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Who we are
AAPI Women Lead was created based upon personal and political needs for there to be more accurate and diverse representation of AAPI self-identified women and girls in the United States. Co-founders, Dr. Connie Wun and Jenny Wun, both experienced decades of racial and sexual harassment and violence within multiple spaces: at home, in communities, at work, and academia. Both co-founders found that there was limited research and support for AAPI women-identified, women, girls and their experiences with various forms of violence. Informed by their extensive experiences as educators, advocates, and researchers within communities of color, Jenny and Dr. Connie established AAPI Women Lead to identify and share AAPI women-identified, women, and girls’ stories of struggle, survival and leadership.
Our Team
Dr. Wun's work is a reflection of her lifelong commitment to ending racial and gender-based violence. Her areas of expertise include community-driven research, violence against women and girls of color, school discipline and punishment. Dr. Wun is the Director of Transformative Research - a research, program evaluation, and training institute that works in partnership with community-based organizations to end racial and gender disparities.
Contact: conniewun@aapiwomenlead.org
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Jenny Wun
Jenny Wun is the co-founder and mastermind behind AAPI Women Lead. For more than 15 years, she has served Asian and Pacific Islander youth as a counselor, mentor, and programs coordinator. Prior to co-creating AAPIWL, Jenny was an urban planner across major cities in the U.S. including New York City and San Francisco. In her spare time, if she is able to find any, Jenny plays league volleyball and pursues her love for martial arts as a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Contact: jennywun@aapiwomenlead.org
Co-Founder & Operations Director
Robin Aquilizan
Robin Kitana Aquilizan is a recent graduate from San Francisco State with a degree in Asian American Studies and minor in Education. She has taught Ethnic Studies at Balboa High School for 2 years through Pin@y Educational Partnerships. Her experience in the classroom has helps solidify her passion for activism, social justice, and Filipinx history. Her family owns a Filipino company called Bayani Art where they create products that raise awareness about Filipino histories and ancestry. She is currently writing and self-publishing a children's book.
Youth Program Specialist
Dr. Danvy Le
Dr. Danvy Le is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at California State University, East Bay. Her research focuses on the political participation of minority communities, with an emphasis on Asian American ethnic enclaves. Danvy was born and raised in Little Saigon, Orange County where she was inspired by the political activity of Vietnamese Americans, particularly her father, a Vietnamese journalist who escaped the Communist regime when Saigon fell. Danvy has conducted surveys of the Vietnamese American community and interviewed Vietnamese American political elites to examine the political behavior of the community. Her work appears in several academic journals, including Social Science Quarterly and Politics, Groups, and Identities. In the classroom, Danvy encourages civic engagement and works with students to develop community outreach strategies and help bring awareness to underrepresented communities to develop a political voice.
Core Leader Volunteer
Sarah Rincon
Sarah Rincon is a graduate of San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema, minoring in Animation and Studio Art. Currently working to achieve her Masters degree in film, Sarah is committed towards making creative work that inspires social change and indigenous activism.
Social Media & Content Strategy Intern