Bing Goei was born in Jakarta, Indonesia and has also lived in the Netherlands before arriving in Grand Rapids, Michigan January, 9, 1960. Bing is married to Jean and is blessed with 5 children and 17 grandchildren. Bing is the CEO of Eastern Floral and the Founder of the Goei Center. Bing continues to serve the community as a volunteer and has been recognized for his work in the area of racial justice and business development.
Minnie Morey, Executive Director, was born in Manila, Philippines but spent most of her childhood in California. She serves on various community committees whose work is related to her position to connect WMAAA to the greater Grand Rapids community. Minnie is a federal government retiree who worked for the Social Security Administration. She is currently serving on the board of the Arbor Circle organization, an alumni of the Leadership Grand Rapids Class 2008, a United Way volunteer working with the Investment Council and is a member of the Community Inclusion Group, Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention Arena Authority. Her past community involvement included board member for Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women, Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism, Girl Scouts Michigan Trails, Philippine Cultural Group of Michigan , Asian Center of West Michigan, Grand Rapids People of Color; and past president of the West Michigan Filipino-American Association. Minnie is the instructor/choreographer for the Pacific Island Dancers, a performing dance group specializing in cultural dances from Hawaii, Tahiti and the Philippines.
Dr. Julieta G. Tablante-Blanco is a board-certified staff pathologist of Michigan Pathology Specialists, PC and currently, the Medical Director of Spectrum Health Zeeland Laboratory. She proudly received her Doctorate degree in Medicine from Manila Central University- College of Medicine in the Philippines and in pursuit of the American dream finished her residency training in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and fellowship in Cytopathology from Boston University- Mallory Institute of Pathology. She developed local leadership skills as the first Asian woman president of St. Thomas the Apostle School board. Seeking to advance the lives of her fellow members of the AAPI community and the home they share, she is one of the active board members, the President of the West Michigan Asian America Association (WMAAA) and co-chair of the WMAAA Asian Gala event committee. A passion project for her is being the organizer of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers concert as a cultural and fund-raising event in Grand Rapids MI. She loves to travel, cook, bake and is now addicted to playing pickleball.
Claire Horlings is the Business Development Officer for the Michigan Nonprofit Association. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Michigan State University and is a proud Spartan. Claire is an experienced fundraiser and service-minded leader, with a focus on relationship management, strategic planning, marketing and event management in the nonprofit and for profit sectors. She also has more than 20 years experience volunteering for a variety of organizations and institutions including Forest Hills Public Schools, Bethany Christian Services, Clark Retirement Community and is active in the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. She also serves as a mentor through Rotary's STRIVE Program. Claire and her husband, Rod, have three children and reside in NE Grand Rapids.
Stella Michael is the Chairman of the board of West Michigan Asian American Association. Stella is a faith-led, impact-driven and purpose-filled leader. She is the Director of CRM Platforms and Applications at Spectrum Health. She is one of the cohort of the Grand Rapids Chamber - Leadership Grand Rapids (LGR) 2022 program. She is a graduate of the Spectrum Health Executive MBA program. She is passionate about using technology to solve problems while staying connected to purpose. She is an advocate for women in the workplace and in technology. She co-chairs the Asian American Community Engagement, Inclusion Resource Group at Spectrum Health, supporting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the community. Stella’s background in various industries, multinational companies and different work cultures such as Indian, Korean, Australian and American, help her bring a unique perspective to work and life. She is a busy mom of three kids and enjoys spending time with her family during her free time
Nathan Roudabush has been working in the finance industry for over 15 years. He started as part of operations in the banking world, working his way up to a leadership role. He has managed many departments including Auto Total Loss, Deposit Operations, Deposit Systems, and a Retail Branch. He currently works at Union Bank of Michigan as the AVP, Retail Systems Risk Management Officer. He manages vendor relationships, as well as oversees the Contact Center. His experience has expanded his skill set and drives him to learn and understand more about the banking industry. He currently is an Executive Board Member and appointed Treasurer of the West Michigan Asian American Association. Nathan actively participates in seeking a collaborative, active, and inclusive Asian American community in West Michigan with a focus on healthcare, education, and civic engagement.
Kim Koeman is the Senior Program Manager at Herman Miller, leading the company’s corporate foundation and global giving program. She’s also an active member of Herman Miller’s Asian Equity Team. Kim holds an MA in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a BA in Studio Art from Calvin College. With a heart for social justice, Kim is part of the Council for Government and Education on Equity and Inclusion, which focuses on strategies and best practices in education that are centered on the root causes of systemic inequity. She also serves on the Leadership Team and as a Committee Chair for Women of Color Give, an organization that is built for and led by women of color. Kim joined West Michigan Asian American Association in June 2021. Through her experiences of living abroad, in places such as South Korea, Ghana, Hungary, and the UK, Kim enjoys bringing a global perspective to the local initiatives she’s involved in. She currently resides in Holland, Michigan, with her husband and three children.
Jennifer A. Pascua is the Marketing Director at Broadway Grand Rapids. Pascua is familiar to the West Michigan community. Previously, she was on the Community Relations team at Spectrum Health where her focus was on relationship management. During the pandemic, she started teaching at Hope College as an adjunct professor in the Communication Department and launched a media freelance group, Halo Halo Multimedia, LLC with her three adult sons. She worked at Serendipity Media as the Content Engagement Manager and previously spent 25 years as a Broadcast Journalist, most recently at WZZM in Grand Rapids. She holds a BA from Northern Illinois University and an MS from Grand Valley State University. Connect with Jennifer- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferpascua/
Nadeem Hamid was born in Karachi, Pakistan. Presence in West Michigan since 1984. Ocean Inc. Vice President of a - Technology Solution Provider, Michigan. Leadership Grand Rapids 2022. Passionate about Diversity and Inclusion and local Michigan.
Christina Fong is a second-generation Chinese American born, raised, and educated in Chicago, Il. Her parents came to the US on student visas, graduated, worked for corporate America, and later opened two restaurants. Her parents valued education above almost everything else. She attended Northwestern University and earned a bachelor's and master's degree in violin performance. She graduated Phi Kappa Lambda and earned the title of Eckstein Scholar. Immediately after graduation, she won a job in the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra. Wanting to move back north, she auditioned for and a job as a section violinist with the Grand Rapids Symphony. Several years later, she won the job of Associate Concertmaster, a leadership role. In addition to her orchestral work, Christina is a new music specialist and has recorded over a dozen full-length recordings of previously unrecorded and largely unknown works by historically significant composers. For her contribution to the field of new music, in 2010, she was honored with a Fulbright Hayes grant to perform and teach master classes in Minsk, Belarus.
