STAFF LEADERS
Faaluaina (Lua) Pritchard
Executive Director
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Faaluaina Pritchard is the Executive Director since May 2010 and has been with APCC since early 1997. She is the executive leader of operations for APCC. She hails from the village of Amouli in American Samoa. She came to America in 1966 at the age of ten and landed in San Francisco, CA. There she was educated from elementary to graduating from Carson High School in Southern California and attended Pepperdine University in Malibu. Faaluaina has over 35 years of non-profit management experience. She was the Executive Director of Korean Women's Association from 1996 to 2009; and was with KWA for 19.5 years. Under her leadership there - they developed close to $100 million valued housing and community projects.
Her community work is very extensive and speaks to her talents and skills as a community organizer. To name a few she is the Chair of the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of Pierce County, board member of Washington State Arts Commission, Multicare Advisory Board, ARCORA Fluoridation Advisory Board, Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium, Pierce County Arts & Culture Coalition, Tacoma Urban League Board, KBTC TV-BATES College Board, Washington State Department of Transportation Board, Governor Council on Environmental Justice and Commissioner of the Pierce County Arts Commission.
She’s been honored with many awards including: Civil Rights Award from Martin Luther King Community Association; Liberty Bell Award from Pierce County Bar Association; Lifetime Achievement Award from Asian Weekly Northwest; First Vanguard Award from Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; Office of Chinese American Golden Circle Award for Leadership & Service; this is just a few.
Faaluaina is fluent in the Samoan and English languages. Faaluaina is an individual with a great passion for helping others and she takes pride and joy in being a part of community development.
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You can reach Mrs. Pritchard at 253-383-3900 or faaluaina@asiapacificculturalcenter.org
Chanmee Lee
Finance Officer
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Born in Kyong Nam Korea, came to America in 1985, and landed in Washington State as her home till the present. She graduated from Handok Women's High School in South Korea in 1971 and attended Pierce College to study Music. She is a talented pianist and singer. Chanmee is married with two children and three grandchildren. She's been with APCC since early 2010. She's been the Finance person for APCC since then and is still here working hard for the growth of the organization. Chanmee has over twenty (20) years of experience in Finance, Tourism/Travel, and employment L&I work. Chanmee and her husband Steven Lee minister to a small Korean Community Tacoma First Glory Church.
You can reach Ms. Chanmee at 253-383-3900 or chanmee@asiapacificculturalcenter.org
Mrs. Sinoun Hem
Program Manager - Youth Program
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Sinoun Hem started with APCC in 2010. She is the leader of the Promised Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Program (PLOT). The PLOT program is to specifically serve but not limited to Asia Pacific students in any school of Pierce County. Sinoun has been serving youth at different organizations providing opportunities for youth to excel in life as well as providing resources awareness and connections for their families. Her commitment to helping Asia Pacific children and youth stems from her childhood in Cambodia, surviving the war camps and turmoil that plagued the country during that time, and later the experience of her family’s immigration to the U.S. She earned a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling degree in 1997 from City University, BA in 1995 from Evergreen State College, and AA degree in 1993 from Tacoma Community College. She worked many years as a counselor and nutrition education specialist before joining APCC. For over 35 years she has devoted her life to working advocate for and improving the lives of young people, women, single parents, and all families. Ms. Hem believes education is the key to success for our youth to be productive and engaged individuals in our society. Her philosophy is "Enter to Learn and Exit to Serve".
You can reach Ms. Sinoun at 253-383-3900 or sinoun@asiapacificculturalcenter.org
Skye Raphael Baldemeca Rozon
Program Manager - Business and Community Engagement Services
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Skye Rozon joined the APCC team in June 2023. His love for the community stems from his upbringing in Tacoma, being born and raised in the City of Destiny his entire life. Skye graduated Mount Tahoma High School in 2017, later graduating from the University of Puget Sound in 2021, earning a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Sociology/Anthropology. As a Filipino-American, Skye recognizes the importance and significance of the AANHPI community in Pierce County, and the need to give respect to the rich cultures and histories that our people share.
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Through APCC’s Business and Community Engagement Services, the program provides outreach and support services for families, small businesses, and the greater community, focusing especially on the Asia Pacific community. Health equity and access, small business resiliency, and navigation through social services are just a few of the many pillars of assistance the BCES program provides. We are here to give an opportunity to those who are in dire need of resources and advocating for their ability to be empowered within their own skin.
You can reach Skye at 253-383-3900 or skye@asiapacificculturalcenter.org
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Dareth Pak
Program Manager - Cultural Programs
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Dareth-rose Pak joined APCC as Program Manager for Cultural Programs in September 2022. She leads efforts to connect people and cultures through immersive activities and events that promote awareness, understanding, and pride in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) heritage. Her work enriches lives by creating meaningful opportunities to learn and engage with API culture and arts.
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With a deep passion for serving the API community, Dareth-rose has held various leadership roles, including board positions with World Vision, Sihanoukville Sister City, the Cambodian Women Networking Association (CWNA), and the Cambodian Assistance Foundation (CAF), where she serves as President. She is also actively involved in the Cambodian community.
Dareth-rose’s career began as a bookkeeper at Indochinese Cultural and Service Center (ICSC), where she later became Youth Program Manager. After 15 years with ICSC, she worked with Tacoma Community House, Asian Counseling-Good Samaritan, and Consumer Direct Care of Washington State before joining APCC. Her dedication ensures that APCC events are accessible and welcoming to all.
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You can reach Ms. Dareth-rose Pak at 253-383-3900 dareth@asiapacificculturalcenter.org.
Maricres Castro
Program Manager - Mental Health
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Maricres Castro serves as Program Manager for APCC’s Mental Health Program, bringing extensive experience in healthcare and community wellness.
A full-ride Act Six Scholar, she graduated with honors from Northwest University, earning a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Environmental Science. Maricres has designed holistic programs addressing diverse community needs, from serving as a U.S. Peace Corps Health Volunteer in rural Zambia to joining an international medical response team in Nepal after a devastating earthquake.
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In her role at APCC, Maricres leverages her unique skills to foster genuine relationships and create a culture of care, understanding, and safety around mental health, helping to reduce stigma and support the community.
Jasmine Argel
Development Associate
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Mrs. Jasmine Argel joined APCC over a decade ago, bringing her valuable talent, dedication, and life experiences as a second-generation Filipina-American to the organization. She earned a Bachelors of Science at the University of Washington and earned a Masters of Business Administration at Hawaii Pacific University. Having grown up in a military family, she has lived all over the world and has a deep appreciation and respect for all the diverse cultures. Her strong work ethic and commitment to helping the community is evident in the great work that she does at APCC with researching, planning, writing, and monitoring grants, as well as assisting with marketing, program development, and other projects. Jasmine is also an active member of the Filipino community of Pierce County.
Tanielu Tuilagi
Manager - Facilities and Maintenance
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Hailed from the village of Faganeanea American Samoa in 1996 - landed in Garden Grove California. Tanielu is the 7th child of twelve children from his Mom and Dad. Graduated from Manu'a High School in1979. He immediately joined the US Army after High School in 1979 at the age of 18yrs old. His area of training and work in the Military was electrical engineering. He is married with four children and one grandchild. Tanielu is fluent bilingual Samoan and English. Tanielu resides in the city of Lakewood WA with his wife and children. After work at APCC, he is found at his Samoan Church in Tacoma, cleaning and helping out in any way he can. He is an ordained Deacon for over 15 years and is a core leader of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa - Fort Lewis WA.
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