Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Affinity Group
Our mission is to create a welcoming and supportive community for both international and domestic students who identify as Asian or Pacific Islander. We aim to foster a sense of belonging—a second home—through educational programs, networking opportunities, and cultural events that celebrate our shared heritage and diverse experiences.
We strive to build a strong and inclusive community through engaging events and meaningful conversations. Our initiatives include community-building activities and speaker panels that explore the experiences of AAPI professionals—both as individuals and as leaders—in the workplace. We also foster shared experiences that connect members within and beyond the Foster School of Business environment.
Annual Events Include:
AAPI Kickoff BBQ
AAPIxDiBs AAPI Panel Mixer
Doing Business in Asia
Asians Go Camping
Dumpling Making Night
…and many more!
ELAINE VU-PHAN
Co-President
Full-time Class of 2026
Pre-MBA Role & Industry: Project Engineer / Construction & Non-Profit
Post-MBA Role & Industry: Product Manager / Technology & Hardware
Born in Seattle, WA and raised in Portland, OR, Elaine is a proud Pacific Northwest native. As a Vietnamese American, her favorite dishes include Bún Riêu, Cơm Tấm, and Bò Kho—flavors that connect her to her heritage. Through her role in the AAPI Affinity Group, Elaine aims to build a strong, inclusive community for students who identify as Asian. She is passionate about creating spaces where members can share their stories, whether shaped by growing up in the Western world or the Far East, and explore how their cultural identities intersect with their journeys in business and life.
Napatsorn (Minnie) Sirijaratwong
Co-President
Full-time Class of 2026
Short Bio:
Pre-MBA Role & Industry: Business Development Manager, Campaign Manager / eCommerce
Post-MBA Role & Industry: Product Marketing Manager / eCommerce, Brand Manager / CPG
Born and raised in Thailand, Minnie is proud to bring her Southeast Asian roots to the Pacific Northwest. Her journey has taken her from auditing IPOs in Bangkok to leading eCommerce campaigns at Shopee, and now to the Foster MBA program. A curious traveler and someone who simply loves enjoying the food in front of her, Minnie finds joy in exploring cultures through both experience and flavor. Through her role in the AAPI Affinity Group, she hopes to create a space where students can celebrate their heritage, share their stories, and build a warm, inclusive community at Foster.
Henry Wang
Co-President
Full-time Class of 2026
Short Bio:
Pre-MBA Role & Industry: Product Manager / Technology - Hardware
Post-MBA Role & Industry: Product Manager / Technology
Henry grew up in Houston, TX, although his life has been marked by stints in Alabama and most recently Colorado before coming to Seattle for the Foster MBA program. Although he spends much of his time in the MBA program figuring out what makes a better product manager, he also believes that when it comes to dim sum, any Din Tai Fung outside of the original location is incredibly overrated. He also enjoys cajoling others in the AAPI Affinity group to explore new restaurants with him, since the best connections are built over a good meal.