FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NaFFAA’s 2026 National Empowerment Conference United Filipino American Leaders Around Community, Culture, and Collective Action
August 20, 2026
Two-day national gathering in Aurora elevated founders, public servants, entrepreneurs, advocates, artists, health leaders, and emerging changemakers
Aurora, Colorado — The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) concluded its 16th National Empowerment Conference after two days of national dialogue, leadership development, cultural celebration and practical community-building. Held August 14–15 at the Hyatt Regency Aurora–Denver Conference Center and co-hosted by NaFFAA Rocky Mountain Region, the conference brought together Filipino American leaders, founders, professionals, public servants, entrepreneurs, artists, health advocates, and emerging changemakers from across the country.
Under the theme “Harnessing the Power of Community: Starting With Us,” NEC 2026 moved from reflection to action. Sessions examined how Filipino Americans had built influence through relationships, representation, entrepreneurship, civic participation, cultural preservation, mental health advocacy and cross-community partnership. The gathering remained nonpartisan and emphasized informed participation, public service, safety, belonging, and shared responsibility.
National Chair Mariela Fletcher Called the Community to “Connect. Listen. Act.”
NaFFAA National Chair Mariela Fletcher opened the conference with remarks that deeply resonated with the audience. She honored NaFFAA’s founders, remembered Alex Esclamado’s vision of a united Filipino American community, and emphasized leadership as a responsibility shared across generations—not a privilege reserved for those with titles.
“Ask not only what our community can do for us—ask what we can do for our community. What can I contribute? Whom can I mentor? Whose voice can I lift? What door can I open for someone else? And what responsibility am I willing to accept—not because I hold a title, but simply because I care?” — Mariela Fletcher, NaFFAA National Chair
Fletcher challenged every delegate to turn the conference into action through three commitments: “Connect. Listen. Act.” She asked participants to connect with someone new, listen to a perspective different from their own and return home ready to mentor, register voters, build partnerships, serve on boards, run for office and encourage young people to lead.
“Leadership begins when you decide to serve. And when an opportunity comes your way, don’t simply walk through that door. Reach back and bring someone with you. Because empowerment should never end with us. True empowerment multiplies.” — Mariela Fletcher, NaFFAA National Chair
Opening keynote speaker Dante “Klink” Ang II, Secretary and Chairperson of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, explored “The Power of Community.” He discussed the growing influence of the Filipino American diaspora and connected diaspora leadership with the responsibility to build bridges, mobilize people and convert shared identity into constructive public impact.
The Founders and Trailblazers Roundtable brought together Atty. Rodel Rodis, Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis, Gloria Caoile, Jon Melegrito and Maestro Michael Dadap, with Dr. Alexander Africa moderating. The founders reflected on NaFFAA’s origins, grassroots mobilization, and the work required to establish a unified national voice.
“We were all in this together, and if we stopped believing that, we lost the strength that made progress possible.” — Gloria Caoile, NaFFAA Co-Founder
Day One also expanded the conversation through sessions on media literacy in the age of artificial intelligence, sustainable medical missions, nonprofit governance, immigration and transnational living, Medicare portability, Filipino identity, cultural history, dance and music. The Emerging Leadership Institute guided young participants through community discovery, problem definition, and the early development of solutions.
Identity, Representation and Courage Took Center Stage
During an intergenerational discussion of Filipino American community struggles, speakers connected identity with representation, mental wellness and creative expression. Their remarks encouraged participants to transform difference into strength and respond to community gaps with courage and service.
“Having the space to have courageous conversations with our intergenerational community was what made this experience an impactful one and gave us insights on how to help the diaspora tackling things like AI.” — Leezel Tanglao, TAYO
“Being different was not a problem, and it did not make anyone less. It made people stand out, and that difference was part of what made the community special.” — Tia Dalupan-Wong
“Leadership meant recognizing where gaps existed and stepping forward to meet the need.” — Jason Tengco, Former NaFFAA National Executive Director
“Some of our most important mental health conversations happened around the dinner table. We had to bring Filipino identity into music, dance and art—and we had to meet fear with courage.” — TJ Simba-Medel, NAAPIMHA“I never had a Filipino teacher. That absence motivated me to become one, because representation mattered.” — Leslie Flores
Entrepreneurs Framed Trust, Adaptability and Service as Competitive Strengths
The “Bayanihan in Business” panel featured Riezl Baker, Charmel Dela Cruz, Joshua Collin Dela Cruz, Chelsey Solemsaas and Hannah Cambronero of Coffee Sarap. Their conversation addressed risk, market timing, trust, user experience, and the need to adapt when conditions changed.
“Entrepreneurs had to remain resilient and know when to pivot. Putting clients first built the trust and reputation that sustained a business.” — Riezl Baker, NaFFAA Trustee
“The work began with an idea, but success depended on a clear go-to-market strategy, thoughtful user experience, strong customer service and earned trust.” — Joshua Collin Dela Cruz“Entrepreneurs had to study the opportunity in front of them, create openings for themselves and ask how their work could bless the people around them.” — Charmel Dela Cruz
Chelsey Solemsaas encouraged entrepreneurs to show that they belonged in positions of leadership, while Hannah Cambronero emphasized adaptability as a core business discipline. Together, the panel presented entrepreneurship not only as individual achievement, but also as a pathway to employment, economic resilience, and community investment.
Civic Engagement Sessions Emphasized Service, Access and Participation
“Protecting the Ballot: Voting Rights and the Power of the Filipino Vote in 2026” examined participation, voter education and practical barriers. The discussion remained focused on nonpartisan civic engagement and the responsibility to help eligible voters access trustworthy information and participate confidently.
“Campaigns required resources, and candidates should not have been ashamed to ask their communities for support.” — Sam Buban
“People did not seek office simply to gain power; they sought to serve the public and connect communities with the resources they needed.” — Angela Pedrigal, LEAD Filipino
Keynotes Connected Personal Resilience With Collective Impact
Dr. Michelle Mras delivered the “Building Community Power” keynote and used her personal journey to demonstrate how united communities had driven meaningful social change. Sara Moore, Executive Director of Colorado Dragon Boat, closed Day One by highlighting intentional relationship-building, cultural education and collective action as foundations for durable community power.
Day Two Moved From Individual Voice to Strategic Partnership
Day Two examined how individual leaders had worked in tandem with established organizations. Drawing on the Filipino values of pakikisama and malasakit, the program encouraged participants to serve as bridges across generations, sectors, and communities.
Dr. Stacey Diane Arañez Litam opened the day with “Cultural Scripts and Collective Care,” offering a framework for healing intergenerational patterns, protecting leaders’ mental health and unlocking individual agency. The “Women in Community Leadership” fireside chat featured Gloria Caoile as moderator with Mariela Fletcher, Tia Dalupan-Wong, Jacque de Joya and Dr. Litam. The session included a tribute to NaFFAA founding leader Lourdes “Luly” Mitra Esclamado, whose gentle strength, loyalty to the cause and love of community helped build NaFFAA’s foundation.
“A Long March” Renewed the Call for Recognition and Justice
A screening and panel discussion of “A Long March,” presented by Tammy Botkin, Mike Simbre, Jon Melegrito and Nonie Cruzado and moderated by Giselle Rushford, revisited the sacrifice of Filipino and Filipino American World War II veterans and their decades-long pursuit of recognition and justice. The discussion called renewed attention to the continuing consequences of the Rescission Acts of 1946 and to the Filipino women guerrillas whose service was systematically excluded from official recognition.
“The long march is not over until the 1946 Rescission Act is re-addressed, a dark stain in U.S. history we must all reckon with.” — Jon Melegrito, FilVetREP Executive Secretary
“The Long March documentary by Tammy Botkin exposed the shocking fact that Filipino women guerrillas were methodically excluded from the list of officially recognized Filipino guerrillas. The 333-page instruction manual used to exclude Filipino women was only unsealed in 1990, 45 years after it was first published and classified. Thank you, Tammy, for exposing this injustice.” — Atty. Rodel Rodis, NaFFAA Co-Founder
Public Service Was Presented as a Responsibility to Represent Everyone
Mayor Ron Falconi delivered a keynote on the importance of representation, drawing from his experience as the first Filipino American mayor in Ohio. The “Run for Office” panel followed with Larcy Douglas, Mark Pulido, Falconi and New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga. The nonpartisan conversation demystified the path from community advocate to public servant and encouraged aspiring leaders to enter decision-making spaces with preparation and purpose.
“The urgency had to settle in. Communities needed access to centers of power, and if there was no seat at the table, leaders could bring their own chair.” — Larcy Douglas, Common Power
“Representation carried a responsibility to represent everyone.” — Steven Raga, New York Assemblymember
Community Safety Discussions Called for Accessible and Trusted Reporting
The “Stop Asian Hate” session addressed policy protections, reporting standards and the role of cross-cultural coalitions in protecting communities, particularly elders. Speakers explained that underreporting had made it harder to understand the full scale of hate incidents and direct resources where they were most needed.
“If hate remained undocumented, it effectively did not exist in the systems responsible for responding to it. Communities needed reporting tools that were accessible, trustworthy and safe from retaliation.” — Gigi de Gala, Asian Roundtable of Colorado
“A police report should not have been the only door. Community-based and third-party reporting also mattered, because communities had been stronger when they worked together.” — Yangmee Lor
“Community safety required preparation and local advocacy. NaFFAA’s regions could ask whether their local governments had meaningful hate-crime protections in place.” — Ben Menor Jr.
A concurrent Mental Health First Aid session, presented with Krystle Canare and TJ Simba-Medel and featuring Lester Uy and Dr. Rommel Rivera, introduced practical ways to recognize and respond to signs of mental distress. Additional sessions addressed healthcare leadership, Filipino American authorship, fashion as cultural reclamation, regional best practices, and the career journeys of young professionals.
Family, Storytelling and Youth Leadership Closed the Conference
Sheilah Jane Troiano delivered the closing keynote, “Building Community Power Starting With the Family.” Through personal storytelling, she explored migration, identity, intergenerational silence, and the healing that followed when families created space for honest conversation.
The Emerging Leadership Institute concluded with a solutions showcase in which participants presented ideas developed during the conference. The program reinforced NaFFAA’s commitment to preparing younger leaders not merely to inherit existing institutions, but to understand community needs, build partnerships and design responses of their own.
The sold-out Bayanihan Awards Gala and Fashion Show concluded the gathering with Filipiniana fashion, cultural storytelling and recognition of outstanding community leaders and changemakers. The celebration transformed two days of strategy and connection into a visible expression of heritage, gratitude, and collective pride.
NaFFAA Elected Its New National Officers
National Chair: The Honorable Steven Raga
National President: Dr. Alexander Africa
National Vice President: Sally Balecha
National Secretary: Giselle Rushford
National Treasurer: Gabriel “Gabe” Young
The election honored NaFFAA’s commitment to leadership renewal, national representation and continuity across generations. The new officers were entrusted with advancing the federation’s nonpartisan mission and strengthening collaboration among its regions, partners, and communities.
“I’m deeply honored to serve as NaFFAA’s next National Chair. For nearly three decades, NaFFAA has shown what’s possible when Filipino Americans come together across generations, regions, and backgrounds in service of our community. Representation carries a responsibility to speak for everyone, which means listening closely to our communities, bringing more people into the work, developing the next generation of leaders, and making sure our growing voice leads to impactful action. I’m grateful to everyone who built and sustained this organization over the years, and I look forward to working with our new officers, regions, and partners to carry that legacy forward together.” — New York Assemblymember Steven Raga, incoming NaFFAA National Chair
A Conference Designed to Continue Beyond Aurora
Across the two-day conference, participants returned repeatedly to a shared conclusion: Filipino American empowerment depended on the willingness to listen, organize, report, invest, mentor, serve and build together. NEC 2026 honored those who laid the foundation while creating space for emerging voices to shape what followed.
The conference’s impact extended beyond the ballroom through new relationships, practical tools, cross-regional exchange and renewed commitments to public service, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, community health and safety. Its strongest message was simple: meaningful change began with individuals but endured through community.
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.