May is ANHPI Heritage Month, dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the diversity and achievements of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Join HAPPEN for a celebration honoring our communities' histories, cultures and contributions to Washington. It will be an event with both in-person and virtual options.
When: May 29, 2024 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Labor & Industries, 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater, WA 98501
Register to attend in-person or virtually.
Agenda
- 10:00 AM - Networking
- 11:00 AM - Welcome and Opening Remarks
- 11:45 AM - Catered Lunch
- 2:45 PM - Closing Remarks
- 3:00 PM - Meet the HAPPEN Executive Leadership Team
Features
Activities will include: performances, music and dance; special guests; photobooth and 360ᵒ camera by 360 Above the Rest, plus event photographers; catered lunch; HAPPEN leadership meet-and-greet... and more!
Keep reading for sneak peeks and check back often for updates.
Cultural Performances
- Hawaiian Hula with Kennly Asato
Kennly Asato has been dancing hula for over 30 years and hails from Honolulu, Hawaii. She currently serves as the Mentorship Committee Lead for HAPPEN and works for the Washington State Department of Commerce as the Deputy Assistant Director of the Housing Division. - Live music with Northwest Blend
Northwest Blend is a unique Hawaiian band that offers an array of music with a special harmony. - Dance with Lemana Polynesian Revue
Lemana Polynesian Revue is a dance group located in Olympia Washington. Our dancers specialize in dances from Tahiti, Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, & New Zealand. - Tinikling Dance with Michaela Doelman and Jim Mendoza
Tinikling is a traditional folk dance in the Philippines. Michaela Doelman is a biracial, first-generation American who currently leads Human Resources for the State of Washington. Jim Mendoza, CEBS ®, CRPC™, is an inaugural co-chair for the HAPPEN BRG and serves from the WA State Dept of Retirement Systems.
Guest Speakers
Jolene Jang, Asian Inclusivity Speaker, DEI Trainer, educational content creator and founder of multiple groups and initiatives to support AANHPI voice, inclusion, safety and allyship.
Michaela Doelman, Chief Human Resources Officer for the state of WA and first-generation, biracial American, with 16 years of experience across 5 state agencies and passion for building equitable systems and workplace cultures where everyone can belong.
Megan Matthews - Director at the WA Office of Equity and certified Prosci® Change Management Practitioner, Diversity Professional (CDP) and a Diversity Executive (CDE), with passion for social justice and ensuring fairness for everyone, especially the next generation.
Grace Yoo - Executive Director of the WA Women's Commission, previously recognized for her work on climate and environmental issues and diplomatic assignments focused on labor and human rights for the U.S. Foreign Service.
Guest Booths
- Aloha Festival
- Department of Children, Youth and Families
- Department of Retirement Services
- Office of Equity
- SmartHealth
- Washington State Business Resource Groups
- Washington State Employees Credit Union
... and MORE to come! We'll keep adding to the list above. Check back soon!
