WASHINGTON – Tom L. Hayashi, who joined OCA as interim executive director in June 2011, has been named the executive director effective Feb. 8.
“The Executive Council selected Tom Hayashi following a national search,” said OCA National President Ken Lee. “We are very excited to have Tom lead our organization to greater levels of achievement to advance our efforts in advocacy for the APA community.”
Founded in 1973 as the Organization of Chinese Americans, OCA is a national organization dedicated to advancing the hopes and aspirations of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs). OCA is engaged in organizing its over 80 chapters and affiliates across the nation to develop both leadership and community involvement.
Hayashi comes from a rich OCA background, as an active member and former president of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter. In 2003, he became a capacity-building consultant for the organization, which led to developing the Mentoring Asian American Professionals (MAAP) program. In his role as a consultant, he has drafted and guided the implementation of the current strategic plan, and advised on diversified fund development strategies, among other notable accomplishments.
“I am very humbled and appreciative of the opportunity to serve a national organization that stands firmly for equity and equality on behalf of the Asian Pacific Islander community,” said Hayashi. “I particularly am very excited to pursue organizational strategies that translate our passion for advocacy through innovation to include not only issues of public policy but also programmatic investments in leadership development for youth through older adults in partnership with a network of advocates across communities and across sectors.”
“I applaud OCA’s choice of Tom Hayashi as their new executive director,” said Floyd Mori, national executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League and a well-known community leader in Washington, D.C. “In the interim he has proven that he has the capacity to lead as well as an ability to work well within a coalition. The JACL looks forward to a continuing close working relationship with Tom and the OCA.”
Before joining the executive leadership of OCA, Hayashi lad an organizational development firm, Capacity Empowerment, as its principal, providing services and counsel to nonprofit, government, and private sectors. He brings over 18 years of combined professional experience as a former health-care provider/administrator, fundraising executive, educator, community activist, and diversity expert.
Most recently, Hayashi has served as an executive coach and faculty member for the Fundraising Academy for the Communities of Color sponsored by CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, Center for Nonprofit Management, and the Flintridge Center.
Through a combination of personal and professional experience in the community, Hayashi has pursued his passion for progressive social change by applying his expertise to further the cause of over 80 nonprofit organizations and government agencies as consultant, staff, and leadership volunteer locally, regionally, and nationally, often speaking on leadership development and organizational capacity building.
Moreover, he has received a number of honors from City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and U.S. Congress for his leadership and excellence in community empowerment efforts. In 2009, he was the first APA to serve on the City of Long Beach Economic Development Commission.
Hayashi earned a bachelor’s degree in social studies with an emphasis in political science and psychology from Thomas Edison State College, and did post-graduate studies in health policy research, nonprofit marketing and fundraising at CSU Long Beach, CSU East Bay, and UCLA. He has also served as adjunct faculty and trainer in the College of Extended and International Education at CSU Dominguez Hills, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, and the School of Education and Professional Development Center at Antioch University in Los Angeles.