MEET THE 4A TEAM

Originally from Washington, D.C., and raised in Seattle, Alexa-Rio proudly carries the legacy of her forbearers as a Gosei (fifth-generation) Japanese-Filipino woman. Her roots are deeply grounded in community and activism—values passed down by politically active parents who immersed her in public service and grassroots movements from an early age.

Alexa-Rio is currently the Senior Political Communications Manager at The Colibri Collective, the first Latina-led digital marketing agency in Arizona, where she leads bold narrative strategy at the intersection of politics, culture, and community. She also serves on the Executive Team as Communications Director for the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce, helping to elevate and amplify AANHPI voices in business, civic, and statewide policy conversations.

Previously, she served as Communications Director for AZ AANHPI for Equity (501c3) and Political Director for AZ AANHPI Advocates (501c4)—Arizona's largest AANHPI-led civic engagement and political organizations. She played an instrumental role in launching the state’s first AANHPI-led PAC and advancing multiracial coalition work. Her communications leadership also extended to the Arizona Coalition for Change and Our Voice, Our Vote Arizona—the state’s largest Black-led civic and political organizations.

She earned her degree in American Ethnic Studies with Honors and a Minor in Labor Studies from the University of Washington and went on to intern with the U.S. House of Representatives to further her studies in public policy and legislation.

Today, Alexa-Rio continues to channel her passion for people-centered progress by serving on Boards and Committees with organizations. Her work remains rooted in community, culture, and a deep belief in the transformative power of inclusive storytelling. That foundation sparked a lifelong commitment to justice, representation, and building collective power.

AFFILIATIONS: The Filipino American National Historical Society; Progress Arizona; ONE Community ; and AZ Asia Chamber of Commerce

Grace Espiritu Dising graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing in 1980, and passed her Nursing Board Examination with flying colors becoming a Registered Nurse. Mrs. Dising then worked at the Manila Doctors Hospital for almost 13 years as a Staff Nurse and was promoted to be a Charge Nurse at the Ultrasound Department. Grace became an expert within her chosen career and she excels in everything she does. She especially enjoyed all of the projects she participated in with the Manila Doctors Hospital contributing towards a lot of Medical mission helping the underprivileged.

Mrs. Dising left the Philippines for a greener future and got married, she was blessed with a beautiful daughter, and now enjoys the company of her beautiful family. She previously worked at the Chalmette Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana in the Medical Field for a long time until the disastrous Hurricane Katrina hit and her and her family relocated to Arizona in 2005 starting all over again after losing everything. She states that, “everything happens for a reason” and feels that it was a blessing in disguise for her and her family to have survived the hurricane’s wrath and felt a sense of hope which she wants to continue to give to others through her community service.

She is presently employed as a Medical Coder and Quality Assurance at Integrity Home Health Care Services LLC. Grace enjoys being involved in different organizations work such as: Lions Club to further any humanitarian work that she can share her blessings and efforts to and now with the Arizona Asian American Association promoting our Diverse cultures, not to forget our roots and share it to the next generation to come after us as she has been apart of AAAA since 2012/2013. 

Emily leads the Directors-At-Large at 4A Team.  She's a graduate of University of Yangon and has an eminent background on social work, handling case loads of human developmental services.  Besides her profession of serving families and children with development disabilities, Emily's passion is to help and support Myanmar refugees, asylees and other immigrants to thrive in Arizona.

AFFILIATIONS:  State of Arizona Dept. of Developmental Disability ; Burmese Community Interpreter ; AZ Burmese Community

Marie is Hmong American, her Hmong lineage comes from the hilltop of Laos mountainous regions.  Growing up Hmong American, she was very involved in her community, her family and friends.

Marie comes from a business minded family who travel for business ventures as a huge influence from their culture.  

Currently, residing in Arizona and is on a mission to build a stronghold of Hmong community involvement and engagement representing their culture and people.

AFFILIATIONS:  Mai Holistic Beauty Shop ; Arizona Hmong Community

Middle Eastern Cultural Director of Arizona Asian Association has been active in the community and others for over 10 years. A proud Graduate of GCU she holds a BA in English Emphasis in Professional Writing and a Minor in Musical Voice Performance. 

Promoting cultural awareness and unity across cultural communities is a passion that she holds close to her heart. She is pleased to build that connection through cultural engagement and community involvement with AAAA. 

AFFILIATIONS:  Miracle Life Church of Arizona ; Theatrical Ministries Inc. ; Giving University ; Nhu Lai Thien Tu ; Neighborhood Christian Clinic ; Gallop International ; Million Dollar Diamond Beauty Pageant

I am serving Bangladeshi community since 2011 and joined 4A in 2016 as a cultural director.  

I am dedicated to my role and actively organize, participate and promote Asian cultural events to promote our culture, values and other cultural activities. I wish to take our AAAAs to the next level.

AFFILIATIONS:  International Mother Language Day AZ

 Suzanne Marge Celine Silvosa Kennedy has been an active member in the Filipino and Asian-American community of Arizona for over a decade. The former 2015 Miss Teen Philippines Arizona titleholder is a proud Visayan who was born in Davao and was raised here in the valley of the sun; Phoenix, AZ. As an immigrant of the Philippines, she values the preservation of Filipino culture and aims to continue promoting its deep-rooted heritage through various events such as the highly anticipated Philippine Independence Day Celebration and 3A Arizona Asian Festival. With her love of international travel and business, she graduated in December 2019 with a Bachelor’s of International Business and Global Management from ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management. Today Suzanne works at Honeywell Aerospace as a traveling Senior Program Manager focusing on Advanced Air Mobility programs for electric vertical take-off and landing aircrafts. Suzanne is passionate about leading others towards success not only at her work environment but most importantly the younger generation. 

AFFILIATIONS: Filipino Families Support Team of Arizona ; Phoenix Lions Without Borders

 Thiri Kyaw is a financial product leader with nearly a decade of experience in the banking and finance industry. Originally from Myanmar, she is passionate about financial literacy and career coaching, particularly within the Burmese and immigrant communities. Thiri dedicates her time to mentoring young people, helping them navigate their careers and build strong financial foundations.

Her decision to join the Arizona Asian American Association is rooted in her deep belief in the power of community. She hopes to give back by amplifying Asian voices, supporting cultural pride, and creating opportunities for youth to thrive—just as others once did for her. Thiri brings both professional expertise and heartfelt dedication to her role, with a vision to build a stronger, more connected Asian American community in Arizona. 

AFFILIATIONS: AZ Burmese Community

STAY TUNED!

Babu has been involved in community outreach programs performing in various leadership roles since last more than 15 years.  He is involved with quite a few community organizations as advisor and board member. 

Professionally has worked as project leads in the Health Information Systems and Financial Data Management sector.  

He loves to spend time in music, reading, traveling and various creative pursuits.  He has served 4A as the 2020-20221 President.

AFFILIATIONS:  India Association of Phoenix ; Indo American Cultural Connect ; Samhita

Mari has a diverse background in manufacturing and management. Mari

works for the Boeing Company in Mesa since 1999 and has had various

responsibilities during her tenure. 

Mari is an avid community volunteer and leader working with various non-profit organizations.

Mari has served as the Global Service

Chairperson on the District level and has been leading medical mission

and humanitarian outreach globally.  She has served 4A as the President from 2010-2014.

AFFILIATIONS:  Phoenix Lions Without Borders ; Asian Pacific

Community in Action ; Mesa Martin Luther ;  King Celebration Committee ; Boeing Asian American Professional

Association ; Mary Mother of the Poor USA