Commissioners
Lydia Faitalia
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Commissioner Faitalia is a first-generation Tongan-Samoan, born and raised in California. She recently settled in Covington, WA from Los Angeles, CA. She is the owner of Modern Blueprint Construction LLC and works for United Indians of All Tribes Foundation as the Ina Maka On Track Program Manager. Before moving to the Pacific Northwest, Ms. Faitalia served her Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Community in various capacities including working for the UCLA Center for Community College Partnership and Tribal Learning Community & Educational Exchange Program (TLCEE).
Commissioner Faitalia joins CAPAA Commission with fifteen years of community service and advocacy experience. She completed both her Undergraduate and Graduate education from the University of California, Los Angeles. Second Term Term Ends 6/30/2025 |

Lydia Faitalia
Chair
King County
Second term ends 6/30/2025
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Lalita Uppala

Lalita Uppala
1st Vice Chair
King County
Second term ends 6/30/2024
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Kendall Kosai

Kendall Kosai
2nd Vice Chair
Pierce County
First term ends 6/30/2025
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Ekkarath Sisavatdy
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Lao American by chance, love by choice, and Lao’d by necessity; Commissioner Sisavatdy was the last in his family of 10 to be born in Vientiane, Laos and a refugee immigrant to the US in 1978. Known to many as simply Ekk, he has built a home and community in Des Moines, WA. Ekk has worked over 13 years in higher education and is currently the Project Director for the Asian American, Native American Pacific Islander, Serving Institution (AANAPISI) at Highline College. He graduated from Western Washington University with his Bachelors in Social & Political Effects on Southeast Asians in the US – Go Vikings! Ekk also completed his Master’s in Education in Higher Ed from Central Washington University – Go Wildcats!
His dad shared with him at an early age why it’s crucial to get involved and give back. He said, “If you don’t care about your community, don’t worry, they’ll be many others that do, and most will come with good intentions, but not all. Will you be okay with them speaking on your behalf and representing you in ways you may not feel is authentic and appropriate? Will you be okay that they don’t live your experiences, share the same values or truly don’t understand your community(s)?” These questions are what spurred Ekk to get involved. He believes everyone is a teacher of humanity and all have enriching stories to share with one another. His mission is to provide space and opportunity for our communities to participate, share, and be heard. As an Asian Pacific Islander, it’s important that we support each other and give back, especially to our underserved communities. He is an active, co-founding member of the Southeast Asian Education Coalition (SEAeD). Ekk currently also serves as commissioner of the City of Des Moines Arts Commission as well as a member of the Advisory Council for the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center’s (SEARAC) “Moving Mountains” Equity Summit, and a member of the Asian Pacific Director’s Coalition. Ekk has interned with SEARAC’s Leadership and Advocacy Training (LAT) program and Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) Leadership in Action (LIA). He has been a part of many clubs and organizations and has been a club advisor for the Lao Students Association, Khmer Students Association, Pacific Islander Students Association, Red Cross Club, and Cooking Club at Highline College. Ekk believes that gratitude makes attitude, knowing our gifts is a must, mentorship is key because we can’t be what we can’t see and legacy work is truly heart work, and yes it’s all hard work! He is a self-proclaimed groupie to two notable Lao organizations which he believes embodies this philosophy – the Pom Foundation’s Kinnaly Music and Dance Troupe, and Legacies of War. Ekk adores his team at Highline and spending time with his fiancé, parents, siblings and 15 nieces and nephews. He also enjoys hanging with friends and is a sucker for home cooked meals and road trips! Ekk has been featured in PRI’s The World and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Second Term Ends 6/30/2023 |

Ekkarath Sisavatdy
Commissioner
King County
Third term ends 6/30/2026
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Sam Cho

Sam Cho
Commissioner
King County
Second term ends 6/30/2024
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Scott Lehrman
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Commissioner Scott Lehrman is a Japanese American resident of Pasco, Washington where he lives with his wife Kim, and their four children. He is a Project Engineering Manager for the Hanford Tank Farms. He was raised in Vancouver, Washington, and graduated from Washington State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering.
Commissioner Lehrman has served his community of Pasco for over 20 years. He resigned from the Pasco School Board in 2023 after serving for 10 years as an elected official. During his time serving as President of the Board, the community passed two bonds and built nine schools during a time of rapid growth in Pasco. Commissioner Lehrman has a life-long passion for service and for advocating for those who need help to close the achievement gap in education. While serving as a CAPAA Commissioner he will prioritize helping Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community members feel a greater sense of belonging to their community. First Term Ends 6/30/2026 |

Scott Lehrman
Commissioner
Franklin County
1st term ends 6/30/2026
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David Phongsa

David Phongsa
Commissioner
Benton County
First term ends 6/30/2026
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Ping Ping, Commissioner

Ping Ping
Commissioner
Spokane County
Second term ends 6/30/2026
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Chongsun Abbott, Commissioner

Chongsun Abbott
Commissioner
Pierce County
First term ends 6/30/2024
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Kiana Mckenna
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Kiana was appointed to CAPAA in June 2023. She is currently the Director of Policy and Civic Engagement at the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington (PICA-WA) and began her work there in the Spring of 2020 as the lead for the Eastern WA NH/PI COVID-19 Response Taskforce. In addition to organizing with Pasifika communities, Kiana sat on the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of Spokane (now Asians for Collective Liberation) Advisory Committee for a number of years and currently sits on many other coalitions and committees which give her the opportunity to participate in cross-racial organizing and collaborate on opportunities to advance wellness for historically excluded and underserved communities. Kiana is currently serving in her sixth year as a board member for YWCA Spokane, where she is passionate about uplifting voices of domestic violence survivors, womxn and girls of color. She also sits on Providence Health Care’s Community Mission Board for Spokane and Stevens Counties as well as the City of Spokane’s Equity Subcommittee.
Born and raised in Spokane, Kiana graduated from Gonzaga University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in public relations as well as minors in promotional marketing and psychology. Outside of work, you can find Kiana in community, with her family, or outdoors, no matter the weather. She is proud to carry the torch forward and honor her ancestors in advocating fiercely for the wellness and thriving of her community. |

Kiana McKenna
Commissioner
Spokane County
First term ends 6/30/2026
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Nam Nguyen

Nam Nguyen
Chair
Thurston County
Third term ends 6/30/2025
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Carrie Huie-Pascua
