Mandy is the California Deputy Director, overseeing SEARAC’s advocacy and building community at the state level. SEARAC’s work in California focuses on amplifying the voices of the largest Southeast Asian American (SEAA) population in the US, building engagement and capacity of stakeholders, and promoting key legislation to advance social justice and equity among SEAA communities.
Mandy has over a decade of experience working with refugee, immigrant, and marginalized communities, including developing health and education programs in Southeast Asia and Southern Africa, supporting refugee resettlement in the US, and advocating for equitable health care policies in California.
She was raised in Los Angeles, after resettling in California with her family as refugees from Vietnam. Mandy holds a Master of International Affairs with concentrations in public policy and international development from UC San Diego. In her downtime, she enjoys anything food-related and being near the ocean and mountains.