foster culture, education, business, and community service among her corporate and local communities. She also raised awareness of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May to recognize and appreciate the culture and heritage of various Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Stephanie founded the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), to focus on cultural, educational, and community service programs within the broader community. She also played a pivotal role in forming the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC), to cultivate business growth, development, and prosperity. Her vision of having one organization had materialized into two initiatives in 2000-2001. Throughout her professional career, Stephanie also served as a board member of the Association of Chinese Americans (ACA) and held regular and advisory board positions at APACC. Having retired from her decades-long career at DTE Energy in 2022, Stephanie remains on the CAPA advisory board and is a board member of the Asian Center of Southeast Michigan. She is also an active member of NorthRidge Church in Plymouth, Michigan, volunteering in various church and community activities. Retired Manager, DTE Energy Founder, CAPA |
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Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, Advisory Board
Dr. Hsu earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Solid Mechanics from Brown University, and B.S. in Civil Engineering from National Taiwan University. He has served as a leader and advisor in many civic and technical organizations such as: Dr. Hsu is a frequent speaker and blog-writer on topics ranging from Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Eastern-Western Cultures, and Leadership. At his spare time, he enjoys golf, jogging, and visiting the 4 grandchildren with his wife Tina. Past Advisory Board Vice-Chair, CAPA Past Chair, MAPAAC |
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Fouad Ashkar, Advisory Board
Ashkar has more than 40 years of progressive general management and international business experience. He is skilled in Sales & Marketing, Manufacturing Operations, Product & Business Development, and Long-range Planning. Big–picture strategist with attention to detail, results-oriented and decisive leader with proven success. During his career, Ashkar worked extensively in the Middle East. From 1982 to 1998 he served as a group general manager for a major industrial company in Saudi Arabia. Prior to 1982, he worked as a manufacturing engineer/industrial engineer for General Motors. Ashkar was born in Lebanon. He arrived in Michigan in 1970 to attend college at Western Michigan University where he earned an undergraduate degree in Industrial/Mechanical Engineering. Later he earned an MBA from Davenport University in Detroit. Ashkar is the recipient of many awards from community organizations and institutions, including 2015 Heritage Hall of Fame from the International Heritage Foundation. He is active in several community-based and business organizations. Ashkar is currently on the Board of Directors of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce, Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) and many others. While in the past he served on Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, Global Ties Detroit (formerly International Visitors Council of Metropolitan Detroit Tejara global Business Development Center. Also in the past he served on Garden City Hospital, American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, National Advisory of the Arab American National Museum, US Army Metro Detroit Grassroots Advisory Board, Detroit Regional Chamber Economic Partnership, Michigan Economic Development Association (MEDA). Ashkar lives in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Manager, DTE Energy Ethnic Marketing Past Advisory Board Chair, CAPA |
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Jeff Jenks, Advisory Board
Civil Rights connection – I have worked in the civil rights movement since the 1950s. As a result of the Detroit “riots” in 1967, I was invited to join New Detroit’s People Acting For Change Together (PACT) group and received professional training in effectively changing civil rights for minorities. This was my volunteer night time and weekend job. I have helped minority community groups get grants since 1967, when I was Assistant Director in the grants office at Wayne State University. I worked at the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (1970 – 1994) as Research Director for 17 years. I produced a report in the mid 1980s, after the start of the Vincent Chin case, for the Council of Michigan Foundations that identified APA history and problems in Michigan, that was shared with major foundations in Michigan. For six years I was the MDCR District Executive in Muskegon and then Flint – personally intervening to effectively resolve civil rights problems. At the same time, as a volunteer, I was on the Board of the Interfaith Centers for Racial Justice, as the Jewish representative, and President in the late 70s and early 80s. From 1995 to 1999 I was Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Metro Compliance Supervisor for SE Michigan. I supervised staff auditing and enforcing EEO employment including EEO trainees, on all Federal Road contracts in SE Michigan (1994-1999) I have been an active member for the past 10 years of the Michigan Black Caucus of Locally Elected Officials (MBC-LEO) and am a current board member. Current leadership roles. I have been an elected City Commissioner in Huntington Woods since 1999, and am currently Mayor Pro Tem; was a Taubman Fellow at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Executive Education program (2007); am an active member of the Michigan Municipal League, which represents all cities and villages in Michigan and a past president (2009-2010) and honorary Life Member (2014); am an active Executive Committee member of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments since 1999 and past Chair (2015-2016). I can help with government problems. I am current President – SE Michigan Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. City Commissioner, Huntington Woods |
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Roland Hwang, Advisory Board
Roland is an activist and lifelong Michigander, born in Detroit to parents who emigrated here from China. Attorney, State of Michigan |
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Ernie Mac, M.D.
President, Philippine American Foundation
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Aneesa I. Rashid, Ph.D., Past President (CAPA)
Dr. Rashid earned her Ph.D.in Economics from Fordham University specializing in International Economics and Labor Economics. Her professional experience includes teaching at the University of Michigan and Oakland University and working as an Economic Specialist at the State of Michigan, Department of Technology Management and Budget. During her professional career, she developed lesson plans on India for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade for the Center for South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of Michigan. She also conducted Cross Cultural Training on India for businesses and made presentations at the World Trade Week, organized by the Detroit Regional Chamber and International Business Council, University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit. She has several papers published in India and Southeast Asia to her credit. She currently volunteers as a Leader for the Virtual Workplace Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshop for Lee Memorial Hospital, Florida. Past President, CAPA |
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Dominic Pangborn, Advisory Board
The language and culture barriers were formidable at first for Dominic; however, those same barriers might have been what ultimately led him to art. He discovered at that early age that art allowed him to express himself to the fullest without the need for words. He bought his first set of paint and boards at the age of 12. Quickly grasping the medium, he sold his first painting for $145 to a colleague of his father. It was there his art career was born. Audiences were quick to embrace his new revolutionary styles. He held his first show in 2007, selling out almost immediately. The popularity of his work only continued to soar. Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins franchise commissioned Dominic to create a 30-foot 3D art sculpture as a feature in their new $500 million stadium in 2012. In 2014 he was voted a top-five finalist in ArtPrize – the international public art competition—among 1,500 entries. Additionally, the Ella Sharp Museum of Michigan held a summer-long career retrospective (“Evolution of Art & Design Through Revolution”) which highlighted all of Dominic’s achievements in art, design, and invention. Of course, his crowning artistic achievement would come in 2015, when he was asked to create an artwork for the White House Fellows’ 50th Anniversary. President Obama and the First Lady will unveil the piece at a special White House luncheon on October 22, 2015. RECENT AWARDS RECENT CAREER HIGHLIGHTS CURRENT AND PAST BOARD MEMBERSHIPS CEO/President, Pangborn Design |
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Mi Dong, Past President (CAPA)
Mi was a co-founder of Pfizer’s Career Development Committee, the founder of Pfizer’s Asian Network in Ann Arbor, and has served as a member of the advisory committee for Cultural Diversity, as well as chaired the subcommittee of the advisory committee for expatriates. She also was one of the founding team members of the mentoring program at Pfizer as well as implemented the legal mentoring program for Pfizer Global Research & Development. Mi is the past-president (2007-2008) of the Council of Asian Pacific Americans in Michigan (CAPA). She was honored with two service awards in 2009 by community based not for profit organizations for her contribution to community. She is currently volunteering/serving at the Korean American Community Center of Michigan (KACCM) as an executive director, as an advisory board member of the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), as a board member of the American Citizens for Justice, and serve as a board of trustee at the Henry Ford Hospital West Bloomfield. She is also serve the not for profit organization “miRcore” as a COO and a board member as well. Mi frequently delivers motivational speeches to middle school and high school students. She has served as a panelist at the Women in Science conference in Washington D.C. as a speaker at the Diversity Conference in New York City, and was a panelist at University of Michigan business school on the topic of “Rising Force of Asia Health Care.” Past President, CAPA |
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Arcie Gemino, Past President (CAPA)
Arcie’s involvement in community work spans more than 25 years. She had been president of some organizations in the Filipino community of Michigan, the highlight of which was her four year presidency of the Filipino American Council, FILAMCCO, the umbrella organization overseeing more than 50 professional and social member organizations in the Filipino community. She’s the immediate past president of Kiwanis, Club of Metropolitan Detroit, past Vice-President of the FILAMCCO Foundation, Past President of Michigan Circulo Pampangueno of Mi, current board member of the Philippine American Community Center of Michigan, the Philippine American Foundation and the Filipino American Political Association of Michigan. She networks with other Asian leaders and organizations serving as board member of the Council of Asian Pacific Americans CAPA working with the Education Committee, the American Citizens for Justice, ACJ, chaired the 2009 Asian American Immersion sponsored by New Detroit, member of the APIA Vote-MI. and has collaborated with numerous humanitarian, civic, and cultural projects and programs with the various ethnic communities. Past President, CAPA |
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Mumtaz Haque, Advisory Board
Mumtaz has been actively involved in community activities that unite all people. Bridging the gap between the Indian and other communities is her vision. Mumtaz was the Co-chair for India Day and was instrumental in bringing over 25,000 people from various cultural backgrounds to the Novi Expo Center for India Day in August 2002. She has been very actively involved in India Day in addition to other cultural awareness programs/initiatives in Michigan. She has raised thousands of dollars on her radio show for the victims of the India Earthquake, Aid Victims in Africa, Tsunami, Katrina, Haiti Earthquake, and other natural disasters). Mumtaz has produced, written, and hosted several children’s educational TV shows, Daedal Doors, on Detroit PBS Channel 56. Past President, CAPA |
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Dr. Virinder K. Moudgil, Ph.D., Advisory Board
President Moudgil’s education and professional training includes: His prior professional experiences include: President Moudgil’s board affiliations include the Vice President Michigan Education Trust; Board of Directors: Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce; Detroit Economic Club; Detroit Athletic Club; Detroit Zoological Society; Thomas Cooley Law School – Professional Advisory Committee; American Red Cross Southeast Michigan Region Executive Board; Skyline Club of Southfield; Honorary Chairperson, 2013 Multiple Sclerosis Campaign; Association of Independent College and Universities of Michigan; Chair, Association of Independent Technological Universities Inc. (AITU), 2017; member of the Executive Committee, Japan Center for Michigan Universities (2005-10), and the Michigan Campus Compact. President Moudgil has a special interest in advancing cultural understanding and globalization. In 2013 he founded LTU’s Global Village Project promoting student awareness and cooperation. He has led the hosting on LTU’s campus of such leaders as Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, and numerous government officials. He was a team member (or a leader) for arranging and hosting campus visits at Oakland University for current and former heads of state: Lech Walesa (Poland, 2001), George W. Bush (U.S.) and Aleksander Kwasniewski (Poland, 2002); Vicente Fox Quesada (Mexico, 2004) and Dr. Abdul Kalam (India, 2009). A member of the American Delegation in Adult Endocrinology to the People’s Republic of China, 1983; and has been chair or invited speaker at scientific sessions at international conferences/symposia in China, India, France, former Yugoslavia, Canada, former Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, Spain, and Israel. His awards and honors include: President Moudgil’s scientific work has appeared in some 250 publications, including nine books, 110 papers or reviews, and 112 abstracts. His research are steroid hormone action, and hormones and cancer was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health. He was a panel member of the National Institutes of Health Physiological Sciences Study Section 1987-94. President and CEO Emerita, Lawrence Technological University |
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Jenny Wang, Advisory Board
Wang joined DTE Energy in 2002 and has held positions of increasing responsibilities throughout her tenure at DTE. Prior to Generation Optimization, Wang served as Director of Transmission Optimization, Director of Marketing and Community Lighting, Director of Strategy and Planning, and Manager of Strategy and Special Projects. Wang spent her early engineering and project management career with Ford Motor Company and Mayflower Vehicle Systems, Inc. Wang earned an MBA from the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, and an MS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Detroit. Wang serves on the Board of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce and the Advisory Board of the Council of Asian Pacific Americans. She is also an alumnus Commissioner appointed by the Governor of Michigan to serve on the State of Michigan Asian Pacific Americans Affairs Commission. Director, DTE Energy |
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Angela Wang Beasinger, Advisory Board
Currently Angela Wang Beasinger serves as president of WeAct Inc., a creative service provider, headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan with partners throughout the United States and China. Founded and managed by a special team who are well connected and versed in both U.S. and China cultures and business environments, WeAct is specialized in serving U.S. and China business development initiatives, and in promoting US-China business, culture and education exchanges and collaborations. Staffed by professionals and industry experts with decades of operational experiences, WeAct provides customized services to meet your short-term and long-term cross-Pacific business development needs in PR marketing and branding, business contact development, event planning, translation, cultural and business etiquette training, and much more…WeAct strives to provide affirmative, effective, productive and innovative services to our clients; and build a multiculture work environment for professionals to achieve their personal and professional goals, and reach their fullest potential. WeAct is your first resource and your best alliance, and WeAct delivers beyond your expectation! Utilizing her knowledge, experience and passion to foster global innovative collaborations and to build a multi-culture work environment for professionals to achieve their personal and professional goals, and reach their fullest potential, she made significant contribution in bringing together people with different backgrounds and in promoting businesses collaborations among different cultures. Angela Wang Beasinger holds a Master degree in Computer Information System and a MBA degree. Past President, CAPA |
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Christopher Sim, Advisory Board
Mr. Sim also leads the company’s engagement and partnership with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), Detroit Regional LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC), the Veteran Owned Business Roundtable (VOBRT), the National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC), the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA), Veterans In Business (VIB) Network, DISABILITY: IN, and the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC). His commitment to the community is evident in his additional roles as the Communications Committee Chair at the Veteran Owned Business Roundtable (VOBRT), a DOBE Supplier Mentor for the Disability: IN, a Committee Member of the CAMSC Membership Committee, and a member of the NGLCC Procurement Council. As an Executive Board Member of ACT, a BRG comprising more than 3,000 employee members from over 40 countries and regions in Asia, including the Middle East, Mr. Sim plays a pivotal role in orchestrating signature events, fostering connections between executive boards and external councils promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Prior to joining Stellantis, Mr. Sim worked as a Senior Buyer and a Purchasing Team Lead at Cosma, Magna International, leading new CapEx and program launches and MRO Purchasing. Mr. Sim was a North America Operations Manager at SIMPAC America, managing the overall operations in North America, such as legal compliance, hiring, on-site support, and equipment sourcing. Mr. Sim began his career as an Assistant Manager and a Business Consultant for automotive manufacturing companies at the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA). Mr. Sim was born and raised in New York City until his family moved to South Korea when he was three. He returned to the US at the age of 12. Mr. Sim earned his bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies at Columbia University and is currently pursuing his part-time MBA at Cornell Tech, Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Business. Executive Board Member, ACT, Stellantis Business Resource Group. Program Manager, Diversity Supplier Development, Stellantis North America Purchasing |
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Ryan Rosario, Advisory Board
Mr. Rosario past awards include: In addition, Ryan has chaired numerous events including the following: Mr. Rosario holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Detroit-Mercy. Past President, CAPA |
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Denise Yee Grim, Advisory Board
She was the Executive Director of APACC- Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce from 2005-2013, she led the chamber’s strategies in the achievement of APACC’s mission and financial goals. Her core strengths and capabilities demonstrate a desire to take a leadership role to advance APACC as a gateway to the Asian business community by successfully built partnerships and gaining cooperation with collaborative leadership within the Asian communities and other economic and business organizations. Her public relations experience includes working for the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber, Michigan Department of Career Development, Michigan Jobs Commission and as the Director for the Office of the First Lady – Michelle Engler. She was a speaker for Kellogg’s Supplier Diversity Recognition Breakfast, TechTown, Oakland County Employment Diversity Council, and Corp! Magazine Salute to Diversity Award Breakfast. She participated as a panelist in the Michigan Diversity Council, Women Empowerment Forum and Michigan Matters hosted by Carol Cain, CBSTV62 on business opportunities in China and foreign investments in Michigan. Collaborated with Crain’s Detroit Business on special report, Business Beyond Border on business and automotive issues in MI and Detroit and collaborated with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Asian business organization leaders in the creation of the Asian Life-Michigan Style brochure providing resources to assist foreigners who are considering moving to Michigan. She coordinated media interviews for the Dr. Jung-Chiou Huang, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs of Taiwan, R.O.C. and coordinated publicity for Taiwan Automotive International Forum & Exhibition in Novi, MI. In addition to her participation and advocacy of other Asian business and community organizations in Michigan, Denise is an advisor of the APIAVote-Michigan to encourage and promote civic participation of Asian Pacific Americans in the electoral and public policies at the national, state, and local levels. Denise holds a BS degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from Regent University in Virginia. She is retired and lives in Novi, MI. Retired. Community Liaison for the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC) |
Jamie is a retired Global executive director from GM and MBA professor from LTU. He was a formal board member of HAP/HFHS and former Chair of MAPAAC. He is now consulting on Leadership, Strategy, and Future Automotive Industry. He writes and publishes blogs on “How to live a fulfilled life.”
Dominic Pangborn is a well-known Korean-American artist and graphic designer. Dominic credits his constant evolution to his unique childhood. He was a born in Korea in 1952 – a product of the Korean War. His father an unknown American G.I., his mother a poor Korean villager. She was left to raise him — and his two full-Korean siblings — on her own in a post-war country that was devastated economically, physically, and emotionally. When Catholic missionaries visited their village she sent him to the United States at the age of 10 to be adopted by the Pangborn family of Jackson, Michigan.
Mi has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. She served as a director of Intellectual Property Strategy Management in the Patent Group for Pfizer as well as in Licensing and Development department. She served as a senior project manager in Global Project Management at Parke-Davis and Company prior to its acquisition by Pfizer. At Parke-Davis, Mi was involved in all phases of many projects including gabapentin pediatric formulation (Neurontin®) from submission, approval and launching. She also managed pregabain (Lyrica®) development from the lead compound status to the NDA filing. She is proud of winning the naming contest for the winning tradename “Lipitor®”