Braden Hirasawa grew up in the Bay Area and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Merced. With a group of friends, he co-founded the Nikkei Student Union on campus to bring awareness of the rich Japanese-American history within the Central Valley. After graduating in 2010 with a degree in Human Biology, Braden got a job working as a Guest Service Team Leader at Target. His position allowed him to develop skills as a leader and a manager. In 2013, Braden received an internship at the Asian Liver Center at Stanford University as the Hep B Free Santa Clara County intern. Working with the Asian and Pacific Islander community through engagement, education, and program development, he was able to help raise awareness of the prevalence of hepatitis b. In 2014 he moved to Seattle, Washington to pursue his masters in Health Administration at the University of Washington. Braden currently works as a clinic manager at Sea Mar Community Health Centers. He believes that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare services and his goal is to make sure that we achieve the Triple Aim of improving the health of populations, lowering cost, and improve patient experience.
John Eklof is a writer, educator, and community organizer from Lakewood, WA. He’s been a professional public speaker for 10 years. John has dedicated his life to changing the world, making a difference in his community, and improving himself in all areas of his life. He’s contributed his writing to both the Seattle Globalist and the International Examiner. He recently graduated from the University of Washington with a Master’s Degree in Multicultural Education. His speeches, interviews, and writing can be found at johneklof.com.
Asian Pacific Islander Community Leadership Foundation 