Meet the 2025 and 2026 Board of Directors
2025, 2026 Board of Directors
Marissa Olarte -President
Marissa is a servant leader by heart. She is the current FACC elected President . She is also the Founding President for the Philippine Nurses Association of America in NC for the Metropolitan Charlotte Sub- Chapter. ( PNAA-NCMC ) . She currently works at The Medical Facilities of America (MFA) as a Regional Director of Clinical Services . She has been a Nurse Administrator for decades and has resided in NC since 1991.
She has been volunteering with the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) since she moved to the US in the early 90’s. She also volunteered for AAPI events like Asian Festival among other Asian community events . She was a Filipino America Spirit ( FAS ) Board of Director ( BOD ) and spearheaded a very successful fund raising event in 2023-2024. She was a big advocate of the non- dissolution of FAS and its continued collaborative partnership with FACC . She served as a FACC BOD in 2023-2024 as an Area Representative and then Public Relations Officer (PRO) prior to being elected in position as the President.
As a Licensed Healthcare Administrator, she spearheaded & coordinated a lot of community outreach events outside FACC like community health fairs , providing support to the indigent population, Day of Caring , operation shoe box , and volunteered in homeless shelters / kitchen soup / group homes among others.
She has participated in community fund raising events through talent and music to help calamity/ disaster victims , ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ), also helped the triad Filipino community build a church in Raleigh through series of pro-bono fund- raising concerts.
She has genuine passion for volunteerism, charity , community outreach and mission programs. It gives her a big sense of fulfillment. She strongly advocates for recent FACC initiatives like FACC Cares ( Giving back to the Community) , FACC Leadership Institute (Training of future leaders ) and Youth Partnerships (Mentoring Youth Community Leaders) more so , the Seniors of our community.
Her ultimate goal is to promulgate the preservation of our unique culture, heritage & traditions through the youth, lead new excellent events, increase memberships, expand networking and partnerships, give back to the community and hopefully, have an FACC place that we can consistently call our main hub & home soon.
Louie Anquillo - 1st Vice-President
Louie Anquilo, MD Aesthetic Physician Family Medicine Diplomate Emergency and Urgent Care Physician Hospice Medical Director Licensed for NC and SC Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1999 Institutite of Physical Therapy, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines, 1995 Advocate Health (known as Atrium Health) since 2008. Aeternum Aesthetics and Wellness, Owner, established 2022. Awarded CAACC Best Beauty, Health and Wellness Business 2025. Family with 3 kids. Run. Hike. Cycle. Travel. Foodie. Loves music and dance, to volunteer.
Edelweiss Vogel - 2nd Vice President
Edelweiss Vogel is a Filipino visual artist and educator based in North Carolina whose work centers on storytelling, culture, and community impact. She teaches visual arts at The Brawley IB World School. Her background includes illustration, patent drawing, and visual communication.
Her work brings stories to life through public art and murals, spanning large-scale installations—including projects for the City of Charlotte, where she highlighted AAPI stories across 15 CATS buses that circulated for about one year. Her installations—currently on display—include works for financial institutions such as Bank of America Headquarters and other commercial spaces, as well as Alley 51, an international Asian food hall,
amplifying cultural identity.
Edelweiss has been featured in the NC Art Exhibit at the Congress General Assembly (2023), and her work has been recognized locally and internationally, including ArtPop billboards across the Charlotte region and the Philippines, Paris Fashion Week, and the United Nations Global Engagement Summit. Through her practice, she continues to use art as a platform to uplift communities and connect culture, creativity, and purpose
Tess Olarte Garcia - Secretary
Tess Olarte Garcia, Secretary for FACC ( Filipino -American Community of the Carolinas) BOD (Board of Directors) 2025-2026. Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Board Certified Care Manager. Currently works as the Director of Clinical Services in a private organization and a Fellow of the NC Leading Age for senior care. Married for 34 years with 2 daughters and a 2 y/o grandson. Music is life for Tess and family.
Maribel Lankford - Treasurer
Maribel Lankford serves as the Treasurer of the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) for the 2025–2026 term. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting (Batch 1998) and brings her financial expertise and dedication to supporting the organization’s mission.
Originally from Dipolog City in the province of Zamboanga del Norte—known as the “Orchids City”—Maribel is grounded in her Christian faith, which guides her values and service. She draws inspiration from her favorite Bible verse, Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Ranilo Perez Jr. - Auditor
Ranilo Perez Jr is an experienced educator with a strong commitment to fostering inclusive, engaging, and student-centered learning environments. With 18 years experience in the field of education, Rannie has taught at both the High School and middle school levels, specializing in Mathematics and Special Education.
Mr. Perez is currently taking a Master’s degree in Teaching Mathematics and has led numerous initiatives focused on academic innovation, teacher mentoring, and equity in the classroom. Currently, Mr Perez is awarded Outstanding Mathematics teacher by the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics and CMS Outstanding Mathematics teacher SPA A. A father of 3, Mr Perez also plays competitive volleyball and enjoys singing.
Dhi Villapando - Public Relations Officer
Coming soon...
Elsie Maurice - Area Representative
Elsie Requina Maurice is a distinguished educator and dedicated community leader, widely respected for her unwavering commitment to student success, cultural advocacy, and public service. She currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas (FACC) for the 2021–2025 term, where she has also held vital roles as Area Representative and Treasurer. Through her leadership, she has helped strengthen community bonds, promote Filipino heritage, and create inclusive spaces for cross-cultural connection across the Carolinas.
Professionally, Elsie is an educator in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District (CMS), where she continues to make a profound impact in the lives of students, particularly multilingual learners. Her outstanding contributions have earned her numerous honors, including the ERA Award—the highest recognition from the North Carolina Department of Education and Public Instruction for Superior Performance and Dedication to Multilingual Learners. She is also a proud recipient of the CMS EL Star Award, the RAM Choice Award, and the Impact Award, all of which celebrate her excellence in education, leadership, and service.
When Elsie is not teaching or volunteering, she enjoys the simple joys of life—gardening, bowling with friends, and playing chess with her students, seamlessly blending fun and mentorship. At the heart of it all is her family, who remain the center of her purpose and the most significant source of her inspiration.
Elsie leads with heart, humility, and a deep belief in the power of education, culture, and community to shape a brighter future for all.
Evelyn Glass - Area Representative
Evelyn Glass, a proud Ilongga from Bacolod, has dedicated her life to caring for others. She began her journey as a midwife, bringing new life into the world and nurturing newborns with love and gentleness. Today, she continues her calling as a caregiver, offering the same compassion and dedication to those she serves. Evelyn not only brings joy to her group but also to her community. Her warm spirit, kindness, and faith uplift everyone around her. Guided by her favorite verse — “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” — Evelyn shines as a true example of service and love.
Sophie Mack - Area Representative
Sophie Soltes-Mack is an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner and entrepreneur from the Philippines. She earned dual bachelors in Journalism and Nursing in Manila. Worked in the Philippines and United States while finishing up Law School at PUP Manila campus. She moved to Seattle, Washington in 2013 and lived in Honolulu, HI before relocating to North Carolina in 2019. She worked at hospitals in different states with main specialty in Intensive Care Unit. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing focused on Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Walden University and NP licensed in both NC and SC. Sophie is an active member of Philippine Nurses Association of America, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Nurses Association and Golden Key Honor Society. She is currently serving the Filipino-American Community of the Carolinas as Area Representative and has been active in helping new Filipino teachers in the area.
Ex Officio and Secretary General: Dr. Edward Tautjo
Community Involvement:
FACC Secretary General 2025
FACC President 2023, 2024
FACC 1 st VP 2022
FACC 2 nd VP 2021
Active Member/Participant of FACC Activities for the past 20+ years
FACC Board of Directors Accomplishments:
1. Historic FACC Conversion to 501c3 Non-Profit Status, August 2024
2. Revival of FACC Website - www.facc-carolinas.org; expansion of online presence up to 5K
‘FB “members”.
3. Establishment/Refinement of FACC Zelle and Venmo Payment Systems, 2023-2024
4. Diversification of Fund Management – Successful Formation of FACC’s 1 st Brokerage
Account, 2024 to present; Financial Growth via CD utilization
5. Transitioned Board of Director Terms to Two Years, since 2023
6. Successful increase of FACC Membership Dues in 2023
7. FACC Best Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Carolinas Asian American Chamber of
Commerce (CAACC), 25 th Anniversary Gala Awards, October 2024
8. Digital Conversion of FACC BOD Elections, December 2024
9. Health Care Seminar, October 2024
10. First Christmas Gala, 35 th Annual Gala, December 2024
11. First Ticketless Gala, December 2024
12. Fil-Am Bazaars, February 2024, August 2024
13. 1 st and 2 nd Pickleball Tournaments, April 2023, April 2024
14. Threaded Traditions Cultural Event - May 2024; Asian American and Pacific Islander
(AAPI) Journey of Hope – May 13, 2023
15. Leyte Dance Theatre – May 2023
Education:
College: Ateneo De Manila University
Medical School: Cebu Institute of Medicine
Post Graduate Internship: UP Philippine General Hospital
US Training: Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA
Employment:
Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center – 2004 to Present.
Hobbies:
Music - Pinoy Noir Band Co-Founder 2010
Tennis Pickleball
Golf
Trail/Mountain Biking
Travel