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2024 NAEYC Conference Events
November 6-9, 2024 | Anaheim, California

2024 AANHPI Interest Forum Leadership Awards

This year, we are proud to elevate our annual NAEYC AAHNPI Interest Forum leadership award by honoring four extraordinary individuals whose transformative contributions have significantly advanced the field of early childhood education. Their remarkable achievements reflect a deep commitment to shaping the future and driving meaningful change.

These awards reflect our commitment to recognizing excellence in key areas such as innovation, data science, community engagement, and strategic planning. Together, these leaders embody the evolving spirit of the AAHNPI Interest Forum, as we work tirelessly to build a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and rooted in equity and opportunity for all.

Please come join us to honor these distinguished leaders at our 2024 annual business meeting! At this years annual business meeting, you will also learn about our highly anticipated AANHPI Voices Writing Project!

Business Meeting:

Friday, November 8, 2024

11:45 AM – 12:45 PM

Anaheim Convention Center

Room 264AB

Ms. Jackie Thu Hương Wong

Executive Director, First 5 California

Recipient of 2024 NAEYC AANHPI Interest Forum Distinguished Leadership Excellence Award

Ms. Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, a refugee born during the fall of Saigon and the first woman of color is the Executive Director of First 5 California. Ms. Wong brings more than three decades of experience working as an advocate for equity, health and education for children, youth and families in the state.

Previously, Ms. Wong served as First 5 California’s Chief Deputy Director, helping transform the organization toward its new North Star to create safe, stable, nurturing, relationships and environments for California’s youngest children and their families.

She is a mom to two school-age children and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare and Psychology from University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Social Work from California State University, Sacramento.

Please visit https://www.ccfc.ca.gov/about/organization.html#leadership for Jackie's full bio.

Mr. Albert Wat

Senior Policy Director, Alliance for Early Success

Recipient of 2024 NAEYC AANHPI Interest Forum Community Engagement Excellence and Leadership Award

As a Senior Policy Director, Albert leads a portfolio of state and national Alliance partnerships and investments focused on early learning, including pre-k, child care, and the education continuum from birth through third grade.

In 2014, Albert served on the National Academies committee that released the report, Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8: A Unifying Foundation. In 2018, he served on another committee that produced the report, Vibrant and Healthy Kids: Aligning Science, Practice, and Policy to Advance Health Equity.

Albert has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in education from Stanford University, and a master’s degree in education policy from George Washington University.

Please visit https://earlysuccess.org/who-we-are/team/albert-wat/ for Albert's full bio.

Dr. Jerry Yang

Executive Director, KaiMing HeadStart

Recipient of 2024 NAEYC AANHPI Interest Forum Data Innovation Excellence and Leadership Award

Dr. Jerry Yang is an early childhood educator with a wide range of experiences, from preschool classroom teacher, college faculty to ECE program administrator. He believes that a successful ECE programs relies on joint efforts from enthusiastic teachers, scientific curriculum, reflective management, and supportive families. He is concentrating on facilitating a condition that allows educators to engage in their pursuits according to their wishes that lead to a better world.

Jerry, a courageous leader, has spoken at national conferences to disseminate statistics on the Asian American early childhood education workforce. His goal is to drive positive change in service delivery systems by promoting greater equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Mr. Ben Wong

Executive Director, Wah Mei School

Recipient of 2024 NAEYC AANHPI Interest Forum Strategic Impact Excellence and Leadership Award

American-born Chinese and native San Franciscan, after a decade in the private sector, Ben transitioned into the nonprofit world through various community-based organizations. His 30+ years of nonprofit experience includes direct service with children, youth, families, and communities, project and program management, and executive and board management. Ben has previously served as Program Coordinator at Community Youth Center (formerly Chinatown Youth Center) and San Francisco Community Health Center (formerly Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center), Director of the Chinatown Beacon Center, Interim Executive Director at Wu Yee Children’s Services, and Gay Straight Alliance. He has also been appointed and has served on the Delinquency Prevention Commission and the Juvenile Justice Commission. Ben possesses a Bachelors in Business and a Masters in Counseling (Marriage & Family Therapy) and has an interest in education, child development, and juvenile justice.