Arlene Yang

Treasurer

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Candidate Statement

I seek your support for a second term as Treasurer of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (“NAPABA”). From NAPABA’s early days in the 1980s to today, NAPABA has shown time and time again its value. Now, more than ever, NAPABA and its members must continue to be fearless champions for the rights and interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (“AANHPI”) in the legal profession and beyond. If elected for a second term, I will work to ensure that NAPABA’s finances remain sound with appropriate controls, to support the organization’s vital work.

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 AANHPIs 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, Southern California Alternate Regional Governor, Southern California Regional Governor, and now Treasurer. I have also organized and participated in numerous NAPABA convention panels and webinars, and NAPABA affiliate events all over the country.

Expertise and Vision

I developed expertise in non-profit finances through over 25 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, fundraising, and grant writing.

As Treasurer, I have a good relationship with NAPABA’s staff and have worked to ensure oversight and sound financial management, including reviewing expenditures, and maintaining sufficient cash reserves.

As NAPABA Treasurer, I also serve on the NAPABA Board’s Finance and Fund Development Committee, which is responsible for areas including budget management, fundraising, and stewardship of NAPABA’s investments. I also serve as an ex officio board member of the NAPABA Law Foundation. My goal is to ensure that NAPABA takes an appropriately conservative approach to financial management, including ensuring that adequate policies and financial controls are in operation.

Advancing NAPABA’s Mission and Strategic Plan

I am committed to furthering NAPABA’s updated mission and strategic plan. Through the excellent work of NAPABA staff and board over the years, NAPABA is in an excellent position to withstand an uncertain financial climate and continue to step forward at this crucial juncture in our country.  I seek to ensure that with oversight and prudent stewardship of NAPABA’s finances, NAPABA continues to advance as the national voice for AANHPIs in the legal profession, a leader in promoting justice, equity, and opportunity for AANHPIs, and a catalyst 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 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 will continue 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.

It has been a great honor to serve as NAPABA Treasurer over the last year. I seek your support for re-election.  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 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.

Arlene has served as president of the Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego, as an officer of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, co-chair of NAPABA’s Labor and Employment Committee, NAPABA Southern California Regional Governor, and is currently NAPABA’s Treasurer. Arlene has years of experience advising non-profit organizations in private practice. She also served as a grant writer and fundraiser for a non-profit 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.

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