Neil Ruiz, a leading political economist, sat down with us to talk about how he’s revolutionizing how we understand and engage Asian American communities through powerful data storytelling! Influenced by his Filipino roots, Neil shares his groundbreaking work to lead the largest Asian American survey ever conducted through the Pew Researcher. We also discuss insights into how recent demographic trends are changing the mainstream narratives of Asian American communities across the country. This is a must-listen for those who love data to drive community organizing and inclusive political engagement.

About Neil Ruiz

Neil is the head of new research initiatives at Pew Research Center. Neil works closely with the Center’s president to drive new strategies that expand the Center’s scope and capacity to pioneer new research and represent broader audiences.Neil led Pew Research Center’s groundbreaking study of Asian Americans which received the 2023 Inclusive Voices Award from the American Association for Public Opinion Research. This multi-year, multi-lingual study is the largest survey of Asian Americans to date, and it featured over eighty focus groups designed to understand their diverse experiences in the U.S. His research produced over 60 publications and two documentary films, and it ensured the voices of 24 million Asian Americans were included in the public opinion research industry. Neil was recently named into Gold House’s A100 list, honoring the 100 most impactful Asian Pacific leaders in culture and society for 2025. Neil is a leading expert on global migration, U.S. immigration, race and ethnicity in the U.S., and economic development. He is regularly sought out by domestic and international news outlets, governments, and civic leaders for his expertise and guidance. His research has produced numerous publications on these topics during his career at The Brookings Institution, The World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. Earlier in his career, Neil founded and led organizations that helped spur entrepreneurial tech startups in the Philippines. Neil is a political economist with a Ph.D. from MIT, a master’s degree from Oxford University, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley.

In this episode, we sit down with nationally recognized political strategist Trip Yang, offering insights into serving as a high-ranking AAPI political operative in a field where representation at the top levels remains limited. Yang discusses the evolving landscape of political engagement in New York City, examining how the community's growing political consciousness is reshaping electoral dynamics - particularly with the election of Zohran Mamdani as the Democratic Nominee for New York City Mayor.

About Trip Yang

Trip Yang is a nationally recognized political strategist and founder of Trip Yang Strategies, widely considered the #1 AAPI-owned political consulting firm in New York. His firm has been at the center of electing dozens of candidates up and down the ballot across all levels of government. Yang has been consistently ranked as a top 100 political consultant by City and State, New York's premier political publication, and has been featured in major outlets including Politico, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. His extensive campaign experience spans three presidential campaigns, managing statewide and NYC campaigns, and working in NYC Government. Before founding his firm, Yang led numerous Independent Expenditure Committees that reached tens of thousands of AAPI voters. Today, he continues to shape New York's political landscape as one of the state's most sought-after political strategists.

What is the unique role of the county sheriff in public safety? In this episode, Sheriff Maxwell Uy, the 62nd—and first Asian American—Sheriff of Montgomery County, Maryland sheds light on one of the county’s oldest yet often misunderstood law enforcement agencies. Sheriff Uy reflects on his 30-year journey through every division of the department, the experience of running for office in 2022, and how the role of Sheriff has evolved over time in Maryland.

About Sheriff Maxwell Uy

Maxwell Uy is the 62nd Sheriff of Montgomery County and the first Asian American to ever hold the position. With three decades of public service experience, Sheriff Uy has been with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office since 1994, rising through the ranks and serving in every division — from Court Services to Civil Enforcement to Family and Administrative Services. He’s previously trained as the Academy Sergeant at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Academy and proudly served as an Honor Guard Commander, led crisis negotiation and special response teams, and contributed to county-wide initiatives on firearms and crisis intervention. Before his distinguished career in Montgomery County, Sheriff Uy served in the United States Army as part of the elite 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as “The Old Guard.” His story is one of service, leadership, and breaking barriers — and it’s one that reflects the growing impact of Asian Americans in law enforcement and local politics.