Filipino American leaders from across the nation gathered in Colorado Springs, for two days of inclusive collaboration, strategy, vision, and renewed purpose.
Colorado Springs, CO – Framed by the majestic Rocky Mountains, more than 40 Filipino American leaders from across the United States convened in Colorado Springs from June 27 to 29, 2025, for the highly anticipated NaFFAA Leadership Summit. Hosted at Tru by Hilton, and co-organized by NaFFAA Region V and the NaFFAA National Office, the summit marked a historic first for the Mountain States region. Made possible by the generous support of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and Megaworld, the event served as both a strategic planning session and a powerful celebration of unity, vision, and service.
DAY ONE: Honoring the Past, Grounding in Purpose
The summit opened with a warm and heartfelt welcome from Dr. Alex Africa, President of the Rocky Mountain Region and a retired United States Air Force veteran. “This is a historic moment for the Rocky Mountain Region,” Africa declared. “The mountains around us are majestic, but the leadership and purpose in this room are even more powerful.” With deep humility and resolve, he reminded attendees that strategic planning was not merely technical—it was an act of service. “Let us lean into collaboration, listen with intention, and lead with a compassionate heart,” he encouraged.
Taking the podium after, NaFFAA National Chair Mariela Fletcher delivered a detailed report on the federation’s recent progress. She highlighted key governance advancements, including the adoption of the federation’s Restated Articles of Incorporation and revised Bylaws, along with the passage of over ten board resolutions designed to enhance clarity, transparency, and responsiveness. Beyond structure, Fletcher underscored NaFFAA’s four foundational pillars: civic engagement, leadership development, advocacy, and cultural preservation.
She cited the successful Civic Leadership Forums in Las Vegas, Detroit, and San Francisco, the integration of young leaders through partnerships like Common Power, and the expanded advocacy work surrounding the FilAm Alerts Program in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The program mobilizes the Filipino American diaspora to support disaster response and recovery efforts in the Philippines. Fletcher also previewed a cultural initiative in development: a potential U.S. tour by the Bayanihan National Dance Company, in partnership with other national organizations.
“Let us renew our commitment to our mission with determination,” Fletcher said in closing. “Together, we can uplift our community, empower our leaders, and create a lasting legacy. Mabuhay ang NaFFAA. Mabuhay ang ating komunidad.”
Building on that momentum, NaFFAA National President Ryan Namata delivered an inspiring keynote address, inviting attendees to confront the complexity of the present moment with unity and passion. “We’ve come a long way from a gang of scrappy activists to professional and purposeful community organizers,” Namata said. “But we didn’t lose our passion—our secret ingredient.” He challenged leaders to recommit to the collaborative spirit that gave birth to NaFFAA decades ago: “We were all creating little campfires across the country. NaFFAA asked: what if we combined them into a bonfire?”
Namata expressed concern that today’s complexity often leads to fragmented priorities, noting that many leaders belong to multiple organizations with competing agendas. But, he argued, NaFFAA remains a common ground—a “bahay kubo” worth preserving. “If we don’t take on this work,” he asked plainly, “who will?”
The afternoon continued with a program update from Mark Eyo, NaFFAA’s Head of Communications, who shared the expanded reach and impact of the FilAm Alerts Program. By leveraging NaFFAA’s grassroots infrastructure and international partnerships, the initiative positions Filipino American communities as critical players in global disaster response. “This is more than emergency aid,” Eyo emphasized. “It’s about building global solidarity, powered by local heart.”
The regional presidents’ updates followed, showcasing a wide array of impactful initiatives—ranging from disaster relief fundraising and voter registration drives to Filipino American History Month events and policy workshops. Reflecting on the exchange, Africa remarked, “Listening to one another not only reminds us of how much we’ve done—it shows us how much more we can achieve when we build on each other’s strengths.”
A virtual keynote from PDRF President Butch Meily reaffirmed the importance of diaspora organizations in international development. “You are one of the symbols for Filipinos all over the world,” Meily said, highlighting the significance of NaFFAA’s leadership in both American and global contexts.
Later sessions included a powerful forum on Anti-Asian Hate, led by Dr. Rommel Rivera, which generated immediate consensus on the need for a national response protocol. Participants proposed developing a practical toolkit—one that would offer definitions, policies, and trauma-informed procedures for both prevention and protection.
Great Lakes Region President Wilmar Suan then guided leaders through a session on establishing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. His workshop equipped local chapters with the tools they need to expand their fundraising and operational independence. (Watch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GowrEU127Mw)
The day ended with presentations by Alex Montgomery of Change InSight, who introduced the importance of data-driven storytelling in grant writing and advocacy, and Jackie Caniza of MindYou, who offered a mental health resource for uninsured Filipino Americans. Caniza’s presentation prompted a rich dialogue about equitable access, existing networks of Fil-Am practitioners, and how national partnerships can complement—not compete with—local providers.
DAY TWO: Strategy, Sustainability, and Forward Leadership
The second day opened with renewed focus through a Strategic Leadership Framework presented by educator and coach Marcial Dumlao. He introduced NaFFAA leaders to a trust-based model for leadership accountability—centering on clarity, consistency, and commitment. “Trust is built on clear goals and clear follow-through,” Dumlao stated. “Without it, leadership becomes noise.”
Sessions that followed focused on policy and advocacy updates. Eric Lachica of US Filipinos for Good Governance presented his findings on Medicare portability, a campaign seeking to allow retirees to access U.S. health benefits while living in the Philippines. Lachica emphasized that this issue touches thousands of aging Filipino Americans and their families.
NaFFAA NorCal President Gabe Young brought attention to how Medicaid cuts are disproportionately affecting Filipino caregivers, especially women in long-term care facilities. His remarks underscored the importance of defending health access as a form of economic and racial justice.
Immigration attorney Marlene Gonzalez, a longtime community advocate, spoke next, addressing the impact of visa backlogs, legal gray areas, and heightened uncertainty for Filipinos who are out of status. Her updates resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom mentor or serve immigrants in their own regions.
Returning to the stage, Alex Africa offered a final workshop on nonprofit sustainability, encouraging delegates to think long-term about their structures, staffing, and succession planning. He stressed that impact is not measured by popularity, but by continuity. “What we build must outlast us,” he said.
In his closing reflections, President Ryan Namata brought the two-day journey full circle. “We celebrated our leaders, old and new. We explored new programs, exchanged best practices, and named our hardest challenges—Medicare, mental health, immigration, sustainability. We even laughed together, shared meals, and connected as a family.” He paused to add with a smile, “Some of us even ended up in a hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurant at the end of the day—because leadership is personal, not just professional.”
He concluded with gratitude and clarity: “We cannot overstate how great you all are as leaders and how lucky our communities are to have you. Thank you for all you do. Please—keep doing what you do.”
The 2025 NaFFAA Leadership Summit was more than a meeting—it was a reaffirmation of purpose. It brought together elders and emerging leaders, policy experts and grassroots organizers, tradition and innovation. It reminded everyone present that leadership is not just about what you know—it’s about who you serve, and why. As the summit ended, the spirit of unity carried forward, emboldening NaFFAA leaders to return to their communities more connected, more prepared, and more inspired to lead with courage and compassion.
Media Contact: Mark Eyo, NaFFAA National Communications Lead
Since 1997, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) has been the standard-bearer for promoting the welfare and well-being of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. NaFFAA is the largest non-partisan, non-profit organization and national affiliation of Filipino American institutions, umbrella organizations, and individuals. Its fourteen-member regions cover the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands.
