Board Members

(China)

Yan Yu, Ph.D.

Chairwoman (2025 – ) & Board Member

Yan is currently employed as Associate Director of SPIR Center, and Research Assistant Professor at Stony Brook University, Department of Applied Math and Statistics. Her primary research area is in the field of computational fluid dynamics. She is an active community leader in the Chinese Community. She was Principal at Stony Brook Chinese School for two years, continued on serving as a board member for a few years after, and currently teaches the dance class at the school. Yan is also a member of the Long Island Chinese Dance Group. She joined the Suffolk County Asian American Advisory Board in 2015.

(Bangladesh)

Mohammed Zillur Rahman

Co-Vice Chairman (2022 – ) & Board Member

Mohammed Zillur Rahman was born and raised in Mymenshingh, Bangladesh. He earned his undergraduate degree Bachelor of Arts from the National University of Bangladesh. He migrated to the United States in 1990, he started his carrier in Pharmaceutical Industries and he is currently employed by Brand Nutraceuticals, located in Farmingdale, New York, where he plays a vital role as Operation Manager. He is currently residing in Lake Ronkonkoma with his wife and two daughters. Zillur Rahma, is a founding member and General Secretary of the Suffolk Islamic Center(SIC) known as Ronkonkoma Masjid, as well as an active volunteer. He was one of the initiators of establishing a weekend school where he served as volunteer for years. He has arranged numerous Fundraiser Dinner event, and he is heavily involved in the Ifter services during month of Ramadan. Zillur has helped new immigrant families and the community members seek housing, job placement and has arranged funeral services. He is also the founder and President of Bangladeshi American Community of Long Island(BACLI) Since 2005, where he coordinates many events for the community, such as but not limited to summer Picnic, Victory Day and Independence Day Celebration of Bangladesh.

(Korea)

Lucie Kwon

Co-Vice Chairwoman (2025 – ) & Board Member

Lucie is a career prosecutor, serving as an Assistant District Attorney the last two decades with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, followed by a Juris Doctorate from the Cardozo School of Law.

After growing up in the different boroughs of NYC, Lucie settled down in Suffolk County to begin her career and raise her family. Choosing a career in public service was a conscious decision, and Lucie has been an active member of our community since she was a young girl. Whether it was volunteering as a candy striper at her local hospital, or freely mentoring through her family Church or various community outreach programs, her contributions include mentoring Korean children adopted by American families.

Lucie has spoken at her family Church addressing issues and challenges youths face as well as the challenges of being raised by immigrant parents. In addition to engaging the community through various outreach programs, Lucie has also lectured on topics of Intellectual Property, Money Laundering and law enforcement. In 2017, Lucie was a guest speaker at the United Nations Interpol Law Enforcement IP Crime Conference where she spoke to law enforcement members from over 60 nations about tracing illicit profits.

She has also served as a guest Moot Court Attorney at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Computer Analysis Response Team training program. During her tenure with the SCDAO she served in several bureaus, including the Major Crime Bureau, White Collar Bureau, and Asset Forfeiture Unit. In January 2022, the Honorable Raymond Tierney, District Attorney of Suffolk County, appointed Lucie to her current position -Bureau Chief of the Financial Crimes Bureau. Lucie serves distinctively as the first Asian Bureau Chief in the history of Suffolk County government. As a board member of the Asian Jade Society, Lucie will continue to be a positive voice for those underserved and underrepresented in our government.

(Nepal)

Kalpana Thapa

Board Member

Overview: I am an entrepreneur since 2013 and running a small business on Long Island. By profession an Esthetician.

Education: Master of environmental and safety management, University of Findlay Findlay OH. Bachelor of Bioscience, Calcutta university, Kolkata, INDIA

Other Experience: Worked as various positions and served at various organizations. Worked two terms as vice-president at LINS long Island NY. Since 2015-2017,2017-2019. Elected as president of LINS (Long Island Nepalese Society) 2019-2021. Currently on the advisory board LINS. Serving as committee member at AAAB since 2011 representing Nepal. Serving AAAB as Board member since 2018.

(Vietnam)

Angelica Huynh Rivera

Board Member

Angelica Huynh Rivera is a Vietnamese-American who immigrated to the United States in 1975. Growing up in Queens, one of the most diverse counties, she persevered through many challenges and learning the American culture. During her childhood, a latchkey to the public library she spent many hours learning and participated in many community programs and events. It was through the support of the community organizations throughout her childhood that motivated her to a career that would help others in similar situations and to advocate for underrepresented groups. She is dedicated to providing the Asian American community strength through advocacy and education. Angelica currently serves as the Vice President for Human Resources at Suffolk County Community College. She was honored as a Rising Star under 40 by the Queens Courier. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Queens College and has completed her Masters coursework in Human Resources and Labor Relations from New York Institute of Technology.

(Philippines)

Ramon L. Villongco*, MBA – Elected Chairman (2022-2024), (2020-2022)
Emeritus Chairman (2009-2013) & (2015-2017)

Deceased*

Born in Manila, Philippines, Ramon came to the United States in 1982 and received his Masters of Business Administration at Dowling College, Oakdale, New York. Ramon holds over 25 years of marketing/management experience and with over 20 years in student administration, enrollment services, recruitment, counseling and admissions. He works as an Assistant Director of New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) one of the largest and oldest Osteopathic medical school in the State of New York. Ramon join the Asian American Advisory Board in 2006, an has been unanimously elected and serving his third consective term as Chairman serving Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. He has received numerous recognitions, citations, proclamations and awards for his leadership, community service and advocacy in helping the earthquake and typhoon victims in Japan, Haiti, Nepal and super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Through his efforts, Ramon has facilitated over $1.5 million dollars of medicine and medical supplies donated by the Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB) to the typhoon victims including MRE’s and bottled water donated by the Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and the during the Super Typhoon Sendong, Haiyan and Typhoon Yolanda. He also coordinated several Community Medical & Dental screening in collaboration with Tzu Chi International Medical Association of Long Island in Babylon, Amityville and Brentwood, New York, Ramon is an active community leader in the Filipino-American community and has held positions as Board of Directors of the TANGLAW Filipino-American Society of Long Island, Inc., Wellbrook Foundation, Inc., Filipino Children’s Fund, Inc., Order of Knights for Rizal Long Island Chapter, Knights of Columbus, Sunrise Council 6607, served at the Stony Brook University Asian Programming Advisory Committee and former Board Member of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County.