Asian American Professional Association - AAPA

AAPA invites you to attend the 2026 Spring Networking Mixer on March 8th. Sign up and donate here: https://givebutter.com/c/sJCo5i

A friendly reminder that today is Giving Tuesday. Please give generously to your favorite charities.

If you'd like to donate to AAPA, please donate here: https://lnkd.in/evN47A6z

LinkedIn This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

In the latest AAPA BoardTalks, Sarah Angello, co-founder of Daffodil, explains how donor-advised funds work and what DAF gifts signal about a donor’s capacity and intent. She shares practical steps for nonprofits to get found (EIN, clarity), tell impact-driven stories, and turn DAF dollars into sustained support.

https://lnkd.in/da4ZCUQF

AAPA’s annual celebration honoring mentees, mentors, donors, and sponsors was held last Sunday at We Olive in Pasadena. The gathering also paid a heartfelt tribute to Francis Cheung, whose enduring legacy has shaped AAPA into the organization it is today.

A friendly reminder that AAPA's Annual Celebration is less than a week away on Sunday, September 28th!

Please purchase your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/dyHBui-r

This meaningful event gathers community leaders, professionals, alumni, and supporters to celebrate the achievements of our Board Leadership Program and Mentorship Program graduates - diverse and dynamic individuals who represent the future of leadership across industries.

This year's event holds special significance as we honor the life and legacy of Francis Cheung, our friend, mentor, past president, guiding light. Francis' tireless dedication to mentoring and empowering Asian American professionals laid the foundation for the impactful programs we continue today.

Please spread the word about our Annual Celebration and purchase tickets using the link above.

Interested in sponsorship? Please use the following link (https://lnkd.in/d8n4cpmj) or contact Stacy Santeramo ([email protected]) to discuss.

Sincerely,
Eric Quon-Lee and Richard Cheung
Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) Co-Chairs

LinkedIn This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

The web site for the AAPA Annual Celebration on September 28th is now live!

Please purchase your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/dyHBui-r

This meaningful event gathers community leaders, professionals, alumni, and supporters to celebrate the achievements of our Board Leadership Program and Mentorship Program graduates - diverse and dynamic individuals who represent the future of leadership across industries.

This year's event holds special significance as we honor the life and legacy of Francis Cheung, our friend, mentor, past president, guiding light. Francis' tireless dedication to mentoring and empowering Asian American professionals laid the foundation for the impactful programs we continue today.

Please spread the word about our Annual Celebration and purchase tickets using the link above.

Interested in sponsorship? Please use the following link (https://lnkd.in/d8n4cpmj) or contact Stacy Santeramo ([email protected]) to discuss.

Sincerely,
Eric Quon-Lee and Richard Cheung
Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) Co-Chairs

LinkedIn This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

Check out our latest LeaderTalks podcast with Michelle Li as she walks us through her journey from being in corporate tech to a leading climate keynote speaker here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoWhetit1C0. It is a fascinating journey that shouldn’t be missed.

For more information about Michelle’s accomplishments as a climate keynote speaker see below:
• Keynote speaker page: https://michelleli.co/
• Speaker reel: https://www.michelleli.co/speaker-reel
• Employee engagement workshops, clients include Mastercard, DocuSign, Bristol Myers Squibb, the NBA, Dior, and more: https://clevercarbon.io/workshops

The web site for the AAPA Annual Celebration on September 28th is now live!

Please purchase your tickets here: https://givebutter.com/c/uYyl1x

This meaningful event gathers community leaders, professionals, alumni, and supporters to celebrate the achievements of our Board Leadership Program and Mentorship Program graduates - diverse and dynamic individuals who represent the future of leadership across industries.

This year's event holds special significance as we honor the life and legacy of Francis Cheung, our friend, mentor, past president, guiding light. Francis' tireless dedication to mentoring and empowering Asian American professionals laid the foundation for the impactful programs we continue today.

Please spread the word about our Annual Celebration and purchase tickets using the link above.

Interested in sponsorship? Please use the following link (https://givebutter.com/X3UqEB) or contact Stacy Santeramo ([email protected]) to discuss.

Sincerely,
Eric Quon-Lee and Richard Cheung
Asian American Professional Association (AAPA) Co-Chairs

AAPA 2025 Annual Celebration AAPA 2025 Annual Celebration

One of AAPA's board interns, Jomarie Manansala, is working on recording a new BoardTalks podcast. She has come up with the following topics:
1/From passion to policy: How boards shape mission-driven work (highlight how strategic decisions at the board level impact real-world programs)
2/Nonprofit bylaws: Best practices and mistakes to avoid (have guest share experience regarding bylaws)
3/Behind the boardroom: What nonprofit boards really do (have guest share experience about board dynamics)
4/Voices of leadership: Interviews with board members (Focus on one non-profit organization and the various board members share experience about leadership journey; ask about challenges, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring leaders)

If you are interested or know of individuals who are interested in discussing the above topics, please reach out to Jomarie ([email protected]).

Take a look at our latest LeaderTalks podcast with !

Podcast Highlights:
✨As the first-born Asian American in my family, I had to assimilate to Western culture while growing up in the Bay Area.
✨K-Drama recommendations
✨Building during a renaissance era when access to technology is unprecedented.
✨Open enrollment for The Knowledge Society (TKS) is closing in August—we're building the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators.

LinkedIn This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

🎉 We did it! Thanks to our community, we hit our goal with 64 donors and $9,705 raised!

Every donation supported the leadership journeys of Asian American professionals and showed the power of community when we come together. 💪

Whether you gave $10 or $1,000, you made this possible. 💛 You are part of this community—and this celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month!

From mentorship to board leadership to entrepreneur development, your generosity fuels it all. THANK YOU! 💛

Stay connected as we continue building equity and opportunity—together.

🚨 Only 3 days left! We’re just 6 donations away from our goal of 55 for . So far, we’ve raised $5,725—but we still need your help to reach $10,000 by May 31.

💬 “I met so many execs at my first AAPA event. When I left, I told my brother this was a community I wanted to join.”
— Alex, Mentee Alum

This is what AAPA is all about—uplifting, opening doors, and creating community. Now we’re asking that community to show up for us.

🎯 Every donation counts—$10, $25, or $100. Be 1 of the 6.

👉 Donate today: https://www.giveinmay.org/organization/Asian-American-Professional-Association