James Puntumapanitch – Co-Chair & Treasurer (He/Him)
James was born in Worcester, MA, and attended college in Washington DC before moving back permanently in 2008. His hobbies include cats, reading, vegetarian cooking, and dancing. James originally joined AQUA to make friends in the queer Asian community and hopes to facilitate
more social opportunities in his time on the board.
Lord Edwin “Eddie” de Jesus Carreon – Co-Chair (He/They)
Eddie is an organizational strategy and transformation leader with 15+ years of experience in human capital, culture change, and people-centered operations across higher education, nonprofits, and consulting. As an independent consultant, he advises organizations on DEI strategy, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness, delivering customized frameworks that strengthen teams and improve institutional outcomes. His most recent post in higher education was as Director of Residential Education at Georgetown University, where he led a 125-person team, managed a $5M budget, and implemented enterprise-wide reforms in crisis management, employee development, and equity-centered policy. Previously, he led the University Staff Council at John Carroll University, representing 1,000+ employees and establishing sustainable equity infrastructure through Employee Resource Groups. He previously served on AQUA DC’s Board, helping to advance visibility, education, and inclusion across the QTAPI community. Eddie holds a Master of Arts in World Politics and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics, both from The Catholic University of America.
Rayna Yu – Board Member (She/Her)
Rayna enjoys reading, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and dancing terribly with her friends. She looks forward to increasing queer Asian visibility. mobilizing her community for political action, and becoming a more active part of this organization.
Amy Chao – Board Member (She/Her)
Amy is originally from Philadelphia, PA, and has called D.C. home for the past five years. She is a proud hobby collector—crafting, reading, running, and occasionally failing at painting—she believes there’s always something new to learn. Amy joined AQUA to make queer and Asian friends. She looks forward to fostering safe and joyful spaces for queer API community members. She knows that connection, like crafting, might involve a little trial and error but is totally worth it when it comes together.
Lukas Chen – Board Member (He/Him)
Lukas is often found enjoying cat cafes, natural history museums, creating art or trying new dairy free recipes (sadly lactose intolerant). He’s currently crafting fun air dry clay figures, but what he’s really excited to do is craft inclusive spaces where people feel comfortable to be themselves. Lukas values community care and queer API representation. He looks forward to helping strengthen AQUA’s visibility and outreach!
Haru Matsuura – Board Member (He/They)
Haru is a Nisei Japanese American who grew up in the South and has lived in the DMV for the past three years. He currently works in healthcare policy and is passionate about advancing equitable access to care. Outside of work, they enjoy long walks, planespotting at DCA, cooking, and writing. Haru is excited to join the AQUA DC board to foster new connections and create spaces for the queer/trans API community in the DMV.
Jami Vallesteros – Chair Emeritus (He/Him)
Jami Vallesteros is a Filipino-American from Hawaii and its honorary “ninth” island. Public sector and commercial IT consultant by day, he additionally works to advance human rights, economic development, and LGBTQ+ visibility and has intermittenlty lived in the DMV since 2012.
As previous Co-Chair of AQUA DC, he lead the AQUA’s transition into incorporated 501(c)(3) status, strengthened its long-term financial sustainability, and expanded collaborative programming. His tenure advanced queer API visibility, through establishment of API Pride and coalition driven programming.