Jackie Thu-Huong Wong
Jackie Thu-Huong Wong, born during the fall of Saigon, serves as the executive director of First 5 California. With over three decades of experience advocating for equity, health and education, Wong's background in social work empowers her to support diverse communities, fostering children's development to its fullest.
Prior, Wong acted as First 5 California’s chief deputy director, guiding the organization toward its mission of nurturing safe, stable environments for California's youngest. Amid the pandemic, she spearheaded efforts to mitigate its impact, address adverse childhood experiences and dismantle systemic barriers.
Wong was vice president of Policy and Advocacy at GRACE (Gather, Respect, Advocate, Change, Engage), leading the End Child Poverty in California campaign, securing over $4 billion to combat child poverty. She served three times as board president for Washington Unified, and is a professor for California State University, Sacramento’s School Nursing Credential program.
Other roles include government relations director at the National Center for Youth Law, principal policy consultant during the Local Control Funding Formula's development and statewide director for Foster Youth Services. Wong contributes to California Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye's Keeping Kids in School Steering Committee, advocating for youth education and justice involvement.
A mother of two, Wong holds a bachelor of arts in social welfare and psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Social Work and Pupil Personnel Services Credential from CSU Sacramento, and an administrative credential from CSU East Bay.