January 14, 2013
SAN FRANCISCO—Today the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) welcomed H. Sook Wilkinson, a licensed clinical psychologist, and Elizabeth Myung Sook Krause, vice president of policy and communications at Connecticut Health Foundation, to the organization’s board of directors.
“Sook and Elizabeth have extraordinary knowledge and expertise in the health arena and we are delighted to have them serve on our board of directors,” said Kathy Ko Chin, APIAHF president and CEO.
“I am extremely pleased to have Sook and Elizabeth on our board,” said Rea Pañares, APIAHF board chair. “We look forward to learning from their experience and sharing their commitment to health advocacy as we explore new opportunities and strategies to achieve APIAHF’s mission.”
Wilkinson is an author and community leader who has devoted more than 30 years of her life to improving the lives of others. Passionate about giving back, she serves as vice chair of the board of trustees at Northern Michigan University. She is active on many nonprofit and advisory boards, including Global Detroit which focuses on the revitalization of Detroit. Previously, she served as chair of the Michigan Governor’s Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission.
“I feel honored to be a part of a national organization with competent, dedicated and hard working staff and board members, doing critical advocacy work in health justice,” said Wilkinson. “I’m excited to join them to advance APIAHF’s mission.”
Joining Wilkinson as a new board member, Krause brings more than a decade of experience in the foundation and public sectors. In her role at Connecticut Health Foundation, Krause provides vision and strategy for the organization’s public policy and strategic communications activities. As a recognized health-equity expert, she represents the foundation on a number of state and national advisory bodies and multi-partner initiatives.
The Smith College and Harvard School of Public Health alumna previously served as a prevention specialist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Krause is a Grantmakers In Health Terrance Keenan Institute for Emerging Leaders in Health Philanthropy fellow.
“It is a true honor to become part of APIAHF’s legacy of leadership in setting a place at the table to address health-equity issues facing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities,” said Krause. “Joining the board in the midst of the Affordable Care Act implementation is particularly exciting because of the opportunities and challenges that come with this major change.”
Founded in 1986, APIAHF is a national leader on health-equity issues and works with Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities to achieve health justice for AAs and NHPIs across the country.