2025 Leadership Summit Agenda
Please note that the schedule is subject to change. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Ryan Namata at ryan.namata@naffaa.org.
Thursday, June 26
Time
Topic and Location / Presenter(s)
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Informal Meet & Greet Location: Hotel Lobby
Region 5
Friday, June 27
Time
Topic and Location / Presenter(s)
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Prayer & Networking Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM
Opening by Local Government Official
9:10 AM - 9:20 AM
Presenting Sponsor Opening
9:20 AM - 9:30 AM
Welcome Presentation by Colorado Leaders
Dr. Alex Africa is a distinguished community leader, retired United States Air Force veteran, and entrepreneur. He holds a Doctor of Management from Colorado Technical University, has completed coursework for a Doctor of Philosophy in Education at Walden University, and earned an MBA from American Military University. With over 20 years of service to both the United States Air Force and the Filipino-American community, Dr. Africa has made significant contributions in leadership and community engagement. Outside of his professional accomplishments, he enjoys singing, dancing, and traveling the world with his family. A passionate skier, Dr. Africa and his family love exploring the Rockies. His favorite foods include his Tatay’s afritada, goto, and loming Batangas.
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Chairperson’s Address — The Last 2 Years In Review
Advocate for Filipino Americans | Community Leader
Mariela Fletcher is a dynamic leader, serving as the National President of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). With a strong background in real estate as a licensed broker in Washington and a history of successful entrepreneurship in the Philippines, Mariela champions unity and empowerment for Filipino Americans. Her dedication to community service is evident through her leadership roles at NaFFAA, IDIC Filipino Senior & Family Services, and her contributions to various community-building initiatives.
Recognized for her business acumen and community advocacy, Mariela has made significant impacts across the Seattle area, including her work on the Commercial Affordability Advisory Committee and her efforts to bring Filipino culture to the mainstream. She is a passionate advocate for ensuring that future generations of Filipino Americans have a voice and a bright future, inspired by the values of service instilled by her parents.
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM
President’s Address — The Next 2 Years Preview
Ryan Namata is currently the Global HR Director for international cyber security experts at Kivu Consulting. He has over 18 years of experience as an HR leader and HR Projects professional, working in varied industries, from several small startups to a Fortune 200 company and including the non-profit space. He has extensive corporate experience in the areas of staffing, workforce and strategic planning, training and professional development, HR information systems, change management and engagement. In his personal time he is a part of several community organizations in which he has several leadership roles, including officer and board member. He is currently the pro-bono HR Director for the Children and Families Network Centers, Chairperson of the National Association for Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) DC Chapter, Human Capital Director for the National Federation of Filipino Associations (NaFFAA), and Intelligence Community Heritage Council Liaison. Ryan Namata is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park and is also a certified Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR) and certified SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Program Update: EPYC Update
- Natalie Jones, NaFFAA Chief of Staff
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Program Update: FilAm Alert IOM
- Humanitarian Council Recruitment
Mark Eyo, NaFFAA Head of Communications
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Scheduled Break
10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Regional Updates, Part I
- Region Leaders and Proxies
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Partner's Hour
Lunch and Networking Break
Butch Meily, President at Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation
Butch Meily is the author of an upcoming memoir, From Manila to Wall Street – An Immigrant’s Journey With America’s First Black Tycoon. He has written articles for Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, Baltimore Sun, Black Enterprise magazine and the Philippine Star newspaper. He has done two book tours promoting his former boss’s biography, Why Should White Guys Have All The Fun?
Butch’s current job is President of the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), a private sector disaster management organization that includes the major business groups in the country. He helped found PDRF, turning it into a global role model for private sector involvement in calamities. The organization operates the world’s first national private sector Emergency Operations Center. Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT), his parent company, received the 2016 Prince of Wales Business in Community UPS International Disaster Relief Prize for its work in organizing PDRF after Typhoon Ketsana in 2009 and mobilizing it during Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Regional Updates, Part II by Region Presidents
- Anti-Asian Hate Initiative Updates
- FilAm Alerts
- Member Benefits
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Scheduled Break
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Region and Leader KPIs
Chris has been of service to his community since his youth. He contributed to the propagation of Philippine culture through dance and song, via his participation with the Philippine Folk Arts Society, of Pennsylvania. It is here where his love of his culture began to flourish.
He has since actively participated in community organizations, including his service is a past Vice President of the Filipino Executive Council of Greater Philadelphia. He has served on its Board of Directors for the past two years. He is also the sitting President of the Filipino American Association of Philadelphia, Inc. (FAAPI), arguably the oldest FilAm organization on the East Coast, at 105 years old. FAAPI was the recipient of the 2nd Alex Esclamado Award for Civic Engagement.
Within NaFFAA, Chris has served, or currently serves, at every level of the organization, beginning as a State Youth Chair for Pennsylvania, until his appointment as interim National Operations Officer this past summer. Chris is currently tasked to manage and support the internal functions of the organization.
Professionally, although his background and education from Penn State University is in Developmental Psychology, he has dedicated more than a decade to the service industry, currently a manager for Darden Restaurants, a member of the Forbes Global 2000 list of top public companies.
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
How to Get Your 501c3
Wilmar Suan is a highly accomplished business leader and entrepreneur with extensive experience in accounting, financial management, and human resources. He is the CEO of HR Alliance, a company that provides professional HR management and payroll services to businesses of all sizes. With a career spanning over 25 years, Wilmar has also founded and led several other successful ventures, including Suan & Company PC, a full-service tax and accounting firm, and Accelerated Homecare Services, which delivers compassionate care to seniors and individuals with disabilities.
In addition to his business acumen, Wilmar is deeply committed to community service, serving as the Executive Director of the Philippine American Medical Mission Foundation of Michigan and President of the Therapy Research Autism Center (T.R.A.C.). His leadership and expertise have made a significant impact across various sectors, from healthcare to financial services. Outside of his professional endeavors, Wilmar is passionate about helping others and fostering strong community ties.
3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
Scheduled Break
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
About Change InSight Partnership
-
Alex Montgomery, Chinese American Service League,
Senior Director of Impact & Advocacy
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM
About MindYou
Jackie Caniza, a Credentialed Life and Leadership Coach and Certified Human-Centered Coach using applied Neuroscience. A seasoned HR Consultant and Business Leader with over 15 years of corporate human resource experience & more than 15 years as a senior and business executive. Provides strategic partnerships with clients from various functions & levels across the organization in creating transformation. Founded Haraya Coaching, a coaching company, after retiring from a successful corporate career. Seeks to inspire individuals and teams to live purposefully.
4:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Wrap Up
- Mariela Fletcher, National Chair
Dinner at Your Leisure
Saturday, June 28
Time
Topic and Location / Presenter(s)
8:30 AM - 12:15 PM
[Concurrent w/ Closed Session]
Special Session: Strategic Leadership Framework
NaFFAA leaders are navigating real challenges, succession planning, multi-generational engagement, and the growing demand for clarity, cohesion, and momentum. In a landscape shaped by heritage and hope, momentum begins with alignment and a shared commitment to what matters most. Marcial Dumlao, founder of PrimeMPact Consulting and creator of the Legacy Forward Framework, brings 30+ years of leadership across defense, IT, and nonprofit strategy. He delivers clarity-driven leadership experiences that unify teams and accelerate execution. With practical tools and cultural storytelling, Marcial helps you Plot It, Power It, and Propel It, so the next 90 days are focused, and the next 9 years are legacy-worthy.
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch Break
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Advocacy: Medicare Portability Updates
Eric Lachica is a seasoned advocate and leader in the Filipino American community, particularly known for his efforts to enhance healthcare access for Filipino veterans and retirees. He serves as the Executive Director of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, where he works tirelessly to address critical issues affecting U.S.-Philippine relations, including the extension of Medicare benefits for Filipino Americans living in the Philippines. With a strong background in public policy and community organizing, Eric has been instrumental in pushing for legislation and policies that support the well-being of Filipino veterans and their families.
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM
How Medicaid Cuts Affect The Filipino Community
Gabriel Young is a Masters in Public Policy candidate at UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy. Recently, he concluded his public service as a Staff Assistant for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, and graduated with Honors at The George Washington University where he double majored in Political Science with focus in Public Policy; and International Affairs with an International Politics concentration. He is skilled in policy writing, operations and management, law, and political philosophy from the perspectives of people of color. As an Asian American, he looks forward to pursuing a career in public policy & law to advocate and represent the Asian American community in Government.2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
Scheduled Break
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Summit Guest: Immigration Updates
- Marlene Gonzalez, Esq
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
Nonprofit Sustainability
- Alex Africa, President, Mountain States Region (Region 5)
3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
NaFFAA Moving Forward: Next Steps
- Mariela Fletcher, National Chair
- Ryan Namata, National President
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM
Recognition and Closing Ceremony
- NaFFAA National Officers
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Closing Reception
- TBD
