07/09/2024

Promoting AAPI Voices in Management

Here's how associations can do a better job at this

In 2020, Wendy-Jo Toyama, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CEO for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; Khánh Vũ, CEO and executive director for the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers; and Linda Akutagawa, president and CEO for Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, presented a session at ASAE’s Virtual Annual Meeting exploring Asian myths.

The presentation revealed a startling gap in Asian representation within associations at all levels. Although the fastest growing racial group, only 3 percent of ASAE members identify as Asian, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. This lags the Asian-American population nationwide, which Pew cites as 7 percent.

Since organizations with racially diverse boards and executive teams financially outperform other groups, a deeper understanding of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) attitudes toward working in associations can help leaders recruit and retain these professionals. Here are some steps to take.

Please select this link to read the complete article from ASAE’s Center for Association Leadership.