SIPA Welcomes New Board
SIPA would not be able to accomplish all that we do and continue to grow and serve the people of Los Angeles without our Executive Committee and Board. They are an important part of our organization, and we’re so happy to announce new members of our talented and caring team as we go into the new year!
New Executive Committee (pictured left to right)
Dr. Christian Lising, President, Family Medicine/Urgent Care Medical Director, Providence St. Joseph Health
Marisa Pizarro, Vice President, Founder, Cousin
Jason Lustina, Secretary, Founder/CEO, SoCal Filipinos/Kababayan Network
Chester Ventura, Treasurer, CPA/Parter, Withum
New Board Members
Pictured Left To Right - Josh Diosomito, Lope Choa, Ginger Lim-Dimapasok, Theresa C. Mercado, Stephanie Ramos, Jackie Lou D. Raquidan
Lope Choa is a SVP/Director and Enterprise Relationship Specialist for Bank of America. In this capacity, Lope drives cross-collaboration efforts and opportunities between the Global Wealth and Investment Management channel (both Merrill Lynch and Private Banking teams) and the Global Commercial Banking (Middle Markets, Business Banking) units. He is also a member of the Local Market Organization that is tasked with focusing on Business Integration, Associate Connectivity and Brand Visibility in the Los Angeles Market. Lope re-joined BAML last September, 2012. Before moving back, Lope was with Citibank covering Morgan Stanley Smith Barney for 7 years. Prior to that, he was with Bank of America for 14 years and held a variety of assignments including a management position in Business Banking and as a Senior Client Manager in Commercial Banking. His background also includes a year with legacy Merrill Lynch as part of Business Financial Services’ middle market unit. Lope attended the Ateneo de Manila University (Manila, Philippines) where he obtained his Bachelor of Science business degree. He went to the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business or his MBA. He lives in San Marino with his wife and 17 year old daughter. Eldest son works for Price Waterhouse Consulting in New York. He is an avid Dodger and Laker fan. On weekends, he enjoys long hikes, tennis and playing golf.
Josh Diosomito (He/Him) is a federally-trained and certified Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) facilitator and strategist. He has 20 years’ experience with both the U.S. government and other entities, specializing in enhancing awareness of DE&I issues—implicit bias, emotional intelligence, and workplace civility, among others. As a Public Policy & International Affairs Fellow (University of California, Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy), Josh has dedicated his career to promoting the inclusion of underrepresented groups in marginalized spaces. Josh has partnered with federal, state, and local agencies, non-profits, and universities across the country as a DE&I facilitator and speaker—including U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Government Accountability Office, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Partnership for Public Service, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Southern California, among others.
Ginger Lim-Dimapasok, a co-founder of Cafe 86 Corp, arrived in the United States as a first-generation immigrant nearly two decades ago. She honed her culinary skills in NYC in 2000 before establishing Cafe 86 Corp with her husband, James. With ten thriving locations across California and Nevada, they’re now expanding via Cafe 86 Franchise Corp. Ginger is also a devoted mother of two. Beyond entrepreneurship, she is a fervent advocate for Filipino culture. Through initiatives like cultural festivals and workshops, she brings visibility to her heritage, fostering understanding. Ginger has made significant contributions to published books, including In Her Purpose: 40 Principles of Asian Women Redefining Success on Their Own Terms, The Essential New York Times Cookbook and her recent work, Baking with Blue (Blues Clues & You!) A winner of Food Network Chopped and Sweets; in 2020, Ginger’s journey showcases how passion, culture, and family can enrich communities.
Theresa C. Mercado VP of Sourcing, Quality Production at LoveSac, Inc Born in Manila, raised in the Oakland/SF Bay Area, Theresa moved to Los Angeles 10+ years ago from NYC. Theresa has over 30+ years in the apparel industry and has had the opportunity to travel globally and source for companies like Gap Inc, Wal-Mart and smaller start up organizations. She has been on the board of the AMDT (Apparel, Merchandising, Design & Textiles) school @ WSU for 10+ years where she focused on curriculum as well as prep for students’ professional lives post grad. Theresa is happily married to Marjo, with one adult daughter who lives in Philly (Kelli) and a pug
mix named Roscoe based in Atwater Village. She looks forward to serving the SIPA community!
Stephanie Ramos is a visionary marketing leader with 12+ years of experience in brand marketing, strategy, and partnerships. As the Collaborations and Special Projects Marketing Director at Nike, she is part of a global team responsible for partnerships in fashion, design, art and entertainment, and also focuses on how the brand shows up during sport + cultural moments including Fashion Week, Art Basel, Coachella, Super Bowl, World Cup, and US Open. She has found purpose in her work by being able to shine a light and empower the Filipino American community. She is very passionate about pushing forward AAPI representation through storytelling, campaigns, collaborations, and experiences, putting forth artists like Bretman Rock, Toro y Moi, Noodles, Yeek, and P-Lo, and has curated a number of events from LA to the Bay celebrating the Filipino community.
Jackie Lou D. Raquidan has two decades of progressive experience in wealth management, strategic business operations, talent and development, and leadership. She earned her MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School with a concentration in Digital Innovation and Information Systems and a certificate in Socially, Environmentally, and Ethically Responsible (SEER) Business Strategy. She graduated summa cum laude and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Society. Jackie Lou spent time abroad at Moria Refugee Camp in Lesvos, Greece assisting refugees and asylees from various war-torn countries. Her community involvement includes serving as a Financial Coach for the International Rescue Committee in Glendale and Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House Finance committee member.
Chester Ventura is a CPA and is Partner of Withum. Chester serves as an independent auditor of mid-market companies and non-profit organizations. Chester was born and raised in the Philippines and has close ties to Filipino communities in Los Angeles area.