People are the heart of our organization—the driving force behind our mission. Their talents, passion, and dedication fuel the programs and services we provide, working tirelessly behind the scenes to bring our vision to life.
JEANNIE W. SALOMON
international interest and a deep desire to see AAPI experiences recognized as essential to American history and the broader Asian diaspora.
Jeannie’s primary focus for the coming year is strengthening the Museum’s Board, governance, operations, and leadership as demand for its work grows. She is committed to ensuring that expansion does not compromise the trust, care, and historical integrity on which the Museum was founded. She is also placing youth leadership at the center of its future, preparing young people to steward public history with responsibility, creativity, and commitment while cultivating the Museum’s leadership pipeline.
Jeannie is building more than a museum: she is creating an enduring public-history institution and preparing future generations to preserve AAPI experiences, strengthen civic belonging, and shape a more informed and inclusive future.
NAINA BOVEJA
Naina Boveja brings experience in communications, marketing, editing, event planning, mentorship, the arts, and nonprofit leadership. As Director of Communications and Outreach for Cultural Society (CSEBRI)/AAPI History Museum, she supports the Museum’s public presence through website management, social media, storytelling, and community engagement.
Since joining the Museum more than a year ago, Naina has gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of Asian American representation in New England. As a second-generation Indian American, she brings an important South Asian perspective to a region where AAPI communities remain a relatively small part of the population. Her service has strengthened her belief that representation matters in whose stories are told and whose voices help shape cultural institutions.
Based near Washington, D.C., Naina also brings insights and connections from a highly diverse metropolitan area. Her perspective supports the Museum’s commitment to learning from communities and institutions beyond New England as it expands its research, collections, and national reach.
Naina holds degrees from the University of Maryland and Georgetown University, as well as a certificate from Christie’s Education. She has also volunteered with the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Smithsonian Institution. She lives outside Washington, D.C., with her husband and two sons.
LIZ WANG
business, innovation, and leadership. She is also an active member of AAPI New Jersey, supporting youth leadership and cultural awareness initiatives.
Beyond her professional work, Liz is an active member of AAPI New Jersey, supporting youth leadership and cultural awareness initiatives. She also has a strong appreciation for Providence and hopes to give back to the community that shaped part of her academic journey.
RUE XU
Rue Xu (she/her) serves as the Director of Campus Partnerships & Board Support, where she bridges the museum with college and university communities while strengthening internal board coordination and administrative systems. In her role, Rue manages crucial non-financial operations, including event logistics, scheduling, board record organization, and internal communications, while providing strategic support to the Executive Director to ensure seamless program execution.
Professionally, Rue is the Administrative and Event Coordinator at the Pembroke Center for Teaching and Research on Women at Brown University. She brings a robust background in event planning, intercultural communications, and public
relations. Prior to joining Brown, she worked in the Office of International Student Affairs at Emerson College, where she specialized in international student advising and community programming.
As a first-generation college student, an immigrant from China, and a proud member of the AAPI community, Rue is deeply dedicated to cultural preservation. Her personal and professional journey fuels her vision to serve the broader community and ensure that AAPI histories and cultures are preserved and celebrated for generations to come. Rue holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a Master of Arts in Intercultural Communication, and a Master of Arts in Public Relations from Emerson College.
NICK LEE
Nick Lee (he/him) supports educational and storytelling programming within the AAPI History Museum, with the goal of engaging young voices in diasporic conversations. As a middle school teacher and community organizer, Nick looks forward to connecting with museum-goers who want to explore and celebrate their identities and family histories. Nick is a proud Korean American, originally from Rancho Cucamonga, California. He formerly led Students for Educational Equity, an activist organization dedicated to keeping universities responsible to their local communities and public education systems. Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education Studies and International and Public Affairs from Brown University, and is currently pursuing a Masters of Education at the University of Pennsylvania.
We have two Advisory Councils that provide valuable guidance to our leadership, though they do not hold the fiduciary responsibilities of board members. These councils—one composed of professor scholars and the other of artists, designers, and creators—offer their expertise to help inform decision-making.
The Executive Director and staff oversee daily operations, while the Executive Director works collaboratively with the board, integrating insights from both Advisory Councils to ensure the museum operates effectively.
Click here to view the Advisory Council Board of Professor Scholors!