About The Virginia Asian Foundation

Foundation Leadership

  • Chairman: Tinh Phan, Chairman, PNC Group

  • Administrator: My Lan Tran, Administrator

  • Directors: Becky Merritt, Retired VP, Dominion Energy

Irene Wong, Community member

Dale Cannaday, Retired Bank President

George Roden, CPA, Roden & Associates

About the Virginia Asian Foundation

Virginia Asian Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advancing workforce systems alignment, regional economic mobility, and inclusive economic development across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Foundation operates as a cross-sector economic systems platform, working with employers, educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations to improve alignment between workforce pipelines and regional labor market needs.

CORE PURPOSE

VAF strengthens regional economic systems by improving:

  • Workforce participation pathways for under-served and immigrant communities

  • Regional economic mobility and opportunity access

  • Alignment between employers, education systems, and workforce pipelines

  • Cross-sector collaboration for sustainable economic development

  • Inclusive regional growth strategies

ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM

VAF functions as a systems-level intermediary and coordination platform that:

  • Convene stakeholders across workforce and economic development systems

  • Strengthen alignment between talent pipelines and employer demand

  • Facilitate cross-sector collaboration between institutions, businesses, and communities

  • Identify structural barriers to workforce participation and economic inclusion

  • Improve coordination across regional economic systems throughout Virginia

IMPACT FOCUS

VAF contributes to measurable regional outcomes, including:

  • Improved workforce access and participation systems

  • Increased economic mobility for under-served populations

  • Stronger regional talent pipeline alignment

  • More inclusive and efficient economic development systems

RELATIONSHIP TO VIRGINIA ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Virginia Asian Foundation complements the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce (VACC) by focusing on workforce systems development and economic inclusion infrastructure. Together:

  • Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce drives business growth, trade, and market access

  • Virginia Asian Foundation strengthens workforce systems, mobility, and economic inclusion

SUPPORT THE VIRGINIA ASIAN FOUNDATION

Support Us: To support us and for more information about the Virginia Asian Foundation, contact mylantran@aabac.org

Foundation Engagement Committee

The Virginia Asian Foundation Engagement Committee has engaged more than 100 active volunteers from leading corporate leadership / Employee Resource Groups, philanthropists, students, members of the statewide Asian community, NGO leaders, and academicians