CAUSE mobilizes APA community for its 24th Annual Gala – “Empowering Tomorrow’s
Leaders”
Pasadena, CA – February 27, 2017 – Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) will be celebrating its 24th Anniversary on Thursday, April 20, 2017 at the L.A. Hotel Downtown (333 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071). This year’s theme is “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders.” As our country enters a new era of leadership, it is more important than ever to empower the future leaders and change-makers of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community.
The schedule of events is as follows:
5:00 P.M. VIP Reception
6:00 P.M. Silent Auction & Networking | California Ballroom Foyer
7:00 P.M. Dinner Program | California Ballroom
The CAUSE Annual Gala is the premier APA event for those interested in politics and community. It boasts the largest attendance of APA elected officials and is a celebration of those striving to make an impact in our community. More than 100 APA federal, state and local officials from all
over California will be in attendance. The gala also serves as the largest fundraiser of the year for CAUSE. Funds raised help sustain our many programs and services, which include voter outreach, training, and education and leadership development programs. Our programs have proven to be successful in encouraging increased civic engagement and political leadership in the Greater Los Angeles area and beyond.
Additionally, 500 guests are expected to attend this year— all of whom are dedicated to elevating the APA community. We are delighted to recognize the following honorees for their audacity and resolve to stand as leaders for the APA community:
Partners in Public Service Award
The Hon. Anthony Rendon, 70th
Speaker of the California State Assembly and
Annie V. Lam, Principal, Lam Consulting Group
Speaker Rendon and Ms. Lam have exemplified the importance cross-sector partnership in civic leadership. Their commitment to public service in government and the nonprofit industry is commendable. Speaker Rendon and Ms. Lam’s long-standing support for the APA community includes supporting CAUSE’s past programs and helping us to inspire the next generation of civic and public service leaders.
Speaker Rendon was elected to the California State Assembly in 2012 and was sworn-in as the 70th Speaker of the Assembly in 2016. He represents the 63rd California Assembly District, which includes Bell, Cudahy, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, South Gate and a northern portion of Long Beach.
Ms. Lam specializes in governmental affairs, organizational development, and nonprofit management. Ms. Lam serves as the executive director for four nonprofits with complementary missions: the Asian Union Election Committee Education Fund (AUECEF), the League of California Cities Asian Pacific Islander (API) Caucus, the League of California Cities Women’s Caucus, and the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Institute.
Community Championship Award
Mr. John Kobara
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
California Community Foundation
After serving five years on the Board of Directors, Mr. Kobara was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the California Community Foundation in 2008. For more than 40 years, Mr. Kobara has been leading and managing diverse and complex non-profit and for-profit organizations, including CK12 Foundation, OnlineLearning.net, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. More than anything, Mr. Kobara considers himself an educator and teacher. He has taught hundreds of classes and workshops for undergraduate and graduate students, including participants in CAUSE’s leadership development programs for many years.
Corporate Citizenship Award
Mr. Patrick Niemann
Managing Partner – Greater Los Angeles
Ernst & Young LLP
As Managing Partner for Greater Los Angeles at Ernst & Young LLP, Patrick Niemann leads a team of 1,600 professionals who serve more than 1,000 innovative and entrepreneurial companies. Mr. Niemann is also a client-serving partner who works with public and private companies in diverse sectors. Prior to his current role, Pat managed EY’s Greater Los Angeles Audit practice and served as industry leader for the Media & Entertainment and Japanese Business Services practices. For many years, Mr. Niemann and EY have been actively involved in the Los Angeles community and dedicated to empowering and giving back specifically to the APA community.
Certificate presentations and press interviews will take place during the VIP reception. Press will receive complimentary admission; to reserve your press spot, please RSVP with Lindsey Horowitz by email at lindsey@causeusa.org or phone at (323) 573-3452 by Friday, April 14.
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Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the civic and political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community through nonpartisan voter registration and education, community outreach, and leadership development.
For press inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (626) 356-9838 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website, www.causeusa.org. Our offices are located at 260 S. Los Robles Avenue, #115, Pasadena, CA 91101.