What a Special Event it was at ASAE for the Asian Community. When CEO Michelle Mason asked me to support her objective of Conscious Inclusion 3 years ago, I reached out to 10 Asian Leaders who helped start the AAPI Advisory Group. The following year, we expanded to 20 plus. Over 50 people joined us at ASAE 2024 in Cleveland this year, including our core 10.
It was a special treat as Michelle joined us and recounted her initial ask of me and how the Advisory Group has become a powerful voice in the Association Community. Moreover, our early leaders have become mentors to many young Asian professionals. Our new call sign is AANHPI, with our website at:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aanhpi-community/Many of the attendees shared how, when I asked them, they gladly agreed to participate. Following our formal program, the group gathered at a restaurant where Richard Yep and Wendy Jo Tomoya organized a special recognition and thank-you event. They presented me with a plaque, and many leaders stood up and told their stories about why they agreed to my ask and how this community has impacted their development. The AANHPI group has become a warm and inspiring home for many. The journey continued throughout the four days. I met many new faces, including Jerry Won, an inspirational keynote speaker. I spent time with Joanna Pineda at her special dinner and many more magical moments as people stopped me to say Thanks for helping me or we miss your DigitalNow Leadership event. I joined our Key Award Alumni and Welcomed our newest Key Award Winner, Lowell Applebaum, and joined the ASAE Fellows colleagues in welcoming the Class of 2024, including another AANHPI colleague, Rita Chen Fujisawa. All in all, it was a great moment.
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Don Dea FASAE
Board Chair
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc and America's Vet Dogs
Santa Monica CA
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