In celebrating the Asian American Pacific Islanders Heritage Month, Georgia Asian Times is proud to bring you the annual list of honorees.
We admit that the roster is incomplete and we may have omitted some well-qualified Asian American Pacific Islander individuals. The list of “most influentials” has been submitted through an online nomination and vetted by our selection criteria. Some names are familiar but a majority of the honorees deservingly earned their way to the roster. We aim for fresh faces to be recognized for their accomplishments.
Neera Bahl
Appellate Judge &
Director, Georgia State Board of Workers Compensation
Bahl started with a small law firm in 2005 as an Associate and after that in 2007, she became a name partner. In April 2009, she bought the same firm, renaming it Neera Bahl & Associates for her independent practice of law specializing in all areas of Immigration Law and Family Law. Governor Brian Kemp appointed Neera Bahl as an Appellate Judge and Director of the Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation in August 2020. She is currently serving as the Chairwoman of the Regional Advisory Council of the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC-SE) after serving 3 years as the President of this organization.
Tian Chang
Vice President
JP Morgan
Tian Chang is a commercial banker with JP Morgan and an active advocate for small minority-owned businesses. Born in Taiwan and immigrating to the U.S. with his parents and siblings, Tian knows all too well the struggle of minority entrepreneurs. During his 13 years at JPMorgan, he saw all too well the struggles, and access, to sound financial and banking advice for minority businesses. He made it his mission to help these business owners. Chang has touched over 250+ businesses to gain counsel and knowledgeable advice. He made it his mission for the bank to see and advocate for these clients. Tian was also the co-founder of the bank's business resource group supporting AAPI employees in 2017. Today, he has grown that membership to expand to the greater Southeast including Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. He is also a mentor leader at the Commercial Bank (CB) Asian Leadership Forum where he is streamlining the work stream for future mentors and mentees.
Brenda Lee Gapasin Chatmon
Clinical Nurse Lead, MSN, RN, CCRN
Atrium Health Navicent Medical
Brenda Lee is a reputable leader as a professional nurse and an active AAPI community organizer in Macon and Middle Georgia. A dedicated organizer and leader of volunteer groups that support community projects. She often helps coach and train newly arrived nursing professionals while ensuring a smooth transition to their new workplace. In addition, she has supported the assimilation and transition of over 150 Filipino nurses with their families to new life in Middle Georgia. She also founded the first Filipino Nurses Organization in Middle Georgia in 2020.
Jacky Cheng
Vice President of Finance
Bridge Logistics Properties
Jacky Cheng manages its group's debt capital markets, portfolio analysis, and investor reporting. During his former tenure at CBRE and Truist, he advocated for diversity and co-chaired the AAPI-focused employee resource groups. A graduate of Georgia Tech, Jacky has amplified community impact through its vast network. As President of the Georgia Tech Atlanta Intown Alumni Network, he awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to incoming students. Jacky's leadership extends to serving as one of the youngest trustees on the Georgia Tech Alumni Association Board, demonstrating his influence and commitment to advancing educational and professional opportunities. While serving as the Vice President of Corporate Relations for the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Atlanta chapter, Jacky raised over $300,000 in sponsorships for the AAPI community through innovative programs like Chopstix for Charity.
Jane Ewe
CEO
Sweet Hut Group
Jane Ewe is the Chief Executive officer of Sweet Hut Group, which operates 6 Sweet Hut Bakery Cafe locations and 4 Food Terminal locations. Collectively, the corporation created over 300 jobs across metro Atlanta and contributed donations to local schools and charity programs annually. Sweet Hut Group aims to introduce and provide a unique authentic Asian dining experience to the community. Jane Ewe is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology majoring in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Jack Hu, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
University of Georgia
As the chief academic officer at the University of Georgia, the senior vice president and provost guides campus efforts in promoting excellence in teaching, research, and public service. Hu oversees instruction, research, public service and outreach, and information technology. The vice presidents of these four areas report to him, as do the deans of UGA’s 17 schools and colleges and the campus dean of the Augusta University/UGA Medical Partnership. Prior to joining UGA, Hu was vice president for research at the University of Michigan overseeing research, tech transfer, and commercialization. Dr. Hu has authored or co-authored nearly 200 peer-reviewed journal articles related to his research in manufacturing systems, assembly, and engineering statistics. He holds six patents, co-founded a startup company based on his research, and worked closely with several industry partners to enhance manufacturing quality and productivity.
Jenny Jang
Senior Manager, Community Relations and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
TKE Elevator
Jang spearheaded the launch of CONNECT Women’s Network, TK Elevator’s first business resource group. Through her initiative, she has empowered women within the organization and to foster a more inclusive workplace culture. She also continues to drive impact by fostering STEAM opportunities for marginalized students and advancing DEI efforts. As the founder of ChooseATL Interns After 5, a groundbreaking summer intern program while she was with Metro Atlanta Chamber. This initiative has hosted an impressive 10,000 interns over six years, drawing talent from multiple Atlanta-based companies. By showcasing the region's vibrant lifestyle and rich culture, Jenny has played a pivotal role in attracting and retaining top talent. Her involvement as a project manager on Pass Hate Crimes Georgia, one of the critical initiatives for passing the hate crimes legislation, was recognized with the prestigious Torch of Liberty Award from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Michelle Kang
CEO
AAPI Outreach & Engagement
Michelle, as a first-generation Korean American, embodies visionary leadership. She champions the economic prosperity, political empowerment, and social engagement of Asian Americans. Her activism in advocating against anti-Asian hate, amplifying the voices of young Asian Americans in public forums, and spearheading the AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration at Suwanee Town Center Park significantly contributes to upholding and promoting Asian legacies and cultures. Through her dedication, she amplifies Asian voices, fostering active citizenship and social impact.
Jaesen Kounthalangsy
President
Asian Pacific American Council of Georgia (APAC)
Laotian American Society
Jaesen has been a leader for Laotian American Society since 2019. He has increased the participation of volunteers from the “millennial” and “GenZ” age groups in LAS. As the new President of APAC, Jaesen plans to bring fresh leadership and perspective to APAC. He aims to empower the next generations of AAPI leaders and to give back to the AAPI community in metro Atlanta.
Sonjul Kumar
Partner
Kumar Prabhu Patel & Bannerjee
Sonjui is a leader of the Georgia South Asian Bar community and has been for almost 20 years. Founder of her law firm, and wielding her influence in numerous business, legal, and community circles, Sonjui affects change and facilitates development throughout the AAPI community. As Chairwoman of the Board for Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta, Sonjui recently led a successful leadership transition to a new Executive Director. Her civic community involvement includes serving on the advisory board of The Georgia Indo American Chamber of Commerce and Cool Girls Inc. She is a board member of the Fox Theatre Atlanta and is a long-time charter member of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE, Atlanta Chapter).
Goodwin Law
Co-Founder & CEO
Farmer's Basket Restaurant Group
Goodwin Law is the co-founder and co-CEO of the Farmer's Basket Group, which operates over 10 outlets at major food courts around metro Atlanta. Despite a hectic and successful career, he finds time to volunteer and assist with several community organizations. He often works quietly behind the scenes and contributes financial resources to empower these organizations for good causes. A former engineer who transitioned into a successful entrepreneur, he wants to share his blessings to promote social equity, culture enrichment, and community growth.
Joon S.Lee, MD
Chief Executive Officer
Emory Healthcare
Dr. Lee oversees a premier academic health system in Atlanta with 11 hospitals, nearly 500 provider locations, and more than 24,000 staff and physicians. Born in South Korea and appointed CEO of Emory Healthcare in 2003. He was previously with the University of Pittsburg Medical Center for 27 years.
Annie Ray Magsalin
Director of Operations
Live Forward
Annie Ray is an active leader in the Filipino-American Community here in Northeast Georgia. A passionate and hands-on leader of FAANEGA while helping organize its membership activities. Her dedication and volunteerism help community fundraising and the local Filipino community social events. Her leadership helped promote Filipino culture and traditions to the young Filipinos.
Ayub Mohammad
President
Burmese Rohingya Community of Georgia
The Burmese Rohingya Community of Georgia is a community-based social service organization serving the needs of the Rohingya refugee population in metro Atlanta. The organization, established in May 2014, also focuses on raising awareness of the persecution of the Rohingya in Burma (Myanmar). UNHCR describes the “Rohingya as the world's most persecuted minorities.” There are currently over 1000 families resettling in Clarkston, Georgia. Mohammad is amongst the first Rohingya refugees to resettle in Georgia. He founded BRCG to assist the Rohingya refugees with their social services needs, language translations, immigration, schools, and healthcare resources.
Paul Nguyễn
Chief Financial Officer
YMCA Metro Atlanta
Paul's leadership was pivotal in navigating the YMCA through the pandemic, ensuring its financial stability. He helped restructure $60M of debt for the YMCA, reinforcing the YMCA's fiscal health and enabling enhanced community service. His strategic approach shone through in the groundbreaking multi-year partnership with the Atlanta Hawks. This partnership elevated the YMCA's profile and amplified its community reach.
Paul's commitment to diversity is evident through engagement with AAPI leaders across the international YMCA network and fostering a local AAPI-focused Employee Resource Group in Atlanta. Paul has championed major renovation projects at the J.M. Tull-Gwinnett and Andrew and Walter Young Family YMCA facilities, furthering the YMCA's mission in the community.
Tra My Nguyen
President
Georgia Vietnamese American Community
TraMy Nguyen is the President of the Vietnamese American Community of the USA and Georgia since 2016 with the passion to bridging the gap between generations through language, communication and civic engagement. Her involvement includes mentor for Young Vietnamese Association of GA and hosts many events notably the Tet (Lunar New Year), April 30th (Fall of Saigon), Moon Festival for Kids (Trung Thu). TraMy also puts a lot of efforts organizing several fundraisings to support disaster reliefs for Texas, Florida, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, During Covid, TraMy help raising funds to order 60 thousand face shields, distributed to 15 states for 70 hospitals and government front liners. Her most recent achievement is to fulfill a decades-long dream of having a Vietnam War Memorial build that honors both South Vietnamese and American soldiers, which will finish by summer 2024 and later donate to the city of Dunwoody. She and her husband, Wayne owns and operates an auto dealer in Morrow since 2004 and other investments LLC.
Monica Nim Nuth
President
Cambodian American Association of Georgia
A passionate community leader and regularly volunteers with Cambodian community temples. She advocates for her community on Census reporting, voting, and healthcare. Nuth is the current Vice President of the Asian Pacific American Council of Georgia and a team leader for the AAPI group at Accenture/Cox Communications.
John Park
Mayor
City of Brookhaven
After winning the general runoff election on Dec. 4, 2023, Mayor John Park was sworn into office as Brookhaven’s fourth mayor on January 8, 2024, to serve a four-year term. Park is also officially the first AAPI Mayor elected in Georgia. Mayor Park previously served as Brookhaven’s District 2 Councilman beginning in November 2014 in a special election. In 2017 and 2021, then-Councilman Park was reelected for second and third terms. Born in South Korea, Mayor Park along with his family immigrated to the United States at the age of 6. Mayor Park grew up mostly in Decatur, Georgia. Upon graduation, Mayor Park attended Emory University where he earned a bachelor's in business administration from the Goizueta Business School. After Emory, Mayor Park started his technology consulting career at IBM.
Sarah Park
Special Projects Coordinator &
Executive Assistant to Communications Director-Gwinnett County Government
President, Korean American Council
Sarah Park is an accomplished and influential leader in community advocacy, known for her dedication to enhancing civic engagement within Georgia's Korean American community. As President of the Korean American Coalition Metro Atlanta, she has spearheaded numerous community advocacy efforts, including co-chairing the Southeast United States Korean Census Complete Count Committee and serving on the AAAJ-Atlanta Victim Fund Working Group and Steering Committee for the families and victims of the March 16th Atlanta spa shootings. She holds a degree in political science from Georgia State University and serves as a Special Project Coordinator for Gwinnett County Communication Department, where she has played a critical role in bringing together the Korean American community. Sarah was a graduate of Leadership Gwinnett 2022 and Leadership Georgia 2017, and the first-ever Asian American Program Chair for Leadership Georgia 2023.
Bryan C. Ramos
Chief Judge of Municipal Court
City of Brookhaven
Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Judge Bryan Ramos was the first Filipino American appointed to a judgeship in Georgia. Judge Ramos had worked as a clerk for superior court judges in Houston County in Georgia before he joined a big law firm in the state. In 2005, he opened his practice, Ramos Law Firm. Judge Ramos serves on the Georgia Advisory to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, as well as a regional director for the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project. He is a graduate of Florida State University, and he earned his law degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University.
Andrea Sieber
External Affairs Area Manager
Georgia Power
Andrea Sieber has been part of the Southern Company for 22 years and currently serves as an External Affairs Manager for Georgia Power. In this role, she is responsible for developing relationships with local, regional, and state leaders; advocating for customers and the community, and promoting Georgia Power’s business interests. She is a champion of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the community.
Andrea serves on the board of several 501(c)(3) organizations including the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation, Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, the Asian American Resource Center, the Exceptional Foundation, and Rehabilitation Enables Dreams. She also serves as the President of the Asian Pacific American employee resource group and is the management sponsor of the Gwinnett Chapter of Citizens of Georgia Power.
Weonhee Shin
Founder and Executive Director
Asian Americans Voices for Education
As a mother of three public school children and founder of Asian American Voices for Education, she advocates for all Georgia students to know they belong, and are valued and empowered in the classroom. She has been working tirelessly to push for AAPI History in k-12. Weonhee also co-founded the Decatur Lunar New Year in 2022, the first pan-Asian Lunar New Year Festival in the metro Atlanta area with over 4,000 attendees in 2023. She organized AAPI books/curriculums for school teachers across Georgia and works in solidarity with the Latinx and Black educators.
Amy Tep
CEO
LaTep Real Estate Group
Amy Tep leads her business team to be the top producing team at BHGRE Metro Brokers, one of the largest real estate companies in Georgia. Her passion drives her to be an emerging leader member of the Atlanta Board of Realtors. Amy is passionate about Vietnamese culture, traditions, and the community in Georgia. Her group regularly sponsors local Vietnamese celebration events and cultural performances. She is also the host of Tam Su Voi, a podcast focusing on the Vietnamese American community in metro Atlanta.
Long Tran
State Representative (GA-80)
Long Tran is a community leader representing Georgia's District 80 in the State House. A Dunwoody resident for 12 years, Long is a successful small business owner of Peachy Corners Café and an experienced IT professional turned actor and stunt driver in the Georgia film industry. Long's engagement as a board member in local schools and his work on Dunwoody’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board demonstrate his commitment to education and community prosperity. His advocacy extends beyond business and education. He also has dedicated years to empowering immigrant and disadvantaged families along Buford Highway through nonprofit work. Long is part of the most diverse Georgia General Assembly in history, which has more than 80 non-white members out of 236 serving in the Legislature this year. Long is also a founding member of the 11-elected AAPI elected officials representing Georgia State's first-ever non-partisan AAPI Legislature Caucus. It is also recognized as the largest body of AAPI Caucus in the continent of the US.
Von Tran
CEO and President
First Senior Center (FSC) Healthcare
A dedicated community leader who has generously donated her time and finances to various AAPI nonprofit organizations over the years. She serves over 1000 seniors weekly and provides food pantry services to over 3200 households monthly out of her pocket. Her group is one of the biggest AAPI employers in senior healthcare services and serves over 1000 seniors monthly. Her food pantry is the second-largest beneficiary of goods from the Atlanta Community Food Bank. She has acquired 100 burial plots to support seniors without income to afford proper burials for seniors in her program.
