Chair

Shyamali Roy Hauth is the Chair of DAAV. An Indian immigrant and US Air Force veteran, she serves on the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee and as the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Regional Director for South Asians for America. Shyamali has been active in Virginia politics from grassroots activism to running for state Delegate. She also heads Public Policy and the Legislative Committee for her local AAUW branch and American Legion Post respectively. Shyamali works as the Legislative Director for Multi-modal Transportation & Public Safety for Fairfax County's Hunter Mill District Supervisor. Shyamali is a graduate of UVA's Sorensen Institute's Political Leaders Program as well as Emerge and VCET's Progressive Leadership Program. 

@ShyamaliHauth 

First Vice Chair

Anika Rahman was a Co-Chair for VA AAPI Biden-Harris Leadership Council. She was also the Deputy Director for Bangladeshis for Biden National Council. In 2019, DAAV awarded her with the Unsung-Hero award, making her the first to receive this award. Anika is fluent in 5 languages, experienced in Policy and Governance, managing campaigns, and grassroots organizing.  She enjoys working with legislators on state policies. Anika Rahman believes in creating change through empathy. She currently works in the VA General Assembly.  

Second Vice Chair

Manisha Singh was born in Mumbai, Delhi, the largest democracy in the world, and moved to this country in 1997. She has a BA in Economic Theory and Statistics from Bombay University and MA in Applied Economics from Eastern Michigan University. Manisha is currently the Vice President of Women Empowerment Foundation. She is Chair of the 11th Congressional District Democratic Committee and a member of the DPVA's Central Committee. 

Secretary

Wesley Joe is Secretary of DAAV. Wesley has been a member of DAAV since 2012, when he heard Joe Montano proclaim "I need some Asians!" Wesley has served twice as DAAV's first vice chair and led the development of the DAAV's first Korean language guide for absentee voting in Virginia. He teaches at Georgetown University's McCourt School of public policy and has volunteered in several roles for Arlington Public Schools.

Treasurer

Rose Chu is Treasurer of DAAV and serves on the 8th Congressional District Democratic Committee and the Mason District Democratic Committee.  She is a health care analyst and a member of the Fairfax County Health Care Advisory Board.  Rose is also a volunteer AARP tax counselor and certified application counselor for Marketplace insurance and Medicaid.  

Political Director 

Sujan Sedhai, a former DAAV Fellow with Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton's campaign, is the DAAV Political Director. She has worked on campaigns and for elected leaders throughout the Commonwealth building a formidable network in the AAPI community. Sujan currently works on Senator Tim Kaine's campaign. 

Chair Emeritus

Praveen Meyyan was the DAAV Chair from 2020-2023. He is a Northern Virginia based Economist and AAPI Community Leader. Originally an immigrant from India, Praveen moved from India to the United States over 30 years ago, as his parents pursued the American Dream. Praveen has spent a decade in Virginia working to empower those within the AAPI community, make their voices heard and to help train a new generation of leaders. He served as the Governor's appointee to the Virginia Asian Advisory Board and is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute at the University of Virginia.

@ecotwist