Meet Our Team

Led by a dedicated team, board of directors, and volunteers, CAPU is comprised of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) diaspora leaders, educators, creatives, and allies.

Our Team

  • Executive Director

    As the child of refugees, Joie Ha has always endeavored to do more good for more people. She has been an organizer for minority communities in Colorado for over 15 years. She has a B.A. in Anthropology and a Masters in Development Practice with a focus on holistic methods of treating mental health for Vietnamese refugees. Joie has served in Malaysia as a Community Development Officer and in Cambodia as a researcher regarding how hip-hop can create fictive kin for youth. She often engages in initiatives with focus on global solidarity, social justice, and the intersection of art and activism.

  • Operations Manager

    As a proud Taiwanese American, Catharine is deeply committed to advancing wellness, equity, and cultural preservation within underrepresented communities. With Masters degrees in biochemistry and landscape architecture, she brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge and design thinking to her work. Her approach integrates trauma sensitive mindfulness and community-based wellness practices to support healing and resilience. At Colorado Asian Pacific United (CAPU), she helps lead initiatives that uplift Asian and Pacific Islander (API) histories and stories, grounded in a belief that community well-being is rooted in connection, remembrance, and joy.

  • Program and Communications Manager

    Jasmine Chu is a public humanities practitioner passionate about the healing power of storytelling, creative place-making, and cultural connection. She champions programs and projects that spark imagination, nurture resilience, and build spaces of belonging through community collaboration. Drawing on her multi-racial background and experiences in cultural centers, museums, youth organizations, and hospitals, Jasmine hopes to bring a unique perspective to supporting CAPU’s diverse and impactful work. Outside of work, you can find her enjoying Colorado’s art scene or on a quest for the best dim sum in town.

  • Intern

    As the eldest daughter to a family of refugees, Sophia carries a strong sense of resilience, cultural pride, and commitment to her community. She is a current senior studying Biology and Peace and Justice studies at Regis University with interests in public health, community organizing, and clinical research. She has served as the president of the Asian Student Alliance at Regis to plan events and engage in initiatives that honor and celebrate AAPI culture and history. Coming from a Hmong background, Sophia is passionate about uncovering the hidden stories of the Hmong community and history through her academic research and work with CAPU. 

Our Board

  • Founding Board Member + Chair

    Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa is the owner of No Ke Aloha Inc. A University of Denver alum with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts and a minor in Marketing, Shauna brings over two decades of cultural expertise from her career in Polynesian performing arts and as co-founder of a renowned dance company in Colorado. She is the proud mother of a beautiful blended family of six children and identifies as a multiracial individual - being “blended” with Native Hawaiian, Portuguese, Chinese, and Irish heritage.

    Shauna is a founding Board Member of CAPU and a recipient of the 2025 Asian American Heroes Award, recognizing her deep commitment to cultural preservation and community leadership.

  • Board Member

    Gil Asakawa, a third-generation Japanese American with a unique perspective shaped by his Japanese childhood and American upbringing, is a leading voice on Asian American culture. An accomplished author, keynote speaker, and media expert, Gil has contributed to publications like The Denver Post, HuffPost, and AARP, and is the principal contributor to the Nikkei View website. Known for his bold, authentic, and entertaining style, Gil is a sought-after pundit across radio, television, and online platforms.

  • Founding Board Member

    Kai holds dual degrees in Computer Science and Politics & Government from Western Colorado University. During his time at Denver East High School, he founded and led the Asian Pacific Islander Student Alliance, fostering cross-cultural learning and understanding. A passionate advocate for inclusivity, he serves as President of Western’s Asian Pacific Islander Club and Station Manager at KWSB 91.1 FM, where he fosters community and drives operational growth. Kai also collaborates with Western’s marketing department as a photographer, using his creative skills to capture and share meaningful moments from the community.

  • Board Member

    Josie Chang-Order, Ph.D., is the School Programs Manager at the History Colorado Center in Denver. The daughter of Taiwanese American immigrants, Josie was born and raised in Michigan. She originally came to Colorado in 2006 to teach archaeology in the southwestern part of the state. At the History Colorado Center, Josie manages educational offerings for K-12 students and their teachers. Her work and research interests include the perspectives of young people of color on representations of the past and diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion in museums. 

  • Founding Board Member

    Ben is the Principal of Niam Design and a University of Colorado Boulder graduate with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Design (Architecture). With over 25 years of commercial design experience, he specializes in both interior and exterior spaces. From humble beginnings flipping burgers at McDonald’s to designing notable Thai restaurants throughout Denver, Ben’s journey has given him a deep understanding of customer service. His passion for architecture and design drives him to deliver the best possible results for every project he undertakes.

Board Members Emeritus

Joanne Liu

Dr. William Wei

Dr. Soon Beng Yeap

Opportunities

Get Involved

To explore volunteer or other opportunities to join our community, visit our Get Involved page.