Leadership

The board chair is Faoa A. Sunia, former Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa with over twelve years of experience in government operations and is an attorney by profession. As such he spent over six years as Chief of the Legislative Reference Bureau and served as a District Judge Pro Tem. 

The vice chair is Larry Sanitoa, an elected member of the House of Representatives  from the most densely populated district with a population of over 20,000 residents. He has served in the legislature for five consecutive terms, worked in the private sector in Sales and Marketing and Management for various private companies and was re-elected in 2018. He is actively involved in community service projects including the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council, Lion's Club and the Hope House Home for the Elderly and Disabled. 

Ray Tulafono, Jr. serves as the board's secretary and treasurer. He is the Chief Information Officer of the LBJ Hospital Authority with over ten years of experience in health information systems, electronic health records and using data to inform public policy decisions pertaining the health and well-being of our people. 

Leilua Stevenson serves as a member of the board. She has over 20 years of experience in financial management and accounting as the former Chief Financial Officer for Starkist Samoa and as the former Director of Human and Social Services for the American Samoa Government. She has provided oversight of over $15 million in federal grants and is well-versed in rules and regulations governing the use of federal funds. 

Kendra Hughes is an educator by profession with a passion for working with low-income, minority and disadvantaged populations. Kendra has over twenty years of experience as a teacher trainer, equity specialist, education resource and advocate across early childhood to adult education. Similarly, she volunteers her time working with a community nonprofit providing batterer's intervention services and domestic violence response. 

Toetasi Fue Tuiteleleapaga serves as the EPIC Executive Director. In his capacity as Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor of American Samoa was charged with leadership of several major projects. He developed the Governor’s legislative agenda, which required full-scale inter-agency coordination and direction. He worked with the Judiciary and the Legislature on legislation that affected the territorial government.  Mr. Tuiteleleapaga has experience in the area of sexual assault and domestic violence having served on the board of directors of the Alliance for Strengthening Families and providing pro bono legal assistance for victims of crime. He was raised in American Samoa and is a product of the territory’s public schools and local community college. Since leaving public service, he has served on the boards of community organizations using his skills to assist low-income children and families. He holds a BA in Political Science and earned his Juris Doctor from the California Western School of Law. 

Fa'asilitamaita'i Iuli serves as Project Manager for the American Samoa EPIC Reentry Services Program. She holds a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Chaminade University and has over 14 years in case management, service coordination and working with Pacific Islanders both in the U.S. mainland and American Samoa. She provided direct clients services to children with special needs and helped the elderly, disadvantaged population in Seattle access needed services for overall health and wellness. 

Saipai Cassens is the Project Manager for the U.S. DOJ Office on Violence Against Women funded program - Ta’iala o Alo Tama’ita’i (Guiding Women) Project. Bringing over twelve years of experience in victim advocacy, community prevention education, policy, and grant writing, she has continued to provide leadership in the territorial efforts to address domestic violence and sexual assault. Her work has been instrumental in the development of several territorial organizations and DVSA coalitions while forging positive working relationships with experts at the national level. Her community work has involved advocating for public policies which has greatly impacted funding for VAWA programs and related services in the territories. Constantly behind the scenes, she is also a mother, mentor, coach, business owner, and well known volunteer in the communities across the Pacific.