With pride and bittersweet sentiment, we want to share that Connie Chung Joe, CEO, will be stepping down from Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) to serve as the next President and CEO of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP).
Over the past five years, Connie has led AJSOCAL through a transformative chapter and a historic era of fighting for immigrant rights, combating anti-Asian hate through the COVID-19 pandemic, leading the community through the Monterey Park Lunar New Year shooting, fighting for immigrant rights, building multicultural coalitions, and empowering AAPI voting rights and representation across Los Angeles, Orange County, and the state.
Connie remarks, “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 work with. AJSOCAL is a vital institution––one that is healthy, growing, and playing an indispensable role in the AAPI movement. While I continue to be deeply invested in AAPI issues, this shift from regional community-facing work to the national philanthropic sector will provide a different way of responding to needs and having impact. ”
AJSOCAL’s Board Chair Jade Leung says, “We wish Connie all the best. She arrived at AJSOCAL amid the pandemic and reshaped our organization into its next chapter after our Founder, Stewart Kwoh, stepped into the President Emeritus role. Connie led our team and the community through a succession of unprecedented crises and history-making opportunities with a steady hand and clear vision. We are strong today because of her. AJSOCAL will continue to be the champion and voice for all AAPIs.”
AJSOCAL Founder Stewart Kwoh says, “Over four decades ago, I started this organization with just a few people fighting for Asian Americans and others who are disenfranchised. Now, it is the largest civil rights and legal services providers for our community. I am deeply proud of what Connie has done to bolster AJSOCAL and the AAPI movement.”
U.S. Rep. Judy Chu comments, “I’ve known AJSOCAL since it’s founding days. Connie has been at the helm during these difficult years with the global pandemic, Monterey Park mass shootings, and attacks on AAPIs and immigrants. When our AAPI community weathered tough times, Connie and AJSOCAL were right there, in the thick of it all, working in partnership with public officials and partners. I am grateful that our region has AJSOCAL.”
California Community Foundation President & CEO Miguel Santana remarks, “We are proud be one of the many funders of AJSOCAL whose work in our richly diverse region is more vital than ever. We have a natural alliance because together we are grounded in our values of positive systemic change for our communities. I am confident that Connie’s community expertise and experience will be an asset as she joins us in this philanthropic side of work.”
Connie will remain at AJSOCAL until July 2025. Upon her departure, AJSOCAL’s long-serving Chief of Staff Aileen Louie will be Interim CEO. A national executive search will soon be underway led by the Board Search Committee with the support of Maneva Group.
###
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is dedicated to promoting equity and justice for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other underserved communities. Through direct legal services, advocacy, education, and coalition-building, AJSOCAL aims to create a more just and inclusive society.
