Dahni Tsuboi
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSo-Cal) on Oct. 16 announced its new CEO, nonprofit executive Dahni K. Tsuboi, J.D.
She joins the nation’s foremost civil rights organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities during an unprecedented time for social justice. With her legal background and decades in the nonprofit sector, she will lead AJSoCal in its commitment to provide legal help and advocacy to AAPIs whose needs and voices are as diverse as its languages.
Tsuboi comments, “My passion for AJSOCAL’s mission is deep and rooted in personal experience, belief in our justice system, and enduring faith in the organization’s impact. Today, we grapple with truly unimaginable challenges to basic freedoms we thought were secure – constitutional rights, voting rights, civil rights protections, and reproductive freedom, to name a few. I am proud to lead AJSoCal in meeting this important moment for our community.”
Jade Leung, Esq., board chair of AJSoCal, says, “Dahni is an authentic leader who moves seamlessly between C-suites and community centers. With compassion and empathy, she will apply a people-centered approach to her stewardship. She is perfect for AJSoCal.”
Connie Chung Joe, former CEO for AJSoCal, says, “The relentless fight ahead to protect the well-being of AAPIs is formidable and Dahni is ready. While inspiring and caring for the wonderful team at AJSoCal, she will take the organization and the AAPI movement to new heights.”
Stewart Kwoh, founder and president emeritus of AJSoCal, says, “43 years ago when I started AJSoCal, I envisioned a future for AAPIs that included equity and respect. Over time, we have made great progress that I am deeply proud of. I know that Dahni will continue to build upon our momentum.”
Tsuboi arrives at AJSoCal after serving as a strategic advisor, leadership coach and interim executive for a number of community impact organizations; including as chief operating officer for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, the East Bay Community Foundation and the Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay.
She has served nonprofits in a variety of capacities as a partner member of Venture Leadership Collective, a network dedicated to greater equity and justice, contributing to the sector through frontline partnerships and executive support. She’s also acted as COO for Emergix (dba Agentic Foundry), an AI start-up focused on health and wellness.
For 20+ years prior, Tsuboi was a key leader at City of Hope, a top-10 national nonprofit cancer center. There, she was senior vice president of organizational transformation; she previously served as vice president and chief deputy general gounsel. Prior to City of Hope, she was a partner at Tuttle & Taylor, A Law Corp.
Tsuboi’s board appointments include The GroundTruth Project and the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. Her professional affiliations include the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and the Japanese American Bar Association, and she serves on the Advisory Council for Moving the Needle, a peer-led community of women executive leaders taking social action.
A magna cum laude graduate from Wellesley College, Tsuboi earned her B.A. in English with a minor in Spanish, followed by her J.D. from Yale Law School.
AJSoCal is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for AAPIs. Founded in 1983, it supports over 15,000 individuals and organizations annually. By offering free legal help, engaging in impact litigation, conducting crucial research, and advocating for policy change, AJSoCal prioritizes the most vulnerable members of AAPI communities while fostering a robust advocacy for civil rights and social justice.
Offices are in Downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, with satellite offices in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all. Info: www.AJSOCAL.org