Our internship is highly selective and each intern is selected based on their demonstrated academic and personal excellence, demonstrated leadership capabilities, and a commitment to serving their community.

Andy Li

Rising Senior, University of California, Davis

Andy is a rising senior at UC Davis majoring in managerial economics and double minoring in accounting and technology management. Andy is interested in pursuing a career in venture capital, private equity, and entrepreneurship after graduation. He is passionate about supporting first-time founders from diverse backgrounds in helping them achieve their vision for their various business ventures. On campus, he is an Engagement Manager for Consult Your Community, a pro-bono consulting club that helps local small businesses survive business challenges with innovative and creative strategies. He is also the founder of Aggie Ventures, a student-led VC club that seeks to democratize access to venture capital for fellow students who are looking to pursue a career in the industry.

Andy has always been vocal about standing up for Asian American representation and visibility. He helped organize local rallies for the May 15th Unity Against Hate event calling for an end to anti-Asian violence in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As an intern at Leadership Launchpad, sponsored by APAPA, Andy has had the opportunity to work with a team of undergraduate students to help raise awareness about challenges facing the Asian-American community.

Emily lam

Recent Graduate, Chapman University

Emily Lam is a recent graduate of Chapman University, double majoring in Political Science and Peace Studies. She is a first-generation college student and a San Francisco native. Her areas of interest include human rights, transformative justice, nonviolent social change, abolitionism, and decolonization.

At Chapman, Emily founded and served as the President of the Asian Pacific Political Alliance. As the President, she curated presentations and facilitated discussions surrounding AAPI history, issues and identity while working with other BIPOC student organizations to combat on-campus structural racism and political apathy.

Academically, Emily’s research has focused on international human rights law and international relations, especially in East Asia and the Middle East. Additionally, she has researched anti-Asian rhetoric during COVID-19 by American political leaders. Previously, she has participated in the Olive Tree Initiative and was an active member of Students for Justice in Palestine. Emily considers her academic work as an extension of her activism which is rooted in empathy.

Outside of academics and activism, Emily enjoys watching volleyball, reading, discovering new music, and learning about ongoing and past conflicts. She is a child of immigrants from Hong Kong and hopes to improve her reading and writing skills in Cantonese.

Emily is excited to participate in the 2020 CAUSE Leadership Academy. She hopes to deepen her understanding and knowledge of AAPI issues and to gain new tools for social change. Following the CAUSE Leadership Academy, she hopes to work with under-resourced students within her community and participate in community organizing.

fiona truong

Rising Junior, University of California, Irvine

Fiona Truong is an incoming Junior at the University of California, Irvine. At UCI, she majors in Criminology, Law, and Society and minors in Asian American Studies. Fiona is a first-generation college student from El Monte, California. She graduated from Arroyo High School in 2019.

Fiona’s interest in public speaking took off when she joined her high school’s Speech and Debate team. She rose to be one of the top competitors in the Southern California Debate League, qualifying to multiple state and national tournaments.

Fiona continued her passion for public speaking through the UCI Mock Trial team. UCI ranks as one of the best Mock Trial teams in the country. Fiona plays the role of a closing attorney which is tasked with one of the most difficult speeches. She has taken a step further in Mock Trial as a team captain leading junior members in familiarizing themselves to the tropes of competing as attorneys and witnesses. Her love for Mock Trial is one of the many reasons as to why she hopes to pursue a career as an attorney.

This past year, Fiona has been studying the Korean language. She intends to continue to learn the new language by studying abroad at Yonsei University next spring. In Korea, she also hopes to gain a deeper understanding about Korea’s legal systems and politics. Fiona wants to use this experience to expand her knowledge about various fields of law such as international law and criminal law.

Fiona is excited to begin the 2021 CAUSE Leadership Program to learn more about Asian American issues. Fiona seeks to apply her skill set to the CAUSE mission and take away a meaningful experience that will be used to advance her future as well as the impact she intends to make in her own community.

Jenn galinato

Rising Junior, Sacramento City Community College

Jenn Galinato is a junior at Sacramento City Community College, where she is triple majoring in business administration and management, communications and marketing, and pre-law while minoring in Asian-American studies and the performing arts.

Born in Sacramento to immigrants from the Philippines, her passion for pursuing law and politics was inspired by her mother, who encouraged her to take on a four-year civic academy and run for a position in student government when entering high school. By being a part of both during her time in high school, it sparked a lifelong interest in ensuring students were well-represented in the classroom, but also in the curriculum, while getting the chance to truly lead the way for change. With her high school experiences in mind as she proceeded further in her education, it cemented her choice in wishing to become a lawyer to represent those who have been historically underrepresented and underserved for their right to justice.

Currently, Jenn serves in a multitude of positions within her community. She is serving on both the local and statewide levels throughout the California community college system in different roles, where she has tirelessly- yet fearlessly- advocated on a multitude of matters, ranging from addressing basic needs to increasing financial aid for her fellow peers. Notably, she is best known for her work surrounding bettering mental health resources for students, continuing the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus, and ethnic and gender studies. Outside of her involvement within her college campus and district, she works closely within the Filipinx community through Sinag-tala Filipino Theater and Performing Arts Association (SFTPAA) and Philippine National Day Association (PNDA), two non-proft Filipinx organizations that she joined years prior and credits both in helping her understand her community’s culture better. Through her involvement in both organizations, she has been able to serve as a board member for Sinag-tala and college counselor then mentor for PNDA’s programs.

This year, she was also given the opportunity to work on several campaigns during the most recent election season, having gotten the chance to serve in the capacity as a campaign manager on one while participating as a part of the statewide digital team for another. Following the conclusion of all of her races, she interned with the University of California, Davis, through the Carlos Bulosan Center for Filipinx Studies on the policy team. In her role with the policy team, she worked closely with Leadership, Education, Activism, and Dialogue (LEAD) Filipino and the Filipinx Igniting Engagement for Reimagining Collective Em(POWER)ment (FIERCE) Coalition to help with the annual policy symposium by identifying crucial legislative efforts that were later turned into lobbying efforts during LEAD’s annual Advocacy Day, where many Filipinx non-profit organizations throughout the state lobbied on key issues pertaining to the Filipinx community. In addition to lobby visits, the team helped with The Silicon Valley Workers Stories Project- an initiative overseen by the Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition- to retell the stories of harsh realities faced by immigrants during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and additional efforts to seek justice following the unjust murder of Angelo Quinto.

While she is incredibly honored and excited to be a part of the CAUSE Leadership Academy, she aspires to create change by continuing to keep fighting the good fight alongside the other members of this year’s cohort. She wishes that with her work done through CAUSE and beyond will motivate others to speak up then take action by taking the lead and doing so confidently with their heart. Jenn hopes that she can truly be a part of the change (that "something bigger out there" as she always says) for the benefit of all- today, tomorrow, and always- through proudly giving back in service to those who encouraged her to do so and inspiring the next generation of leaders through empowerment within the APIA community.

lena rhie

Rising Sophomore, Northwestern University

Lena Rhie is a rising sophomore at Northwestern University majoring in Asian American Studies and pursuing a Leadership certificate. Born and raised in Boston, MA, her interests focus on mental health awareness in the AAPI community and improving the experiences of AAPI youth in the education system.

Lena spent her freshman year at Wellesley College where she was on the executive board of Wellesley Asian Alliance, a student organization that promotes institutional change at Wellesley and seeks to advance justice for AAPIs in broader society. She represented the interests of the AAPI community as a College Government senator, working with the President’s cabinet on shaping school policy. Lena was also an active member in the Korean Student Association and the Taiwanese Cultural Organization.

Outside of school, Lena interned with the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center and has worked with Kundiman, an NYC-based group that supports AAPI writers. This past spring, she served as one of the inaugural interns for the Pan Asian Wellness Initiative Network where she focused on initiatives to improve the experience of AAPI students in independent schools. Lena is excited to continue advocacy work through the CAUSE Leadership Academy this summer and is especially looking forward to working with the other cohort members.

Meiyi ye

Rising Sophomore, Antelope Valley College

Hey Everyone! My name is Meiyi Ye and I am a rising sophomore at Antelope Valley College. I immigrated from China in 2012 so I can speak Mandarin and Cantonese fluently. I had my ups and downs throughout my English learning journey but the adversities on the way have never discouraged me. In high school I was part of clubs and took leadership positions in a few of them. I was also part of a small group of only 25 students who did the International Baccalaureate program. The IB program required its students to take high college-level courses, perform many hours of community service, as well as demonstrate leadership inside and outside the school environment. Now in college, I am in the honors program and actually had the opportunity to start my own non-profit organization during this pandemic. The mission of the organization is to help the residents of Antelope Valley book their COVID-19 vaccine appointments locally. So far my organization AV Get Vaccinated has helped over 150 residents get vaccinated. The program also has formed a sub-division in Riverside in a recent collaboration with another college student from there. Our Riverside division has gotten just short of 50 residents vaccinated. I miss being part of a group that worked together towards a common goal that made our society a better place. I believe this internship with the CAUSE organization is a great opportunity where I can continue to fulfill this passion in life. Plus, being an Asian in America who has lived the immigrant experience, I feel that I will be able to provide comprehensive insight into many of the issues that the APA community faces, especially today. I am ready and excited for this opportunity to be able to work with and learn from CAUSE.

Patrick Fang

Rising Senior, University of Southern California

Patrick Fang is a rising senior at the University of Southern California double majoring in Law, History, Culture, and Psychology with a minor in English. He hails from San Jose, California, and is passionate about Asian American literature and understanding cultural identity in diasporic contexts, AAPI representation, as well as promoting broader awareness and destigmatization of AAPI mental health.

At USC, Patrick served as the Co-Executive Director for the Asian Pacific American Student Assembly, an extension of student government that serves the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American undergraduate population through programming, advocacy initiatives, and other projects. He is involved as a Research Assistant in the Race, Disparities, and Intervention Lab on campus, where he assists a graduate student with investigating cultural mechanisms behind Asian American mental health disparities. Building on his time in the lab, he has since launched his own Honors project exploring how forms of stigma differentially affect Asian-American health-seeking. Patrick also writes for the USC chapter of Dear Asian Youth, where he has helped produce posts spotlighting AAPI issues. Patrick has previously served as a volunteer in Advancing Justice LA’s weekly citizenship clinics and as student teacher to inmates through the Prison Education Project. He is eager to dive deeper into how nonprofits advance the AAPI interest through policy work and community action this summer.

In his free time, Patrick likes to cook, exercise, make smoothies, and read fantasy books. He spent much of quarantine making boba runs with his sister and taking pictures of his cats.

Sasha Hussain

Rising Sophomore, University of Southern California

Sasha is a rising sophomore studying biomedical engineering with a minor in Health Policy. Sasha’s interests like within the intersectionality of medicine and government.

This last school year, she was the Political Director of the Trojan Democrats at USC and helped with many initiatives that benefited minority communities like writing a Uyghur Resolution, creating an anti-oppression training for members, and debating in bipartisan debates.

She is also part of the organization Sunrise helping fight for a Green New Deal. She has attended many event with the organization across the country like a POC training in Durham and a youth march in DC.

Sasha hopes to bring her experiences and ideas. to this cohort and benefit AAPI communities in the CA area. She hopes to learn more from her peers and apply those skills to her future endeavors.

JOhn (SEan) lee

Rising Sophomore, George Washington University

My name is John (Sean) Lee, but I go by Sean and most people know me by Sean and call me by this name. I am a rising sophomore at the George Washington University (GWU) majoring in political science and journalism and a possible minor in business.

Currently at GWU, I have been involved with GWTV (student-run tv station) as the interviewer, political news anchor, and now the Director of Programs. What I do in GWTV is basically how other media outlets function, which includes political debates, interviews with peers and faculty, creating content based on current events, and sometimes town halls. Throughout being with GWTV for a year I have gained important values and tactics you have to know as being a journalist and what mainstream media is capable of. Through journalism is how I was also able to connect political science into my major since many of the political topics we discuss in GWTV coincided with politics. Therefore, this is how I was able to expand my knowledge in both studies since the two majors required similar work. In addition, I was also involved with Agape Mission (Christian organization) since I am a Christian myself and wanted to spread God’s word by helping others.

Before entering college, I was passionate about politics and the community I lived in. That is why I decided to get involved with state and federal elected officials in order to gain a deeper understanding. Furthermore, I interned with the California State Assemblymember Richard Bloom and with Rep. Jimmy Gomez. Throughout these experiences I was able to learn what the district went through and the central issues constituents were going through. Alongside working with govt leaders, I was also involved with CAUSE for the past 2 years by volunteering at their events and helping the office out during the summer with voting-related inquiries for the API community.

With someone who has a strong interest in politics for major change, I am looking forward to the 2021 CAUSE Leadership Academy and hope to learn practical skills that can be applicable for the future!

Sean Tan

Rising Senior, Williams College

Hello! My name is Sean Tan, and I am from Livingston, NJ. I am a rising senior at Williams College majoring in economics. At Williams, I am a member of the Men’s Swimming & Diving varsity team, as well as a videographer and editor for the school’s Sports Information Department. I am also on the Williams Records’ business board and a member of the Law Society.

Of the many amazing experiences I have had at Williams, the most impactful was the time I spent interning at the Center for Learning in Action. There, I was able to speak with many leaders in the non – profit sector in the Berkshire area and learned how strengthen my communities as well as develop leadership skills to inspire others to do the same.

I am really excited and humbled to be a part of the CLA program this summer. I am eager to gain a deeper understanding and awareness of the civic issues the APA community faces. I cannot wait to meet so many bright and passionate people and listen to their thoughts and opinions. This is truly a unique experience that only CAUSE can offer and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

Shanahan Europa

Recent Graduate, University of California, Los Angeles

Shanahan Europa is a recent graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Classical Civilizations. Her current areas of interest are the destigmatization of mental health in Asian and Asian American communities and the intersectionality between AAPI and LGBTQ+ identities.

Shanahan is a proud writer and the entertainment section editor of FEM Newsmagazine, the longest-running feminist newsmagazine on a U.S. college campus. She helps create and develop pitches about the representation of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized identities in TV, film, and media. This past summer, she restarted the LGBTQ+ Ministry Cornerstone at UCLA’s University Catholic Center. As Cornerstone’s president, she has organized socials and workshops for queer Catholics to socialize, dialogue, and heal. Shanahan is also an Outreach and Education Committee Member for API Equality-LA, where she assists with increasing access to LGBTQ+ affirming and culturally responsive mental healthcare through their Transforming Community Care campaign.

In the future, Shanahan plans to pursue a Master’s and Ph.D. in Asian American Studies and eventually become an Asian American Studies professor. She hopes to empower the next generation of AAPI scholars and contribute to critical research regarding QTAAPI. She is very grateful to be a member of the 2021 CAUSE Leadership Academy and is excited to learn more about social justice advocacy and policy for AAPI civic issues.

Alongside her extracurricular involvements, Shanahan is a self-taught pianist of eleven years — her repertoire is mostly Broadway musicals and video game soundtracks. Her favorite genres to read are YA science fiction and fantasy and literary fiction. She loves to cook and is currently learning staple Filipino recipes from her mom and dad.

Suki Zhao

Rising Senior, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Suki Zhao is a rising senior at the University of Michigan triple majoring in Ethnic Studies, Political Science, and International Studies. Prior to college, Suki has always been interested in pursuing a degree in Political Science and/or International Studies, but as she took several courses centered around different minority groups within the United States, particularly the AAPI community, she realized the importance, significance, and influence of cultures and backgrounds in shaping the United States. As a result, she pursued a degree in Ethnic Studies as well to give herself an even more interdisciplinary education.

At the university, Suki is involved in numerous extracurriculars to educate herself and to support others. She has been an Elected Representative on the LSA Student Government for two years because she wanted to speak up for those who’ve always felt silenced and ignored. She is also currently the Academic Affairs Committee Vice Chair.

Aside from the University of Michigan, Suki has interned with both Debbie Dingell and Human Rights First this past year. During her internship with Debbie Dingell, Suki gained first-hand experience in communicating effectively with adult constituents. She also contacted and assisted voters with the current voting regulations as there were many questions and concerns due to the pandemic. Suki began her internship with Human Rights First in January 2021 and supported the staff in their daily operations. She attended several weekly meetings, organized documents, and assisted with the management of their social media presence.

This summer, Suki is excited to further her knowledge of the AAPI community and learn how she can best support them through the CLA. She hopes to build upon her knowledge and gain the skills to become someone that can help others find their voice.