FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213)269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org

Los Angeles, CA – As of January 3rd, 2020, Kim Yamasaki has formally resigned from her position as Executive Director of CAUSE. The decision was personal and came from her desire to lean into her entrepreneurial spirit to start a social impact business with a colleague.

Kim first became involved with CAUSE in 2013 when she was a student intern through the CAUSE Leadership Academy summer internship program. Her passion to serve the Asian Pacific American community led to her being recruited to help coordinate the program the following summer, and to the position of Executive Director soon after. CAUSE staff and board members are extremely grateful for Kim’s leadership for the past five and a half years. From streamlined/mission-aligned programming to bolstering and elevating the organizational brand — CAUSE has made tremendous strides under her direction. CAUSE staff intend to continue to build upon Kim’s vision of sustainability, collaboration, and innovation and wish her the best in exploring her full potential beyond her role at CAUSE.

“I will always be thankful to CAUSE, the Board of Directors, especially our Board Chair Charlie Woo, our team of staff, volunteers, and the countless supporters in the community. I grew up in the community and the community raised me. It was an honor and privilege to give back to those same communities,” said Kim Yamasaki, outgoing CAUSE Executive Director.

“While we are saddened by her departure, we always take great pride to see young leaders from the CAUSE family spreading their wings to pursue their passions outside the organization. I will miss working side by side with her as I have for the past five and a half years. She was an amazing colleague who shared my vision and passion for CAUSE,” said Charlie Woo, CAUSE Board Chair.

The CAUSE Board of Directors has put together a search committee to actively recruit a new Executive Director over the next few months. During this time, Richard Leong, previously CAUSE Director of Programs & Strategic Innovation, will be acting as the Interim Executive Director. Kim Yamasaki will also be involved in the transition process as an organization consultant on a contractual basis.

CAUSE has always been rooted in our Leadership Development programs and plans to continue to ensure their ongoing development and execution in 2020 and beyond. CAUSE staff are committed to upholding our values of sustainability, collaboration, and innovation while ensuring our program participants receive the necessary knowledge, access, and network to enhance their growth as leaders.

About CAUSE

Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.

For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.

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