The Bridge Builder: How Roy Tongilava Connects Community Voices with State Policy
As a Pacific Islander American public policy strategist and advocate, Roy Tongilava’s work bridges research, policy, and community voice to advance more just and inclusive systems. Through coalition-building, data-driven advocacy, and systems reform, he works to ensure public institutions are more transparent, accountable, and responsive to those they serve.
Honor the Past: Share a photo (from childhood or some other time) that embodies this motto and share a bit more about the story behind the photo.
I’d like to honor my late grandmother Asela Lea’aetoa Paea-Savieti. This is a photo from my childhood when I was really young, surrounded by my brother and first cousins, all of us gathered around a birthday cake. Behind us stands our late grandmother, Toa. My grandma Toa was our protector, our anchor, and the heart of our family. While we were young, we were already deeply rooted in love, culture, and care. Our grandma held us together and taught us what it meant to show up for one another. This photo reminds me that everything I do is grounded in that foundation. I honor her legacy by building a future where our communities feel seen, are supported, and achieve their highest potential.
The “Spark” Moment: Bolder Futures is rooted in the belief that personal narratives drive change. Can you share a specific moment or experience from your life that fundamentally shaped your path as a changemaker?
The “spark” moment for me was when I graduated with my bachelor’s in public policy and decided to move to Sacramento to begin working in the state legislature through the Capital Fellowship. This immersive experience exposed me to policymaking processes where I saw how policy decisions were made–and how often communities like mine were missing from those rooms. Sitting in hearings and working inside the Capitol made it clear that who is present shapes the outcomes for millions of Californians, including those never represented. That realization helped me understand my role: to help open those doors and ensure our stories, needs, and voices are part of the decisions that shape our futures.
The Audacious Dream: Bolder Profiles highlights leaders who dare to dream big. What is the “bold idea” or future possibility that inspires you?
One audacious dream I have is a future where college access and success are truly universal, where every student, regardless of race, zipcode, or income, has a clear, supported pathway from high school to higher education and beyond. This looks like expanding dual enrollment so all students can get a head start, expanding financial aid and academic advising, and investing in culturally affirming supports that meet students where they are. I’m especially inspired by initiatives like the AANHPI Student Achievement Program and the potential to scale this approach across all colleges and even into high schools, ensuring historically marginalized communities are fully supported to thrive. Beyond access, I also envision a future where our postsecondary systems are intentionally designed that provide young people with clear, connected pathways so that every student can build a bright future.
Intergenerational Wisdom: How has working across generations influenced your approach? What is one lesson you’ve learned from a mentor or a younger peer that changed how you lead?
Working across generations has shaped how I lead and has grounded me in humility and a sense of interconnectedness with elders, mentors, and young people. One lesson that has stayed with me is to always remain teachable and to always lead with kindness. For example, I know I won’t always have all of the answers, but I always choose to stay open to growing, adapting, and learning new perspectives. Leading with kindness, a value instilled in me by my elders from an early age, builds the trust needed to bring people together and move work forward in meaningful ways.
The “Why” Behind the Work: Describe a specific project, model, or idea you are currently leading. What community challenge does it address, and what was the catalyst for this specific approach?
One project I am currently building in my independent capacity is the Pacific Islanders for Progress (PIP) Coalition, a statewide coalition focused on advancing education equity and economic mobility for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. This work addresses a persistent challenge: Pacific Islanders face significant disparities in educational attainment and workforce outcomes, yet are often invisible in data, policy, and decision-making spaces. The catalyst for this effort came from recognizing a distinct need for a unified, community-driven platform to address them. Through PIP, I hope our communities can build collective power, elevate community voice, and lay the groundwork for systems change rooted in equity, opportunity, and long-term sustainability.
A Call to Action: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to “dream audaciously” but doesn’t know where to start?
Start with your community. Find your people and lean on your leaders, teachers, mentors, and peers. Take up space. Be bold. Dream with courage. Also, know that a dream is only a (powerless) idea if it stays in your mind. Stay curious and stay grounded in your values and your purpose.