2025 AAPI Power Players

Frances L. Wong is a health care leader who has dedicated her career to empowering the Asian American community, increasing access to advanced health care services, and creating a health care environment free from language barriers – impacting the lives of over 170,000 Chinese Americans. Frances is the founder and director of the Asian Health Institute at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and the founder of the NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Brooklyn multi-specialty center in Sunset Park.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My greatest inspirations: my brother Paul, a basketball legend in NYC Chinatown, and my mentor Dawna Markova. They taught me to harness inner and outer resources for success. After I joined the youth basketball team, Paul helped me perfect my hook shot and guided me into a star player. Dawna taught me to use compassion as a leader. With their guidance I became confident as an American-born Chinese woman who now bridges health care gaps.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I would like to spotlight the Asian Health Institute at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where we provide culturally sensitive health care services for the Chinese community to ensure they can access vital resources comfortably, while honoring their language, traditions, and cultural identity. Many of our inpatient units feature bilingual nurses and aides, Chinese satellite TV, and culturally appropriate meals. We have eight medical interpreters fluent in three Chinese dialects (Mandarin, Cantonese, Taishanese).

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My proudest career moment was opening a multi-specialty center in Sunset Park, Brooklyn in 2017, providing comprehensive and easily accessible services for the Asian American community.  We brought various specialists into the community and any patients who needed continuing care could receive it at the hospital while still enjoying the services of the Asian Health Institute. In Chinese, it’s called, 一條龍 (Yi Tiao Long)

Frank H. Wu serves as the eleventh president of Queens College. Prior to joining CUNY, Frank served as chancellor and dean at UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and as a member of the faculty at Howard University. Frank is the author of Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White. He received a B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan. He grew up in Detroit.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
I am most inspired by the hard-working immigrants who have built and rebuilt New York City, especially places such as downtown Flushing. Immigrants come from the world over, as my own parents did in the 1960s, because this diverse democracy beckons with freedom and opportunity. By looking at how neighborhoods that lost hope have been given new energy, I am convinced that it is in our shared self-interest to welcome dreamers, entrepreneurs, strivers, and scientists.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I would like to highlight the CUNY Asian American/Asian Research Institute (AAARI). Serving the nation’s largest urban public university, it is a thought leader ready to take on the role of a leading think tank. All too often, Asian Americans are ignored and overlooked; then they are told there is no evidence to support their claims and concerns – a Catch 22. AAARI’s objective research is changing that situation, providing the data needed for informed decisions.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I realized my greatest dream when I became president of Queens College. I aspire to be in this role for a long time, because I am ambitious for our institution as an engine of others’ dreams. We have always empowered those who were not born to privilege, but who with talent and dedication – and the training we offer and the credentials we confer – will lift up themselves, as well as their kin.

Jason Wu is the attorney in charge of The Legal Aid Society’s Harlem Community Law Office. He serves on Manhattan Community Board 11, and the board of directors of CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities to develop the leadership of working class Asian immigrants to combat gentrification and build neighborhood power in Chinatown and Astoria. He also writes op-eds on race and inequality, cross-racial solidarity, and intersectional social movements.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Bhairavi Desai, executive director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA), deeply inspires me. I first met her in college and then had the opportunity to intern with NYTWA. These early experiences were formative and taught me about solidarity, building collective power, and how power operates in NYC. I saw how she moves with purpose, humility, and integrity and in ways that empowers other people. There was no ego, careerism, or hoarding of power.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Yu and Me Books is an independent bookstore/café/bar in Chinatown, NYC that focuses on the strong, diverse voices of our community, with a focus on immigrant stories.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
There are many proud moments in my career, but the ones where I have felt the most proud are in the moments when I’m speaking with clients and hearing the positive impact that I (or my team member’s work) have had on them and their families, and what is even more meaningful is seeing how our advocacy helped to empower them and transform their understanding of their own power.

Trip Yang is a premier political strategist and the founder of Trip Yang Strategies, a top consulting firm that has elected dozens of candidates. Trip Yang Strategies, the #1 AAPI-owned consulting firm in NY, led an independent expenditure that reached tens of thousands of AAPI voters in support of Tom Suozzi’s congressional win. Trip started his career working for President Obama’s campaign and has since led and advised campaigns in over a half-dozen states.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My parents are my biggest inspiration. They came to this country as immigrants, facing numerous challenges with resilience. They had to recreate their lives – away from most of their families and friends, and sacrificed so much to build a new life for us and create opportunities for my sister and I. There are many American success stories for immigrants and children of immigrants, but ours would not have been possible without Mom and Dad.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I’m a big fan of AAPI Victory Fund, one of the premier national AAPI political organizations dedicated to electing strong candidates to office that prioritize our communities. Our firm has worked with them recently, including on a high impact independent expenditure that successfully mobilized tens of thousands of AAPI voters to vote for Tom Suozzi to Congress in the nationally watched February 2024 special election.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
We recently produced AAPI in language direct mail, ads, and other paid media in six different languages across multiple states in support of more than two dozen candidates – with most of them winning. Our work has reached hundreds of thousands of AAPI voters who are too often forgotten, but are pivotal to the margins of victory. TYS is deeply proud of our pioneering efforts, which greatly expanded AAPI voter access and community empowerment.

Kyung B. Yoon co-founded KACF and led its growth into the nation’s largest foundation mobilizing Korean Americans through philanthropy. Appointed by Governor Hochul to the NYS AAPI Commission, she also served as executive producer at the World Bank and was NYC’s first Korean American broadcast reporter for Fox 5. She earned an Emmy nomination with CUNY-TV’s Asian American Life and has chaired Philanthropy New York and served as a trustee of the New York Foundation.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
One of the people I deeply admire is my friend Helen Zia, who played a central role in the fight for justice after Vincent Chin’s murder in 1982 – helping transform a tragedy into a civil rights movement that galvanized Asian Americans. I’m most inspired by her clarity, kindness, and leadership. The way she brings people in and makes space for others to lead has shaped how I think about justice, community, and the power of advocacy.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
My late husband, George Wang, served as board chair of the Asian American Federation, and through him, I came to admire AAF’s vision for a more unified and empowered community. AAF is one of KACF’s valued grantee partners sharing a deep commitment to research and data-driven advocacy. We’re proud to have collaborated on the first-ever study on Korean-American older adults, which has strengthened our partner organizations’ ability to advocate for and respond to community needs.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
I’m most proud of KACF’s journey over the past 23 years, growing from an idea into a trusted pillar of philanthropy in our community. A transformative moment came last year with a $5 million gift from MacKenzie Scott, which provided the financial momentum to scale nationally. I’m proud of how we’ve increased the funding pie for nonprofits, strengthened Korean-American philanthropic leadership, and addressed critical data gaps – and excited to embrace a bigger vision for our community.

Charles Yu is vice president of economic development at the Long Island City Partnership, where he advocates for businesses in LIC – the fastest-growing neighborhood in NYC and its fastest-growing Asian community. With 12+ years of experience, he focuses on securing public funding to enhance the pedestrian experience and support local economic growth. Charles enjoys working directly with businesses and is passionate about building a vibrant, inclusive, mixed-use community through smart development and advocacy.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
Confucius’ teachings on harmony and justice through kindness continue to guide my professional and personal life. He lived during a time of conflict and fragmentation in China, yet believed in creating stability through empathy, learning, and ethical leadership. His wisdom helps me navigate the complexities of our current times – as someone steeped in a role where serving diverse communities and helping others thrive is core to our mission in a constantly changing, deeply interconnected neighborhood.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
I’d like to spotlight Dun Huang, a local AAPI-owned restaurant in Long Island City serving authentic northwestern Chinese cuisine. Beyond great food, the owner is a generous community supporter—always among the first to support events and engage in neighborhood initiatives. Named after a Silk Road trading city, Dun Huang continues a tradition of cultural exchange and connection right here in Queens.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
One of my proudest accomplishments is the 2024 expansion of the Long Island City Business Improvement District (BID), my first from start to finish. The new district now includes underserved areas, and within weeks of launching sidewalk cleaning, businesses noticed the improvements. What stands out most is that many new businesses are Asian-owned, and as a Mandarin speaker, I’m especially proud to build trust and provide direct support to many of our local entrepreneurs.

Thomas Yu leads Asian Americans For Equality (AAFE), a 51-year old community development organization. Through his leadership, AAFE has developed over 1,300 units of affordable housing, provided crucial social services to over 35,000 individuals annually, assisted more than 10,000 small business entrepreneurs with over $70 million of direct capital, and aided 5,000 first time homebuyers in achieving their American dream.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration is our hard-working staff, on the front lines every day, creating affordable housing, keeping our residents safe, helping older adults secure essential social and health services and ensuring that small business owners have the resources they need to thrive. 

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Think!Chinatown, a small but mighty nonprofit in Chinatown which fosters inter-generational community through neighborhood engagement, storytelling and the arts. They’re doing so much to help revitalize our Lower Manhattan communities with dignity and flair. 

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
Every time we open a new or refurbished building, I am proud to show our new residents their affordable homes, where they will be able to build sustainable futures for themselves and their families. Right now, we’re in the midst of completing new projects in Flushing, Chelsea, the East Village and Bay Ridge – so there are many happy moments to come! 

Susan Zhuang won the New York City Council seat for the then newly-minted District 43 in 2023. It was a newly drawn district designed to elevate the votes of Asian Americans who are often forgotten. Zhuang is the first Chinese-American immigrant to be elected to the council in Brooklyn and proudly fights for her community. She provides essential services to the community and boosts Chinese-American recognition like making May 10th Chinese-American Railroad Workers Memorial Day.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
William Colton and Mark Treyger. The two men spend every day fighting for the community, even when it’s difficult. I worked as Colton’s chief of staff, launching myself  into the world of politics. Treyger and Zhuang work closely to bring unity between the Asian and Jewish communities because they deeply believe finding unity is essential to fighting for all.

Is there a AAPI-owned business or organization that you would like to spotlight?
Chinese American Social Services because District 43 is barren from essential services like mental health, welfare assistance, affordable housing, and more. CASS has deep ties in the AAPI community and ensures everyone has the resources to live a healthy life.

What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My commitment to protecting a senior in my community showed me just how important it is to stand up for the voiceless. AAPI people are too often overlooked and forgotten by decision-makers. I am beyond proud to be a decision-maker fighting alongside the community and making sure we are no longer invisible.