Earlier this month, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee appointed Mohan Gurung and Zer Vue of King County to the Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA).
The commission has an advisory board made up of Governor-appointed commissioners representing the State’s Asian Pacific American diversity. The commissioners advise the governor, state, and local public officials around issues that concern the Asian Pacific American (APA) community. Each commissioner serves a three-year term and may serve for two consecutive terms. Commission meetings are open to the public.
Mohan Gurung was born in Nepal and migrated to the United States in 1993. Prior to his move, he worked at Bir Hospital (the oldest hospital in Nepal) in their Emergency/Trauma, Orthopedic and Dental department for over 13 years. He has volunteered in numerous medical camps and health clinics throughout Nepal including with the Red Cross. He founded the Nepal Seattle Society with the goal to unite all Nepali in the state of Washington to preserve and promote Nepali culture and share it with other communities.
In 2004, he established the Everest Kitchen Restaurant to introduce the taste of the Himalayas with a motto of “Eat well, feel well and live well.” The restaurant has also served as a meeting place for Nepali and friends of Nepal to share their stories. In 2009, he became a member of the Economic Development Committee of the Commission on Asian and Pacific American Affairs. In 2011, he co- founded Nepal Global Trade USA for the promotion of bilateral trade relationship between Nepal and the United States. In 2013, he was nominated as Board of Director for Non Residential Nepali (NRN) USA, a global organization, which directly deals with the Nepal Government from the individual’s residing country.
Gurung has received recognitions from the Nepal Government for earthquake disaster relief as part of a medical team, from the U.S. tae kwon-do team participating in the first Mt. Everest International in Nepal as part of the Medical Team, and received a Top Contributor award from the Northwest Asian Weekly in 2013.
He is married to Huni Gurung, a teacher at Early World Montessori on Mercer Island. He has a daughter, Smriti Gurung, and a son, Bishal Gurung, both of whom graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College.
Zer Vue is a Nationally Board Certified educator living in Kent, Washington. She has taught elementary- through high-school-aged students. She was president of the International Student Association at Eastern Washington University and continues her advocacy work for underserved populations.
In addition to her work as a commissioner, Zer is a teacher in the public schools and in various leadership positions regarding cultural competency and development. Her philosophy is to empower the younger generations to embrace and explore their identity, cultures, and other cultures surrounding them in order to be the best of themselves. She has taught English and lived abroad in Japan as a JET and traveled to various countries such as China and Thailand.
Vue is Hmong American and is an active member and co-chair of Southeast Asian American Access in Education Coalition (SEAeD) and a Fellowship Lead. She has also lectured about the
Hmong culture and coordinated the 30th celebration of NW Hmong at the Wing Luke Museum. She is also a member of the Renton Education Association (REA).
