January 24, 2020

Following an exceptional twenty years leading the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence as the founding Executive Director, Chic Dabby is stepping down as our leader. She will be handing over her fiduciary and management responsibilities by March 30, 2020 and completing all programmatic responsibilities by July 1, 2020. With unfaltering commitment, creativity and expertise, Chic advanced the field and elevated the fight against gender-based violence with and within API communities at the local, national and international levels.

Through her leadership, API-GBV

• Was launched from its first home with the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum to a strong independent organization which is the leading national API organization addressing gender-based violence in this country;
• Has been a leader providing expertise, analysis and advice to government and community leaders, funders, and researchers with a depth of knowledge surpassed by few, covering not only violence against women and girls, but trafficking, sexual coercion, adult and childhood trauma, language access, cultural competence/humility and so many other areas;
• Has built long-lasting collaborations and lead learning journeys with a broad diversity of communities; and
• Has broadened both theory and practice.

Chic’s accomplishments, publications, and trainings are and will continue to be inspiring and respected resources to our API communities and the field. We thank and commend Chic for her incredible leadership, fortitude, dedication and wish her a wonderful retirement.

Working closely with the staff, the Board of Directors has initiated a leadership transition process to ensure a healthy executive leadership transition. We hope to have your continued support as we face this new phase.

Sincerely,

Debbie Lee, Chair

On behalf of the Board of Directors -Leni Marin, Sujata Warrier, Lori Kodama and Linda Phan.

You can read the letter from Chic about her transition here.

I’m awash in a multitude of feelings as I announce my forthcoming departure from the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence. I will mark my 70th birthday next year with my retirement. Building and growing the Institute has been the highlight of my career because all of you have been so amazing and taught me so much! I deeply appreciate the love and respect you have all gifted to me.

In my 20 years at the Institute, we have made remarkable contributions to our communities of Asian and Pacific Islander CBOs, advocates, survivors, community organizers and activists – with significant impact on the field arising from our analysis of gender-based violence, from our research and data collection, from our influences on public policy and systems change to promote culturally and linguistically-specific advocacy, and from our movement-building work. What I treasure most is the support and space the Institute has created for API advocates – elevating their work, their expertise, and their deep knowledge of and commitment to API communities. I’m proud that our work has contributed so much, for so many.

The Institute’s Board members, Debbie Lee (chair), Leni Marin, Linda Phan, Lori Kodama, and Sujata Warrier, will lead the search for a new leader. My colleagues in the office – Ana Paula Noguez Mercado, Cannon Han, Grace Huang, Hai Chan, Marcy Delisle, Sarah Khan, Shirley Luo, and Yein Pyo – will continue to serve our field and communities, with their hallmark passion, intelligence and dedication. I’ll provide whatever support is needed to manage a smooth leadership transition. I plan to hand over my fiduciary and management responsibilities by March 31, 2020to a new or interim Executive Director.  My very last day on the job will be July 1, 2020 by which date I will have completed the programmatic responsibilities I have already committed to.

As I close the book on a 40-year career in the U.S., I will be cheering you all on as I delve into my pile of unread books, take vacations, and play with my granddaughter!

Thank you for all you do for survivors, children, families, communities, and our movement.

As always,

Chic