2001 Speakers

Distinguished Speakers

First Annual

Asian American 

Leadership Institute 

Saturday - November 3, 2001

Richland College - Dallas, Texas

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First Annual Asian American Leadership Institute 2001
  

2001 Institute Program
  

2001 Institute Speakers
  

 

Sharon G. Bailey-Sharon is Director of Training at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Dallas. She has held positions directing programs in membership, education, and marketing/public relations with the Dallas Parks Foundation and the National Tree Trust.

Ken Benson-Ken is founder and president of Ken Benson & Associates, a public affairs company based in Dallas, Texas. He has worked extensively politics in Texas since 1972. In 1984, Ken started his political consulting and public affairs firm whose initial clients included Congressman Bob Krueger in his race for the US Senate, Judge Ron Chapman and State Rep/State Senator David Cain. During the past 10 years he has been very active in the Democratic Leadership Council.

Justice David L. Bridges was elected to the Court of Appeals, Fifth District of Texas at Dallas, for a term of office beginning January 1, 1997. Among his other accomplishments include the position of senior trial attorney for the State Bar of Texas in Austin and he served as Regional Counsel for the State Bar, was named First Assistant and Chief of Litigation for the State Bar in charge of all attorney discipline cases.

Sister Pearl Ceasar-As the Lead Organizer of Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI), Sister Pearl has been a community organizer in Texas for over 22 years. DAI is a multi-ethnic, multi-issue group of religious congregations in the Dallas metropolitan area that aims to give ordinary citizens a structure through which they can negotiate effectively with the government and private institutions that affect our lives.  

Robert Gee is Principal of the Gee Strategies Group in Arlington, Virginia. Twice nominated by President Bill Clinton and twice confirmed by the United States Senate, Robert W. Gee served from 1997 to 2000 as Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and as Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs of the U.S. Department of Energy.

J.D. Hokoyama-President and CEO of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), Inc. LEAP is a national organization founded in 1982 with a mission to achieve full participation and equality for Asian Pacific Americans through leadership, empowerment, and policy. With original programs in leadership training, public policy research, and community education, LEAP raises the impact and visibility of Asian Pacific Americans in all sectors. 

Judge Karen Johnson-Karen is Judge of the 95th Civil District Court of Dallas County, Texas. Prior to her election as judge in 2000, she was a litigation partner in a national law firm, practicing primarily in the area of civil litigation for over 18 years. Judge Johnson was born in Tokyo, Japan, and she is the first Asian American elected judge in Dallas County.

Glenn Kawafuchi-Glenn is Vice President of Leadership Programs and Services for Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), Inc., a community-based, non-profit leadership training and development organization. He was previously the Director of Organization and Leadership Development for The Aerospace Corporation where he managed the improvement of leadership, organizational development, management and professional development.

Julia Lam - Julia is Director of the Rising Star Program, Dallas County Community College District. Ms. Lam has been chair of the Asian American Task Force of the Dallas Independent School District and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Asian American Forum. She has a Masters Degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Arlene Lawson-Arlene is Executive Director of the Exxon Mobil Foundation. She was previously Executive Director U.S. of the Mobil Foundation where she had management responsibilities for all U.S. contribution as well as continued oversight of global community relations. She is a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin.

Lou Ann Monroe-Lou Ann is Manager of Community Affairs-Price Waterhouse Coopers. She is responsible for evaluations and recommendations for the Partner group regarding sponsorship involvement, building and maintaining a base of relationships with relevant Civic/Community groups. She holds leadership positions with Dallas Business Committee for the Arts, Dallas 40, Dallas Friday Group, Leadership Dallas Alumni Association and Young Audiences of Greater Dallas.

Michelle Monse is Associate Director of The Dallas Foundation, the oldest community foundation in Texas. Prior to joining the Dallas Foundation she administered the Belo Corporation's $27 million philanthropic foundation. Prior to entering the nonprofit sector, she taught and practiced law and is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law.

John Y. Tateishi is Executive Director of the National Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). He has been involved with Asian American communities for over 25 years. He served as National Redress Director for the National Redress Committee of the JACL. He is the author of And Justice for All (Random House), an oral history of the WWII internment.

Melissa D. Tierce, Development Director for The Prestonwood Foundation, is the former Director of Development and Marketing for the Dallas Women's Foundation. She has extensive experience in every aspect of special event fundraising. She is a graduate of Leadership Plano.