We are thrilled to share an important and joyful milestone in the evolution of the Diasporic Vietnamese Artists Network (DVAN).
After thoughtful discussion and a unanimous vote, the DVAN Board of Directors has officially approved the appointment of Kathy L. Nguyễn as Co-Executive Director of DVAN. This decision was met with great excitement and full endorsement across the board.
Kathy L. Nguyễn is a writer and editor based in San Francisco, with almost 20 years of operations management and executive leadership experience. Over the past 2 years, she has served as DVAN’s Chief Operating Officer, leading programming and working closely with Isabelle on key initiatives and partnerships. A former educator, she taught Asian American history, literature, and film at San Francisco City College and Berkeley City College. She co-edited Troubling Borders: An Anthology of Art and Literature by Southeast Asian Women in the Diaspora, and was the editor of Nhà, an award-winning diasporic arts & culture magazine. She is also a member of the diaCRITICS Editorial Steering Committee.
Kathy has been awarded grants and fellowships from the San Francisco Arts Commission (2024-2026), Vashon Artist Residency (2025), Tin House (2024), the Community of Writers (2023), Warren Wilson College, the East-West Center, and the Rotary Foundation, among others. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Warren Wilson College, an MA in Asian Studies from the East-West Center, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, and a BA in English from UC Davis.
From Isabelle Thuy Pelaud, Co-Founder and Executive Director:
As DVAN’s founding Executive Director, I want to personally express my deep trust in Kathy and my enthusiastic support for this decision. The process that led to this appointment was one grounded in transparency, collaboration, and alignment with DVAN’s mission and values. Kathy’s leadership, vision, and dedication have been evident throughout her time with DVAN. It is clear to me—and to all of us—that she is ready to help lead this organization into its next phase. I look forward to working alongside her as we continue to grow and serve our vibrant community.
From Viet Thanh Nguyen, Co-Founder and Board President:
Kathy’s appointment as Co-Executive Director represents a thoughtful governance decision and a strategic staff restructuring designed to strengthen DVAN’s infrastructure and leadership capacity. As we continue to expand our programs and reach, our organizational needs have evolved. The Board recognized that it was time to move toward a co-leadership model that honors the complexity of our work and the scale of our aspirations. We are confident that this new structure—anchored by Isabelle and Kathy—positions DVAN to thrive in the years ahead.
Please join us in welcoming Kathy Nguyen into this new leadership role. We are excited for what lies ahead and grateful to each of you for your ongoing support of DVAN and our shared vision.
