Our Board of Directors

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
Founder & Executive Director

Jeannie W. Salomon is the Founder and Executive Director of the first AAPI History Museum in the United States. After launching the AAPI Mobile History Museum statewide, she realized her vision with the Grand Opening of the nation’s and world’s first brick-and-mortar AAPI History Museum on March 26, 2025.

Since its opening, the Museum has welcomed teachers, students, community groups, and public officials, making AAPI history visible and teachable across Rhode Island while drawing visitors from other states eager to see these stories represented for the first time. Amid a challenging funding climate, Jeannie has sustained the Museum through strategic partnerships, disciplined operations, and a volunteer team that ensures public access five days a week.

In 2025, she also seated an all-women, all-AAPI Board of Directors and Advisory Council, reflecting her commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders. She is advancing a city-level vision with Providence to create a shared cultural hub alongside Latinx, African American, Cape Verdean, and Native American partners, while leading the Museum’s role in the RI 250 Commission to ensure AAPI stories stand at the forefront of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Guided by a succession plan and a community-first ethos, Jeannie is building an enduring institution rooted in rigorous public humanities, cross-community collaboration, and the conviction that a fuller understanding of American history strengthens civic belonging. She continues to expand the Museum with new exhibits that reflect the depth and diversity of AAPI experiences

JESSICA “JAY” WONG
Secretary of the Board

Jessica “Jay” Wong (she/her) is a second-generation, mixed-race Chinese American and currently serves as a Program Officer at the Mass Cultural Council, where she oversees the Local Cultural Councils and Cultural Districts across the Commonwealth. She previously held leadership roles at the Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission, including Program Director and Interim Executive Director. Beyond her professional work, Jay serves on the board of the Commonwealth Seminar and as Co-Chair of Asset Mapping for the Asian American and Pacific Islander Arts and Culture Collaborative under The Asian Community Fund.

Jay’s involvement with the AAPI History Museum is deeply personal. Having never encountered an initiative like this on the East Coast, she was captivated by the vision of a mobile museum that could travel directly into communities, raising awareness and sharing the richness of AAPI histories and stories. She hopes to expand the museum’s presence, develop new projects, and help bring fresh audiences into meaningful connection with its mission.

NAINA BOVEJA
Director of Communications and Outreach

Naina Boveja brings extensive experience in communications, marketing, editing, event planning, mentorship, and the arts, along with leadership in the nonprofit sector, having run an organization from 2011 to 2016. With a compassionate and empathetic leadership style, she has built strong team connections and driven impactful results. As Director of Communications and Outreach at The Cultural Society, she is eager to apply her expertise to strengthen the organization’s presence through website management, social media engagement, and fostering connections in the art and museum space.

A second-generation Indian American, Naina takes great pride in her family’s collective successes as immigrants and is grateful for her parents’ tenacity. She looks forward to sharing her experiences and contributing to broader conversations on the Asian American experience. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in American Studies from the University of Maryland, a Certificate in Modern Art, Connoisseurship, and History of the Art Market from Christie’s Education, and a Master’s Degree in Communication, Culture & Technology from Georgetown University. She has also volunteered at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and The Smithsonian, reinforcing her deep commitment to arts and culture.

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.

Additionally, we value community input and will seek feedback from time to time. Stay tuned for upcoming questionnaires where you can share your thoughts and ideas!

Staff photos will be added soon—stay tuned!

Although we do not have volunteer photos displayed on this page, their contributions are invaluable to our organization. Their dedication, passion, and hard work are the driving forces behind our mission to uplift AAPI voices and preserve our shared history.