Dear AAPIP community,
Today marks my first day as President and CEO of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP), and I am deeply honored to join this organization and work alongside an incredible team of staff, board of directors, individuals members, chapters, and other stakeholders. As I write this, I’m filled with both profound gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities we serve and the mission we share.
Why AAPIP, Why Now
When I first learned about the opening to lead AAPIP, I knew immediately that this offered a tremendous opportunity to lean into the values that have guided me throughout my career: to advocate for the resources needed for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities to thrive; and stand firmly in cross-racial/cultural solidarity with other allies fighting for social justice. Having spent the last five years leading Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California through some of our community’s most challenging moments, I’ve seen firsthand how philanthropy can either advance justice or perpetuate inequality, and I know that joining together in broad coalitions is essential for true impact and lasting change.
The timing of this role feels both urgent and essential. Just last week, AAPIP released its 2025 AANHPI Funding Snapshot as a follow-up to our groundbreaking Seeking to Soar report published in 2021, revealing a troubling reality: after a spike in funding for AANHPI communities following the 2020 racial reckoning and 2021 Atlanta Spa Shootings, investments remain consistently low and point to signs of decline. This happens as our communities face a cascading series of threats ranging from federal attacks on race-based programming, immigration enforcement and targeting that tears apart our families, and increased anti-Asian hate fueled by scapegoating — all while many institutions retreat from their commitments to racial equity and justice.
My Commitment to You
As a Korean American who experienced the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising, also known as Saigu, on a deeply personal level, I understand the complexity of fighting for our AANHPI communities while building solidarity across communities of color. I also know the power of authentic coalition-building, the strength that comes from intersectional work, and the transformation possible when we center justice.
I come to AAPIP committed to our shared values: justice, equity, community, and the belief that philanthropy must be a force for change. I believe strongly in the power of deep listening to understand what our communities need and how we can work together to build the future we all deserve.
The Road Ahead: A Listening Tour
Over the next 100 days, I will be embarking on a comprehensive listening tour. I want to understand your challenges, your hopes, and your ideas for how AAPIP can best serve our communities and advance our mission.
Your input helps us build the foundation for how we’ll move forward together. Whether you’re a longtime AAPIP member or new to our community, whether you work at a major foundation or a grassroots organization, your voice matters in shaping our path.
Share Your AAPIP Story and Vision
Your voice and experience are essential as we begin this new chapter together. Whether you’ve been part of the AAPIP community for years or are just discovering our work, I want to hear from you about what this organization has meant to you and where you hope we’re headed.
Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts. Every perspective matters and will help shape how we move forward together.
Join me for an AAPIP Sips session for AAPIP members where I will be in conversation with our new Board Chair, Doua Thor:
📅 Date and time: September 16, 2025 @ 12:30 pm PT / 3:30 pm ET
I encourage you to submit your questions in advance when you register, and I will do my best to address as many as possible during our time together.
Our Work in This Moment
Even as we listen and learn, our work continues. Through initiatives like the Racial Equity Advancement and Defense Initiative, to prevent the rollback of racial equity within the philanthropic sector, we’re fighting to ensure that investments addressing systemic racism and discrimination in communities of color continue to grow, not shrink.
We must also continue expanding funding for our AANHPI communities, particularly those that historically are most marginalized like our Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Southeast Asian communities. Our recent research shows us clearly that despite the urgent needs in our communities, funding remains inadequate and inconsistent. We cannot accept this as the status quo.
An Invitation to Build Together
I come to this role, knowing I have much to learn. But I have experience in organizational transformation, a strong foundation of working within AANHPI communities, and an unshakeable belief in the power of our collective voices. I’ve seen what’s possible when we invest in active listening, build partnerships at the speed of trust, and take collective action centered on our shared values above all else.
We must be the prominent, outspoken champions our communities need, a safe space for AANHPI professionals, and a steadfast voice for our progressive pillars in philanthropy.
I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming weeks and months, to learning from your wisdom and experience, and to building the next chapter of AAPIP’s impact together.
With gratitude and determination,
Connie Chung Joe
President and CEO
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy