Summit XVI Workshops

 Hailing from the Midwest region and recently relocated to San Jose, CA, David Phan (he/him/his) is a proud first generation double graduate, obtaining a M.S.Ed in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a Bachelor’s Degree in Development and Family Studies. He leverages his degrees to support students in various university spaces, all the way from admissions to residential life to student involvement. He has been involved with VSA on a local, regional and national level for 6 years (and counting) and hopes to continue empowering the next generation to grow in their identity in personal and professional capacities. In his free time, David enjoys thrifting, traveling and trying new restaurants with his new role at San Jose State University. 

 Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Jennifer graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in Secondary Math Education and is currently in her third year working as a middle school math teacher. During her time in VSA, she has held multiple roles at the local, regional, and national level such as family leader, conference staff and director for various committees, Nebraska State Representative, camp director, and Internal Vice President. 

 Philip Nguyễn is the Executive Director of the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR), a nonprofit organization committed to educating, mobilizing, and advocating for the Vietnamese American community toward a better quality of life for all. After graduating from UC Berkeley with B.A. degrees in Ethnic Studies and Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies, he earned his M.A. degree in Asian American Studies from the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University, where he currently teaches courses on Vietnamese American Literature and Asian American culture.   Based in the Bay Area, born and raised in Southern California with Vietnamese refugee roots, he is dedicated to amplifying and uplifting multigenerational Asian American, Southeast Asian American, and Vietnamese American voices. He is the co-host of ÁCCENTED: Dialogues in Diaspora produced by the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network (DVAN), an organizer with PIVOT - the Progressive Vietnamese American Organization, and the former President of the Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations (UNAVSA). Philip is also the host of HBO’s The Sympathizer official companion podcast, based on the Pulitzer-prize-winning novel of the same name. 

 Thao is an alumni of San Francisco State University. Go Gators! Rawrr. She graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She is highly interested in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, the study of human behaviors in the workplace. Currently, she is working a 50+ years nonprofit in San Francisco called Community Youth Center as a Program Coordinator. In her role, Thao deliver job-readiness skill trainings to underserved high schoolers who faced barriers to employments in the effort of improving the diversity of the workforce. In her free time, Thao enjoys exploring city views and going to events, and she is especially passionate about food! You can always come up to her and ask for a good restaurant in SF as she will never gatekeep good food. 

 Thuy Le is currently an HR Generalist at Rockwood Capital, a real estate investment firm. She studied Health Science with a concentration in Health Services Administration at San Jose State University (SJSU), where she also served as President of the Vietnamese Student Association during the 2012-2013 school year. Beyond her professional career, Thuy is the President of the Viet-American Youth Association, a role she has held for the past decade. Her long-standing involvement in the organization stems from her dedication to supporting programs that empower Vietnamese youth. 

 Justin Ocean is a fourth-year student at the University of Texas at Dallas, where he is studying Media Communications. Entering his third year with VSA, Justin has served on the logistics staff for Summit XV, UNAVSA-19, and Camp Horizon 19. Outside of VSA, Justin has a background in live entertainment, having worked on and organized events for organizations such as OpTic Gaming, Blizzard Entertainment, and the Professional Fighters League. He hopes to share his experiences in the live entertainment industry and highlight how it can be an inclusive space for Asian Americans. 

 Katie (she/they) is lecturer of Asian American Studies at SDSU, SBVC, and Saddleback Community College, with an MA in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University, and a BA in Asian American Studies and a BS in Psychological & Brain Science from UC Santa Barbara. When her mind isn’t occupied with Asian American Studies, she splits her time between various nonprofit organizations, research projects, and personal interests. A creative at heart, if she’s not community-building, she’s on some new creative outlet that’ll last about 2 weeks before it gets shuffled out in favor of something new. But hey, now she knows how to bake bread and crochet a sweater. 

 Kent Tong (he/him) is the Manager of Programs at OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates, a 501(c)(3) national membership-driven nonprofit based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. In his role, Kent oversees OCA’s youth programs, including high school and college leadership and advocacy trainings, scholarships, and internships.  Kent was born and raised in the Greater New Orleans Area to Vietnamese refugee parents. An alumnus from Loyola University New Orleans, majoring in Studio Art and minoring in Film Studies, Kent dedicated his time outside the classroom to various Vietnamese-interest organizations. It's through his experiences as President of the Loyola Asian Student Organization, Executive Director of Camp Delta, and President of the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations Gulf Coast where Kent developed a passion in youth development and programming.  Prior to joining OCA, Kent was an Office Admin at Hidrate, Inc., a startup tech company; volunteer staff member of The 2020 Project, a voter engagement nonprofit; Fellow at the Jubilee Project, creating short documentaries; and Disney College Program Cast Member. In his free time he enjoys watching movies in theatres, usually one or two every weekend, and writing reviews on his blog. 

 Raised in Houston, TX, Leslie is a recent graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resources. Currently, Leslie serves as the Administration Director for The Weekend Warriors, an event promotion company known for curating vibrant experiences that connect artists and fans alike. In this role, she enjoys planning and executing large-scale events, collaborating with artists from across the nation. Her role allows her to engage her organizational and interpersonal skills, which she uses to build smooth logistical processes and foster memorable engagements for guests and performers alike. Leslie has been involved in her local region, UVSA South, since 2021 and is currently on the region's cabinet as Alumni Relations Chair for the 2024 - 2025 term. 

 Phillip Tran, a dedicated third-year Electrical Engineering major at San José State University, stands out as a passionate advocate for cultural preservation and community building. As a vibrant member of the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA), Phillip plays a pivotal role in coordinating the SJSU VSA Lion Dance Team, a group known for its dynamic performances and cultural significance. His involvement extends beyond SJSU, as he collaborates with lion dance teams across Northern California colleges, fostering a network of shared traditions and camaraderie. Phillip’s commitment to Vietnamese culture is evident in his tireless efforts to celebrate and promote diversity. He believes in the power of community to honor cultural heritage and bring people together. His leadership in the lion dance team not only showcases his dedication to Vietnamese traditions but also highlights his broader vision of creating inclusive spaces where diverse cultures are appreciated and expressed. For Phillip, the Lion Dance is more than just a performance; it’s a way to connect with his roots and share the richness of Vietnamese culture with others. As he continues to navigate his academic and extracurricular pursuits, Phillip remains steadfast in his mission to foster a community that values and celebrates diversity. His journey is a testament to the impact one individual can make in bridging cultural gaps and nurturing a sense of belonging among people from all walks of life. 

Thuy Thi Nguyen is a Partner in Garcia Hernández Sawhney, LLP’s Alameda Office, specializing in Education Law and Equity Leadership. She previously served as General Counsel and Acting Vice Chancellor for the Peralta Community College District and was President of Foothill College, the first Vietnamese American to hold such a position in the U.S. Thuy is a Yale and UCLA Law alumna and a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow, with a distinguished career recognized by honors like the State Bar of California's Diversity Award and the Carnegie Corporation’s "Great Immigrants" tribute.