Meet May Nivar
Democratic candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates District 57 (partial Henrico/partial Goochland counties)
My journey began like the stories of many families who came to this country in pursuit of the American Dream—the belief that anyone, regardless of their origins, can achieve success through hard work and determination.
I was born in Philadelphia after my family immigrated from China. Growing up in low-income housing and helping out at my family’s small Chinese takeout restaurant, I learned the importance of perseverance and community at a very young age. After school and on weekends, I worked alongside my family to keep our business running. It truly took a village to succeed, and I was fortunate to have the unwavering support of my community—neighbors, customers, and other local businesses. Their kindness and encouragement shaped who I am today and instilled in me the values of hard work, resilience, and compassion.
I was able to put myself through college with grants, student loans, and working at a local supermarket, which is where I met my husband, Carlos. This is also where we experienced firsthand the critical work that unions do, benefitting working Americans.
After college, I forged a 30-year career in corporate communications to support my family and raise three children who graduated from Virginia public schools and attended local universities and community colleges.
In my lifetime and as a 20-year resident of Richmond, I've experienced firsthand the struggles many Virginians face: Economic inequality, manifested by inadequate healthcare, under-resourced public schools, unaffordable housing, and the erosion of reproductive and civil rights that many of us in this room fought hard for.
Recognizing these challenges, I knew I had to act. For the past decade, I’ve held leadership roles and served on boards of organizations making an impact on Virginia. Throughout my career, I’ve worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of women, Asian Americans, and others who are too often unheard. I helped launch a mentoring program for my company’s women’s network and established and led an Asian employee resource group. These experiences led Governor Terry McAuliffe to appoint me to the Virginia Asian Advisory Board, where I served as Vice Chair and Chair, and Governor Ralph Northam to honor me as a “Noteworthy Asian Pacific American of Virginia.”
At Altria, I lead initiatives that enable over 6,000 employees, the majority of whom live and work in the Greater Richmond Region, to engage in community giving, volunteering, and civic action.
Drawing from my experiences across small and large businesses, nonprofits, and government, I decided to step forward and make a difference at the systemic level—by shaping, influencing, and transforming policies. As Delegate for the 57th District and all Virginians, I will be your voice in the General Assembly. Together, we can build a Virginia where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, where hard work is rewarded, and where the American Dream is within reach for all. This is our moment to create meaningful change.
May’s leadership and organizing experience make her the ideal candidate to win this race and serve in the House of Delegates.
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Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, National Leadership Academy Class of 2024
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Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, Political Leaders Program Class of 2023
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Leadership Metro Richmond, Leadership Quest Class of 2017
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Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, State Board and Governance Committee Member; Richmond Chapter Member and Secretary
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Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, Leadership in Community Development, Advisory Board Member
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Virginia Community Engagement Index, Core Development Team 2023
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CEO Action for Racial Equity Fellowship, Alumni
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Governor’s Virginia Asian Advisory Board, Former Board Member, Vice Chair, and Chair
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OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates – Central VA Chapter, Governance Committee Member; Former Vice President and Board Member
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Asian & Latino Solidarity Alliance, Co-Founder, Immediate Past Chair
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Asian American Society of Central Virginia, Former Board Trustee
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Altria’s Asian Employee Resource Group, Co-Founder, Former Chair, Strategic Advisor
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Altria's Women's Network Mentoring Committee, Former Member
Make checks payable to
Friends of May Nivar and mail to
P.O. Box 3721, Glen Allen, VA 23058
Paid for by Friends of May Nivar