Lan Sena

Albuquerque’s First Asian-American City Councilor & the Policy Director for Center for Civic Policy

What can’t Lan Sena do?

She was Albuquerque’s First Asian-American City Councilor and is currently the Policy Director for Center for Civic Policy--in addition to serving on our APINH Center Steering Committee.

A fierce advocate for positive change, Lan Sena was appointed to Albuquerque City Council in March 2020 and served until the end of 2021.

Thanks to her policy advocacy, we have the citywide resources that benefit everyone in Albuquerque: zero fares for transit, language access, and paid sick leave.

We’re excited to feature Lan in a future spotlight where you can learn more about her path and any advice she has for how we can help APINH visibility in civic engagement.

Some fast facts

• Born and raised in Albuquerque.
• Daughter of Vietnamese refugees that settled in Albuquerque in 1975 and 1981.
• UNM Lobos through and through: Baccalaureate degree in Political Science and Master of Health Administration from the School of Public Administration at UNM.
• Lan Sena was diagnosed with Stage 4, Hodgkins lymphoma in 2011 and is currently undergoing treatment for her second relapse.
• Since her diagnosis in 2011, she has advocated for policy changes to help fellow cancer patients and their families.
• Advocated for pre-existing conditions protections at the New Mexico state legislature and Medicaid Buy-In.
• Founders Council member with United States of Care, a bipartisan group advocating for Healthcare policy changes to protect families.