First Executive Director Job Announcement 

The Vincent Chin Institute (VCI) builds solidarity against hate and division through organizing, education and narrative change. We are seeking nominations and applications for our first Executive Director who will inspire and equip the next generation of Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders through the Vincent Chin movement’s legacy of multiracial, multicultural, intergenerational solidarity and community empowerment.

Working together in close partnership with our founder, Helen Zia, the board, future staff and external stakeholders, the Executive Director will build the capacity of VCI to advance the mission of the organization and its strategic goals. This leader will strengthen VCI’s national profile, while maintaining a commitment to areas where there is little to no Asian American advocacy infrastructure and exploring opportunities to continually fill gaps in areas of unmet need. The Executive Director will grow the organization’s capacity to effectively steward the legacy of Vincent Chin and the solidarity movement against hate and violence, while elevating the organization’s role in addressing issues that impact the health, safety, wellness, visibility and voice of our communities.

We are particularly eager to meet candidates who are:

  • Mission-driven on behalf of our beloved communities

  • Fueled by an activist spirit, energy and initiative

  • Seasoned leaders with a track record of building an organization or programs from the ground up

  • Strategic thinkers and pragmatists hell-bent on impact and deliverables

  • Grounded in Asian American history, movements and community and have expertise navigating the diverse ecosystem of community organizations working toward shared goals

  • Stewarding existing relationships with local, regional and national networks and leaders in the Asian Pacific Islander community and with other historically marginalized communities

  • Practiced in working with community members, media, funders and other key stakeholders

  • Highly skilled storytellers and exceptional communicators in multiple formats

  • Capable in board governance, volunteer engagement, resource development, and nonprofit finance and operations

  • Kind, respectful, open with the courage and drive to bend the arc of history towards justice

About The Vincent Chin Institute

The Vincent Chin Institute was founded in 2023 to continue the mission and work of the past 40 years of movement and building solidarity against anti-Asian violence and all forms of hate. Our mission is:

  • To provide informational resources, empowerment tools and networks of veteran AAPI organizers to communities where there is limited Asian Pacific American advocacy infrastructure.  

  • To build networks of local activists and a generation of established leaders from around the country who wish to use their expertise where they can be most effective in countering anti-Asian bigotry.

  • To strengthen and advance AAPI communities and amplify AAPI voices locally and nationally to bridge both organizing, networks and narrative connectivity between multiple sectors.

With programs focused in these three mission areas, the Vincent Chin Institute plays a vital role in making critical linkages for underserved AAPI communities and today’s generation of committed AAPI organizations with the strategic lessons from historical Asian American organizing. In doing so, VCI aims to inspire new generations of community leadership with the Vincent Chin legacy.

We are a fundamentally collaborative network dedicated to supporting and uniting others working toward the same goals. These are our guiding principles:

  • Our work is to bring marginalized AAPI communities to the center. 

  • VCI can serve as an intergenerational connective tissue to reach and address Asian Americans who are unserved or critically underserved. 

  • To work collaboratively is to address needs that have not been met and support others who are doing beautiful work in adjacent areas. 

  • Together we are so much more than the sum of our parts.

Our values run through all that we do: Integrity, Honesty, Accountability, Generosity and Inclusion  

Our work today is:

  • Building a response network as we disseminate crisis tools. In 2024, VCI collaborated with a number of AAPI groups to connect the empowerment lessons of Vincent Chin organizing to Midwestern AAPIs in Wisconsin, Texas and for the launch of an Asian American project in Indiana; as well as to AAPI activists and national advocacy groups;

  • Conducting educational outreach to public libraries and schools, such as providing public libraries with of The Vincent Chin Legacy Guide, which teaches lessons on how to build solidarity against hate—in six Asian languages plus English and Spanish, based on lessons from the Vincent Chin civil rights movement that emerged in the Midwest when there was no AAPI advocacy infrastructure;

  • Building our own infrastructure with this search for our first Executive Director.

In anticipation of social and political volatility ahead, VCI remains committed to countering hate with organizing, education and narrative change by working in collaboration and building solidarity. These times demand the best and highest use we can give, in collaboration, with shared values and unity together.

More information about The Vincent Chin Institute may be found at vincentchin.org.

For the definitive story of Vincent Chin and the national civil rights movement that he and Lily Chin inspired, see The Vincent Chin Legacy Guide: Asian Americans and Civil Rights Throughout this document you will see reflected the various ways our social and political history, movements, communities and advocacy infrastructure have been identified across generations and geographies.

The Opportunity and Essential Responsibilities

The Vincent Chin Institute’s first Executive Director (ED) will develop the systems and structures of a previously volunteer-led organization building on the 40-year legacy of the Vincent Chin movement for solidarity. The ED will initially be the sole staff responsible for the full range of functions and day-to-day management of VCI. In partnership with the three-person board and key stakeholders, the ED will have the opportunity to work with experienced OGs to create the next generation vision of a landmark legacy movement. To do this, the ED will help grow the infrastructure, staff, strategies, programs and partnerships to strengthen the organization, positioning it for success and impact. The ED will play a pivotal role by providing thought leadership to the field, internal direction to the organization and in partnership with the board, a vision for the future of VCI’s work. VCI’s first Executive Director will have the following opportunities for impact:

Strategic Leadership and Visioning

Contribute to a clear strategic vision on the impact and relevance of the Vincent Chin movement's legacy of multiracial solidarity against hate and the important role of AAPIs in these movements. Communicate and advocate for this vision internally and externally with stakeholders and the public. Courageously advance the vision and foster the organization’s national role and reputation as the leading voice to address issues that impact the health, safety, wellness and visibility of our communities.

Thought Leadership, Advocacy and Legacy Stewardship

Think deeply and strategically about our AAPI communities, asking questions to guide our futures; serve as an advocate and builder who can conceptualize, initiate and articulate clear and compelling linkages to advance the beloved communities, especially in areas where there is little advocacy infrastructure. Critical will be ensuring that our historical expertise and memory is passed on in a systemic, constructive and cohesive way that increases community capacity, local and national narratives and networks across sectors.

Community Networks and Partnerships

Accountable to multiple stakeholders—the founder, board, the AAPI community, organizational partners, funders and donors—the ED will expand the organization’s role as a connector, including with local, regional, state and national advocacy organizations, educational, civil rights, media organizations and more. Maintaining a working knowledge of significant developments, trends and participants in the field, with an eye for and orientation to innovation, the ED will identify opportunities to create new pathways and partnerships toward the organization’s goals.

Founder and Board Engagement

Develop and maintain a strong and effective relationship with the founder, board and key stakeholders characterized by respect, trust, transparency, partnership and clear, direct communication. Exceptional board and stakeholder management and development are critical to success. The ED will cultivate a strong working relationship with the board and provide clarity between the board’s fiduciary duties as the long-term stewards of the mission and the day-to-day work of the staff to implement their vision.

Organizational Development and Management

While initially the sole staff, the ED will hire, mentor, inspire, manage and lead future staff, nurturing a work culture that embodies the mission and vision of the organization and attracts and retains a small but mighty team, which includes talented and experienced volunteers. There is currently funding to hire support and program contractors, to be determined by the ED and board. Building a clear structure to foster high quality work, collaboration and teamwork across functions and alignment toward shared goals will be required. The ability to shape culture and programs through the lens of mission, values and vision is essential.

Operations and Financial Management

Ensure all operations run smoothly, building infrastructure such as technology hardware and software for collaboration, fundraising, document creation and storage, clear lines of communication, record keeping and security, as well as policies and practices throughout. Lead and manage the annual operating budget, generating income and ensuring VCI’s assets are well managed and used responsibly toward its mission.

Fund Development, Identity and Communications

Create the conditions for fundraising success (pitch, vision, materials, systems, training, etc.) and cultivate a culture of fundraising. Fearlessly and proactively seek new funding opportunities and steward existing relationships in partnership with the founder and the board to bring in new resources and work together to both maximize current networks and begin to transition some relationships to the organization, decreasing reliance on the founder over time. Deepen and refine all aspects of communications—from web presence to external relationships. In partnership with the board and key stakeholders, build awareness of VCI, its niche and vision, communicating regularly with stakeholders and the public.

Building an Organization and a Values-Aligned Culture

This is the organization’s first paid staff role, and the ED will be comfortable as the sole staff member with little structure at this time. This is a start-up environment ready for creativity, imagination and collaboration. Funds are available in the budget to hire support staff and/or program contractors, to be determined by the ED and board. The successful candidate will be energized and motivated to drive the growth and development of VCI as an organization based on fundraising success. Therefore, the versatility and enthusiasm for using a wide range of skills to work across a diverse range of roles and amidst ambiguity is essential.

The new leader will report to the board, a high-performing and close-knit team deeply invested in AAPI communities, the legacy of the Vincent Chin movement and the future of VCI. Close and continual engagement and partnership with the founder will be essential. Curiosity and a commitment to finding complementary ways to work together to maximize the opportunity to learn from her deep knowledge, her relationships, networks, values and vision to build VCI, its profile and brand. The ability to easefully work across generations, our diverse AAPI community and the larger ecosystem of organizations working toward common goals is essential.

The ED will embody and ensure that VCI’s principles and values are woven throughout the organization, its culture, people and the work. Consistent and unwavering integrity is paramount. The new leader will bring a demonstrated willingness to take public stands of principle, engage in difficult conversations, model deep curiosity, a learning mindset and the willingness to adapt and understand different or emerging perspectives.

Qualifications and Attributes of the Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will bring an unwavering commitment and passion for the health, safety, wellness, visibility and voices of the Asian Pacific American community. While no one candidate will embody all the qualifications shared below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal qualities, abilities and experiences and will be able to identify where they need to learn and grow:

1. Emotionally intelligent, transparent and effective executive or senior level leadership in an externally facing role in a racial justice, social justice, civil rights, media, or other related mission-aligned role or organization.

2. Sophisticated understanding of the AAPI experience, diversity, dynamics and complexities; expert capacity grounded in lived experience to effectively work within and across the community, including intergenerationally and from grass roots to grass tops; knowledge of AAPIs in under-resourced areas with little-to-no AAPI presence nor advocacy infrastructure is a plus.

3. Existing relationships with key stakeholders in the AAPI community, other marginalized communities, civil rights ecosystem and funders are desirable.

4. Steeped in a broader civil rights history and understanding of marginalized social identity groups and their contributions; experienced in multiracial, multicultural, intersectional organizing and solidarity with other movements and their communities; fluidity working across social justice sector; and demonstrated contributions to building the beloved community.

5. Proven track record and significant experience in effectively engaging in high profile board, ensuring its structure, membership and actions allow members to fulfill and excel in their governance roles.

6. Demonstrated experience developing programs, infrastructure, systems, policies and practices to support and grow organizational capacity and impact, and successful leadership in a dynamic organization, including fiscal oversight, compliance, budget development, management and reporting, and revenue stewardship.

7. Established track record of contributing to fundraising success, and commitment to build a culture of fundraising that empowers staff, board and volunteers to participate with confidence.

8. A strategic and analytical mind, big-picture, future-oriented thinker and detailed implementer, practiced in creating and executing comprehensive strategic plans, responsive to the political and sector landscape, in partnership with the board.

9. Systems-level thinking and demonstrated experience building cross-sector/cross-system partnerships to influence opinions, leverage resources and build support for new ways of working together to achieve greater impact.

10. Demonstrated success, internally and externally, as a consensus builder and collaborator who can employ exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills to earn and maintain trust and rapport with key stakeholders, community leaders, funders and other audiences to whom VCI is accountable.

11. A tested capacity to lead with an authentic interest in listening to and learning from others, including the ability to model unquestionable integrity, accountability, vulnerability and willingness to learn/unlearn and change course; extraordinarily self-aware.

12. Activating and engaging storyteller and public speaker, with superb narrative skills and the ability to respond extemporaneously when needed; an excellent communicator in multiple formats.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full-time, exempt, salaried position requiring occasional evening and weekend work. The targeted salary range is between $125,000 and $150,000 per year, depending on qualifications and experience. VCI provides comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental and vision), paid leave and a 403b retirement plan.

Location and Travel

  • This is a remote/work-from-home position (no physical office), with a preferred base on the West Coast as activity is currently centered in California’s Bay Area, primarily in Oakland.

  • The position requires the ability to travel, as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Vincent Chin Institute provides equal employment and affirmative action opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Application Materials: You will be asked to submit a cover letter and resume. To be considered for the role, a thoughtful, personalized cover letter is required. In it, please describe what excites you about this position and how your experience, interests and qualifications align with the mission, goals and vision for the future of VCI as described in this announcement. Please address your letter to the Search Committee.

Nominations and Referrals: We welcome nominations and referrals. If you know someone you believe meets many of the qualifications above, please let us know.

Questions: Anne Katahira Advising is honored to lead this search. For questions, to find a time to talk about this opportunity, please contact Anne Katahira, our executive search consultant

Accommodation: VCI is committed to ensuring our job application process is accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require accommodation to assist in your job application, please contact Anne.

The full announcement is available to download. When you are ready to apply, nominate or refer a potential candidate, contact Anne to ask questions or request accommodations, visit our Search Portal:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged and those submitted by January 24, 2025, will be given full consideration. We anticipate phone interviews will begin in February.

Job Posting Date: December 12, 2024

Anne Katahira Advising facilitates organizational development, strategy and executive searches for mission-driven nonprofits, philanthropies and small businesses working to imagine into reality new futures where we all thrive.