Lauren Pongan (she/her) brings nearly a decade of experience advancing health equity for Asian American communities to her role as AMHC’s Senior Director of Programming.

Prior to joining AMHC, she led the Diverse Elders Coalition, advocating for aging policies that support communities of color, American Indian and Alaska Native elders, and LGBTQ+ people. Lauren has also supported AANHPI community leaders through federal advocacy trainings at the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, and managed direct service programs for immigrants, refugees, and survivors of domestic violence in Pennsylvania.

Lauren identifies as a biracial second-generation Filipina American and holds a Master’s in Southeast Asian Studies from the University of Washington.