Meet The Team
Ay Saechao
Executive Director
Born to a community of Mienh and Southeast Asian refugees, the educational disparities he witnessed in the US K-12 and postsecondary education system inspired him to dedicate the past 20+ years, both personally and professionally to the success of our most vulnerable and deserving communities. He served as a case manager, program manager of multiple college success and academic support programs, high school and college advisor, director of the Highline College TRiO Student Support Services program, and is currently the Dean of Student Support and Funding Services at Highline College. In addition, he is the founding President of the non-profit organization, Southeast Asian American Education (SEAeD) Coalition. The work and accomplishments of SEAeD has been presented at the local and national level with organizations throughout the country and at the 2015 White House Initiative on Asian Pacific American Affairs Symposium. Ay brings a comprehensive lens that incorporates educational policy and practice, and grassroots community organizing background centered on equity.
Dylan Tran
Growing up in the Hilltop and Eastside of Tacoma as a child of Southeast Asian refugees, Dylan first joined SEAeD as a Legislative Intern in 2016 and served as SEAeD's Campaign Coordinator in 2018 leading the organization's statewide advocacy and organizing efforts. This included lobbying in support of statewide ethnic studies curriculum, re-institutionalizing college access support for Southeast Asian youth, ensuring the implementation of data disaggregation policies, and organizing the #2018RisingSEAs conference. Dylan currently serves as the Senior Director of Education Programs at Peace Community Center, an educational non-profit rooted in the Hilltop of Tacoma.
Richard Cahall
Richard is a retired accountant. He earned a Florida CPA and the CMA designations and is now inactive. He holds an MBA, BS in accounting and BA in Geography. He worked in the telecommunications industry for twenty-three years. Richard acted as Treasurer for his church in Florida and his spiritual group based in Colorado. Richard enjoys math, cooking, politics and economies. He enjoys life in Seattle and participating in his grandsons’ lives. Richard looks forward to traveling again and spending time with friends and family.
Mai Xee Vang
Mai Xee (she/her) comes from a family of Hmong refugees and immigrants. Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, she's always been immersed in communal environments with rich cultures. This influenced her values in building solidarity and compassion. As an advocate, storyteller, creator, and life-long learner, she especially appreciates creatives as a tool to empower and highlight underrepresented voices.
Currently, Mai Xee resides in the Greater-Seattle Area and is a graduate student at the University of Washington in the Communication Leadership program. She has a background in student services and continues to seek opportunities to uplift underserved students.
Campaign Coordinator
Lena Pham
Research
Lena is a second generation Vietnamese American. Previously, she has worked with organizations such as Asian American LEAD, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, and the Thai Community Development Center. She is passionate about working with AAPI community organizations to conduct research that will help to uplift our communities. She is currently a master’s student in Applied Anthropology at the University of North Texas conducting research on AAPI identity.
Seng Vue
I am Hmong-American and have been involved with SEAeD since the beginning in 2011. My background is in Engineering and I work for Exotic Metals Forming Company, an aerospace company in Kent, WA. I’ve lived in Federal Way for 14 years with my wife, curious 4 year old son, and 8 month old daughter. Growing up, I’ve had several mentors that helped me along my educational path and I wanted to give back to the community.
Being first generation, I heard several stories of how our parents didn’t have the opportunity to go to school in Laos. My parents continually stressed education as the vehicle to a better life in America. Many Hmong and other SE Asian Americans faced other struggles and didn’t get an opportunity to pursue higher ed. Through SEAeD, I hope to break down some of those barriers and advocate for their needs.
Alyssa Seng
Alyssa is a first-generation graduate student at the UW’s Communication Leadership program. Before attending graduate school, she worked in digital marketing and outreach for community-based organizations in the arts and culture sector. As our Campaign Coordinator, she leads a small team to raise awareness of the challenges facing Southeast Asian American students in higher education. Additionally, she works as Restart Partner’s Facebook Ad & Student Team Project Manager, implementing highly funded social ad campaigns to promote COVID-safe behaviors and encourage safe economic recovery in Washington State.
Lena is a second generation Vietnamese American. Previously, she has worked with organizations such as Asian American LEAD, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, and the Thai Community Development Center. She is passionate about working with AAPI community organizations to conduct research that will help to uplift our communities. She is currently a master’s student in Applied Anthropology at the University of North Texas conducting research on AAPI identity.
Lena Pham
Data Analyst and Researcher