FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NaFFAA Announces 16th National Empowerment Conference: Filipino American Leaders to Gather in Colorado This August
July 6, 2026
With just 39 days remaining, excitement continues to build for the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) 16th National Empowerment Conference (NEC 2026), taking place August 14–15, 2026, in Aurora, Colorado. More than 200 Filipino American leaders and changemakers representing business, government, education, healthcare, nonprofit organizations, media, entrepreneurship, and youth leadership are expected to attend NaFFAA’s premier national conference.
Centered on the theme of strengthening communities through collaboration, NEC 2026 will bring together professionals, advocates, students, public servants, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for two days of leadership development, national advocacy, civic engagement, and advancing Filipino American culture and the arts—the four pillars of NaFFAA’s mission.
One of this year’s highlights is the Emerging Leadership Institute (ELI), the flagship leadership development program under NaFFAA’s Empowering Pilipino Youth through Collaboration (EPYC) initiative. Since its founding in 2014, ELI has empowered Filipino American student leaders with the skills, knowledge, mentorship, and professional networks needed to successfully transition from student leadership into lifelong community leadership. Designed by youth for youth, the program provides participants with leadership training, mentorship from established community leaders, hands-on collaboration, and opportunities to engage in civic and nonprofit service while building lasting relationships with peers from across the country.
The program has helped cultivate a new generation of leaders, including Gabe Young, whose leadership in public service and community advocacy has made him a respected voice among emerging Filipino American leaders, and Tia Dalupan, an accomplished community organizer and nonprofit leader dedicated to youth empowerment and civic engagement. Their journeys demonstrate the lasting impact of ELI in preparing young Filipino Americans to lead with confidence, serve with purpose, and strengthen their communities. As one of NaFFAA’s premier leadership initiatives, ELI continues to invest in the next generation of changemakers who will carry forward the organization’s mission of leadership development, national advocacy, civic engagement, and advancing Filipino American culture and the arts.
“The National Empowerment Conference is where ideas become action, relationships become partnerships, and individuals become lifelong community leaders,” said Ryan Namata, NaFFAA National President. “We invite Filipino Americans of every generation to join us in Colorado. This is an opportunity to connect with remarkable leaders from across the country, strengthen our community, and inspire the next generation to step forward with confidence and purpose.”
Adding to the excitement is an outstanding lineup of conference emcees who represent excellence in journalism, media, and community leadership. Brian Flores of CBS will serve as both a featured panel speaker and Gala emcee, bringing his experience as an accomplished journalist dedicated to informing and uplifting communities. Joining him are Lorraine Eloriaga, Program Manager for the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival and a respected cultural leader in Denver, and Hannah Tolentino, a longtime television host, media personality, and community advocate whose passion for service continues to inspire audiences nationwide.
The conference experience begins even before the official opening, with a Pre-Conference evening designed to help attendees build meaningful connections through networking activities, professional development, and community fellowship. Participants can sharpen their career skills during a professional bootcamp before enjoying a welcoming reception filled with entertainment, music, and opportunities to reconnect with friends and make new connections from across the country.
“We want every participant to leave feeling informed, inspired, and genuinely connected,” said Joshua Ang Price, NaFFAA National Executive Director. “We’ve created a conference experience for all ages that balances meaningful conversations with the warmth, joy, and hospitality Filipino Americans are known for. We look forward to creating unforgettable memories together as magkababayans.”
Attendees will hear keynote presentations from distinguished leaders including Secretary Dante Ang II of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, internationally recognized leadership expert Dr. Michelle Mras, mental health scholar Dr. Stacey Diane Litam, and other respected voices who have dedicated their careers to strengthening communities through service, advocacy, and leadership.
The conference will also feature the Founders Roundtable, a rare and powerful gathering of NaFFAA’s founding leaders. In this intimate conversation, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Rodel Rodis, and Gloria Caoile will reflect on the organization’s origins, early challenges, defining moments, and the vision that helped establish NaFFAA as the unified national voice of Filipino Americans. Participants will gain firsthand insight into the grassroots organizing, advocacy, and leadership that shaped the organization—from early conversations and grassroots mobilization to building a nationwide movement that continues to serve Filipino American communities today.
“What makes this year’s conference especially meaningful is the caliber of leaders who have accepted our invitation to share their knowledge and experiences,” said Mariela Fletcher, NaFFAA National Chair. “Every speaker was thoughtfully selected because they exemplify our four pillars of leadership development, national advocacy, civic engagement, and advancing culture and the arts. We are excited to welcome participants from across the nation as we learn from one another and strengthen our collective impact.”
The second day of the conference builds upon these conversations by focusing on collaboration, partnership, and sustained community engagement. Participants will explore how individuals and organizations can work together to address challenges, inspire civic participation, strengthen mental health, expand representation in leadership, and preserve Filipino American stories for future generations. Throughout the day, attendees will continue building practical skills while deepening relationships that can create lasting change within their own communities.
The conference concludes with the elegant Bayanihan Gala, an evening dedicated to celebrating leadership, culture, service, and community. Guests are encouraged to wear Filipiniana or formal attire as they gather to recognize outstanding leaders and celebrate the vibrant traditions that unite Filipino Americans across generations.
“We are honored to welcome the Filipino American community to Colorado,” said Jennifer Samuel, NaFFAA Region V President and Gala Chair. “The Bayanihan Gala will be a beautiful celebration of our culture, our accomplishments, and the friendships that make this conference so special. We look forward to sharing an unforgettable evening together.”
NaFFAA invites Filipino Americans from across the United States to be part of this historic gathering and join a growing movement committed to empowering communities through leadership, advocacy, collaboration, and service.
“No matter where you are in your leadership journey, there is a place for you at NEC 2026,” said Alex Africa, NaFFAA National Vice President and NEC Region V Host. “Come be inspired, build lasting connections, and experience the strength of our Filipino American community. We can’t wait to welcome you to Colorado.”
For conference registration and additional information, visit www.naffaa.org/nec2026.
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.