Victoria Lai is Interim Chief Operating Officer at the Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF). In her role as Interim COO, Victoria will lead the organization’s operational and financial strategy while supporting the human resources goals of growth, recruitment, and team support.
Victoria began her career working in political campaigns and for the House of Representatives. In 2004, she served as the Director of Asian Pacific Islander Outreach for the Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee, where she grew her passion for advocating for Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian communities. Victoria joined the Obama Administration as the Counselor to the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at the Department of Homeland Security after clerking for the Hon. Denny Chin in the Southern District of New York and the Second Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Immediately prior to joining APIAHF, Victoria founded and developed Ice Cream Jubilee, a local chain of four ice cream shops in the Washington, D.C. area. By inventing unique flavors inspired by international desserts, cocktails, and nostalgic childhood treats, her small business was named one of the best ice cream shops in America eight years in a row. As a small business leader, Victoria spearheaded the manufacturing, regional distribution, and retail operations, as well as the financial growth, media relations, and eventual acquisition of the brand and operations.
Victoria received her J.D. from Fordham Law School and her B.A. in Political Science from Wellesley College. She was raised in Houston, Texas with her parents, who immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong and Singapore.