OUR BOARD
PRESIDENT
Patsy Surh O’Connell,
APCC Founder, and Artist
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Patsy Surh O'Connell was born in Shanghai, China to Korean parents, and lived her early life in Korea before immigrating to America as a student in 1963. She graduated as an Interior Designer in San Francisco, CA. She and her husband lived in and visited many Asia Pacific regions before settling in Gig Harbor, Washington in 1985.
Patsy has received numerous awards to name a few; Moon Jae In Korean President’s Award; Washington State Governor’s Arts and Heritage Award. Graduated from National American Leadership Forum (ALF) Pierce County Chapter Class IX, Governor appointed as Arts Commissioner 1996-2003, Board of Trustees of Western States Arts Federation 1997-2004, Founder and President of Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) in Washington in 1996.
Patsy studied Chinese ink painting, Sumi-e, oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, lapidary, weaving, pottery, quilting, and batik in Korea, Japan, China, and in the United States. She has shown her paintings in many juried art shows and received numerous awards. Her works are in private collections in Korea, Japan, Sweden, and United States. She has been a juror, a water media teacher at the college level for 37 years (Pierce, TCC), served as President of the Korean American Artists of Washington (KAAW) for 5 years, a member of Women Painters of WA (WPW), and is a Signature Life Member of the Northwest Watercolor Society (NWWS).
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SECRETARY
Albert Q. Cosio, MS, LTC, (Retired)
Community Advocate
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As an Asian American son of a U.S. soldier of Filipino descent, Al Cosio has seen and experienced the challenges of cultural and social class distinctions throughout his life. His parents taught him important principles and values, such as do unto others as you would have others do unto you, respect your elders, respect the law, respect life, and respect others. These values helped him to overcome these challenges. His parents came from simple beginnings but instilled in him self-sacrifice, dedication, the value of education, and many other values that he learned are also shared by many other Asia Pacific cultures. It is these shared values that drew him to APCC. APCC was a place that showcases the uniqueness as well as the commonalities of the many cultures of the Asia Pacific, including his own Filipino heritage. After retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel having served 27 years in the U.S. Army, he wanted to continue a legacy of making a difference in the community through active participation and engagement with APCC. He fondly considers APCC as his extended family and for over two decades has demonstrated his dedication and commitment to carrying out the APCC mission and vision.
In addition to serving as APCC Secretary, he teaches Filipino culture, mentors students, and supports many APCC projects and activities. He is also a leader and active member in the Filipino community, including serving as President of the World War II Philippine Scouts Heritage Society, Calugas Chapter.​
TREASURER
Francisco Pascua
Residential Loan Officer, Sound Community Bank
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Francisco is a native of Washington state born and raised in the Seattle area. He is a second-generation Filipino American. He grew up learning about his culture through his Lola, mother, and aunties. Francisco has built a career in the financial industry for the past 20 years holding various roles in banking and lending. He is currently a Mortgage Consultant for a national bank and services his clients across the US. Francisco is a family man first and foremost and enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. He also enjoys cycling, gardening, golfing, and watching his kids play sports.
Tuyet Nguyen, MA
CRC Loving Kindness Meditation Center Founder/President, Lakewood, WA
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Tuyet Nguyễn is a devoted community activist. Came to the US as a boat people fleeing Việtnam after the communist took over South Việtnam in 1980, she understood the life an immigrant and refugee are about.
Tuyet graduated from Western Washington University with a master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and was working for the DSHS/DVR as a Certified Rehabilitation counselor until her retirement in 2017.
Tuyet has a passion for serving the API community, especially the Vietnamese community. She was a founding member of the Vietnamese Community in Pierce County. She is also a founder of the Loving-kindness meditation center in Tacoma.
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Elaine S. Ishihara
APICAT for Health Director, Seattle, WA
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Elaine Shoji Ishihara is the Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition Advocating Together for Health (APICAT), a coalition she helped organize to address commercial tobacco and health in the Asian American Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community.
With over 40 years of community organizing and non-profit experience, Elaine values her family, mentors, and cross-cultural partnerships that have allowed her to fulfill her passion and commitment to social and health justice.
Elaine received a BA in Sociology from the University of Washington and earned a Master’s in Public Administration as a National Urban Fellow from Baruch College, City University of New York.
Elaine and her husband Jon live in Seattle, WA, and are the proud parents of their adult children Derek and Brianna.
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Latha Sambamurti
Producer and Director of Large Scale Festivals in WA State and WA State Arts and Cultural Leader, Redmond, WA
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Latha is an educator, trained musician, bandleader, and winner of Kirkland Performance Center’s You Rock award for community service. She has been a Washington State Arts Commissioner and a Redmond Arts & Culture Commissioner/Chair. She serves as a board director for several state and regional cultural organizations. She holds a master’s degree in English Literature.
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Tina Huynh, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor of Music Education University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA
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Tina teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in elementary and secondary music education and Music of the Vietnamese Diaspora. Her interests lie at the intersection of music in early and middle childhood, cultural diversity, and culturally responsive teaching. Her film, Songs of Little Saigon (2021) (SongsofLittleSaigon.com) (First Light Productions), about the resilience of eight Vietnamese American refugee musicians throughout Orange County, California, has won 13 recognitions and awards to date, internationally and nationally. Tina serves the Asia Pacific Cultural Center as a board member by bringing music and film educational programming to students in the community.
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June Sekiguchi
Artist, University Place, WA
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June Sekiguchi is an artist represented by ArtXchange Gallery and a curator for Era Living properties in Seattle. June was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas and her family was one of the few Asian families in the area in the 1960s and 70s. Therefore, supporting the AAPI community is very important to her. She graduated with a degree in Studio Art from the University of California at Santa Barbara and currently lives in University Place. www.junesekiguchi.com
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Katie Condit, CEO
Workforce Central, Tacoma, WA
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Katie Condit is the CEO of WorkForce Central, Pierce County’s local workforce development board that aligns the needs of employers and workers to build a robust talent pipeline into living-wage jobs. Prior to her role at WorkForce Central, Katie served as the Executive Director at Better Together Central Oregon, an organization working across sectors and communities to transform policies and practices to eliminate gaps in opportunities for young people. She was a National Science Foundation research fellow at University of Notre Dame in the Center for Research on Educational Opportunity and has served as a Program Director leading job-training programs for young people impacted by the juvenile justice system. Katie holds an MA in Sociology from University of Notre Dame and a BA in Sociology and Theatre from University of Puget Sound.
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Gloria Dixon
Director of Philanthropy and Executive Director BECU Foundation
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Gloria Dixon leads BECU’s philanthropic community giving across Washington, North Charleston, SC, and parts of Oregon and Idaho. A Milwaukee transplant, she has a background in anti-poverty work, including managing USDA TEFAP grants, and is passionate about strengthening grassroots nonprofits.
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She serves on the boards of College Possible WA and Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and as an advisor to Puget Sound Asset Funders Network and United Way of Snohomish County CORE Collaboratives. Gloria holds a Sociology degree from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and leadership certifications from Marquette and Cardinal Stritch. She lives in Tacoma with her husband Troy, is a proud mother and new grandmother, and enjoys scrapbooking and long walks.
Robert Yu
Attorney at Law, Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
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Robert Yu is the son of Korean immigrants who moved to the U.S. in the 1970s. He was born in Michigan and grew up in a small midwestern town in the only Korean family in the area. Robert attended college at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, then came to the Pacific Northwest to attend law school. He has remained in the area ever since. Robert serves as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office. Robert has a young family whom he strives to teach and immerse in the richness of Asian culture. In addition to serving on the board of the APCC, Robert also serves on the board of The Children's Fund.
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Susanna Keilman
Clinical Research Professional, USAF Veteran. Director of business development: Firma Clinical.
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Susanna Keilman, a seasoned professional with 22 years of accomplishment in the fields of healthcare and strategic partnerships within biotechnology and clinical research, has a remarkable background. Her experience includes two deployments to the Middle East as a former U.S. Air Force medic.
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Originating from the lineage of a first-generation Korean immigrant and a father who is a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, Susanna's heritage is rich and diverse. She holds an MBA in Healthcare Management along with a Master’s degree in political science, underscoring her expertise in these areas.
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Eun G. Backstrom, AIA
Architect, Shive‑Hattery
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Eun G. Backstrom, AIA is an architect at Shive‑Hattery and APCC board member. With 20+ years of experience, she leads community‑focused projects, pairing technical excellence with client advocacy to deliver thoughtful, high‑quality design across the Pacific Northwest.
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OUR ADVISORY BOARD
Belinda Y. Louie, Ph.D. - Professor of Education - UW Tacoma
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Art Wang, Retired - WA State Superior Court Judge
Diane Narasaki, Retired - Former Executive Director Asian Counseling Referral Services
Clare Petrich, Former Commissioner, Port of Tacoma
Dr. Chang Mook Sohn, Retired - Former Executive Director, State Forecast
General Oscar Hilman, Retired US Army
Sharon McGavick, Ph.D, Former President, Clover Park Technical College
Tom Hilyard, Retired, Director, Pierce County Community Services
Connie Bacon, Former Commissioner Port of Tacoma
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Felicity Wang, Executive Director Asian Pacific Education Council
Lisa Hoffman, Ph. D., Professor, UW Tacoma
Rosa Franklin, Retired WA State Senator
Debbie Regala, Retired WA State Senator
John Beckwith, Retired Community Developer
Pat McCarthy, WA State Auditor
Steve Conway, Senator, WA State Senate
Pam Roach, Former State Senator
Barbara Johns, Art Historian and Curator
Brian Ebersole, Former Tacoma City Mayor
Shiao Yen, President, Taichung Sister Cities Association
Bill Evans, Former Tacoma City Council
Jasmel Sangha, Business Owner, Wendy’s Franchise
JJ Kim, EVP, Chief Banking Officer, UniBank
Brad Owen, Former Lt. Governor, WA
Reverend Dr. Frances Lorenz, Center for Spiritual Living
Jeff Brown, Jeff Brown Architecture
Wayne Williams, Former Metro Parks Administrator
Lee Agnes, Artist
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