Isra Pananon Weeks is a collaborative, consensus driven leader with a bias towards problem solving and action. She has a diversity of career experiences that span movement organizations, federal government, academia, the service industry, political campaigns, and the military. As a 2nd generation Thai American, she believes that all AAPI women should have the right to thrive in all facets of life.   

Isra has led executive teams, led DEIB initiatives, managed strategic planning processes, and facilitated organizational change projects. As a macro social worker, Isra is skilled at seeing the big picture and translating vision and mission into workable plans and strategies. She’s also a skilled mediator and facilitator. 

Isra was a presidential appointee at the U.S. Department of the Interior from 2012-2015 and has additional government service as a Civil Affairs Officer in the United States Army Reserve. She earned a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore (2013), a Masters of Social Work from the NYU Silver School of Social Work (2021), and is a graduate of many military leadership courses. 

Isra resides in Brooklyn, New York with her wife, daughter, and two dogs.

Featured Work

Abortion Stigma Is a Reality AAPI Women Know All Too Well, Ms. Magazine, June 22, 2023