History

NQAPIA was formed out of a roundtable meeting of leaders of each of the nation’s LGBT AAPI organizations in 2005. Groups were engaged in tremendous work in their communities, but at the same time, faced many common organizational and organizing challenges. Leaders identified and developed collaborative projects that would alleviate individual groups reinventing the wheel.

NQAPIA was formed to support these groups and promote activism and advocacy at a national level and supported by the fiscal sponsorship of API Wellness Center until early 2010. NQAPIA is incorporated as a business entity in the state of New York, and received its 501(c)3 tax-exempt status from the IRS in August 2010.

Mission

The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), a national leader in the LGBTQ+ AANHPI* community, serves as a convener of community leaders and groups; prepares leaders to challenge systemic injustices; and advocates for LGBTQ+ AANHPI liberation across the United States and its territories.

* LGBTQ+ AANHPI : Lesbian Gay Bisexual Trans Queer + Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander

Our Team

Rachel Figurasmith

(she/her)

Interim Executive Director

interim@nqapia.org

Rachel Figurasmith (she/her) is a seasoned nonprofit executive, disability inclusion consultant, and professional development facilitator. Rachel's leadership style focuses on centering equity in moments of transition, while supporting and stabilizing critical community organizations. Outside of her work at NQAPIA, Rachel leads Fat Torah, an organization devoted to fat liberation in the Jewish community; facilitates trainings with Support Center; and teaches graduate courses on neurodiversity. A queer mom of three, Rachel endlessly learns from her most difficult job of all: raising young children.

Noelle Blanco

(she/her/they)

Director of Strategy and Operations

noelle@nqapia.org

Noelle D. Blanco (she/her/they) is a first-generation Portuguese, Filipino, Chinese American, queer, individual from and currently residing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Along with being the Director of Strategy and Operations at NQAPIA, she serves as the National Program Director of NAAAP Pride (The National Association of Asian American Professionals) an NQAPIA partnered program while dual-serving, locally as the Chief Communications Officer for the San Jose Chapter. She also serves on the B Local Bay Area (B Corp) Board as Co-Marketing Chair, a social and environmental impact non-profit. Noelle brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit and for-profit sales/fundraising, marketing, and partnership development. As a professional marketing and communications consultant in various industries she always focuses on an organization's purpose and mission, to develop strategic initiatives, while connecting the dots between objectives and outcomes.

As a proud Anteater Alumnus, Noelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Costume Design from the University of California, Irvine. She enjoys swimming, hiking, writing poetry, staycations, and spending time with her fur-baby Nugget, the Corgi-Chihuahua rescue dog. Noelle naturally enjoys keeping the energy flowing during organic networking gatherings and strives to be at the forefront of many intersectional conversations to advocate and represent the community in a meaningful way.

Frederick Tran

(he/they/them)

Communications and Development Manager

frederick@nqapia.org

Frederick Tran (he/they/them) joined NQAPIA as the Communications and Development Manager in June 2023. Prior to joining the NQAPIA, Frederick worked for the Sammons Center for the Arts, the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network, PIVOT, the Dallas Vietnamese Radio, and Allies in Youth Development. They have recently served as a board member and Candidate Support Co-Chair for PIVOT, and a board member for the Mansfield Commission for the Arts. They are a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington (MAV UP!) and has a Bachelor of Arts in Critical Languages and International Studies with an emphasis in Russian.

In their free time, they enjoy hitting the Sunday matinee, tossing pennies in the pool, and living for the hope of it all. They live in Dallas with their husband Stephen, a small collection of orchids and bamboo plants, and a Norfolk terrier mix named Axel.

Reginald “Reggie” Gravely

(he/they)

Advocacy Manager

reginald@nqapia.org

Reginald K. Gravely (he/they) is a Black and Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) queer individual from North Carolina, and currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. Reggie began organizing on his college campus around the issues of race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. After graduating, Reggie served two terms in the Peace Corps. The first being in the Republic of Moldova where he worked in community and organizational development, and the second being in the Kingdom of Tonga where he worked in English literacy facilitation. He then transitioned to Atlanta, GA where he served as the Membership and Programming Organizer, then Director of Programming at Solutions Not Punishment Collaborative, a local Black trans and queer led non-profit. During this time Reggie also obtained his Masters of Public Policy from Georgia State University.

Reggie has many passions, but ultimately bringing communities together to collectively solve issues, celebrating one another, and making lasting change is ultimately what brings him to the work. In his free time, Reggie enjoys gardening, reading, thrifting, cooking, and sewing. He looks forward to learning pottery, playing the ukulele, and connecting with you!

Board of Directors

Shilpa Joshi

Co-Board chair

She, Her

Shilpa Joshi is an advocate for state and national climate justice campaigns, where her skills focus on coalition-building and passing equitable climate policy.

She is a community organizer dedicated to anti-caste, anti-war and mutual aid efforts in the Bay Area. Shilpa has a Master in Public Administration and certificate in Management, Leadership, and Decision Sciences from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She has served on NQAPIA's board for 5 years. Beyond organizing, she enjoys spending time with friends and exploring nature.Shilpa Joshi is an advocate for state and national climate justice campaigns, where her skills focus on coalition-building and passing equitable climate policy. She is a community organizer dedicated to anti-caste, anti-war and mutual aid efforts in the Bay Area.

Shilpa has a Master in Public Administration and certificate in Management, Leadership, and Decision Sciences from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She has served on NQAPIA's board for 5 years. Beyond organizing, she enjoys spending time with friends and exploring nature.

Nicholas Kor

Co-Board Chair

He, Him

Nick Kor is a public affairs consultant, strategist, and founder of Kor Consulting LLC. Throughout his career, Nick has worked in a variety of nonprofits, political campaigns, and government agencies.

His involvement has contributed to the 2013 legalized same-sex marriage in Minnesota, the passage of the strongest anti-bullying legislation in the country, the election of the first pro-choice majority in MN history, and the passage of Paid Family and Medical Leave in MN. In 2018, he was awarded the prestigious Bush Fellowship for his community leadership and impact.

Nick strongly believes that people and organizing are the ways in which we change the world. He believes we should dream big and fight for the world we deserve. In his free time, he enjoys cooking (and eating!), Star Wars, and short walks on the beaches of Minnesota.

Thai Lee
Board Treasurer

He, Him

Thai is a primary care physician and public health policy expert residing in the Bay Area, CA. He has an extensive record of movement building and LGBTQ advocacy having previously served on the boards of GAPA, GAPA Fund, and SOY.

Thai is experienced in creating policies that drive equitable and affordable health care, particularly for immigrants and vulnerable populations. On a personal level, Thai enjoys traveling, cooking, being bad at karaoke, and going on hikes with his corgi.

Krish (Radhika) Sehgal
Member

They, Them

Dr. Krish (Radhika) Sehgal is a licensed clinical psychologist and DEI expert. They have expertise in working with individuals from multiple minoritized communities.

They advocate for and work with young adults from under-represented backgrounds to help them navigate various -isms and homophobia/transphobia and the effects of these -isms on their mental health. They also provide trainings to individuals and organizations around DEI issues.

Preston Nguyen Tang, MPH

Member

He, Him, His

Preston Nguyen Tang, MPH, LSW, CPT II, CMA (he/him/his) has focused on raising awareness of the diminishing resources facing the public health community, especially among the Asian Pacific Islander community.

Mr. Tang is a national presenter on the intersection of HIV, substance use/abuse, the Epidemic in Nevada, and more. Additionally, Mr. Tang is a founding member of the Southern Nevada Asian Pacific Islander Queer Society (SNAPIQS), a community group dedicated to breaking down the barriers for LGBTQIA+ of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American descent. When Mr. Tang is not focusing on public health work, he participates in community events dedicated to improving the physical health of the community and charitable causes.

As a certified dance fitness instructor, Mr. Tang brings awareness to social issues facing members of the Las Vegas community. Through chairing community events, Mr. Tang has continued to promote awareness of causes throughout Nevada.

Tafilisaunoa (Tafi) Toleafoa
Member

She, Her

Tafilisaunoa Toleafoa known in the community as Tafi (Tah-fee) (she/her) is originally from the islands of Samoa. Tafi’s family have been residents of Alaska for over 20 years. Currently, she serves as Executive Director at the Pacific Community of Alaska, an organization with a mission to develop and strengthen Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities throughout Alaska by building capacity through health and wellness practices, civic engagement, economic empowerment, bridging generational gaps, and balancing traditional values.

Prior to her current role, Tafilisaunoa served as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Covenant House Alaska. She is a proud alumnus of the University of Alaska Anchorage. Her professional background encompasses a diverse range of expertise, including developing and implementing programs, advocacy for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, civil rights, homelessness, human trafficking, substance abuse, and mental health. Tafilisaunoa has two amazing kids - a savvy teenage daughter and a witty second grade son. She currently serves on the boards of; National Association of Pasifika Organizations (NAOPO), the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center (ANHC), and United Territories of Pacific Islands Alliance (UTOPIA) Alaska.

Richa Sahay
Member

She, Her

Richa Sahay is a queer South Asian woman living in New York. She has over 15 years of experience in stakeholder engagement to decarbonize businesses. She is a Vice President of Sustainability with Jones Lang LaSalle. She has managed several international coalitions including one led by Secretary John Kerry and was part of the climate advisory team to Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Outside of her career, she leads a global blues/soul band, serves on the advisory boards of a mobility start-up and a clean-tech venture capital firm, as well as on the board of social justice organizations like NQAPIA.

Mission

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Board of Directors

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