The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) proudly presents the Asian Pacific American (APA) Empowerment Series. The JACL, who has a mission to promote and prepare future APA leaders, is putting on this series to help college students get involved in the community.

Whether students are looking for a career in politics, government, or non-profit work or are seeking opportunities to volunteer, the series will provide a rare opportunity. Register today for the chance to learn from, and network with, some of Seattle’s APA community leaders.

The next empowerment session:
Bellevue College
Library Media Center
3000 Landerholm Circle SE
Bellevue, WA

February 24, 2011 (Thurs)
10:30AM - 12:30PM

Speakers:
Sofia Aragon
Jeffrey Hattori
Albert Shen

Previous sessions:
April 15, 2010
January 21, 2010
November 16, 2009

Speaker Bios:
Sofia Aragon
In 1975, Sofia Aragon immigrated to Seattle, Washington from Manila, Philippines when she was three years old.  After growing up in south Seattle, she earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Washington and a B.S. in Nursing from Seattle University.  After practicing both acute care and primary care nursing in the Seattle area, she went on to law school, earning a Juris Doctor from Loyola University-Chicago School of Law, aiming for a career in health policy.

Today she is the Senior Governmental Affairs Advisor for the Washington State Nurses Association working on policy issues such as health professions workforce development and regulation, health reform, access to care, public health, health disparities, and government financing of health care. Prior to joining WSNA in November of 2008, she was the Legislative and Policy Manager for the Community and Family Health Division at the Washington State Department of Health in Olympia.

She enjoys building relationships with legislators, other policy makers, and advocacy groups who often actively seek the support of the nursing community.

Jeffrey Hattori
Jeffrey Hattori is currently the CEO of Nikkei Concerns that oversees Seattle Keiro Rehabilitation and Care Center, Nikkei Manor Assisted Living Community, Kokoro Kai Senior Activity Program and Nikkei Horizons Continuing Education Program.  His previous professional experience includes State Government Affairs, Lilly USA; High Point HOPE VI Community & Supportive Services, Seattle Housing Authority;  Seattle Keiro Administrator, Nikkei Concerns; Planner/”Youth Fair Chance” Director, Seattle King-County Private Industry Council (now Workforce Development Council); and Recruitment Coordinator, Center for Career Alternatives.  Community service and volunteerism has allowed him to pursue his personal passion on social justice and advocacy to enhance the lives of the Asian Pacific Islander community while developing content knowledge and exercising skill sets.  He is the proud father of Derrik (son) and Serii (daughter).

Albert Shen
Albert Shen is small business owner whose leadership has made a big impact on some of the Northwest’s largest and most critical infrastructure projects.

Shen is currently the project management consultant on a new $400 million Rental Car Facility at Sea-Tac International Airport.  Prior, his team helped complete the long awaited Third Runway and other multi-million dollar projects for the Port of Seattle

In 2009, Shen Consulting, Inc. received the Seattle Mayor’s Small Business of the Year award and is a nominee for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Minority Champion of the Year for contributing to a more supportive environment for small, minority owned businesses.

Shen lends his expertise to support non-profit community organizations and political groups.  He serves on the Seattle Community College Board of Trustees and was appointed to the Washington State Commission on Asian and Pacific American Affairs to advise the Governor as the Vice Chair of Economic Development.   Shen also serves four non-profit boards, including:

• Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority (Council President)
• Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (Board Member)
• Northwest Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans Political Action Committee (Board President)
• National Association of Asian American Professionals (Executive Advisory Board Member)

Albert Shen was born in New Haven, Connecticut and grew up in Pullman, Washington.  His family owned several small businesses, which continues to shape his business work ethic to this day.  Shen is an alumni of the University of Washington, where he studied Chemistry and Environmental Science.