WASHINGTON, D.C.-- APIAVote is proud to welcome Leverett Wing as our new executive director. Hailing from Boston, Leverett has a distinguished record in community building and political circles as well as the private sector. Leverett joins APIAVote to guide its growth at a crucial time in civic engagement work and with the major political and policy shifts the AAPI community faces.
"With his skills and experience, Leverett brings a great new perspective to APIAVote's mission and vision," said Daphne Kwok, APIAVote board chair. "We are delighted that Leverett will build on the solid foundation and community and political partnerships that past executive directors Christine Chen and Vida Benavides have established and will now continue to strengthen and expand APIAVote's work in civic engagement," said Kwok.
"With Leverett's leadership, I have no doubt that the Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Institute will flourish and continue to train and educate our AAPI communities, and more importantly, expand the definition of civic engagement to increase participation among AAPIs," said former Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, chair of the NYM Leadership Institute. "From his experience in working within communities, politics, and policymaking, both on a national and local level, I am confident in Leverett's ability to steer APIAVote into its next exciting chapter," said Mineta.
"I'm extremely excited to join APIAVote. With its record of leadership and accomplishment, APIAVote has established itself as our community's preeminent national political organization," said Leverett Wing. "I'm looking forward to working with APIAVote's dynamic board, talented staff, and current and future APIAVote partners to build upon its already impressive track record and reputation," said Wing.
Leverett's public service includes serving as Business Manager of the Massachusetts State Senate for seven years. He also spearheaded a two-year state-wide effort that led to the creation of the Massachusetts Asian American Commission, a permanent fixture within the state's government. Because of his role, Leverett was selected to serve as the Commission's first executive director. During his tenure, he established the Commission's functioning infrastructure and initiated a first-of-its-kind "Statewide Needs Assessment of MA Asian American Community," integrating town meetings, sector focus groups and a first-ever, statewide survey of the community.
"I have seen firsthand the genuine passion and enthusiasm Leverett brings to the cause of increased community involvement and civic engagement both in the greater Boston area and across the Commonwealth," said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. "He will make a fine executive director, and APIAVote is lucky to have him."
Leverett's political service includes: serving on Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick's Finance Committee, previously having served on the Governor's transition team as he prepared to take office; co-chairing AAPI activities at the 2004 Democratic National Convention held in Boston; and organizing fundraisers for local and national candidates.
Leverett's community service includes recently helping organize large-scale events in Boston for the Asian American Journalists Association and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Leverett has served on numerous organizations' boards, including Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston's WGBH-TV/Radio, Asian Community Development Corporation, and the Asian Task Force against Domestic Violence.
APIAVote is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that encourages and promotes civic participation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the electoral and public policy processes at the national, state and local levels.
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