Committee formed to screen AAPI applicants wanting to work in a Biden administration

Confident that former Vice President Joe Biden will win the November election against Donald Trump, a committee has been created to screen AAPI individuals wishing to work for the incoming Biden administration.

AAPI Progressive Action in partnership with AAPI Victory Fund formed “AAPI 46,” a screening committee to identify, vet and recommend highly qualified Asian American and Pacific Islander candidates for positions in a potential Biden administration.

“Government functions best when its leadership reflects the diversity of our great nation,” said Chris Lu, who will act as AAPI Progressive Action Board liaison to AAPI 46. “The Steering Committee will play an important role in identifying AAPIs who will fight to create a more just and inclusive society."

Despite being the fastest growing racial group in the U.S. and a population of 23 million strong, AAPIs are underrepresented in political leadership as well as at the federal level.  

The Screening Committee will conduct a nationwide search for the top 50 candidates whose names will then be submitted to the Biden Transition. Working closely with the Boards of the AAPI Victory Fund and AAPI Progressive Action, the Committee will also make a public endorsement for these senior positions by mid-September 2020.

The Screening Committee will be co-chaired by Seema Nanda, former chief executive officer, Democratic National Committee and Mike Honda, former Congressman and founder-chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. 

Committee members include Michelle Bonoan, Managing Director, Koya Leadership Partners; Grace Choi, former White House Liaison staff, U.S. Department of State; Ankur Goel, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery; Julian Ha, Partner, Heidrick & Struggles; and Doua Thor, former Executive Director, White House Initiative on AAPIs. 

Ginger Lew, former White House executive, will serve as advisor to the Screening Committee. The Board liaisons are Luisa Blue, executive vice president, SEIU; Christopher P. Lu, former Deputy Secretary of Labor; Katie Kalvoda, founder, G3 Ventures; and Dilawar Syed, President and CEO, Lumiata. (Organizational affiliations are listed for information purposes only.)

“In January, AAPI Victory Fund was the first national AAPI organization to endorse Vice President Biden,” said Katie Kalvoda, who will act as AAPI Victory Fund Board liaison to AAPI 46. 

 “This November, the AAPI community will carry the Vice President to victory and it is critical that AAPIs are represented at the senior levels of our government once he is elected. AAPI 46 will ensure that the Biden Transition has vetted highly qualified candidates from our community to fill those positions.”

For further informatin and to submit your qualifications, link to: https://www.aapiprogressiveaction.com/aapi46.

Indian American CEO of Democratic Party bats for working class.

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Seema Nanda takes over CEO post for the Democrats.

INDIAN AMERICAN Seema Nanda, who took over as the CEO of the opposition Democratic National Committee (DNC) on July 23, has vowed to fight for the “soul of the country.”

"Our party is strong because it's built on forging positive solutions that include everyone. I'm proud to be the first Asian American in recent memory to lead the DNC. Democrats are leading with our values and empowering people from diverse backgrounds to speak up and make our voices heard," Nanda said.

She takes her new position in the midst of the critical mid-term elections in November when Democrats hope to take over the House of Representatives and/or the U.S. Senate.

RELATED: Seema Nanda named CEO for Democrats

“We are fighting now for the soul of our country — for our democracy and for opportunity,” she said. Ms. Nanda is the first Indian American ever to be the Chief Executive Officer of national committee of either of the two parties.

“Democrats are offering the positive solutions so desperately needed right now — solutions forged by the strength of our diversity, the rigour of our ideas, and the decency of our values,” she said. “Since (Donald) Trump took office, it’s been clear that the number one best way for us to set our country back on track is to elect Democrats in every corner of our country. That’s why I took this job,” said Nanda, in her first message to Democratic supporters.

Nanda said supporting the Democratic party is synonymous with building a future for the children that they can be proud of.

“My promise to my two teenage boys is to do all I can to create an America that is bright, fair, and that works for everyone — where opportunity for all means something,” she said.
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Democratic National Committee will lean on Asian American to steer the party

Seema Nanda will help guide the Democratic National Committee through a critical period

AS THE PIVOTAL midterm elections head into the home stretch with perhaps the selection of a Supreme Court Justice on the immediate horizon, the Democratic National Committee is depending on an Asian American to keep its house in order.
Today (June 29), the Democratic National Committee announces Seema Nanda as Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Nanda will manage the day-to-day operations of the organization.

“People are hurting all across our country. And I believe that Democrats are offering the positive solutions so desperately-needed right now – solutions forged by the strength of our diversity, the rigor of our ideas, and the decency of our values," said Nanda.

The first Asian American to head the DNC in recent memory, Nanda takes the reins from interim CEO, Mary Beth Cahill, in overseeing the financial and political trajectory of the DNC at a crucial moment.

Nanda served on​ DNC Chair Tom​ Perez' transition team, which took a fresh look at the ​committee's operations following the 2016 election and put in place an infrastructure​ that contributed to wins in 2017 and 2018.

Most recently, Nanda has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, where she oversees strategy and manages day-to-day operations.

Prior to that, Seema was Chief of Staff to then-Secretary Tom Perez at the U.S. Department of Labor. While at the Labor Department, she also worked as Deputy Solicitor and as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Counselor to Perez, managing a portfolio that included immigration, workforce development, and internal management issues.

This decision was made after a five-month search led by current CEO Mary Beth Cahill, who will continue to serve the DNC through the transition and as the DNC heads into the 2018 cycle. Nanda will start later next month. 

“I’m beyond excited that Seema is bringing her talent and brilliance to the DNC,” said DNC Chair Tom Perez. “I’ve seen firsthand Seema’s exceptional ability to lead. She is a seasoned manager who has a proven track record of success and a well-documented history of fighting for our Democratic values, whether it’s on immigration, civil rights or leveling the playing field for our workers. As we head toward such a crucial election, I’m one hundred percent certain that Seema’s leadership will help the DNC capitalize on the unprecedented grassroots energy and enthusiasm surging throughout the country.”

As Asian Americans seek to find their seat at the political table, that community's vote will be crucial for a number of races throughout the country. Along with DNC vice chair Grace Meng, the congresswoman representing parts of New York, Asian American women will hold two of the top and visible positions for the Democratic Party.

Nanda is a founding member of the DC chapter of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, where she works closely with several immigrants rights and Asian American advocacy groups around Asian Pacific American issues; and a founding board member of a nonprofit in DC (Odanadi) that seeks to raise awareness and money to fight sex trafficking in India and globally.  

With immigration issues becoming a key issue in the midterm elections, the DNC is also emphasizing Nanda's past experience as head of the DOJ's Office of Immigrant and Employee Rights Section.

The Democrats are trying to generate a "blue wave" to wrest the majority in the House from the GOP by anchoring Republicans to a controversial and unpopular president, who has consistently voiced anti-immigrant policies from the Muslim travel ban to his handling of immigrants at the country's border with Mexico.

Democrats are also facing an internal reckoning on how to craft the best message for November and channel the emergence of a more progressive wing illustrated by the victory of political newcomer, 28-year old Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over seasoned and moderate Democrat incumbent Joe Crowley.

As the Center for American Women and Politics has noted, "Democratic women are the real drivers of the surge in female candidates in 2018: women are 33% of all Democratic candidates but only 14% of all Republican candidates."

“Women are not only making their voices heard, but this hire also signals that women are leading the Democratic Party, and I couldn't be prouder of that," said the DNC's communications director, Xochitl Hinojosa.

Nanda's experience also includes practicing labor and employment law and served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.

She is a graduate of Boston College Law School and Brown University and a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association.

"This position is the opportunity of a lifetime, for which I am incredibly honored and humbled,” said Nanda, "I am grateful to Chairman Perez and Mary Beth for selecting me, and I look forward to joining my new DNC colleagues in the fight for our nation’s values and future.”
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