Asian American Federation Honors Trailblazers at 36th Annual Impact Awards Gala

New York, NY – 
Nearly 360 supporters came together on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan for the Asian American Federation’s (AAF) 36th annual Impact Awards. This annual event honors leaders whose accomplishments reflect AAF’s mission to uplift and empower New York’s Asian American community. The gala also served as a formal introduction of AAF’s new executive director, Catherine Chen, to the community. Attendees included a diverse mix of local and national supporters, featuring prominent business and creative leaders, donors, media representatives, elected officials, and members from AAF’s network of 70 affiliated organizations.

Speaking on the occasion, Catherine Chen, Executive Director of the Asian American Federation, said, “We are fighting for economic opportunity, increasing access to mental health providers that speak our languages and embrace our cultures. We’re making sure our communities are seen, heard, and represented where decisions are made through bold advocacy powered by our data and research. The work ahead is tough, but we are clear about the assignment: we’re fighting for a New York where everyone can thrive, and building a home where everyone belongs.”
“At the Federation, we fight to keep our elders, our children, and our communities safe and supported,” Kim Lee, Asian American Federation Board Chair, noted. “If you care about unique research that digs deep into the stories of all 24 ethnic groups that make up Asian New York, we do that. If you care about making sure our elders don’t go hungry, go to the doctor, get home safely, we do that. If you care about helping Asian-owned businesses stay open, we do that. If you care about giving Asian voters a voice in our democracy, we do that. If you care about the future of our communities, then we need you to be a part of this movement.” 

Honoree Evelyn Yang, author and advocate, said, “What I learned is that our voices matter. When we speak out, we don’t just reclaim our own power—we give others permission to do the same. That’s why I’m so proud to receive the Impact Award from the Asian American Federation. And so happy to stand with the Federation. They’re lifting up voices that have too often gone unheeded—our elders, our women, our immigrant neighbors—making sure they’re not just seen, but truly heard.”

“Our big ambition is to build technology that makes it radically less stressful and less stigmatizing to be poor in America—and to create more paths out of poverty,” Honoree Jimmy Chen, Founder and CEO of Propel, said. “And that’s why AAF’s work matters. They support millions of families like mine. Please join me in supporting AAF, so the next generation of Asian American entrepreneurs and dreamers can have that chance too. “

Honoree Michelle Henry, Region Executive for Community Engagement in Corporate Responsibility at JPMorganChase, said, “For the past 10 years, I have helped to lead and direct support for the Federation’s critical work in the small business community. Events like these provide an opportunity for us to reflect, celebrate, and understand how we can continue working together to amplify voices, champion fairness and justice for all, and build a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

“At Northwell, New York’s largest health system, mental health care is a core part of who we are. We’re on a continuous journey to expand access to culturally competent care, especially for our minority communities,” Honoree Manish Sapra, Executive Director of the Behavioral Health Service Line at Northwell Health, said. “We must do more to engage all our communities, especially our Asian communities, where we often face unique barriers—stigma, language, financial issues, or frankly, access to culturally competent care. And that is why organizations like the AAF are so vital to this work.” 

The three-hour event was hosted by emcees Cindy Hsu of CBS News and Arthur Chi’en of Fox 5 in New York. With the backing of an impressive array of sponsors and enthusiastic community members, the celebration successfully raised vital funds to bolster AAF's mission. As New York's premier Asian American leadership organization, AAF tirelessly champions better policies, services, and funding to create more justice and opportunity for the growing community of more than 1.5 million Asian New Yorkers. 

Below is the full list of honorees, elected officials, and government personnel in attendance. 
Honorees:
Evelyn Yang, author and advocate
Jimmy Chen, Founder and CEO of Propel, an app
Dr. Manish Sapra, executive director of the behavioral health service line at Northwell Health 
Michelle Henry, Region Executive for Community Engagement in Corporate Responsibility at JPMorganChase 

Elected Officials:
John Liu, NYS Senator
Grace Lee, NYS Assembly Member, D 65
Steven Raga, NYS Assembly Member, D-30
Jumaane Williams, NYC Public Advocate 
Linda Lee, New York City Council Member, D-23
Shekar Krishnan, New York City Council Member D-25
Julie Won, New York City Councilmember D-26
Government Personnel:
Ravi Reddi, Director of Outreach and Senior Advisor, U.S. Senator Gillibrand 
Ravi Reddi, Director of Outreach and Senior Advisor, U.S. Senator Gillibrand
Stacy Lynch, Chief of Staff to Gov. Kathy Hochul
Jeanette Moy, NYS Commissioner for General Services
Adam Chen, Director of Asian American Affairs for NYS Attorney General Letitia James
Shawn Ma, Senior Director of Constituency Affairs for Gov. Kathy Hochul
Josiel Estrella, Secretary for Intergovernmental and External Affairs for NY State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie 
Sunju Raybeck, Legislative Director for New York State Senator April Baskin
Manny Castro, Commissioner, Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA)
Eva Wong, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health