The White House Initiative and President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Announces Helen Beaudreau as New Executive Director

Krystal Ka‘ai appointed Member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders announced that Helen Beaudreau has been selected by President Biden to serve as its new Executive Director.

“Helen Beaudreau has spent her career working to advance equity for underserved communities. She brings that expertise and commitment to her new role, and to the challenges that communities are facing,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “WHIAANHPI has important work to do - addressing anti-Asian bias, expanding language access, promoting equitable access to mental health support, and advancing climate and environmental justice for starters. This is a critical time, and I look forward to seeing the impact that Helen and WHIAANHPI will have going forward.”

“Helen embodies President Biden’s vision when he reinvigorated the President’s Advisory Commission and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders – an unwavering commitment to lift up our community and our people,” said United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai. “Helen’s wealth of experience and expertise will be invaluable, but as a first generation American, she also brings empathy and compassion, especially for the most vulnerable and for the next generation. I am excited to partner with her as we continue this important work.”

Beaudreau is a dedicated public servant with nearly two decades of experience working in the federal government, including with the Biden-Harris Administration in various roles at the White House National Security Council and the Peace Corps, as well as in the U.S. House of Representatives. She successfully advanced key priorities on equity, gender, justice, and human rights, including a number of key legislative efforts to empower Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities. As a first-generation immigrant, Beaudreau is the first Korean American to be the Executive Director of the Initiative and the Commission. She is a two-time Peace Corps Volunteer – having served in the Republic of Georgia and the Philippines. She and her husband, David, have two young children.

Beaudreau succeeds Krystal Ka‘ai, who was appointed by President Biden in May 2021 as the first Native Hawaiian in history to lead WHIAANHPI and the President’s Advisory Commission. Ka‘ai stepped down from her role as Executive Director on October 5, 2024 and joined the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders as a newly appointed Commissioner on October 7, 2024.

“I want to say a special thanks to Krystal Ka‘ai, who, since 2021, has led the White House Initiative and the Commission. We are deeply grateful to have had her expertise and guidance as we tackle some of the most pressing facing these communities,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “I congratulate her on her appointment to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders where I know she will continue to serve our country and advance equity for all.”

“Our Administration put forward the most expansive and ambitious mandate to empower our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community, and Krystal has been an indispensable leader to deliver on that promise,” said United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai. “We all owe Krystal a tremendous amount of gratitude. She has been front and center as we navigated through unprecedented times, including a devastating pandemic and rising hate and violence toward AA and NHPIs. I had the privilege to join her as we crisscrossed the country to meet our community members where they are, and I know she will continue to make us proud as a new commissioner on the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.”

President Biden and Vice President Harris continue to celebrate the diversity of cultures, breadth of achievement, and remarkable contributions of our nation’s vibrant AA and NHPI communities. Since Day One, the Biden-Harris Administration has leveraged the full force of the Federal Government to advance equity for AA and NHPI communities and remains committed to investing in the futures of all Americans.