APA Spotlight is a weekly interview of Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) community leaders. It is a spotlight on individuals who have dedicated their careers to issues surrounding the APIA community with the goal of bringing much deserved recognition to their work and cause(s).
Debra A. Fong is the Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Community Fund. She began her nonprofit career at the Little Tokyo Service Center Community Development Corporation and served as the Director of Administration and Development. Prior to joining the nonprofit field, Debra spent eight years at Pacific Bell/SBC where she held various management positions in Network Services allowing her to develop a diverse range of knowledge and skills. Upon leaving Pacific Bell/SBC, she was serving as Director of Business Development working on the creation of SBC’s data subsidiary.
Debra is active in her church and community serving on the Board of Directors and Trustees for Evergreen Baptist Church, San Gabriel Valley. She has served on the Board of Directors for OCA-Greater Los Angeles for many years and was a founding director of Asians for Corporate and Community Action in Southern California, an affinity group at Pacific Bell. Debra holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics/Business as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.
The mission of Asian Pacific Community Fund is to meet the diverse needs of APIs by: Building healthier communities, Developing API leaders, Creating a stronger API voice, and Providing the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.
What is the mission statement of your life?
To always strive to be a better person, to take the status quo and make it better, to walk in integrity and go where God leads me – serving God and serving others.
How did you end up doing what you’re doing?
I had been working for one of the big telecommunication companies for several years which included a lot of traveling and very long hours. One day I asked myself, “Is this really what I want to be doing for the rest of my life?” Long story short – I realized that I simply wanted to “help people.” I decided to make a major career change and to serve the Asian community. My first nonprofit job was at the Little Tokyo Service Center as the special events coordinator for its annual fundraising extravaganza, the LA Tofu Festival. I was there for five years overseeing the development and marketing/communication activities for the organization. I left the Little Tokyo Service Center in June of 2007 to become the Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Community Fund.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?
Of course it would have to be an Asian American woman! Maybe Kelly Hu, Ming Na Wen or Tamilyn Tomita – any beautiful talented Asian American actress would be great! Hope she gets an Oscar or something for the role as well.
How can people find out more about your organization or get involved?
Information on the Asian Pacific Community Fund can be found at www.apcf.org and emails can be sent to [email protected]. They can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
If you had a crystal ball, what do you see for the future of the Asian Pacific Islander American community?
I see a thriving community and a more unified people with a stronger voice.
Bonus Question: What advice do you have for young professionals? Would you give different advice for young Asian Pacific Islander American professionals?
What I have found to be most important in life are the people we meet and the relationships we develop. Life really is about our connections and impact on people. You can accumulate all the wealth you want but we all know you can’t take it with you. However, when you touch a person’s life your positive effect can be a living legacy, so make the most of every opportunity to engage with people because you just never know where it will lead.
Bonus Question: What are your comfort foods and what memories do you have associated with them?
Hmmmm… food – one of my favorite subjects. I absolutely love eating soup noodles like ramen, pho or beef noodle soup. I love soup and I love noodles and when you put them together, it’s the best! As a child growing up, my family always served soup with every dinner so I grew up with that as an essential part of the meal. On a chilly day, a hot bowl of soup is soooo good!
Bonus Question: What’s your guilty pleasure?
Luxury handbags – that’s the only thing I didn’t give up when I gave up my for-profit salary for a non-profit salary but I have lots of good friends who indulge me for my birthday and Christmas by assisting me with these rare purchases.
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