Our Team
Our diverse team is a collection of strategic, dedicated professionals who work with a collaborative spirit and determination to enhance small business success.
Leadership
Pat Fong Kushida
President & CEO
patfongkushida@calasiancc.org
916-389-7460
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-fong-kushida-9279b26
Karen Nelson
Vice President of Global & Domestic Programs
knelson@calasiancc.org
916.389.7480
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-nelson-1b86a7a
Lauren Oto
Vice President of Communications/Foundation Executive Director
Loto@calasiancc.org
916-389-7474
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-oto
Alison Rivas
Vice President of Operations and Business Development
Director of Programs
arivas@calasiancc.org
916.389.7481
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-rivas-164b4234/
Anette Smith
Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development; Program Director, Electrify California
asmith@calasiancc.org
916.389.7476
Ryan Fong
Director of Finance
Rfong@calasiancc.org
916-389-7465
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryansfong
Roy Arimoto
Operations & Membership Manager
rarimoto@calasiancc.org
916.389.7463
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roy-kinji-arimoto-10a58a62
Ansuya Gupta-Jain
Grant Compliant Manager
ajain@calasiancc.org
916.465.8288
Neeah Kirby
Membership and Operations Coordinator
nkirby@calasiancc.org
916.389.7468
Sharon Lee
Finance & Compliance Manager
slee@calasiancc.org
916.389.7489
Bianka Melecio
Executive Assistant to President & CEO/Board Liason and HR Coordinator
bmelecio@calasiancc.org
916-389-7466
James Pallas
Member Relations Manager
jpallas@calasiancc.org
916.389.7478
Susan Wright
Controller
swright@calasiancc.org
Matt Sumida
Director of Marketing and Community Relations
msumida@calasiancc.org
916-389-7472
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattsumida1
Janice Garcia Segovia
Events Manager
jgarcia@calasiancc.org
916-389-7482
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicetgarcia
Lauren Akabori
Digital Content and Community Relations Coordinator
lakabori@calasiancc.org
916.389.7473
Princess Ong
Events and Sponsorship Coordinator
pong@calasiancc.org
916.465.8287
Z LaFrance
Graphic Design & Marketing Specialist
zlafrance@calasiancc.org
916.389.7485
Kandyce Xiong
Marketing and Community Engagement Coordinator
kxiong@calasiancc.org
916.389.7475
Amy Hunter
Foundation and Sponsorship Manager
ahunter@calasiancc.org
916.389.7479
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-hunter-82baa61b6/
Saeri Plagmann
Foundation Program Coordinator
splagmann@calasianfoundation.org
Keilen Fong
Public Policy Coordinator
kfong@calasiancc.org
916.389.7468
Les Fong
San Joaquin Small Business Development Center
Director (SBDC)
lfong@calasiancc.org
209.868.1046
https://www.linkedin.com/in/les-fong-5307986
Sonia Dueñas Navarro
San Joaquin Small Business Development Center
Program Manager
sduenas@calasiancc.org
916.389.7469
https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniacd
Kenji Shimabukuro
San Joaquin Small Business Development Center
Senior Program Manager
kshimabukuro@calasiancc.org
209-868-1046
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenji-shimabukuro-a6612b2
Elizabeth Coleman (Merced)
SBTRC Southwest Region
Project Manager
emerced@calasiancc.org
916-389-7464
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emerced
Stacey Tate
Sacramento MBDA Business Center
Project Director (MBDA-BC)
SacramentoMBDA@calasiancc.org
916.389.7483
Wesley Brown
Cannabis Programs, California Grow Green Program
wbrown@calasiancc.org
916.389.7462
Janine Nguyen
Intake Coordinator
janguyen@calasiancc.org
916.465.8285
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janine-at-nguyen/
Pa Butler-Vang
Sacramento MBDA Business Center
Business Development Specialist
pbutler-vang@calasiancc.org
916.732.3037
Alexis Gallegos
Sacramento MBDA Business Center
Program Manager (MBDA-BC)
agallegos@calasiancc.org
916.389.7488
Sydney Kushida
Small Business Utilization Center (SBUC) Program Manager; Program Manager, Electrify California
skushida@calasiancc.org
916.465.8285
Sherri Reusche
Project Director, MBDA Rural Supplemental
sreusche@calasiancc.org
916.465.8289
Romi Sunga
Sacramento MBDA Business Center
Business Development Specialist (MBDA-BC)
rsunga@calasiancc.org
916.389.7470
Chris Bollinger
PAC Consultant
Bollinger Government Affairs
Andrea Deveau
Lobbyist
Deveau Burr Group
Rob Fong
Principal, RKF Consulting
Frank Louie
Consultant
Flouie@calasiancc.org
916-389-7461
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franklouie
Bill Mueller
Partner
Integrated Communications Strategies, LLC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-mueller-37935ab/
Careers at CalAsian
Looking to join a diverse team and make a difference in the AAPI small business community? We have the perfect opportunity for you.
