Our Staff
Amy Hwang Powers
Organizational Leadership & Operations
About
Amy Hwang Powers
Amy (she/her) is the daughter of Korean immigrant parents and was born and raised in Oregon. She and her partner are parents to two kids and a rescue pup. These beloved five shape the person she is today.
Amy brings leadership experience in programs, advocacy, community engagement, food justice and youth & family services. She is passionate about building teams and supporting staff, advancing racial justice and cultivating programs with love, trust and care. She is committed to shared leadership and fostering a workplace culture that centers equity- and community-based priorities.
On weekends and evenings, you can find Amy cheering on her kids’ sports teams, calling her 엄마 (mom) or taking trips to the Oregon Coast.
Dayzha Kaleikini
Field Organizer
About
Dayzha Kaleikini
My name is Dayzha Kaleikini, I am one of the Field Organizers on the Political, Policy, Advocacy, Civic Engagement (PPACE) Team at APANO. I use She/Her pronouns. I am a Native Hawaiian, Chinese, Japanese, Irish who was born and raised in Hawaii on the westside of Oahu.
With my previous experience as a compassionate professional in the funeral industry, I've found myself at the crossroads of life and death, guiding families through some of their most profound moments of loss. My journey in this solemn realm has taught me invaluable lessons about the fragility of life and the resilience of the human spirit.
Every day, I walk the delicate tightrope between grief and solace, offering a steady hand and a compassionate heart to those in mourning. In the quiet stillness of funeral homes, I've witnessed the raw emotions that accompany loss and the profound impact that a genuine connection can have on healing. Yet, amidst the somber melodies of sorrow, I've also discovered an unexpected harmony – the interconnectedness between mental health and the grieving process. In a world where the stigma surrounding mental illness often shrouds it in silence, the funeral industry serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of acknowledging and addressing our emotional well-being.
Drawing parallels between the delicate intricacies of grief and the complexities of mental health, I strive to foster a greater understanding and acceptance of both. Whether comforting a bereaved family or advocating for mental health awareness, my mission remains the same – to provide support, empathy, and a beacon of hope in life's darkest moments. Beyond the confines of funeral homes, I am a dedicated to advocate for mental health not just to break down barriers and foster a more compassionate society and also to heal that part of me from my father committing Suicide. I hope to shine a light on the profound connections that unite us all – in life, in death, and in the fragile spaces in between.
10 facts about me!
- Moved to Portland, Oregon in December of 2022
- Im a Scorpio
- Im a Gamer
- My Favorite Netflix Shows to Binge is Bridgerton
- Another Favorite Show to Watch is Rupauls Drag Race
- Im a Quite Observer and an Introvert
- Im an Audiobooks listener
- I Drive a 2014 Dodge Challenger Shaker ( Not Really a Car person but I’m told by many car enthusiast that its a special Model
- With Sustainable living in mind An hobby I enjoy is Aquaponic, I like the symbiotic relationship between Water, Fish, Fish Waste, and Plants.
- I like Hello Kitty
Kaiya Laguardia-Yonamine
Field Organizer
About
Kaiya Laguardia-Yonamine
Kaiya is a second-generation Uchinānchu and Afro-Cuban student born on the lands of the Multnomah, Cowlitz and Kalapuya peoples (North Portland). She started with APANO as one of the first members of ALLY, leading the campaign for Ethnic Studies implementation in Portland schools.
As an organizer with ties to Oceania, Kaiya grew up hearing stories of her ancestral homelands and developed a deep love for storytelling. She later brought this passion to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa where she studied Journalism. Kaiya strives to use multimedia production to spread stories of resilience and create empowering spaces for community engagement.
Kim Lepin
Organizational Leadership & Operations
About
Kim Lepin
Kim brings over 12 years of experience working alongside diverse partners in a collaborative manner across complex systems. She has leadership experience in nonprofit organizations and large health systems. Kim is passionate about fostering staff engagement and wellbeing, trauma informed practices, creating equitable and inclusive cultures and systems, and building authentic relationships with community and partner organizations. Kim is committed to her learning and growth to being antiracist, centering equity, and lifting the voices of others. Kim is biracial, a lifelong Oregonian, an avid reader, hiker, and Portland Thorns fan, and loves animals. She currently is working towards her PhD in Health Systems & Policy with her research centering on occupational stress, workforce psychological well being, Asian Community Health Workers, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marchel Marcos
PPACE Director
About
Marchel Marcos
Marchel was born and raised on O’ahu, Hawaii. Marchel began organizing as a Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon fellow. Since joining APANO AF in 2019 as a Census Equity Manager, Marchel continues to engage and activate the youth and community members to grow into their power. She knows the importance of representation and works to ensure all marginalized communities have the access to the resources they need to thrive.
Marchel is a mother of two young boys and enjoys going on adventures, photography, plants, crystals and tarot. When there’s free time, Marchel enjoys adventuring with her family.