Asian American DNC Delegates from Illinois

All eyes are on Illinois as the DNC comes to Chicago, bringing together key figures who will shape the future of American politics. It’s an opportunity to engage with leaders who could influence the next chapter of our nation's history. 

Get to know some of the Asian American DNC Delegates from Illinois, the voices and visions that may define such a pivotal moment.

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AURORA AUSTRIACO

Aurora concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial and real estate litigation, construction litigation, mechanic’s liens, defense of mortgage foreclosure, mortgage fraud - plaintiff, title insurance claims litigation, and other special chancery remedy cases. Her clients range from multinational corporations to small and startup companies to individuals. Aurora is currently serving as Commissioner for the Illinois Courts Commission. She served 9 years as Commissioner for the Park Ridge Planning and Zoning Commission, and has served 11 years as Commissioner for the Cook County Human Rights Commission. She is the immediate past president of the National Conference of Bar Presidents, past president of the Chicago Bar Association, and past president of the Lawyer’s Trust Fund of Illinois. She was named a Super Lawyer-Real Estate, one of the Top 10 Women Consumer Attorneys by Leading Lawyers, one of the Top 10 Women Lawyers in Real Estate and one of 50 honorees for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer “Salute! Women in Law. Aurora was named one of Chicago United’s “50 Business Leaders of Color.” Aurora is also fluent in Tagalog.

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DAVID NAMKUNG

David Namkung is the Founder and Managing Partner of Clarity Partners, a high growth management and technology consulting firm, where he shares responsibility for day-to-day operations, business development and service delivery. David’s background as an entrepreneur and over 25 years of experience in financial services, technology consulting, and human capital management has led to Clarity successfully serving its clients of over 20 years. David is also a Co-Founder and Partner at Kinzie Capital Partners, where he leads technology implementations and is responsible for assisting in the execution of value creation initiatives for Kinzie’s portfolio companies. In addition, he is active in deal sourcing and oversees Kinzie’s internal technology initiatives and supports various operational matters.

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BETTY JANG

Betty Jang is a distinguished senior legal executive with vast experience in both private and public sectors. She founded BYJ Law LLC, a boutique firm focused on general counsel services for high-growth companies. Ms. Jang has served as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for various companies, worked at a national law firm, taught trial advocacy, and began her career as an assistant public defender. She has been twice appointed by the U.S. President, confirmed by the Senate, as a Trustee for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, where she identifies emerging leaders in governance and public service. Additionally, she has advised on lifetime judicial appointments and other federal roles across four presidential administrations. Committed to community service and mentoring, Ms. Jang is actively involved in non-profits and bar associations, and is recognized for her efforts to elevate women in business.

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TAMMY DUCKWORTH 

A veteran in the Army National Guard, a Purple Heart recipient, a bipartisan bill creator of Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act which allows mothers to have access to a safe and clean lactation room around the airport, and a strong advocate of “common-sense solution”, are just a tiny portion of her long list of achievements. Tammy Duckworth has been the very definition of public servant showcasing multitudes of support for women and her fellow veterans in different sectors. She is part of committees and caucuses such as the Senate Democrat’s Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, Environmental Justice Caucus, US Senate Armed Service Committee, US Senate Committee on Environmental & Public Works, US Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, and US Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. 

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THERESA MAH

Making history as the first Asian American elected official to serve in the Illinois General Assembly in 2016, Theresa Mah has been instrumental in some of the key changes happening around the community. A former college professor with a PhD in modern American history combined with teaching experiences on subjects relating to history, ethnic studies, and Asian American studies. She played a part in drafting the first Asian American Employment plan and she worked with various advocacy groups relating to immigrant rights, worker rights, voting rights, language access, and health care. She also worked with numerous governmental agencies to improve minority representation and diversity in the state government when she was a senior advisor in former Governor Pat Quinn’s administration. Safe to say, Theresa Mah has been vocal on representing the Asian American community in various causes.

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RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI Democratic Representative

Raja began his career clerking for a federal judge in Chicago and later served as policy director for Barack Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. He was appointed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan as a Special Assistant Attorney General to combat corruption and served on the Illinois Housing Development Authority, where he chaired the Audit Committee. Raja also contributed as Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Innovation Council, promoting technology-driven economic growth. As Illinois Deputy Treasurer, he managed the state's technology venture capital fund and streamlined programs. In addition to his public service, Raja is a small business owner in the national security and renewable energy sectors and co-founded InSPIRE, a non-profit that trains inner-city students and veterans in solar technology.

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SHARON CHUNG

Was elected to the McLean County Board in 2018 where Sharon Chung represented the residents of District 7. Her service has garnered her many endorsements from her colleagues on the board as well as from various organizations, committees, and fellow government officials. An advocate for common sense solutions, Sharon served under the Land Use and Development, Health, and Justice Committees. From there she and her colleagues fought and brought increased transparency and accessibility to the board and county government. Being a representative, Sharon is an advocate for working families and a compassionate ally for the marginalized of the 91st District. 

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JOSINA MORITA

Josina Morita is a dedicated public servant and community leader with a strong background in policy, urban planning, and advocacy. She made history as the first Asian American elected to a countywide office in Cook County, Illinois, serving as a Commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). In this role, Morita focuses on environmental justice, water management, and infrastructure development. Beyond her role at MWRD, Morita is recognized for her work in promoting equity and inclusion across various sectors. She has been involved in numerous initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for diverse communities, particularly in areas related to environmental sustainability and public health. Additionally, she has a background in urban planning, which she has leveraged to address issues of social justice and community development.

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VICTOR SHI

Victor Shi is a prominent young political activist, writer, and public speaker known for his work in advocating for youth engagement in politics. He gained national attention as the youngest delegate for Joe Biden at the 2020 Democratic National Convention, where he represented Illinois. A graduate of UCLA, Shi has written for various publications, including the Chicago Tribune, and frequently appears on podcasts and media outlets to discuss political issues, particularly those affecting young voters. In addition to his activism, Shi co-hosts the podcast "iGen Politics," where he interviews political figures and thought leaders on topics ranging from policy to current events. His work focuses on empowering the next generation of voters and ensuring that young people's voices are heard in the political process.

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HOAN HUYNH

He has been a proponent for immigrant rights and AAPI advocacies through his works with Chinese Mutual Aid Association and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

During his term, Hyunh aims to fight for small businesses, better pay for caregivers, childcare workers, and teachers, culturally sensitive reproductive healthcare for women in BIPOC and AAPI communities, increase resources and protection for those who work with and for the LGBT+ community, and many more.

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JENNIFER GONG GERSHOWITZ

A re-electionist, she has been assigned to the committees on Immigration & Human Rights and Judiciary - Civil. She has worked as a litigation associate and as director of immigration law practice before pursuing public service. As an advocate for the welfare of children, she is one of the founders of the Illinois Unaccompanied Children's Task Force. This is only one of the many testaments of her being a determined fighter for the voiceless and the vulnerable. Her priorities include long-term financial stability, education, environment, women’s rights, and immigration and human rights. 

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SONIA DESAI BHAGWAKAR

Sonia Desai is the Deputy Head of Legal Affairs at Sonova, where she brings extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions, healthcare and medical device regulation, and corporate commercial law. Her role involves structuring and negotiating contracts, navigating complex Medicare, Medicaid, and managed care regulations, and ensuring compliance with privacy laws such as HIPAA and GDPR. Sonia is also well-versed in intellectual property, antitrust, manufacturing and trade law, and provides crucial legal support for R&D initiatives. Her comprehensive knowledge supports Sonova's global strategy, helping the company maintain its leadership in the healthcare industry.

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XIMENA BELTRAN QUAN KIU 

Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu is a storyteller who explores her identity through writing and helps brands communicate their narratives. With over 200 bylines in prominent publications like The New York Times and CNN, Ximena also creates videos related to her stories. Her work with communication clients spans corporate, non-profit, and personal brands. A Mexican-Chinese immigrant, she draws inspiration from her bicultural background and is fluent in Spanish. Based in Chicago, she divides her time between Albuquerque and Mexico City.

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ANN P. KALAYIL

Anna P. Kalayil is the Associate Vice President of Facilities and Construction at Columbia College Chicago, where she oversees the planning, management, and life cycle of the college's physical facilities, and advises the President’s cabinet for these matters. Kalayil also created the Green Buildings Program to help the campus meet its ESG goals and implemented a model to integrate art into space design. Prior to her role at Columbia College Chicago, Kalayil served as the Bureau Chief of Asset Management for Cook County Government where she led the Bureau of Asset Management which includes the Departments of Real Estate Management, Capital Planning and Policy, and Facilities Management with approximately 560 staff. 

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NANCY SUVARNAMANI

Nancy Suvarnamani is the Founder and South Loop Managing Broker at Century 21 S.G.R., a prominent real estate firm. Nancy made history as the first Asian woman president of the Chicago Association of Realtors® (C.A.R.) in 2005-2006, where she developed outreach programs to better connect with minority groups. She was recognized as Realtor® of the Year in 2007 and founded the Chicago Chapter of the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) in 2012. She received the Century 21 International Marsh Fischer Award in 2014 for promoting diversity and was inducted into the Chicago Association of Realtors® Hall of Fame the same year. She has also served as a liaison and regional coordinator for the National Association of Realtors® in Asia-Pacific and other regions. Nancy continues to mentor and support the next generation of real estate professionals.

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NICOLE LEE

As a life-long resident of Chinatown and Bridgeport, Nicole Lee is the leader the new 11th Ward needs. She is a second generation Chinese American who is a proud product of Chicago Public Schools and has strong Chicago roots. She has spent most of her career in the service of others, whether in the Asian American Community of Chicago or globally as a social and community engagement professional she is dedicated to doing good in the world. As a single mother of two, she is raising her children in the community where she grew up. She has taken her 25+ years and is now serving as the first woman to represent the 11th Ward, the first Asian American woman and first Chinese American on the Chicago City Council.

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As the DNC unfolds in Chicago, knowing who will be there allows you to be an informed participant in the democratic process, ready to contribute to the conversation and make your voice heard. Don’t miss the chance to connect with the leaders and ideas that will help shape the future of our nation.