Message from the AAGEN Chair!

HAPPY Year of the Rabbit situated in the fourth trine! I hope this finds you well as we enter the winter blues but rejoice knowing that the rabbit along with the goat and pig are said “to have a calm nature and somewhat reasonable approach; they seek aesthetic beauty and are artistic, well-mannered and compassionate, yet detached and resigned to their condition. The three are said to be caring, self-sacrificing, obliging, sensible, creative, empathetic, tactful, and prudent, but can also be naïve, pedantic, insecure, selfish, indecisive, and pessimistic.”

To all of you, I wish you calm and reason during this time.  To kick off the new year, I hope you will gather with us to celebrate one another in our appreciation dinner on January 29^th! This will be at the Hong Kong Pearl at 6 pm.  Go to the registration section to RSVP.  I hope we can all get together to celebrate one another and which each other a prosperous healthy new year! While this will be a more scaled back event, we do want to provide this opportunity to get together and to recognize the power of working together to support the leadership goals we subscribe to in AAGEN. 

The intent of this message is to provide you an update on our organization. It has been a while since I last communicated with you, but rest assured that we have been busy at work addressing the top strategic goals set by the Board during a retreat held earlier this year. The Board identified the following four areas to prioritize as we move forward:

• ·       Increase AAGEN Visibility
• ·       Identify AAGEN Values
• ·       Streamline Internal Processes
• ·       Maintain Financial Stability

This year we have had changes in the leadership positions where we welcomed new Officers to serve as executive champions within each committee.  We are fortunate to have an impressive SESDP cohort and they have continued to enhance our ability to accomplish these goals. It is no surprise that we continue to strive to reach these goals despite the challenges we have had to make in our professional and personal lives.  The hybrid work environment due to COVID has taught us that virtual communication is the new norm and that keeping socially distanced a mixed blessing. At the same time, the social distancing has impacted our sense of belonging so a few social networking events were scheduled that allowed members to get together.  This was spearheaded by the SESDP candidates and the walks through Glen Echo and various gathers have strengthened the connections for members. 

Furthermore, AAGEN successfully held its annual leadership workshop “Advancing Leadership for the Future Workforce” in person for the first time after a break due to COVID.  It was held at the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City on September 9th that drew 700 participants. The attendees were treated to opening remarks from leaders beginning with NAPA’s Grand Challenges Ms. Terry Gerton, President and CEO of NAPA and keynote speeches from the administration including: Honorable Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and AA; NHPI Senior Liaison and The Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones, Under Secretary of USA; and Y.H. “Eric” Kim, Executive Director, Office of Strategic Intelligence & Analysis, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to highlight some of the speakers.  Consistent with our past trainings, this workshop engaged federal employees in two tracks: Tool Kit Skills and Career Cultivators. These were accompanied by individual coaching sessions throughout the day. We were honored again to have the DoD sponsored luncheon.  After a full day of leadership training, we celebrated with a memorable networking mixer that featured an expansive array of delicious nibbles that allowed many to replace their evening dinner.  Special thanks go out to the Program Committee Co-Chairs Jack Bienko and Jiashen You, Ellen Law, Jothi D and the team of volunteers, trainers and coaches that orchestrated another year of exceptional programming and logistical support. As always, we are ever so thankful for the support of our federal agencies: DoD, USDA (FSIS and APHIS), Department of Transportation, US Secret Service, Department of Energy, EEOC, Department of Homeland Security, ICF and our community and corporate sponsors, including Knowledge Advantage, Inc, American University, Pan-Pacific American Leaders and Mentors, Senior Executive Association, AARP.  These supporters made this workshop possible. Thank you!

Tomorrow's problems demand bright, hard-working leaders, who will need to diversify and create equity in the AAGEN community.  AAGEN provides support as mentors, coaches, advocates, and role models to shape humble, collaborative, respectful leaders. We could use your talents and expertise and encourage you to join one of our committees as we move forward. I wish to close with a special thanks to the officers, board members, and volunteers for selflessly offering your service and time. Thank you Glenda Nogami for the work you do to support our scholarship program.

Please know that AAGEN will continue to call on you as leaders, volunteers and contributors! I am pleased to announce that, this year, we will be included in the Combined Federal Campaign. Our CFC number is: 45979, so please don’t forget to give during the CFC campaign! Your involvement is always appreciated so if you have time, please join one of our committees and become more engaged.

Finally, I want to thank all of YOU and wish you a memorable end to the FY2022. We have a lot of work ahead of us going forward!

Enjoy the rest of your Rabbit and FY22 year!
Vivian and the Board

AAGEN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2023

The mission of AAGEN is to promote, expand and support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leadership in Government.  In accordance with AAGEN’s mission, the scholarship program has been designed for students in their continuing education to better prepare themselves for positions of leadership and trust in the Federal, State and Local governments.

Up to Three (3) scholarships for $2,000.00 will be awarded in 2023.  The AAGEN scholarship is a one-time award; former AAGEN scholarship winners are not eligible.

The applications for the scholarship will be accepted until April 1, 2023.

The application form can be found here.

Applications for the upcoming 2023-2024 AAGEN SES DP Class will be accepted through January 31, 2023.

To apply for the program or learn more about the requirements, visit the SES Development Q&A page.

The AsianUpward Workplace Excellence (AWE) Index recognizes and benchmarks organizations’ commitment to elevate Asian Pacific Americans (APAs) in the workplace with: 

• Actionable data reports and practical strategies to augment APA talent, including recruitment, retention, and development 
• Cross-Industry Benchmarking will inform organizations’ best and innovative practices 
• Recognition for your organization’s commitment to advancing APAs in the WorkForce, WorkPlace, and MarketPlace 

Beyond a survey, the AWE Index builds a networked movement of organizations to advance Asian Pacific American talent.  Our methodology centers on collaboration, practical action, and positive recognition.

Click here for more information and register. 

Deadline to complete the survey is March 31, 2023

(early bird deadline January 31, 2023).  

Join the AWE Movement!