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WHITE HOUSE
Helen Beadreau takes over the helm of the Biden administration’s WHAANHPI. |
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders announced Helen Beaudreau as its new executive director.
Beaudreau succeeds Krystal Ka‘ai, who was appointed by President Biden in May 2021 as the first Native Hawaiian to lead both the WHIAANHPI and the President’s Advisory Commission. Ka‘ai stepped down from her role as Executive Director on Oct. 5, 2024 and joined the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders on Oct. 7.
“Helen Beaudreau has spent her career working to advance equity for underserved communities.” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.
“WHIAANHPI has important work to do – addressing anti-Asian bias, expanding language access, promoting equitable access to mental health support, and advancing climate and environmental justice for starters.,” said Becerra. “This is a critical time, and I look forward to seeing the impact that Helen and WHIAANHPI will have going forward.”
“Helen embodies President Biden’s vision when he reinvigorated the President’s Advisory Commission and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders – an unwavering commitment to lift up our community and our people,” said US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
“Helen’s wealth of experience and expertise will be invaluable, but as a first generation American, she also brings empathy and compassion, especially for the most vulnerable and for the next generation.”
Beaudreau has nearly two decades of experience working in the federal government, including with the Biden-Harris Administration in various roles at the White House National Security Council and the Peace Corps, as well as in the House of Representatives.
As a first-generation immigrant, Beaudreau is the first Korean American to be the Executive Director of the Initiative and the Commission. She was a PCV in Georgia (2004-06) – having served in the Republic in the Philippines (2010-11). And was the Deputy Director of Congression Relations for the agency (2021-24). She and her husband, David, have two young children.
“I want to say a special thanks to Krystal Ka‘ai, who, since 2021, has led the White House Initiative and the Commission. We are deeply grateful to have had her expertise and guidance as we tackle some of the most pressing facing these communities,” said Becerra.
“I congratulate her on her appointment to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders where I know she will continue to serve our country and advance equity for all.”
“Our Administration put forward the most expansive and ambitious mandate to empower our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community, and Krystal has been an indispensable leader to deliver on that promise,” said Tai.
“We all owe Krystal a tremendous amount of gratitude. She has been front and center as we navigated through unprecedented times, including a devastating pandemic and rising hate and violence toward AA and NHPIs. I had the privilege to join her as we crisscrossed the country to meet our community members where they are, and I know she will continue to make us proud as a new commissioner on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.”
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