The CAUSE Leadership Institute (CLI) for professionals is a 5-month-long certificate program that prepares mid-career professionals with the tools, skills, and network to lead and advocate for the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community. Co-founded by CAUSE and USC Dornsife’s Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics to ensure a pipeline of political and civic leadership for the API community, CLI equips professionals with a deeper understanding of critical issues affecting the API community, along with the leadership skills and insights necessary to engage in civic leadership. 

At CAUSE, we recognize the importance of building a strong leadership pipeline. Through CLI, we are looking for professionals across all sectors who are ready to take the next step in their civic engagement and advocate for API communities.

Application Deadline: This program has limited seats. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is full. Applications close Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

Time Commitment: 5 mandatory in-person sessions 

Location: Los Angeles area 

Program Duration: August 2025 – December 2025 (5 months)

In-Person Monthly Sessions: 

Dates subject to change

1. 4pm - 10pm Thursday, August 7, 2025 @ CAUSE Summer Soiree

2. 9am - 4pm Saturday, September 13 @ CAUSE

3. 9am - 4pm Saturday, October 11 @ CAUSE

4. 9am - 4pm Saturday, November 8 @ CAUSE

5. 6pm - 9pm Friday, December 12 Program Graduation @ CAUSE Holiday Party Location TBD

Program Cost: A non-refundable commitment fee is due upon acceptance into the program. The fee includes one (1) ticket to the Summer Soiree.

• $650 – For applicants who submit their application by July 15, 2025 and pay by July 31, 2025

• $750 – For applicants who apply after July 15, 2025 or pay after July 31, 2025.

In-person Sessions

Fellows are required to attend 5 in-person sessions. Each session will explore key issues impacting our communities, including API communities, commissions and local leadership, voting, language access, redistricting, and more. Community leaders and experts will join us to share insights and engage fellows in meaningful conversations that connect policy to lived experiences.

Community Engagement

CLI participants are required to attend a community event between each session and report back at in-person CLI sessions. Participants should share what they are learning in the community. This can be any community event and may include events hosted by CAUSE.

OPTIONAL VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING

CLI participants will be invited to optional virtual sessions for additional learning opportunities.

CHECK-INS

CLI participants will have one mid-program check-in and one post-program check-in to reflect on their experience, provide feedback, and discuss their leadership development.

PROGRAM GOALS

BY THE END OF THE PROGRAM, CLI FELLOWS WILL HAVE:

• Deepened their understanding of API community issues to become better advocates.

• Honed their civic leadership skills.

• Connected to a large and thriving professional network.

• Learned about running for office or serving on commissions.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

All CLI applicants must have: 

• A desire to advocate for the API community.

• 5+ years of experience in the workforce

• Demonstrated ability to lead a team in the workplace and beyond

APPLICATION DETAILS

• CLI Application

• Resume (PDF format) 

• 1 Letter of Recommendation (Upload a Letter of Recommendation here)

• (OPTIONAL) 2nd letter of recommendation 

PLEASE NOTE: 

CLI Applicants are strongly encouraged to include at least 1 recommendation from an:

• Elected official at the city, county, state, or federal level

• Nonprofit executive director or Board Member

• Community Leader

For full consideration, applicants must submit both Application and Letter(s) of Recommendation 

Melissa Apuya

District Director, Office of Assemblymember Marc Levine

Rachelle Arizmendi

Council Member (2X former Mayor), City of Sierra Madre and PACE

Richard Chang

Data Analytics Director, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Data Policy Lab

The Honorable Stephanie Chang

State Senator, State of Michigan

Caroline Choi

Senior Vice President, Edison International & Southern California Edison

The Honorable Judy Chu

Congresswoman, State of California

Eurie Chung

Producer, Flash Cuts Productions

Susan Jin Davis

Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment

Mary Anne Foo

Executive Director, Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA)

Manju Kulkarni

Executive Director, AAPI Equity Alliance

Leila Lee

Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Economic Development

Chanchanit Martorell

Executive Director, Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC)

Janet McIntyre

VP of Programs & Training, Executive Service Corps of Southern California

Chirag Menon

Principal, Third Settlements

Andrew Murphy

Co-Director, Los Angeles Unified School District API Equity Steering Committee

Soukprida Phetmisy

Senior Managing Director, Asian American & Pacific Islander Alliances, Teach For America

Godfrey Plata

Community and Political Organizer, Former Candidate

Tavae Samuelu

Executive Director, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)

Nira Singh

Director of Behavioral Health, AACI

Raphael Sonenshein

Executive Director, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs

John Tang

Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling

Lance Toma

CEO, San Francisco Community Health Center

Kyle Tsukahira

Co-Director, Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement (APIFM)

‘Alisi Tulua

Project Director, NHPI Data Policy Lab @ UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Bill Wong

Principal/Consultant, Bill Wong LLC

John Yi

Executive Director, Los Angeles Walks