Wisconsin's 20 Most Influential Asian American Leaders, Part 5

This is the fourth of a five-part series featuring our sixth annual list of Wisconsin's Most Influential Asian American leaders. Part one is here, part two is here, part three is here and part four is here. Previous lists are here.

Badri Lankella

Badri Lankella represents Madison’s west side on the Common Council, winning election earlier this year, and serves as a commissioner of the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District. Professionally, his information technology career spans 25 years, including 20 years as a computer engineer and systems architect with the state Department of Natural Resources. He has served on the City of Madison’s Transportation Planning and Policy Board, contributing to strategic decisions that shape the future of mobility and accessibility in the city. He is also a board member of the Madison Public Schools Foundation and the Ice Age Falls Homeowners Association. He holds a degree in civil engineering and an MBA from UW-Madison.

Mai Vang

Mai Vang is the director of recruitment and talent development at Green Bay Area Public School District and a business instructor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. She is also a career strategist and diversity talent acquisition consultant. She joined the school district in 2024 after stints in talent acquisition and human resources at Sargento Foods, Redox, and Forward Service Corporation. She earned an associate’s degree at NWTC, a bachelor’s and master’s degree at Concordia University-Wisconsin, and a DEI Certificate at the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.

Emily Tau

Emily Tau is director of public affairs for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a role she took on in 2023 after two and a half years as marketing and communications officer at the city’s health department and four years in similar roles at VISIT Milwaukee. In 2024, Milwaukee Community Foundation honored her with the Jackie Herd Barber Award for championing GMF’s vision of making Milwaukee a place where everyone can thrive. She serves on the board of directors for Arts Midwest and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and on GMF’s Marketing and Communications Committee. She previously served on GMF’s Community Advisory & Ambassador Network and the board of the Public Relations Society of America. She earned a degree in public relations and theatre arts at Marquette.

Laura Lahti

Laura Lahti is a Realtor with Badger Realty Team, a Branding Consultant with American Solutions for Business, and the Founder/President of AMASIAN, a Madison-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Asian-American professionals, businesses, and individuals interested in Asian culture and community. She also serves on the Dane County Equal Opportunities Commission and the Downtowners Social Club committee. She was named one of the Women to Watch in 2024 by Brava Magazine. When she's not engaged in her philanthropy work, she enjoys gardening, golfing, spending time with her family and friends, and traveling.

Who'd we miss? Email [email protected] to tell us who in your community should make the list next year!