Chun-Yen Chen
Executive Director
(213) 624-6400 ext. 2
chunyen@apcf.org
As Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Community Fund (APCF), Chun-Yen provides executive leadership and directs operations and grantmaking for the organization. Under her leadership, APCF has expanded from employee workplace giving campaigns to cultivating API philanthropists through Giving Circles, Grantmaking, Scholarships, and Donor-Advised Funds, while creating donors’ legacy and centralizing API giving power to invest in organizations that empower underserved API organizations.
Chun-Yen has over 20 years of professional working experience in non-profit executive management and fund development, state government budgetary analysis, and academic faculty fields. As Community Development Officer at a community bank in Southern California, she worked closely with the FDIC to develop collaboration and partnership among financial institutions and non-profits to bring qualified Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) services, investment, and donation opportunities to low and moderate income communities. As Senior Budget Examiner in the New York State Government, she analyzed state agency fiscal operations, developed budgetary and policy recommendations, evaluated proposed legislation, and monitored revenue and expenditures for the Governor.
Because of her dedicated community services and exceptional leadership, she received numerous awards and recognitions. In 2004 she received the “Citizen of the Year” Award from Los Angeles Skyline Lions and “Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month - Women’s Issue Award” from California Former State Assemblymember Judy Chu (now U.S. Congresswoman). In 2005, she was selected as a “UNSUNG HERO” by Public Television Station KCET Asian Pacific American Heritage Month for her contribution in social service. In 2006, she received “Chinese Overseas Outstanding Youth Award” from the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Los Angeles. In 2008, she was featured by KSCI, LA 18 TV station as a “Community Role Model” to recognize her dedicated contribution to the community and also received “Women of the Year Leadership Award” from the California Former State Assemblymember Mike Eng in the Women History Month. In 2018, she received “Community Excellent Award” from the San Gabriel Valley Civic Alliance to recognize her many years of dedication for building community collaboration. In 2021, she received “Asian Women Empowered (AWE) Catalyst Visionary Award” by the Asia Society Southern California (ASSC)
Born and raised in Taiwan, Chun-Yen received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from National Taiwan University and master’s degree as well as doctoral candidacy in Public Administration from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, SUNY at Albany. In 2010, she was invited back to Taiwan and received “Taiwan’s Top Ten Outstanding Young Person – under Public Administration Category” and received special recognition from the President of the Republic of China, Taiwan.
Chun-Yen is active in her community, previously served as a recreation commissioner for the City of San Marino and as a president for National Taiwan University Alumni Association in Southern California. She also currently serves on various nonprofit organization boards, such as the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund. Furthermore, Chun-Yen is a dedicated parent volunteer at school. In 2017, Chun-Yen received the prestigious “Honorary Service Award” from the San Marino United School District Annual PTA Council Founder’s Day.