Biography
Jacob Fitisemanu, Jr. was born in Wellington, New Zealand to Karen Dang (Kaimukī, O'ahu, Hawai'i) and Jacob Fitisemanu Sr. (Falefā, 'Upolu, Samoa). Jake was raised in Hawai'i and Utah with a love of his vibrant Samoan, Chinese and Korean heritage. He graduated with honors in Social Science from Westminster College, where he also obtained a Master's degree in Public Health. Jake co-founded the Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition and has chaired the annual statewide Pacific Islander Health Week since 2012. He was appointed to the US Census National Advisory Council in 2014 and has served on the Board of Directors of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum and the Mana Academy Charter School. In 2015, Jake was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Jake is a Community Health Program Manager for Intermountain Healthcare and an Advisor to the National Academy of Medicine's Culture of Health program. Jake lives with his wife Lucia and their two daughters in West Valley City, where he serves on the City Council.
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Social Science, Westminster College
- Master's Degree, Public Health, Westminster College