OUR FOUNDERS

Our Founders

Founders C.C. and Regina Yin, together with a pioneering group of civic and community leaders, established the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) in 2001 to inspire, engage, and empower the API community to increase leadership and civic engagement. CC & Regina immigrated to this country from China and Taiwan to attend the University of Washington graduate school programs for engineering and social work. Later in life, they became McDonald’s Franchise Operators in Northern California, and owners of the Yin Ranch, a beautiful 40 acre property in Solano County, California which hosts many community and nonprofit events. We truly appreciate all the volunteers, chapter leaders, student interns and supporters of APAPA, and the mission to serve the greater community!

Fulfilling a Deep Need

The founders and many community leaders were responding to an alarming lack of API representation at all levels of government. With grassroots support through a growing number of chapter leaders and student interns, APAPA set out to engage voters, partner with the community, and develop API leaders of tomorrow.

Continuous Growth

APAPA opened its National Headquarters in Sacramento, just a few miles from California’s Capitol, with a satellite office in Washington, D.C.  The APAPA National Internship Program partners with hundreds of hosting legislators and public officials each year. Momentum is also growing with new APAPA Chapters, events, and programs, expanding across the country every year.