2025 AAPI Power Players

Jeanette Moy was appointed commissioner of the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) by Governor Kathy Hochul in October 2021. Under Commissioner Moy’s leadership, OGS implemented a comprehensive strategic plan to improve how the agency operates. She is leading efforts to modernize the State’s operations and oversaw OGS’s establishment of the State’s Office of Language Access to ensure New Yorkers with limited English proficiency have access to the State’s vital services.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My aunt Christine was one of my biggest inspirations. She passed away this year from cancer. She was dynamic. She started her own technology business at 32, was an immigrant from Trinidad & Tobago, and a prominent civic leader. She always made things better. Her passion and drive were an inspiration for all those who knew her. I am a better person because she was in my life.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I’d like to spotlight every AAPI business and organization! It’s AAPI Heritage Month, and every reader should go out and enjoy a delicious meal from an AAPI restaurant, purchase a piece of art, jewelry, or book from an AAPI creator, or volunteer or donate to one of the incredible AAPI organizations across New York State.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Being sworn in as commissioner of the NYS Office of General Services and a member of Governor Hochul’s cabinet. We’ve made great strides to advance transparency, accountability, service, sustainability, and equity, and have launched programs and projects that are changing New York State for the better, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our buildings and vehicles statewide. I’m so proud to share these moments with my daughters since I signed my oath of office.

Sibu Nair, deputy director of Asian American affairs for New York Governor Kathy Hochul, is a transformative leader dedicated to justice, equity, and cultural dignity. With over 20 years in government, health care research, and civic engagement, he uplifts AAPI communities through advocacy and action. Honored with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, Sibu leads with empathy and purpose, forging unity and lasting change across New York and the communities he serves.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Barack Obama. I first became aware of Barack Obama during his 2008 campaign and was deeply moved by how he spoke – not just about politics, but about hope, unity, and possibility. His journey, marked by resilience and self-discovery, showed me how struggle can become strength. I admire how he leads with calm, thoughtfulness, and empathy, even under pressure. He stays grounded in his values, and that’s the kind of leader I aspire to be.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Restaurant Bungalow by Vikas Khanna at 24 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10009

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
The proudest moment of my career is working for the first female Governor of New York and having the opportunity to serve the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Judy Ng is a senior vice president at Flushing Bank and director of Asian Market Segments. Judy is responsible for developing new business and managing the Bank’s relationships with the Asian communities. During her tenure at Flushing Bank, she has introduced Flushing Bank’s services to individuals and businesses within the Asian community and has expanded the bank’s footprint into key markets, including Chinatown, Elmhurst, Bensonhurst, and most recently, Jackson Heights.  

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration in life would be my dad, for many reasons. His optimism and positivity have helped me develop my interpersonal skills and outlook on life. Whenever I encountered a situation where I felt I was treated unfairly, my dad would remind me that my knowledge and experience could not be ignored. Those words of encouragement are what makes me stronger today.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I applaud the Chinatown Manpower Project (CMP) for its impact and achievements in supporting the Asian American community. Their impact extends far beyond Chinatown, resonating throughout the entire NY Metro area. From college application support for young people to adult language programs, CMP addresses the needs of every generation.  Their job training and employment services have paved the way for countless immigrants to unlock their potential and make invaluable contributions to the Asian American community.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Having spent most of my career in retail banking, I have learned that as a relationship-based business having the right people on your team can drive success. Over the years, I recruited some new immigrants with no relevant work experiences and language barriers. Seeing them work hard and achieve success in their career makes me very proud.

Kenny Nguyen is the son of Vietnamese refugees and a proud queer man based in Queens. He is currently the advocacy manager at Stop AAPI Hate, where he is leading their Many Roots One Home campaign, which seeks to fight anti-immigrant policies and rhetoric while drawing the connections between anti-immigrant hate and anti-AAPI hate. He is passionate about an intersectional and intergenerational fight for racial justice ensuring our communities’ voices can be heard and uplifted.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My ông nội (grandfather) is my biggest inspiration. He came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam with his kids and faced an enormous amount of pressure to provide and sustain a life for his family here. He taught me so much about what unconditional love means that it has really informed my activism in so many ways, making sure to always advocate for everyone to feel included, heard, and supported.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Kitchen Cô Út in Manhattan’s Chinatown makes me feel like I’m back home eating with my family. Food helps me feel connected to my family and to my heritage. My mom has always said that she doesn’t want to teach me how to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes because then I “won’t need her” (which isn’t true!). So, anytime I’m craving a home cooked meal or I’m missing my mom, I go to Kitchen Cô Út.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Partnering with AAPI New Jersey to demand justice for the murder of Victoria Lee. This was a moment where we drew national attention to how police violence impacts the AAPI community. It was beautiful to see everyone come together to demand justice for Victoria and her family, who lost their daughter in the midst of a mental health crisis. I was grateful to be a part of this effort to demand justice, accountability, and change.

Eugena Oh serves as co-director for safety at The Asian American Foundation, the national organization fundamentally transforming the future for AAPIs across all sectors by building safety, prosperity, and belonging. Through its core pillars of anti-hate, education, narrative change, and representation, TAAF is mobilizing the community against hate, cultivating empathy, and reclaiming AAPI narratives. Eugena is a proud native New Yorker who has dedicated her career to extending opportunities for historically marginalized communities.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration are my parents Myung Oh (Chung Myung Sook) and Daniel Oh (Oh Dong Moon) who always encouraged me towards joy, compassion, kindness, hard work, and good judgment. They arrived in NYC from Korea in 1977 and have made this place their home ever since. They always worked extremely hard, but made time for community and giving back. I knew I was loved unconditionally, which allowed me the security to take some risks.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
TAAF is proud and honored to support incredible nonprofit partners here in New York; you can learn more about them here.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
It is tough to name one specific moment. Whenever someone trusts you enough to share their most vulnerable moments with you, is something that I never take for granted. At my previous organization, “I Have A Dream” Foundation, I was able to develop some deep and trusting relationships with the youth and families we worked alongside. Earning that trust, and witnessing now the children and families of our youth thriving, is extremely special for me.

Chi Ossé is the council member for New York City’s 36th District, representing Bedford-Stuyvesant and North Crown Heights. He entered politics as an organizer and prominent figure in the Black Lives Matter movement. At 23 years old, Ossé was elected in 2021 as the youngest member of this Council and its only member hailing from Gen-Z. Last year, he passed Intro 360, the Fairness in Apartment Rental Expenses (FARE) Act, ending forced broker fees.

Steven Raga represents District 30 in the State Assembly where he also serves as chaplain of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, & Asian Legislative Caucus. He is the first Filipino American to win elected office in New York State history and the only Southeast Asian elected official in the state legislature. Raga is also a professor at the City University in New York, teaching courses in civil rights law, public finance, and immigration policy.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
I’m always inspired when I meet new community advocates or younger leaders. It emphasizes that our goals are not just intergenerational, but continuous.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Tito Rad’s Grill in Woodside!

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
While I was executive director of Woodside on the Move, we helped NYC get back on its feet by partnering with community nonprofits and small businesses to provide accessible and reliable COVID-19 testing in Western Queens. While New Yorkers were trying to get back to work, school, and see loved ones, confirming if they were not COVID-19 positive became a priority, and we led the way to get thousands of residents tested regularly.

Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar is a lawyer, professor, and government leader who made history as the first South Asian-American woman elected to New York State Office. Her legislative achievements are nationally recognized. She passed milestone legislation that gives domestic workers the full protections of the human rights law. She passed a landmark bill establishing New York State’s first-ever AAPI Commission. In 2023, she passed historic legislation establishing Diwali as a New York City Public School holiday.

Mohammad Razvi is the founder and CEO of the Council of Peoples Organization (COPO) in Brooklyn, New York. In the aftermath of 9/11, he transitioned from entrepreneurship to community advocacy, establishing COPO to serve South Asians and immigrants confronting discrimination. COPO has expanded to a 25,000 sqft center, assisting over 40,000 New Yorkers annually. His initiatives include New York’s first Halal Meals on Wheels, Halal food pantry and more. This has earned him recognition by city, state, and federal officials.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My foremost inspiration has been my mom and dad. Through their modest grocery store, they extended unwavering support to new immigrants, providing essentials, employment opportunities, and a sense of belonging. Their ethos of service fostered deep community trust, laying the groundwork for COPO’s founding. Their enduring legacy of “people helping people” continues to guide my work today, as COPO remains a vital cornerstone in empowering the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian communities of New York.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
My mom and dad’s grocery store, Punjab Grocery. Far more than a retail store, it served as a de facto community center for immigrants navigating a new homeland. By offering both sustenance and support, Punjab Grocery embodied a spirit of empowerment that directly influenced COPO’s founding. Together, these institutions forged a lasting foundation of trust, resilience, and empowerment within the South Asian and immigrant communities of New York City.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
One of the most defining moments of my career was being honored by the 9/11 Tribute Museum for fostering dialogue between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. My narrative, “Being Muslim in New York after 9/11,” featured in their Transformation of Your Life series, is now utilized in educational settings nationwide. Contributing to a broader understanding and dismantling misconceptions has been among the most profound and gratifying impacts of my life’s work.

Sarahana Shrestha was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. She became naturalized as an American citizen at the Ulster County Courthouse in 2019. In Nepal, she lived through a historic uprising for democracy, and a decade-long civil war that claimed the lives of many. Her worldview is shaped by the extreme wealth inequality she witnessed, and the role public goods can play in creating a healthy and peaceful society.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
I’m most inspired by the collective action of ordinary people who come together to push for big changes that were previously assumed to be impossible.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Passing the Build Public Renewables Act, which was the first of its kind Green New Deal legislation to pass in the country, and introducing the Hudson Valley Power Authority Act to replace our investor-owned utility, Central Hudson, with a publicly-owned and democratically managed utility that puts people before profits, and functions in the service of ratepayers.