Welcome APEN's new executive director, Roger Kim!

Message from Aditi Vaidya, APEN Board Chair:

On behalf of the board of directors of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, I am thrilled to announce that, after an extensive national search, our very own Roger Kim has accepted the position of Executive Director of APEN! The APEN board, staff, and community members welcome Roger into this new role, starting on March 16, 2009, with enormous confidence and total support for his inspired leadership.

Roger brings more than a decade of experience as an environmental justice leader, nonprofit manager, grantmaker, and community leader. His work at APEN over the past four years as Associate Director and Policy Director has helped consolidate and build on our existing strengths, and to strike out on new paths of growth and opportunity.

In this moment of monumental shifts in the political landscape and crises in the economy and environment, APEN has a renewed commitment to environmental justice. We are growing a base of powerful and engaged leaders and members, we have a highly skilled staff, a strong financial base, and a successful mix of power building, organizing and advocacy strategies – all of which Roger has played a key role in building. Under Roger’s new leadership APEN is committed “to meet these challenges with a mix of creativity, urgency, and optimism.”

Roger said recently to the board, “I am deeply inspired by APEN’s work, its direction, and potential moving forward…and equally inspired and humbled by the people that make up the core of APEN’s work – its leaders, members, staff and board…”

The feeling is mutual. As board member, Michael Leon Guerrero of the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, says, “Roger is forward thinking in his vision for APEN and dedicated to our mission with integrity and thoughtfulness. In this time of incredible change and transition, Roger maintains stability and adds fresh eyes for the future.”

As APEN approaches our 15 year anniversary, we are entering a new and exciting stage of growth, making it a wonderful opportunity for new leadership. Our focus over the next stage of our work is to create new models for sustainable communities with green jobs, affordable green housing, and model green transportation and land-use policies. We will implement creative solutions that equitably address climate change and build environmentally just cities where we can live, work and play.

As one of our important friends and supporters in the movement, please join me in congratulating Roger, and welcoming him as APEN’s new Executive Director. In the days ahead, both APEN and Roger will need your support and welcome your insights as we make this transition together. Please call us, to say congratulations, or to ask questions, or just to catch up on all of the amazing work that APEN is engaged in at the moment.

Thank you for your ongoing support for APEN!