Meet KJ during Session #201:

K.J. Bagchi was raised in Northern Nevada and graduated from the University of California Davis with a BS in Biopsychology and law degree from Seattle University School of Law.  He also currently serves on the board of Asian American Action Fund and as a Commissioner on the D.C. Mayor’s Commission of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.

After graduating from college, K.J. worked on political campaigns, including as Field Director for a winning Congressional campaign, and subsequently as a government consultant with clients including state agencies and local governments. These experiences were pivotal in developing his interest in the intersection between law and policy which led to his decision to attend law school. During law school he was a Board Member for the South Asian Law Student Association and was elected to serve as the Diversity Representative on the Student Bar Association.

K.J. has provided counsel and policy advice for elected members at the local and federal levels, including Councilmember Jim Graham on the D.C. City Council and Rep. Mike Honda in Congress. In Rep. Honda’s office, his legislative portfolio included immigration, civil rights, and justice, as well as matters related to the Congressman’s role as Chair Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

He currently serves as the Director of AAPI Finance for the Hillary for America campaign, after serving a year as the Director of AAPI Engagement for the Democratic National Committee. At the DNC, he launched ProgressAAPI, which consisted of a series of trainings, conversations, and programs aimed at furthering the Democratic Party’s commitment to engaging and empowering the AAPI community.