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. She 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

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. 

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 

Jacob Harrer is a native of Southern California and served as a public affairs chief in the U.S. Marine Corps before retiring in 2024. He currently works as a school board staff aide for Fairfax County Public Schools, and he is an active member of the Franconia Democrats in the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. Recently, he worked as the Regional Political Director and Asian and Pacific Islanders / Veterans and Military Family Coalitions Lead for the Harris-Walz Coordinated Campaign of Virginia. He holds a Master of Political Management from George Washington University. 

Political Director

Renee Ding is DAAV's Political Director for Central-South organizing. She has volunteered for Asian American organizations for 13 years, and is an active fundraiser for Democratic candidates. She previously worked at the Center for American Progress and the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland. She is currently Political Director for Lily Franklin's campaign for the House of Delegates in Blacksburg.