The CAUSE Leadership Institute (CLI) for professionals is a 6-month-long certificate program that prepares and equips mid-career professionals with the tools, skills, and network to lead and advocate for the Asian Pacific American (APA) community. Co-founded by CAUSE and USC Dornsife’s Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics to ensure a pipeline of political and civic leadership for the APA community, CLI brings together aspiring APA community leaders with seasoned political professionals, civic leaders, and issues experts to discuss policy, civic engagement, and community leadership.
CLI Fellows gain a deeper understanding of critical APA issues, leadership skills, a broader understanding of civic engagement opportunities, and a network of peers and mentors. Graduates of this program have gone on to change the civic landscape through elected office and leadership roles in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Program Duration: January 2023 – June 2023 (6 months)
Location: CLI will be primarily a virtual program with 3 required, in-person weekend events in Los Angeles.
Time Commitment: The CLI Program will take place virtually on every other Wednesday from January through June from 6pm - 8pm PST. The 3 required, in-person sessions in the Los Angeles area will be on Saturdays.
For CLI participants outside of the Southern California area, plane tickets will be provided for the required, in-person sessions in the Los Angeles area. Housing, transportation, and food will be each participant’s responsibility.
Program Cost: A $300 Commitment fee will be due upon acceptance into the program and is non-refundable.
For full consideration, applicants must ensure both Application and Letter(s) of Recommendation
are received by Sunday, December 4, 2022, 11:59pm PT.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
SPEAKER SESSIONS
These sessions will feature guest speakers leading discussions on the four program areas: APA Issues, Leadership Development, Civic Engagement, and Networking.
pod meetings
These meetings will focus on small group discussion, connection, developing community impact projects, and exploring 1 of 2 Civic Engagement Tracks.
REQUIRED IN-PERSON SESSIONS
Fellows are required to be in-person for 3 Saturdays at the beginning, middle, and end of the program (January 14, March 25, and June 17). Plane tickets will be provided for CLI participants outside of the Los Angeles area. Housing, transportation, and food will be each participant’s responsibility.
Civic engagement projects
Fellows will work on 2 different projects, both individually and with their cohort, to articulate and plan how they will make an impact in their communities. These projects may require some additional time outside of the program sessions.
Program Areas
CLI will develop Fellows in the 4 following areas:
APA Issues
CLI Fellows will meet with thought leaders for candid discussions on current issues impacting the APA community. These conversations will provide insight into APA issues and policy developments. Topics in the past have included: AAPI hate, data disaggregation, education, healthcare, energy and the environment, workforce development, transportation, and housing.
Leadership Development
CLI Fellows will meet with experienced leaders to refine essential leadership skills needed to effectively advocate for the APA community. Past sessions included public speaking, messaging, and cultivating individualized authentic leadership styles. CLI Fellows will be prepared for civic leadership after the program’s end.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
CAUSE’s network will give CLI Fellows access to many influential leaders in California. Speakers share their personal experiences, leadership journeys, best practices on public service and civic leadership, and provide deeper perspective into leading the APA community. Past speakers have included California Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Senator Stephanie Chang, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Bill Wong, and California State Controller Betty Yee, and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.
NETWORKING
The CAUSE network is united around advancing the APA community. CLI Fellows connect with each other, guest speakers, and the larger community. CLI Fellows are also invited to exclusive networking, political, and community events.
PROGRAM GOALS
BY THE END OF THE PROGRAM, CLI FELLOWS WILL HAVE:
Deepened their understanding of APA community issues
Honed their leadership skills
Developed political advocacy and organizing skills
Cultivated the confidence to advocate for the APA community
Created a plan to impact the APA community
Connected to a large and thriving professional network
QUALIFICATIONS
ALL CLI APPLICANTS MUST HAVE:
A desire to advocate for the APA community in the public, private, and/or nonprofit sectors
At least 5+ years experience in the workforce
Leadership experience
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must:
Complete the CLI Application here
Upload a resume (PDF preferred) as part of their application
Have at least 1 Recommender upload a Letter of Recommendation here
(OPTIONAL) Upload a 2nd letter of recommendation
PLEASE NOTE: CLI Applicants are strongly encouraged to include at least 1 recommendation from an:
Elected official at the city, county, state, or federal level
Nonprofit executive director, or
CAUSE Board Member
For full consideration, applicants must ensure both Application and Letter(s) of Recommendation
are received by Sunday, December 4, 2022, 11:59pm PT.
Important Dates & Deadlines
Applications Open
Applications Close
In-person Program Orientation
Speaker Sessions
Pod Meetings
In-person Session
In-person Graduation
Monday, October 3, 2022
Sunday, December 4, 2022, 11:59pm PST
Saturday, January 14, 2023
Every other Wednesday from 6pm - 8pm PST beginning January 25
Every other Wednesday from 6pm - 8pm PST beginning February 8
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Saturday, June 17, 2023
2022 CLI Speakers and Trainers
Melissa Apuya
District Director, Office of Assemblymember Marc Levine
Rachelle Arizmendi
Council Member (2X former Mayor), City of Sierra Madre and PACE
Richard Chang
Data Analytics Director, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Data Policy Lab
The Honorable Stephanie Chang
State Senator, State of Michigan
Caroline Choi
Senior Vice President, Edison International & Southern California Edison
The Honorable Judy Chu
Congresswoman, State of California
Eurie Chung
Producer, Flash Cuts Productions
Susan Jin Davis
Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment
Mary Anne Foo
Executive Director, Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA)
Manju Kulkarni
Executive Director, AAPI Equity Alliance
Leila Lee
Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Economic Development
Chanchanit Martorell
Executive Director, Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC)
Janet McIntyre
VP of Programs & Training, Executive Service Corps of Southern California
Chirag Menon
Principal, Third Settlements
Andrew Murphy
Co-Director, Los Angeles Unified School District API Equity Steering Committee
Soukprida Phetmisy
Senior Managing Director, Asian American & Pacific Islander Alliances, Teach For America
Godfrey Plata
Community and Political Organizer, Former Candidate
Tavae Samuelu
Executive Director, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)
Nira Singh
Director of Behavioral Health, AACI
Raphael Sonenshein
Executive Director, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs
John Tang
Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
Lance Toma
CEO, San Francisco Community Health Center
Kyle Tsukahira
Co-Director, Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement (APIFM)
‘Alisi Tulua
Project Director, NHPI Data Policy Lab @ UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
Bill Wong
Principal/Consultant, Bill Wong LLC
John Yi
Executive Director, Los Angeles Walks
2023 Fellows
Our program is highly selective and each member of our cohort is selected based on their leadership abilities, public service, and community involvement. Program fellows are identified by leading elected officials, select nonprofit partner organizations, CAUSE Board Members, and CAUSE Alumni. Learn about the 2023 CLI Cohort below:
What Alumni Say
The Experience
The 2023 Leadership Institute is Supported by
Asian Women Leadership in Philanthropy Fund