BOSTON – State officials today announce the appointment of three new members to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission. Cinda Danh, Ekta Saksena, and Megha Prasad will serve three-year terms as Commissioners of the public body, which is dedicated to advocacy on behalf of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout Massachusetts. The new Commissioners were sworn in virtually today by State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, along with Mary K. Y. Lee, esq. who was reappointed by Governor Charlie Baker for a second term.
“We are proud to welcome these three highly qualified and dedicated Commissioners onto the AAC, and are eager to work together to advance the needs of the diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander community across Massachusetts,” said Sam Hyun, Chairperson of the Asian American Commission. “We also recognize and thank outgoing Commissioners Mabel Lam, Vanna Howard, and Ying Wang for their important contributions and service.”
Cinda Danh of Lynn was appointed to the Commission by State Auditor Suzanne Bump. A graduate of UMass Boston, Danh ran for Lynn Ward 6 City Councilor in 2019, becoming the first AAPI woman to run for public office in Lynn. She formerly served as staff director to State Representative James O’Day, legislative aide to State Representative Steven Walsh, and government relations specialist at Preti Strategies. She is an alumna and mentor for the Asian American Women’s Political Initiative and a board member for Lynn Main Streets and Raw Art Works. Danh replaces Vanna Howard, who was recently sworn-in to the Massachusetts Legislature as State Representative for the 17th Middlesex District.
“I’m honored to have received the Auditor’s appointment to the Asian American Commission, and I am looking forward to working with members of the commission to continue to address the challenges that the AAPI (Asian American/Pacific Islander) community faces,” said Danh.
Ekta Saksena of Acton was appointed to the Commission by State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg. A first-generation Indian-American, Saksena holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University. She currently works as a Health Communications Specialist for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention, where she also serves on the Bureau’s Racial Equity Leadership Team and Racial Equity Strategic Planning Team. Saksena replaces Dr. Mabel Lam, a clinical and police/public safety psychologist, and former President of the MA Psychological Association.
“I am humbled by the appointment and want to thank Treasurer Goldberg for the opportunity. I’m delighted to work with other members of the Commission to address the health inequities faced by our Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) residents,” said Saksena. “Together, I hope we can create healthier, more resilient communities across Massachusetts.”
Megha Prasad of Lexington was appointed to the Commission by Attorney General Maura Healey. Prasad is an undergraduate student at Northeastern University studying Political Science and Business. At her previous institution, American University, she worked with the Asian American Student Union to lobby the administration for more funding towards Ethnic Studies. She previously interned on Capitol Hill for Senator Ed Markey. Prasad replaces Ying Wang, esq., who serves as a Public Rights Project Fellow and Special Assistant District Attorney in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
“I am incredibly grateful for the Attorney General’s appointment, and I am excited to get to work on making public services more accessible to the AAPI community and pushing for Ethnic Studies funding on the state level,” said Prasad.
Established in 2006, the Asian American Commission aims to recognize and highlight the many contributions of Asian Americans to the social, cultural, economic, and political life of the Commonwealth, and to identify and address the needs and challenges facing Asian Americans in Massachusetts.