Kathy Wai was born in Myanmar (formally called Burma). She immigrated to the U.S. with her family at 6 years old, growing up in San Francisco and Portland. She has a degree in Community Health from Portland State University.  She’s active in the Asian and Pacific Islander community, having served previously on APANO’s Board from 2009-2012 and the Steering Committee for the Asian and Pacific Islander Community Leadership Institute (APICLI). Kathy received The Asian Reporter’s “Exemplary Community Volunteer” award” in 2010 and the “We Are Portland” award in 2012 from the City of Portland, Office of Equity and Human Rights for her community organizing and advocacy efforts. In May of 2017, she became the youngest person to be elected on the North Clackamas School Board in her first campaign for public office. 

As the Civic Engagement Manager for APANO, Kathy works to build political power for API communities year-round through elections, advocacy, and skill-building.  Kathy is also expanding APANO’s work in other cities and rural areas through the VOTE Network, a powerful convening of API-led organizations in Oregon working together to build community, capacity, and political power.