Karen Loong

Director of Programs

I'm currently the Director of Programs here at AAPA (Asian American Professional Association). With a demonstrated history of working in the civic and social organization industry, I’m skilled in grassroots organizing, management, and community engagement. I have strong program and project management skills with a Bachelor's degree focused on Asian-American Studies from California State University, Northridge. When I returned to college as a full-time Paralegal, I discovered Asian American Studies (AAS) seemingly by accident. I learned about the social injustices and civil rights issues that surrounded me and I felt like I had to do more. Changing my major to AAS and becoming immersed in Ethnic Studies changed the trajectory of my life. It enabled me to work with various community-based organizations which opened up a new path to volunteering and community development, and re-ignited the personal passion I had for event planning and fundraising. I am also a Co-Founder of EKLA Events, and with my entrepreneurial ambitions and passion to lift the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community, I hope to create positive change around me by transforming the way we connect with one another through meaningful and intentional interactions that enrich our communities. ​