For Immediate Release: February 4, 2026
Contact: napawf@berlinrosen.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), the only organization dedicated to empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls nationally, today announced several leadership updates. Tuyet Duong has been promoted to Chief Strategy Officer, Katelyn Israelski has joined NAPAWF as Chief Program Officer, and Maria Javier has joined the organization as Director of Digital Strategy & Infrastructure.

At a time of heightened political complexity, these appointments signal NAPAWF’s commitment to strengthening its leadership and internal capacity. By investing in its team now, the organization is positioning itself to respond effectively to immediate challenges while advancing a long-term vision rooted in community partnership and core values.

“We are building NAPAWF for the long haul at a time when AAPI women and gender-expansive people are facing overlapping attacks on our rights, our safety, and our economic security,” said Christina Baal-Owens, Executive Director of NAPAWF. “Strengthening our leadership is about ensuring we have the strategy, systems, and internal capacity to stay accountable to our communities, to move with intention in complex political terrain, and to continue building power in partnership with movements for justice.”

As Chief Strategy Officer, Tuyet Duong will oversee NAPAWF’s organizational strategy, external positioning, and movement-facing relationships across issue areas. Prior to her promotion, Tuyet served as NAPAWF’s Chief Policy and Government Affairs Officer, where she led the organization’s federal policy strategy, coalition engagement, and government-facing advocacy across reproductive justice, economic justice, and immigration and racial justice. Before joining NAPAWF, Tuyet spent more than two decades advancing human rights, civil rights, equity, and economic justice across the nonprofit, government, and private sectors, including at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, Office for Victims of Crime at the U.S. Department of Justice, and in the Obama Administration, where she oversaw public-private partnerships and economic engagement at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

“I’m excited to galvanize partners and coalitions around our strategy,” said Tuyet Duong. “My focus is on ensuring NAPAWF is making deliberate choices about where we invest our time, relationships, and resources, so our work is coordinated and effective in a rapidly shifting landscape.”

Katelyn Israelski joins NAPAWF as Chief Program Officer, overseeing the coordination, execution, and internal alignment of the organization’s program portfolio. A seasoned behind-the-scenes leader, Katelyn brings extensive experience in state and federal government and presidential campaigns, including serving on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign and as part of the youth outreach team during the historic, fully virtual Biden-Harris 2020 campaign. Katelyn is the founder of Darascar, a consultancy that supports mission-driven organizations through program design and systems-building. She brings extensive experience helping advocacy organizations improve cross-team coordination and translate strategy into clear, accountable programmatic outcomes.

“It’s a privilege to step into this work alongside a team that’s deeply grounded in its values,” said Katelyn Israelski. “Strong work depends on strong internal systems, and I’m focused on helping translate priorities into structures that support NAPAWF staff and allow the organization to move with consistency and care.”

Maria Javier joins NAPAWF as Director of Digital Strategy & Infrastructure, where she leads the organization’s digital operation. She brings over 15 years of experience across immigrant affairs, digital organizing, and national campaigns. She began her career at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs and later supported national immigrant-focused campaigns at Define American. In 2016, she served at Hillary for America, supported nationwide digital voter contact efforts and led New York’s first Text Out the Vote centers. Maria has also built innovative digital accountability tools, including the Insurrection Index, which received national recognition. She is the founder of Team Javier and previously served as a board member and Board Chair of the New American Leaders Action Fund. Her work at NAPAWF will center accessibility and multilingual engagement to support the organization’s growth and key initiatives.

“I’m happy to join NAPAWF at a moment when clarity and accessibility matter so much,” said Maria Javier. “Digital work should reduce friction and support how people actually engage. I look forward to building a digital membership infrastructure to make it easier for people to participate and stay connected with the organization.”

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About NAPAWF

The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is the only multi-issue, community organizing and policy advocacy organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls in the United States. Founded in 1996, NAPAWF builds collective power through organizing, advocacy, and communications to advance reproductive justice, economic justice, and immigration and racial justice.