Our History

PKS International has been a trusted presence in Portland since 1996. As an independent, minority- and woman-owned business, PKS has remained committed to community-focused services and inclusive engagement throughout its history.

In 2014, a Portland city staff member launched what would become the Community Engagement Liaison Services (CELs) program—an innovative initiative designed to build authentic civic partnerships with underserved communities. Recognizing the program’s growing complexity, the City transitioned CELs management to PKS in 2016. Since then, PKS has taken full responsibility for the program’s business operations, development, administration, billing, training, and marketing.

Today, with over 150+ liaisons, the CELs program is a cornerstone of equitable public engagement across Oregon and Washington. It empowers meaningful community participation by recruiting and training trusted liaisons from historically underrepresented groups. These liaisons serve as bridges between public agencies and communities that have traditionally been excluded from civic processes—not just translating words, but translating values, concerns, and cultural perspectives.

CELs liaisons are based primarily in Multnomah, Washington, Clark, and Clackamas counties, however, our liaisons also serve other counties in Oregon. The liaison team collectively speaks over 37 languages, including Arabic, Farsi, Somali, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Nepali, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, and many more. New liaisons and languages are added regularly to meet the evolving needs of our communities.

Since 2019, the CELs program has expanded to include liaisons representing underserved African American, Indigenous/Tribal, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, low-income households, renters, multifamily housing residents, and document accessibility testers—ensuring civic engagement is truly inclusive and accessible to all.

Today, PKS/CELs has extended its services to include strategic marketing, data collection & analysis, project management, leadership and partnership training, branding and market research.

Meet Our Team

Ping Khaw brings over 30 years of experience in project management, strategic marketing, community engagement, and nonprofit leadership. She holds a degree in Fine Arts and an associate degree in Business Accounting, and has led diverse initiatives across sectors including federal government, nonprofit, city planning, and international business. Born in Malaysia, Ping is multilingual—fluent in three languages and four dialects—enabling her to connect with a wide range of communities.

Ping is the co-founder of the Asian Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce of Oregon (APCO), the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC), and the API Forward Education Foundation. She has served on three commissions and nine nonprofit boards, and has consistently championed equity and civic participation, particularly among historically excluded communities.

As Principal and Senior Project Manager at CELs, Ping helps public and private sector partners meet their goals through culturally responsive engagement strategies. She has led successful community outreach initiatives in areas such as street or housing development, transportation system redesigned, park system redesigned, watershed conservation, budget planning, and citywide policy development etc.

Her career highlights include leading the Oregon partnership team for the 2010 Census campaign, serving as Program Chair for the IAP2 Cascade Chapter between 2019-2023, and contributing to award-winning media projects, including the Peabody-winning Crossing East and the Clarion Award-winning StoriesFirst.org.

Ping is also a mentor to immigrant entrepreneurs and continues to be a driving force in building inclusive, community-centered initiatives throughout Oregon and SW Washington.

HK Cheng brings over 20 years of experience in project administration, financial operations, and team coordination. As Project & Operations Manager at PKS International, she leads accounting operations—overseeing accounts receivable and payable—while expertly managing project timelines, budgets, and deliverables. Her precision and organizational strength are key to the success of the Community Engagement Liaisons Services program.

Before joining PKS, HK spent more than 15 years working in Malaysia’s property development, building supplies, and IT sectors. Her experience navigating multicultural and multilingual environments has strengthened her adaptability and collaborative leadership—skills she continues to apply in the U.S. context.

HK holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from RMIT University (Australia) and is known for her ability to handle complex, high-stakes projects with clarity and focus. Outside of work, she enjoys community connections, food, travel, and spending time with her dog, Snow.

AnnieKris Diego is a trailblazer in her family and a dedicated professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and Management Leadership from Portland State University. She launched her career in the banking and insurance sectors, where she developed a strong foundation in sales, accounting, underwriting, and customer service. Since joining CELs as a Project Manager in 2022, she has demonstrated exceptional skill in leading complex projects, managing multiple timelines, and fostering strong relationships with diverse stakeholders. Her focus on equitable community engagement and effective partnerships drives her success in delivering impactful project outcomes.

AnnieKris is an accomplished community leader with a strong track record in cultural advocacy and civic engagement. She has held influential roles in organizations that empower and uplift underrepresented voices. At Portland State University, she served as both a student leader and alumni board member of PSU Kaibigan, the Filipino American Student Association. She also contributed her leadership as a board member for API Forward, advancing leadership development and civic participation in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities throughout Oregon and Washington. She also played a key role as treasurer for grassroots political committees during school board and primary election campaigns, overseeing financial compliance and reporting in accordance with campaign finance regulations.

Outside of her professional and community work, AnnieKris enjoys traveling, exploring new cuisines, spending time with loved ones, and the occasional well-deserved nap. Motivated by a deep passion for meaningful community contribution, she is committed to empowering future generations through her work and lived experience.

Duyên (Kate) Frederiksen interned with API Forward Foundation and Local Grown, focusing on regional disaster preparedness, community outreach, and engagement. In 2023, she joined the CELs team as Administrative Support, playing a key role in supporting project management, liaison coordination, and administrative operations. She assists in budgeting, invoicing, and accounting to ensure smooth project execution. Her specialty is in notetaking, transcription, and summary reporting, which help distill key discussions into actionable insights. Her ability to capture critical details enhances project efficiency and facilitates informed decision-making. Additionally, she coordinates engagement efforts, facilitates communication between stakeholders, and supports the execution of community-driven initiatives.

Duyên is a dynamic young professional dedicated to nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and equity advocacy. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership at Portland State University. She holds dual B.S. degrees in History and Anthropology from the University of Oregon, where she led the Asian and Pacific American Student Union (APASU) for two years. Under her leadership, APASU earned the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Outstanding Student Organization Award for its commitment to inclusivity and anti-racism. Duyên’s work reflects her dedication to equity, advocacy, and sustainable community development.

When she is not focused on her professional career or education, Duyên spends her time relaxing by playing video games with friends and loved ones, traveling and trying new foods, going to concerts with friends, or enjoying a little sweet treat.

Johnny Ngo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies with a concentration in Business, along with minors in Korean, East Asian Studies, and Business Administration from the University of Oregon. His academic background, combined with his international experiences studying abroad in South Korea and working as a Marketing and Sales intern in Vietnam, has given him a strong understanding of global perspectives and the diverse challenges faced by communities around the world.

In his role as a Marketing and Communications support professional, Johnny contributes to social media engagement, outreach efforts, and content development across various projects. He focuses on creating inclusive, accessible messaging that connects with underserved and marginalized populations, helping to foster greater civic engagement within the community. By combining his strategic thinking with his creative abilities, he develops engaging designs and content that support CEL’s mission to reach a broader and more diverse audience.

Outside of his professional work, Johnny enjoys exploring his creativity through graphic design and unwinding with video games. He is passionate about traveling and experiencing new cultures, as well as spending time with friends and trying new foods.