Krystal Ka'ai
Honolulu,HI
Summary
Hawaiian-born executive who brings influential leaders and institutions together, builds trusted strategic partnerships across sectors, and creates alignment around complex priorities to drive action and lasting results.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission
Washington, D.C.
04.2025 - Current
- Lead the eight-member, bipartisan, congressionally appointed Commission established by Public Law 117-140 to assess the feasibility of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. and develop a comprehensive plan of action and recommendations for Congress and the President.
- Direct a multimillion-dollar national initiative, managing more than a dozen external firms and consultants and integrating policy, research, financial, operational, fundraising, communications, and engagement efforts to deliver a complex, high-stakes congressional mandate.
- Facilitate consensus among Commissioners and stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints, helping resolve differences, address challenges, and maintain alignment around shared goals and actionable recommendations.
- Cultivate and steward relationships with major donors, philanthropists, business executives, and other high-capacity individuals and institutional funders, mobilizing resources and building strategic partnerships to advance the Commissions work.
- Convene influential leaders and diverse stakeholders nationwide to identify shared priorities and translate varied perspectives into actionable recommendations for Congress and the President.
Founder & President
Kaai Consulting Group LLC
Washington, D.C.
12.2024 - 03.2025
- Advised senior leaders and organizations on strategic positioning, government and public affairs, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and organizational strategy; conducted legislative and policy research and translated emerging issues into actionable guidance, enabling clients to navigate complex environments and advance organizational priorities.
Executive Director
White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Washington, D.C.
07.2021 - 10.2024
- Rebuilt and led a White House initiative during a period of extraordinary national disruption including the COVID-19 pandemic, a surge in anti-Asian hate, and economic upheavalwhile simultaneously building the organization from the ground up and mobilizing government, business, nonprofit, and community partners to address urgent challenges facing more than 24 million Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Americans.
- Established and directed a 25-member Presidential Advisory Commission from the ground up, defining its organizational structure, operating processes, strategic priorities, and engagement model for a body comprising Cabinet-level government officials and nongovernmental executives and leaders from business, nonprofit, health care, academic, and community sectors; supported development and implementation of 86 recommendations to the President.
- Directed a federal interagency working group spanning 49 federal departments, agencies, and White House offices, mobilizing hundreds of federal staff and senior leaders governmentwide to align resources, expertise, and coordinated action around shared priorities.
- Activated national Regional Network across all 10 federal regions and 25+ states, connecting federal officials with community, business, nonprofit, and local leaders to enhance accessibility of federal programs and resources for tens of thousands of stakeholders.
- Oversaw multimillion-dollar federal initiative and multidisciplinary workforce, managing strategy, operations, resource allocation, personnel, contracts, partnerships, and execution across a complex national organization.
- Convened Cabinet officials, senior government leaders, elected officials, business executives, nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders through national summits, regional engagements, briefings, and listening sessions, translating shared priorities into coordinated action.
- Served as senior spokesperson and organizational representative, representing the Biden-Harris Administration nationally while directing strategic communications, media relations, executive briefings, speeches, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, and digital communications.
Executive Director (September 2013-June 2021); Acting Executive Director (June 2013-August 2013); Policy Advisor (August 2012-June 2013); Assistant Coordinator (August 2011-August 2012)
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
Washington, D.C.
08.2011 - 06.2021
- Led the legislative, strategic, communications, and stakeholder engagement operations of a 76-member bicameral congressional caucus, serving Members of Congress and senior congressional leaders across both chambers.
- Grew caucus membership 153% during tenure, expanding the organization's reach, influence, and relationships across Congress.
- Managed the organization’s budget, staff, fellows, eight policy task forces, and day-to-day operations, including hiring, professional development, performance management, strategic planning, and the planning and execution of weekly caucus meetings, briefings, and events.
- Built and managed a network of 70+ congressional offices and 200+ congressional staff liaisons, congressional leadership, committees, and federal agencies to cultivate relationships and coalitions that advanced shared legislative priorities.
- Served as principal liaison to hundreds of corporate, nonprofit, advocacy, and community stakeholders nationwide, forging partnerships that advanced the caucus legislative and policy agenda.
- Led cross-sector coalition-building and congressional strategy that contributed to passage of the Bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, coordinating across congressional offices, federal agencies, and external stakeholders.
- Engaged directly with the White House and federal agencies to advance caucus priorities and represent CAPAC in national policy and community engagements.
- Directed strategic communications for Chairwoman and caucus, overseeing development of briefing materials, hearing questions, correspondence, speeches, talking points, press releases, op-eds, statements, and digital communications to enhance legislative and public engagement.
- Advised the Chairwoman and senior congressional leaders on a broad policy portfolio spanning economic development, healthcare, education, workforce, housing, appropriations, immigration, civil rights, voting rights, and foreign policy.
Committee Intern, Chairman Daniel K. Akaka
United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
Washington, D.C.
06.2011 - 07.2011
- Prepared materials for committee hearings, roundtables, and briefings; drafted memoranda and hearing questions to support Majority Staff Director and Policy Director. Conducted legislative research and analysis on federal Indian policy and American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian affairs to inform committee decisions.
Legislative and Research Fellow
State of Hawaiis, Office of Hawaiian Affairs D.C. Bureau
Washington, D.C.
09.2010 - 06.2011
- Advised Bureau Chief on policy matters relating to Native Hawaiian federal recognition, education, economic development, and healthcare. Tracked federal legislation, drafted policy recommendations, and worked with congressional offices, Obama Administration officials, and advocacy organizations on Native Hawaiian issues.
Education
B.A. - Political Science; Minors in Business and English
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA05-2010
Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS) Program -
American University
Washington, D.C.08-2009
Personal Information
Nationality: Hawaiian
SELECTED RECOGNITION
Pioneer Award, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), 2025, Gold House A100 Social Impact Honoree, 2024, Dr. Costel Denson 56 Award, Lehigh University, 2022, National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs (NAAPPA) 40 Under 40 Honoree, 2022, Health Equity Leadership Champion Award, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, 2019
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association, Advisory Board Member
BOARD & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
- Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Board Member
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association (CAPASA) Advisory Board Member
- President Bidents Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders Commission Member (October 2024-January 2025)
Timeline
Executive Director
National Asian Pacific American Museum Commission
04.2025 - Current
Founder & President
Kaai Consulting Group LLC
12.2024 - 03.2025
Executive Director
White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
07.2021 - 10.2024
Executive Director (September 2013-June 2021); Acting Executive Director (June 2013-August 2013); Policy Advisor (August 2012-June 2013); Assistant Coordinator (August 2011-August 2012)
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
08.2011 - 06.2021
Committee Intern, Chairman Daniel K. Akaka
United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
06.2011 - 07.2011
Legislative and Research Fellow
State of Hawaiis, Office of Hawaiian Affairs D.C. Bureau
09.2010 - 06.2011
B.A. - Political Science; Minors in Business and English
Lehigh University
Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS) Program -
American University