USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Amanda Nguyen, renowned civil rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and 2022 TIME Woman of the Year, was named as an independent director on the USA Fencing Board of Directors in a unanimous vote on June 10. 

Nguyen, who was selected after a seven-month recruitment process, will fill the independent Board seat formerly occupied by Lauren Haynie through Aug. 31, 2024. 

"I'm thrilled to join the board of USA Fencing among so many incredible people working to make the sport a better and more inclusive place,” Nguyen says.

Nguyen brings a wealth of experience to the Board. Known for her work at the intersection of sports and social justice, Nguyen has long been a champion for rights and representation. As the CEO and founder of RISE, a non-governmental civil rights organization, Nguyen has focused her efforts on protecting the rights of sexual assault and rape survivors. Her work was instrumental in proposing and drafting the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act, which passed unanimously in Congress​.

A Harvard University graduate, Nguyen has also worked at esteemed institutions such as NASA and the U.S. Department of State, and she’s currently an astronaut candidate at the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Nguyen's personal experience as a survivor of sexual assault has fueled her advocacy work. After experiencing the challenges of pressing charges and the potential destruction of her rape kit, Nguyen was motivated to fight for better legal protections for survivors.

In addition to her work with RISE, Nguyen has been a pioneering force in the Stop Asian Hate movement and the AAPI Visibility Pledge. Her significant contributions to social justice have earned her numerous accolades, including a nomination for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize and being named one of the 2022 TIME Women of the Year​.

Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, shared his enthusiasm for the addition of Nguyen to the Board. 

"Amanda's unwavering dedication to safeguarding victims of sexual abuse, along with her myriad of other skills, will be an exceptional asset to our volunteer leadership,” he says. “As a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and TIME Woman of the Year, Amanda has already proven her tremendous impact on our nation. Having been exposed to our sport during her time at Harvard, she brings a unique perspective that will be invaluable to us. I am hard-pressed to think of any other National Governing Body that has such a highly qualified independent on board."

As USA Fencing continues to evolve, Nguyen's appointment underscores the organization's commitment to positive culture, inclusion, diversity and the elevation of voices from varied backgrounds. Nguyen's background in civil rights activism and her passion for social justice will undoubtedly bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the Board.