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Our Team
Aryani (she/her) is a former attorney who has worked with the leading national Asian American civil right advocacy organizations.
She has served on several local boards, notably chairing the board of the Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL).
Aryani is a founding member of Communities United Against Hate (CUAH) and Asian American parent advisory group to Montgomery County Public Schools. Aryani was recognized in Maryland's Top 100 Women in 2019.
Aryani Ong
Founder + Board Chair
Janelle (she/her) has lived in Montgomery County since 2012. She is the parent of two MCPS students.
She is a professor of Asian American Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Janelle has written four books and numerous academic articles on Asian American politics. She is active on the MoCo NAACP Parents Council.
Janelle Wong
Board Member
Akil (he/him) is a Montgomery County resident and MCPS parent. He has served as Executive Director of an organization advancing education and mentorship for underserved Asian American and Pacific Islander youth in the DMV region.
Akil served as Director of Strategic Initiatives at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, where he was responsible for coordinating opportunities for AAPI communities nationwide.
He also has extensive experience advocating for the civil rights of Muslim Americans.
Akil Vohra
Board Member
Bao (she/her) is a public health researcher at the George Washington University Biostatistics Center, where she is pursuing a Master of Public Health in Public Health Policy.
Bao also serves on the D.C. Save Chinatown Solidarity Advocacy Committee, where she supports anti-displacement efforts in the city.
Across academic and leadership experiences alike, Bao brings a passion for strengthening civic engagement and eliminating disparities for marginalized communities.
Bao Duong
Board Member
Da Hae (she/her) is a 1.5 generation Korean American immigrant living in Montgomery County with her husband, infant son, and dog.
She is passionate about serving as a bridge between older and newer generations of Asian Americans to ensure that the community boldly advocates for civil rights for all, including other communities of color.
Da Hae Kim
Board Member
Hudson (he/him) is a hospitality, food and beverage, and real estate professional working in D.C. and New York City.
With nonprofit experience as a trustee for the Lambda Phi Epsilon Foundation, Hudson brings to the MoCoPAAN board a commitment to equitable AAPI representation.
Locally, Hudson enjoys catching shows at Roundhouse Theater, where he's hosted community conversations about local Asian American arts, culture, and creative expression.
Hudson Tang
Treasurer + Board Member
Deeana Jang (she/her) is a public policy advocate and attorney with decades of experience. She serves as Policy Director at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs).
She has held roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum and the Center for Law and Social Policy. Trained as an attorney, she worked for several legal aid programs representing survivors of gender-based violence.
Deanna Jang
Policy Director
Hai Duong (he/him) is a retired federal executive who has lived in the county for more than 45 years.
After more than two decades of federal service in financial management and leadership roles supporting energy programs and innovation, Hai now focuses on community engagement, financial advisory work, and photography. Hai is committed to supporting civic participation and strengthening connections within the Asian American community while capturing the stories and events that bring people together.
Hai Duong
Photographer
Manny Legaspi (he/him) was the 2026 MoCoPAAN Legal Fellow and a Law Student at American University with interests in intellectual property.
He has a B.A. from the University of Maryland, with a minor in Asian American Studies. He is passionate about advancing equitable access to legal resources and supporting community-based initiatives.
In his free time, he enjoys music and the arts.
Manny Lesgapi
2026 Summer Legal Fellow
Ethan Park (he/him) was the 2025-26 MoCoPAAN Program Fellow and a recent graduate from Wesleyan University.
He grew up in Montgomery County and has always been passionate about Asian American activism, culture, and politics; he majored in American Studies, and wrote a thesis exploring contemporary Korean-American literature and film.
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He is currently pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts in Poetry at University of Michigan's Helen Zell Writers' Program.
Ethan Park
2025-26 Program Fellow