Arlene Yang

Treasurer

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Candidate Statement

I seek your support to serve as NAPABA’s next Treasurer. Thanks to the work of NAPABA’s staff, board, and many volunteers, NAPABA has experienced tremendous growth, marked by expanded year-round programing, policy initiatives, and staff. With this expansion, NAPABA’s budget and finances have grown in scale and complexity. As Treasurer, I will work to ensure that NAPABA’s finances remain robust, so that we can continue to expand our work to advance the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (“AANHPI”) in the legal profession.

NAPABA Involvement

The spirit of support and community infused in NAPABA and exceptional programming motivated me to get and stay involved. In 2014, the Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (“AABANY”) convention reenactment of the Wards Cove v. Atonio case inspired me to bring back home to San Diego the little-known history of AANHPI’s and the law. As president of Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego, I organized our own reenactment. PALSD has organized multiple reenactments since in collaboration with AABANY, which has generously shared scripts and PowerPoint presentations. I have found this spirit of cooperation as I have taken on leadership roles within NAPABA, including as a co-chair of the Labor and Employment Committee, then Southern California Alternate Regional Governor, and currently Southern California Regional Governor. As a NAPABA board member, I serve on the Finance and Fund Development Committee and the Administration, Policy, and Programs Committee. I have also organized and participated in numerous NAPABA convention panels and webinars.

Expertise and Vision

As Treasurer, I will work to ensure oversight and sound financial management, including maintaining sufficient cash reserves and stewardship of NAPABA’s investments. I developed expertise in non-profit finances through over 20 years of service on boards of bar associations and other non-profit organizations, as a non-profit fundraiser, and through training. My experience includes analyzing financial reports, budgeting, marketing, and grant writing.
 
Advancing NAPABA’s Mission and Strategic Plan

In addition to ensuring NAPABA’s financial stability and sustainability, I am committed to furthering NAPABA’s mission to promote justice, equity, and opportunity for AANHPIs and to foster professional development. I will work to enhance and support NAPABA’s role in engaging its diverse community of AANHPI attorneys, judges, and law students, who come from many practice areas, backgrounds, and viewpoints. I will support NAPABA’s Board in strengthening its practices and policies towards greater inclusivity and deepening the engagement and belonging of all members. 

Leadership Philosophy

I believe in collaborative leadership and a growth mindset. I will bring this spirit to the role of Treasurer. I plan to work carefully with the Board and staff to ensure prudent financial oversight and management, as well as promoting transparency and cooperation to enable the Board to engage in strategic decision making. By working as part of NAPABA, I am energized because I feel like I can make a difference for our community, even as just one person. In working together, we can continue developing NAPABA as a vital voice in the legal profession and the wider community.  Thank you for your consideration.

Candidate Bio

Arlene R. Yang is Senior Counsel at Center for Employment Opportunities, a national non-profit organization that provides people returning home from incarceration with temporary employment, job coaching, and job placement services. Arlene provides strategic advice on areas including employment law, labor, and benefits. Arlene has a breadth of legal experience in the government, private practice, and nonprofit sector, including as a trial lawyer at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., a litigator at an international law firm in New York City, and a partner at boutique and regional law firms in San Diego.

In addition to her experience on the NAPABA board, Arlene served as president of the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego and on the board of the Asian American Bar Association of New York. Arlene has years of experience advising non-profit organizations in private practice. She also served as a grant writer and fundraiser for an Asian American theater company and a Latino theater festival in New York City. Raised in New Jersey, Arlene is a graduate of New York University School of Law and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Endorsements 

• 2024 Endorsements are now closed. Thank you for supporting our candidates.

NAPABA Affiliate Endorsements

Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego

Asian American Bar Association of New York

Individual Endorsements

*All work or organizational affiliations disclosed are for identification and disclosures purposes only, and do not constitute endorsements by those institutions.