Our Story

President

Jackie Conley, PhD

Dr. Jackie Conley has been a trailbrazing leader in Public Service, Mental Health, and community organizing for over forty years. Her key leadership roles include being both the President of the Board of Directors for both the Vietnamese American Community of Illinois and Vietnamese Association of Illinois, Founding Chair of the Vietnamese American Nurses Association of Illinois, a distinguished member of the Asian American Advisory Council for the Illinois Governor, and more. She has worked extensively to support women, youth, and  facilitate multi-generational collaboration, educating the youth and providing opportunities for leadership and public service. Her contribution to mental health for women has taken her to Washington DC, where she met President George W. Bush at the White House. Her passion continues to be a driving force for positive change, ensuring women and marginalized communities have access to the resources and support they need. She strives to bridge generational divides, ensuring that history, culture, and experiences are preserved through the younger generation. As a strong advocate for civic engagement and youth leadership, Dr. Conley emphasizes the importance of volunteering and leadership development. She works to create platforms for young Asian American leaders to contribute their expertise to the community, reminding them that, "volunteering is not only beneficial for society, but also for the heart and spirit."

Board of Director

Quynh Kieu, PhD

Dr. Quynh Kieu is a board-certified pediatrician, humanitarian, and lifelong advocate dedicated to improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved communities. She earned her medical degree from Saigon Medical School (Class of 1975) and completed her residency and fellowship at the University of California, Irvine, in 1979. Since then, she has provided compassionate and expert care to families in Orange County, becoming a trusted figure in pediatric medicine.

Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Kieu is a passionate advocate for refugee rights and healthcare equity. She successfully initiated and lobbied for SB 1358, a bill allowing refugee doctors from Vietnam to obtain certification in lieu of a diploma, enabling them to practice medicine in California. Her leadership extends to serving as President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) California Chapter 4 and contributing to the legislative leadership of the Orange County Medical Association and AAP State Government Affairs.

In 1996, Dr. Kieu founded Project Vietnam Foundation (PVNF) to fulfill a lifelong mission of serving children and vulnerable populations in Vietnam. Under her leadership, PVNF has trained thousands of local healthcare workers and introduced lifesaving pediatric interventions which became national policy, including Vitamin K administration for newborns and the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, which has significantly reduced infant mortality in Vietnam. She continues to spearhead initiatives for early identification and intervention for children with developmental delays and autism.

Her contributions to medicine, humanitarian efforts, and mental health advocacy have earned her numerous prestigious awards. including:

The “Pride of the Profession” Award from the American Medical Association

Recognition from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Red Cross, and the Orange County Commission on Human Rights

The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, the nation’s highest honor for service and humanitarian impact

Dr. Kieu continues to empower communities, advance healthcare access, and inspire the next generation of medical professionals and social changemakers.

Legal Advisor, Board of Director

Tracy Nguyen

Tracy Nguyen is a dedicated legal professional, community advocate, and champion for positive social change. Born and raised in Orange County, California, she graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2009 with a double bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Asian American Studies. Her passion for justice led her to pursue a career in law and she earned her Juris Doctor in 2013 from Whittier Law School. 

As the co-founder and partner of Page & Nguyen, APC, Tracy specializes in workers’ compensation and personal injury law, fighting for the rights of injured employees. Her legal expertise is deeply influenced by her prior experience as Vice President of Operations for a manufacturing company, where she spent eight years which gave her intimate knowledge of operating and programming CNC lathe and mill machines. Witnessing firsthand the dangers of industrial workplaces, she developed a strong commitment to workplace safety and employee rights, which now drives her legal practice.

Beyond the courtroom, Tracy’s greatest passion lies in nonprofit work and community service. She joined Project Vietnam Foundation (PVNF) in 2019 and quickly became an integral part of the organization. As both a Board of Directors member and Legal Counsel, she applies her legal knowledge to advance PVNF’s mission of providing healthcare and education to underserved communities, both in Vietnam and in Southern California. 

Tracy’s leadership extends to mentoring the next generation of changemakers. She oversees PVNF’s high school division, managing a network of over 450 student members across four high schools. In this role, she inspires young leaders, instilling in them the values of service, compassion, and social responsibility.

Her dedication to justice, education, and empowerment defines her career and philanthropy. Whether advocating for injured workers, providing legal counsel for a charitable cause, or mentoring students, Tracy’s work reflects her unwavering commitment to fairness and community well-being.

Outside of her professional and nonprofit endeavors, Tracy is an avid animal lover. She cherishes time spent with her beloved ten-year-old mini-Dachshund, Suey, who brings joy and balance to her busy life.

With a heart for service and a drive for justice, Tracy continues to make a lasting impact in both the legal and nonprofit sectors, always striving to uplift those in need.

Secretary

Elizabeth La

Elizabeth La is a singer-songwrtier, Business Owner, and Mental Health advocate, who has been singing and writing since she was 8 years old. She was a student of Seth Riggs, the vocal coach of Michael Jackson and Madonna. She has taught singing and songwriting, recorded her own music, and performed throughout the globe. 
In 2020, she started CA Facemasks LLC, a facemask company that sold over 33,000 facemasks during the Pandemic. After graduating from Cal State Long Beach with a Degree in Philosophy, she went into law as a legal assistant for numerous lawyers. She has a love for reading, books, traveling, spending time with her family and dog, and being her authentic self. She has ran marathons, and her dream is to work for the United Nations to represent Women and Advocate for Human Rights. 

 She is a passionate advocate for Asian American women in Orange County and is actively involved in amplifying the voices of the Vietnamese American community in Little Saigon. Her advocacy includes campaigning for Congressman Derek Tran in 2024 and continuing the fight for representation in music, politics and social issues.

Post 2024 election, she has started a Political Philosophy bookclub, become a Board Member of Asian American Women Association of Orange County, and is currently a Business Development Representative for Elevasis, an AI Tech Startup. 

Board of Director

Hang Pham, PhD

Dr. Hang Pham is a dedicated chiropractor committed to improving community health and well-being. Holding a Cumma Sum Laude Honored Doctorate of Chiropractic from the Southern California University of Health Sciences, and with a pre-medical foundation from UC Irvine, Dr. Pham demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and patient-centered care. She empowers individuals to achieve pain-free and independent lives through comprehensive chiropractic interventions. Notably, Dr. Pham's dedication to public service is exemplified by her receipt of The E. Maylon Drake Humanitarian Award, which recognizes her exceptional leadership in community outreach and her unwavering commitment to providing accessible chiropractic care to underserved populations."

Board of Director

Hue Pham, PhD

Pending

Treasurer

Cherrie Uy

Pending...