PRESS RELEASE
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy Names Social Justice Leader Connie Chung Joe as New President and CEO
OAKLAND, CA – Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy is proud to announce the appointment of Connie Chung Joe as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive national search. A seasoned civil rights leader, attorney, and advocate for immigrant and marginalized communities, Connie brings over two decades of experience building and transforming organizations dedicated to racial equity, community wellness, and social justice.
Connie currently serves as CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization serving Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. There, she leads a staff of 100 across Los Angeles, Orange County, and Sacramento, fighting for immigrant rights, combating anti-Asian hate, building multicultural coalitions, and empowering AAPI voting rights and representation.
With deep experience in grassroots and coalition-building work, Connie has a demonstrated record of advocating for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and building multi-racial solidarity. Connie serves on multiple government advisory roles, and co-founded Asian Pacific Islander Human Trafficking Task Force of Los Angeles, a coalition of 20+ AANHPI and human trafficking nonprofits and government agencies.
“As we navigate increasingly challenging times where DEI efforts are under attack, and philanthropy continues to underinvest in AANHPI communities, Connie’s leadership is exactly what this moment demands,” said Priscilla Enriquez, Chair of the AAPIP Board of Directors, and CEO of the James B. McClatchy Foundation. “We sought someone with rigor, vision, and a lived commitment to cross-racial justice—and Connie emerged as the unequivocal choice. As we announce the beginning of Connie’s tenure, AAPIP also wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to Lyle Matthew Kan, who has served as Interim President and CEO throughout this transition and executive search. His steady leadership ensured organizational stability and ongoing progress during this critical time.”
Connie’s vision for AAPIP is bold and forward-thinking: to strengthen its role as a champion of equity and transformative philanthropy, amplify AANHPI voices and issues in the sector, and build cross-cultural coalitions to meet the challenges of a shifting philanthropic and societal landscape. She aims to lead AAPIP into its next era as a strong, courageous voice for racial justice and a trusted convener of AANHPI professionals in philanthropy.
Connie Chung Joe said, “I am deeply honored to be named the next President and CEO of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy. As I prepare to step down from my role as CEO of AJSOCAL, I do so with immense pride in the strength, resilience, and impact of the organization and staff I’ve had the privilege to lead for the past five years. AJSOCAL is a vital institution-one that is healthy, growing, and playing an indispensable role in the AAPI movement. This transition is an evolution of my commitment to AANHPIs and the ongoing fight for what is essential to our well-being. At AAPIP, I look forward to uplifting our AANHPI communities and ensuring they are well resourced, including the AANHPI-serving community organizations who work tirelessly every day to serve and protect our most vulnerable. Together, we will ensure that philanthropy continues to be a force for justice and equity across all AANHPI communities.”
The selection followed a rigorous national search process led by a diverse committee of AAPIP board and regional chapter leaders.
“The search committee reviewed a highly competitive pool of applicants from across the country,” said James Head, AAPIP Board Trustee and Chair of the CEO search committee. “We were deeply encouraged by the incredible talent and passion that came forward – individuals who represented the vast diversity of our AANHPI communities and brought experience across philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and grassroots advocacy. With AAPIP’s 35-year history of impact in mind, we designed a thoughtful, inclusive, and human-centered process, including input from staff, AAPIP chapter leaders from across our 11 chapters across the country, and the broader philanthropic community. Connie’s appointment reflects the culmination of that community-grounded effort.”
Connie Chung Joe begins her tenure as President and CEO on August 4, 2025.
About AAPIP
Established in 1990, AAPIP is a justice-minded national philanthropic, affinity organization that provides unique community spaces for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs), and allies in philanthropy. AAPIP is a membership-based organization that centers equity and justice in philanthropy to move money and build power of AANHPI communities for an inclusive democracy. Anchored by national staff, AAPIP works across the country through a chapter network as sites of regional activism serving as a bridge between philanthropy and local non-profit organizations. These chapters are centers for place-based advocacy, information sharing, leadership development and network building around AANHPI issues and philanthropy.
Media Contact:
Michele Dilworth
Interim Vice President of Communications and Partnerships
Tel: (510) 392-2121