| December 9, 2009 Announcing a New Executive Director for AWS! Dear Friends: We are pleased to announce that the staff and board of the Asian Women’s Shelter have selected Aiko Pandorf as our new executive director! Aiko brings a deep and long-standing commitment to the Asian Women’s Shelter and its mission to end violence against women. She was among the first fund development volunteers who raised funds to open the shelter in 1988, she served on the AWS board from 1991-93, and she has been an ongoing volunteer and supporter of AWS ever since. Aiko comes to AWS most recently from her position as Development Director of the California Bar Foundation, a statewide funder. She has served as a consultant in the Bay Area specializing in strategic planning, fundraising and marketing for non- profit social justice organizations. She also spent six years in Zimbabwe advising projects focused on micro-enterprise development, rural education, and women’s economic self-sufficiency. The addition of Aiko as the new executive director together with the continued strong leadership of current staff and board will ensure that Asian Women's Shelter builds upon our existing strengths, upholds our deep dedication to end violence against women, and continues to create positive change. As part of AWS’s executive transition plan, founding executive director Beckie Masaki and incoming executive director Aiko Pandorf will work together over the next two months to ensure a smooth transition. Beckie will leave AWS at the end of January 2010. Please join the founding executive director, board, and staff in welcoming Aiko Pandorf as the new executive director. Thank you so much for your continued solidarity and support of Asian Women’s Shelter. Together we are entering this new era with strength, creativity, and vitality! With gratitude and peace, Patty Nishimura Dingle Board President Orchid Pusey Staff Co-Chair Transition Team Beckie Masaki Executive Director (outgoing) |