News

OLYMPIA, WA - Monday, July 8th - The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nam Nguyen as the new Interim Executive Director and the hiring of Negheen Kamkar as the new Project Manager. Both bring extensive experience and a shared commitment to serving the Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities in Washington State. 

Nam Nguyen, Interim Executive Director

Prior to his role as Interim Executive Director for CAPAA, Nam Nguyen served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Revenue and Finance Division. His legal career also includes positions in private practice with law firms in Bellevue, WA, and Houston, TX. Nam graduated from Boston University School of Law and holds a Master in Public Policy from the University of Michigan and an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington.

Nam has a rich history of community service. Following law school, he volunteered in Bayou La Batre, AL—famously known as the birthplace of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company from the film Forrest Gump—where he addressed economic and social issues caused by the BP Oil Spill. There, he developed and implemented youth development programs, social services for those with limited English proficiency, and work training programs for displaced workers.

Nam has also volunteered as an assistant scoutmaster and troop leader for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts in Alabama, Massachusetts, Texas, and Washington. Currently, he serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Family Support Center of South Sound, a non-profit organization providing coordinated supportive services to families in the Olympia area. Additionally, he is on the board of Seattle University School of Law’s Judicial Institute and was elected as a Governor on the Washington State Bar Association’s Board of Governors for a three-year term in April 2022.

A Seattle native, Nam now resides in Tumwater, WA, with his dog, Vader. His appointment as Interim Executive Director brings a wealth of legal expertise and a strong community-focused approach to CAPAA.

Nam Nguyen, Interim Executive Director 

Negheen Kamkar, Project Manager

Negheen is honored to join CAPAA as project manager. She brings over 10 years of experience working in the Washington State public sector.       

Negheen first served State Representative Judy Clibborn as a Legislative Aide on key statewide transportation projects. During this time, she institutionalized ‘Open Pathways,’ a mentorship program offering professional development and recruitment strategies to invest in a more diverse government workforce.
Later, she served Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez as a Policy Director. Negheen managed Seattle’s work plan to combat the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples epidemic. By following the lead of community experts, together their office successfully launched the nation’s first piece of legislation detailing concrete solutions. Additionally, Negheen staffed the newly formed Indigenous Advisory Council dedicated to advising city leadership and departments on policies impacting indigenous communities.

Negheen is a proud first-generation Persian American residing in Seattle, WA. In 2017, she helped coordinate the first Norooz celebration (Persian New Year) at the Washington State Legislature. This was a heartfelt and significant moment for the community to be acknowledged in a culturally-attuned way.                         
It is the shared passion to make government more accessible and bring about positive change for diverse communities that brings Negheen to CAPAA.Negheen holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington and lives with her dog Leia in Seattle.

Negheen Kamkar, Project Manager

About the Commission

The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA) was established in 1974 to improve the well-being of Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities in Washington State. CAPAA advises the Governor, state legislature, and state agencies on policies, programs, and needs of these communities, promoting their social, economic, and political well-being.