We Serve

Our Community

Meet Our Staff

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  • Philip currently serves as the Executive Director in the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    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 teaches courses on Vietnamese American Literature and the History of the Vietnamese in the US.

    He has been involved with community-based organizations dedicated to amplifying and advocating for Asian American, Southeast Asian American, and Vietnamese American voices to the forefront through his involvement with the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network, the Progressive Vietnamese American Organization, and the Union of North American Vietnamese Student Associations.

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  • Huan currently serves as the Operations & Development Manager in the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Born and raised in San Jose, CA, Huan is a second-generation Vietnamese-American. He obtained a degree in Asian American Studies from San Francisco State University and has been involved in volunteering efforts with multiple Bay Area community-based organizations including Asian Americans for Community Involvement.

    In 2020, Huan joined Asian Law Alliance as the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator to help low-income communities of color gain equal access to the legal system. Now as VAR's newest Operations and Development Manager, Huan seeks to build and support programs to advocate for diasporic Vietnamese-Americans.

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  • Thao (She/Her) currently serves as the Marketing and Administrative Coordinator at the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Originally from Hue, Vietnam, Thao immigrated to California at the young age of 6 with her family, moving to the heart of Little Saigon in San Jose a couple of years later. She originally became involved in VAR through the SEEDS program as a mentee in 2021 where she was able to learn and build upon her Vietnamese American identity.

    She is the first in her family to go and graduate from college getting her degree from UC Berkeley majoring in Sociology and minoring in Political Economy in 2024. During her time at UC Berkeley she was involved in multiple organizations like bridges Multicultural Resource Center and Southeast Asian Mentorship aiming to serve marginalized communities in gaining access to higher education. In addition she is passionate about traveling, having spent two summers doing marketing internships in London and Tokyo.

    Thao is also currently a Digital Marketing Instructor at COOP Careers teaching marketing skills to college graduates.

    In her role at VAR she hopes to use her skills in marketing to build and support the community that help raised her.

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  • Anh currently serves as the Community Building Programs Advocate in the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Born in Vietnam, Anh immigrated to the United States in 1975 and earned a degree in Mathematics from Creighton University. This academic background has provided Anh with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, which have been invaluable in his advocacy work. After a successful career in the high-tech industry, he transitioned to the non-profit sector, starting as a Housing Counselor. In this role, he assisted low and moderate-income first-time homebuyers, making a significant impact by helping individuals and families achieve homeownership. Anh then moved to Ecology Action as a Residential/Business Team Leader Outreach Specialist, leading efforts to promote sustainable practices and environmental awareness among residents and businesses. Additionally, Anh served as a Program Associate for The Health Trust Meals On Wheels program, ensuring that homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities received nutritious meals and social support. This experience further solidified Anh’s commitment to improving the well-being of vulnerable populations.

    Anh’s involvement with VAR stems from a deep passion for community service and cultural preservation. His work involves collaborating with local leaders, community members, elected officials, and other organizations to create programs that foster unity, cultural pride, and civic engagement.

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  • Justin currently serves as the Cross-Cultural Program Manager in the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Justin is a recent graduate from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a minor in Asian American Studies and Chemistry. Previously, Justin served as the External VP (‘22-’24) for SJSU. He is currently heavily involved in the NorCal UVSA and UNAVSA spaces as both an executive officer and director In his free time, he spends time developing his photo and video skills as well as his bike business that he started out of his own garage!

Meet Our Board of Directors

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  • Cindy is a board member for the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Cindy Nguyen (she/her) earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and is now a Master of Social Welfare (MSW) candidate at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, with a concentration in Social and Economic Justice.

    With a passion for advancing food security, equity, and cultural humility, Cindy's work is deeply rooted in an intersectional approach, addressing the diverse and overlapping issues faced by marginalized communities.Through her roles with the Vietnamese American Roundtable, California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, and various volunteer organizations, Cindy hopes to continue advocating for the well-being of underserved populations to strengthen the social safety net and ensure equitable access to resources.

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  • Christina is a President for the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Christina grew up in East San Jose and learned how to advocate at young age due to be a cultural and language translator for her single mother. She saw first hand how inequities impacted families in her community including her own, this motivated her to dedicate her life to social services.

    After graduating from UC Davis with a BA in Women & Gender Studies and Asian American Studies, Christina came back to San Jose to start her career in fundraising and development for various nonprofits in Silicon Valley. In 2020 she decided to leave her job as a staffer for Assembly member Ash Kalra to be a stay at home mom.

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  • Atkinson currently serves as the Vice President in the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Atkinson started his community involvement while studying mechanical engineering at UCSD. During his college career, he volunteered with the Vietnamese American Youth Association (VAYA). Life later brought Atkinson to Houston where he worked with the Hope Initiative, a charity that fundraised to help children in Vietnam.

    The Bay Area called him back home where he got involved with VAR, VietAYA/ MAYS, Tet, and Golden Hearts which are all organizations he still supports. He has served consecutive terms on VAR’s executive Board as Treasurer and President. As Vice President and Boardmember, his focus is growing a strong foundation for VAR’s future. Professionally, Atkinson is an Account Manager at NMB.

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  • Christine is a founding president and board member for the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    She has been involved in the local community in many capacities – serving as a former commissioner on the Santa Clara County eWomen’s Commission, as former board member of AACI and VAPW. Over her career, she has been active in a number of bar associations activities, such as leading the nonprofit VABANC Law Foundation supporting public interest fellowships, as well the women’s committee of APABA-SV, mentorship and community service for VABANC, and a governing member of the ABA Committee on Air and Space.

    In her day job, Christine currently serves as the acting deputy general counsel for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She was selected as the chief counsel for Ames Research Center in 2023, where she leads a team of attorneys and legal professionals supporting complex legal issues in human spaceflight and aeronautic research.

    Christine has been recognized with the 2018 NASA Early Career Achievement Medal and the 2018 Rising Star Award from the NASA Office of the General Counsel. She has also been recognized as the 2017 Silicon Valley Business Journal 40 Under 40 and by Assemblymember Evan Low for her professional and community leadership.

    Christine grew up in San Jose and attended Mission Community College before transferring to Santa Clara University to obtain her B.S. in Political Sciences. She served for three years as a Senior Congressional Aide to then-Congressman Mike Honda and later returned to Santa Clara School of Law. Her and her husband are proud parents to two amazing daughters and a sassy shiba.

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  • Alicia Luong serves on the Board of Directors for the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    She is particularly passionate about building our mentorship pipeline to nurture and cultivate leadership amongst Vietnamese-American youth. Her core involvements include serving as a panelist/volunteer for our annual SEEDS program, presenting workshops at partnering university and community youth programs, and strategizing and executing fundraising for the organization. Alicia brings her educational experience from UC Berkeley and her professional experience as a Recruiting Coordinator at a frontier AI startup to inform and support VAR's initiatives. Outside of VAR, Alicia leads a scholarship program for the Vietnamese American Professional Women Association of Silicon Valley, connecting under-resourced Vietnamese-American women with their pursuit of higher education. Alicia is also Miss Vietnam USA 2024, where she strives to promote cultural preservation and youth involvement.

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  • Isabella currently serves as the Treasurer in the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Isabella Luong (she/her) has been active in the South Bay Vietnamese American community since serving as a high school VSA officer in 2014. As a firstborn daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Isabella channels a fierce sense of will into all areas of her life and work. Trained in public health research and practice, Isabella combines academic and on-the-ground, community-informed perspectives to advocate for meaningful solutions to challenges affecting Vietnamese Americans.

    Her past professional and volunteer experience includes multiple organizations carrying out different scopes of engagement: ICAN, a local CBO serving the Vietnamese community; VietUnity South Bay, a grassroots organization dedicated to social change and justice; and PIVOT - the Progressive Vietnamese American Organization, which operates at the level of national electoral politics.

    Isabella Luong graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Toxicology from UC Berkeley in 2019. She will graduate with her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from UCLA in 2025.

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  • Linda currently serves as the Secretary in the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Linda has dedicated over a decade to advocating for marginalized communities within local government, focusing on groups such as the unhoused, farm workers, immigrants, and low-income individuals. Her work spans local utilities, public health, social services, housing, and environmental stewardship, emphasizing her understanding of privilege in advocating for equitable service access. Currently, she works on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.


    Her commitment is reflected in her service on the City of San Josés Human Services Commission and the County of Santa Clara's Race and Health Disparities Community Board. She volunteers with various organizations like Second Harvest Food Bank, Veggielution, and the American Heart Association. She is an active member of PIVOT- the Progressive Vietnamese American Organization, and the Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute (APALI).

    Linda holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master's in Public Administration from San Jose State University. She supports local sustainability efforts, the arts, and civic engagement. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with her kitties.

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  • Mimi Nguyễn is a dedicated advocate for immigrant communities and a passionate leader with deep roots in San Jose, where she was born and raised by Vietnamese immigrant parents. She graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a B.A. in Economics and Communications, and later earned her J.D. from Golden Gate University. Her commitment to public interest work is driven by her desire to support and uplift marginalized communities, particularly those facing challenges within the legal system.

    As one of the Vietnamese American Roundtable's (VAR) incorporating board members in 2017, Mimi served on the Executive Board and became President in 2020. Throughout her time with VAR, she has played an instrumental role in advocating for issues affecting the Vietnamese American community, such as immigration reform and equitable access to resources. Her dedication to social justice and racial equity has been central to her work with VAR, where she strives to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and push for systemic change.

    Beyond her work with VAR, Mimi is the Executive Director of Step Forward Foundation. She is involved in initiatives to support immigrant populations, including assisting individuals facing deportation and providing legal aid to survivors of crimes. Her personal and professional experiences have shaped her commitment to fighting for justice, healing, and liberation for all. In her personal life, Mimi enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, Vietnam, and their two young children, while also finding time for hobbies like calligraphy, weightlifting, and yoga.

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  • Huy is a board member for the Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR).

    Huy has been active with VAR since 2011 first as a volunteer before continuing on as a core member, board member, and President of the Board. Huy also led the process to get VAR incorporated and registered as a non-profit in 2017. His favorite VAR project has always been VARoween, which was a great opportunity for VAR to partner with other organizations and to include youth in creating a festival that was family friendly and allowed all volunteers and participants to utilize their imagination.

    Outside of VAR, Huy has built his career on social justice and worker’s rights. In high school, he was part of efforts to oppose the death penalty for minors and curriculum changes for his classmates. At SJSU, Huy mobilized his fellow students against budget cuts and fee increases that were being imposed on CSU students and to oppose the second invasion of Iraq. After graduating from SJSU, Huy joined the labor movement as an apprentice for UNITE HERE International, organizing hotel workers in Biloxi, Mississippi and Washington D.C. before moving back to the Bay Area to organize hotel workers in Santa Clara.

    Huy began his law career when he started at Santa Clara Law in 2009 and earned his J.D. in 2012 with a focus on social justice. Shortly after graduating, he co-founded Justice at Work Law Group, LLP to focus on employee-side litigation. As part of JAW, he was also on the steering committee for the Anti-Wage Theft Coalition of Santa Clara County, which helped enact wage theft policies in jurisdictions all across Santa Clara County.

    In May of 2023, Huy was appointed to serve as Interim Executive Director for Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), whose mission is to empower low-income immigrants and refugees through community education, leadership development, policy advocacy, civic engagement and legal services. Huy was appointed to serve as the permanent Executive Director in May of 2024.

Meet Our 2025-2026 Interns

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  • An (she/her) is a senior at the University of California, Berkeley. She is majoring in Conservation & Resource Studies with a minor in City Planning, where she focuses on the intersection of climate change issues, equity, and community development. Her involvement in collegiate lion dance and VSA spaces (Cal VSA, NorCal UVSA) has blossomed her gratitude for vibrant and welcoming communities and has inspired her to learn more about the broader (intergeneration) Vietnamese American community and what ties it together. An is looking forward to challenging her comfort zone in community work, connecting with others of all walks of life, and impacting the Vietnamese American community and beyond!

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  • Lynette (she/her) is a senior at University Preparatory Academy. She is so excited to be joining VAR as one of its Interns for the 2025-2026 year. Lynette feels passionately about uplifting the diverse voices within our Vietnamese community so she can't wait to contribute to organizing VAR's many flagship events. She has been going to Viet Ngu for almost a decade so if you haven't already guessed, she is a tried and true VSA girly ;). As the continuing president of her school's VSA and Interact clubs, Lynette thrives in community centered spaces and can’t wait to bring that same energy to VAR!

2024-2025 Internship Cohort

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  • Maria Blaze is a Freshman attending Foothill College as a Political Science major. Being introduced to VAR as a SEEDS mentee, she discovered the vast history behind Vietnamese American political power while learning more about her identity as a Vietnamese American. Coming back as a intern, Maria acted as the lead of SEEDS, continuing the program and building upon it. Through VAR, she’s learned more about her passions: working within the community.
    Now, she is also a Policy Fellow for SIREN, a partnering organization, in addition to being Entertainment Staff for LNY:SJ 2025!

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  • Jae Nguyen (they/them) is currently a senior at KIPP San Jose Collegiate. Their work focuses on using design to further VAR’s mission to raise cultural equity and build community, with projects ranging from shaping the brand identity for the 2025 LNYSJ festival to leading the creative direction for VAR’s cookbook Cơm Gia Đình.

    In Fall 2025, they will be matriculating to UCLA to study Design Media Arts, where they intend to explore the intersection of visual arts, psychology, and activism and its applications to improving education, cultural preservation, and mental health support.

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  • Born in San Jose, Cassie Nguyen is a high school senior interning for the Vietnamese American Roundtable. Through the internship, Cassie has been able to promote civic engagement and cultural awareness through numerous initiatives including creating VAR News, hosting VAR on Air episodes, volunteering for local events, and editing engaging videos like “Một Hai Ba, Action”. Ultimately, what inspires her work is the ability to connect and promote Vietnamese initiatives for greater equality. Outside of VAr, she is doing research in school on Vietnamese healthcare disparities. In the future, she hopes to pursue medicine and/or government to continue giving back to the community. 

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  • As a former SEEDS mentee in 2023, Joseph saw how impactful and interactive the program and VAR was for Vietnamese youths. Wanting to give back to the Vietnamese community, Joseph became a co-coordinator of SEEDS for the 2024 cohort and continues to stay engaged with his culture by advocating for health equity. He is particularly interested in dentistry, volunteering as a dental assistant on the weekends. Knowing that there are many barriers for the Vietnamese community to receive dental care, such as language differences and financial instability, Joseph will bridge these barriers when pursuing a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in the future.

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  • Peter Vu is currently a Senior at Yerba Buena High School and an intern for the Vietnamese American Roundtable. He also serves as the City of San Jose's District 7 Youth Commissioner. In the future he look's to pursue a degree in Political Science.

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  • David Huynh is a junior at Willow Glen High School in San Jose, California. As a Community Engagement Team member, he engages in health equity and voter outreach efforts for VAR and is passionate about civic engagement. He enjoys interacting with members of the public and practicing his public speaking skills. A SEEDS alumnus, he is extremely excited for LNY:SJ 2025 and SEEDS 2025, so he hopes you will join! He currently serves as a Youth Commissioner for the Valley Water Youth Commission and Santa Clara County Youth Task Force, representing District 6 and District 2 respectively.