Meet the TEAM

Led by a multi-generational team and board of directors and dedicated volunteers, CAPU is comprised of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) leaders, educators, creatives, and allies.

Joie Ha professional headshot, the Executive Director, at CAPU, smiling confidently, background is a slightly dark room with light fading in from the right.

  • Executive Director

    As the child of refugees, Joie Ha has always endeavored to do more good for more people. She has been an organizer for minority communities in Colorado for over 15 years. She has a B.A. in Anthropology and a Masters in Development Practice with a focus on holistic methods of treating mental health for Vietnamese refugees. Joie is the founder of CORE, a DEI consulting firm that doubles as a community organizing agency. She often engages in initiatives with focus on anti-racist work, collective liberation, civic engagement, and the intersection of art and activism.

  • Operations Manager

    As a proud Taiwanese American, Catharine brings a wealth of expertise in science, wellness, and community development. With an M.A. in Biochemistry and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture, she seamlessly integrates mindfulness and wellness practices into community initiatives. Passionately advocating for racial equity, Catharine’s holistic approach empowers underrepresented communities, focusing on their resilience and the preservation of their cultural heritage. Catharine excels in managing operational processes, ensuring efficient and effective execution of projects and programs.

Jadyn Nguyen, a Marketing and Community Relations Coordinator, at CAPU, smiling confidently, background is a forest wallpaper

  • Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator

    Born and raised in Denver, Jadyn believes the key to this universe is being your full self. His experience includes working with leading philanthropic foundations and serving as a founding team member for three Denver-based non-profits. As the founder of Penkhay J, LLC, he supports Denver non-profits with social media strategy and content creation. Jadyn is passionate about building community through storytelling. Jadyn is a Denver Public Schools alumni and serves as a board member for the Colorado Youth Congress. He loves learning, playing card games, and spending time with loved ones.

Sophia Siong professional headshot, an Intern, at CAPU, smiling confidently, background is a grey photo backdrop.

  • Intern

    As the eldest daughter to a family of refugees, Sophia carries a strong sense of resilience, cultural pride, and commitment to her community. She is a current senior studying Biology and Peace and Justice studies at Regis University with interests in public health, community organizing, and clinical research. She has served as the president of the Asian Student Alliance at Regis to plan events and engage in initiatives that honor and celebrate AAPI culture and history. Coming from a Hmong background, Sophia is passionate about uncovering the hidden stories of the Hmong community and history through her academic research and work with CAPU. 

Meet our board

  • Board Member Emeritus - Dr. William Wei

Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa professional headshot, the Board Chair, at CAPU, background has a tree with shade.

  • Board Chair

    Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa is the owner of No Ke Aloha Inc. A University of Denver alum with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and a minor in marketing, Shauna brings over two decades of cultural expertise from her career in Polynesian performing arts and co-founding a renowned dance company in Colorado. She is a proud mom of a beautiful blended family of six children and identifies as a multi-racial individual being “blended” with Native Hawaiian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Irish.

    Shauna is a founding Board Member of CAPU.

Ben Niamthet professional headshot, a Board Member at CAPU, background has a floral painting

  • Board Member

    Ben is the Principal of Niam Design and a University of Colorado Boulder graduate with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Design (Architecture). With over 25 years of commercial design experience, he specializes in both interior and exterior spaces. From humble beginnings flipping burgers at McDonald’s to designing notable Thai restaurants throughout Denver, Ben’s journey has given him a deep understanding of customer service. His passion for architecture and design drives him to deliver the best possible results for every project he undertakes.

    Ben is a founding Board Member of CAPU.

Gil Asakawa professional headshot, Board Member at CAPU, background is a gold photo backdrop.

  • Board Member

    Gil Asakawa, a third-generation Japanese American with a unique perspective shaped by his Japanese childhood and American upbringing, is a leading voice on Asian American culture. An accomplished author, keynote speaker, and media expert, Gil has contributed to publications like The Denver Post, HuffPost, and AARP, and is the principal contributor to the Nikkei View website. Known for his bold, authentic, and entertaining style, Gil is a sought-after pundit across radio, television, and online platforms.

    Gil is a founding Board Member at CAPU.

Joanne Liu professional headshot, A Board Member at CAPU, background is the outside window of an office building

  • Board Member

    Joanne is the co-founder and CEO of Asian Girls Ignite. She’s a lifelong educator with over 20 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, and leader in education. A first-generation college graduate, she holds a BA in English & American Literature and Secondary Education and an MS in Organizational Leadership from CU Boulder. Driven by a love for culture, she founded Mile High Asian Food Week to uplift Colorado’s growing AANHPI culinary scene. Joanne’s favorite way of celebrating her Chinese heritage is by lion dancing. To her, it represents culture and empowerment.

    Joanne is a founding Board Member of CAPU.

Kai Vong professional headshot, a Board Member at CAPU, background is a grey brick wall

  • Board Member

    Kai holds dual degrees in Computer Science and Politics & Government from Western Colorado University. During his time at Denver East High School, he founded and led the Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance, fostering cross-cultural learning and understanding. A passionate advocate for inclusivity, he serves as President of Western’s Asian Pacific Islander Club and Station Manager at KWSB 91.1 FM, where he fosters community and drives operational growth. Kai also collaborates with Western’s marketing department as a photographer, using his creative skills to capture and share meaningful moments from the community.


    Kai is a founding Board Member of CAPU.

Dr. Soon Beng professional headshot, a Board Member at CAPU, background is a dark blue photo backdrop.

  • Board Member

    Dr. Yeap is a brand marketer, scholar, and community organizer with over 20 years of leadership experience across retail, higher education, global health, and nonprofits. A specialist in identity politics and ethnic diaspora, he has taught at universities in Singapore, Australia, and the U.S. and advocates for social equity and racial justice through his international expertise. Born in Penang, Malaysia, Dr. Yeap brings a global perspective to his work and community efforts.

    Dr. Yeap is a founding Board Member of CAPU.

Work with us

We’re looking for folks to help us on our mission! Please see below for openings.

Members of the CAPU board and volunteers stand in front of a big green wall, smiling and posing for the camera. Planning post-its are behind them on the wall.

Want to volunteer?

If you are interested in volunteering with CAPU, we welcome your support!