APAICS Announces New Leadership for Board of Directors

WASHINGTON—The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is proud to announce its next Board Officers. Nisha Ramachandran, a former APAICS Fellow and the former Interim President and CEO of APAICS, has been elected Board Chair. She will succeed Jason Chan, who has served on the APAICS Board of Directors since 2017 and has led the Board as Chair for the past two years. APAICS Board Officers will begin their term in July 2026.

Founded by former Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and Delegate Robert Underwood in 1994, alongside the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), APAICS is a national non-partisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA & NH/PI) participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office. Serving as the educational arm of the CAPAC, our programs focus on developing leadership, building public policy knowledge, and filling the political pipeline for AA & NH/PIs to pursue public office at the local, state, and federal levels. APAICS is the sister organization of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute.

“Serving as Board Chair of APAICS has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Over the past nine years with APAICS, including the last two as Board Chair, I've had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible impact our programs, alumni, staff, and supporters have in developing the next generation of AA & NH/PI leaders,” said Jason Chan, outgoing APAICS Board Chair. “I’m incredibly grateful to my fellow board members, President and CEO Madalene Mielke, and the entire APAICS community for their partnership, friendship, and unwavering commitment to our mission. As I complete my term as Board Chair, I have complete confidence in Nisha Ramachandran’s leadership and know APAICS is in great hands. I’m excited to see the organization continue to grow and inspire future generations of public servants.”

“Through all my experiences with APAICS, including as a fellowship alumna, I have seen firsthand the organization's unique ability to open doors, cultivate leadership, and empower individuals to pursue careers in public service,” said Nisha Ramachandran, incoming APAICS Board Chair. “I am honored to step into the role of Board Chair at such an important moment for our community and our country. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated board, staff, alumni, and partners to expand that impact, invest in the next generation of leaders, and ensure that more AA & NH/PI voices are represented at every level of leadership and decision-making.”

"Jason Chan’s leadership as Board Chair has helped advance APAICS’ mission and expand opportunities for AA & NH/PI leaders nationwide," said Madalene Mielke, President and CEO of APAICS. “I would also like to recognize departing board member Robin Rorick for his service as Board Treasurer. His decade of leadership and stewardship has helped strengthen APAICS and support its continued growth.

“I am also excited to welcome Nisha Ramachandran as our new Board Chair. Her commitment to developing the next generation of AA & NH/PI public servants makes her an outstanding leader for APAICS, and we look forward to working with her to continue expanding our impact and building pathways to leadership.”

Joining Ramachandran on the APAICS Executive Committee are Vice Chair Joon Kim, Secretary Mona Mohib, and Treasurer Stephanie Nguyen, a member of the California State Assembly.

Read more about the APAICS Board of Directors and National Advisory Council on our website.

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The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a national non-partisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian Pacific American participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office.