A Message from BCNC’s Board President

Dear Friends of BCNC,

It is with very mixed feelings that I bring you the news that after 13 outstanding years with BCNC, Giles Li will step down as CEO on January 24, 2020. He has accepted a position as a senior program officer at The Barr Foundation, which will enable him to continue his impact on the not-for-profit sector from a different platform.

The remarkable contributions that Giles has made to BCNC over the years have elevated the organization to new heights and set in place an unstoppable trajectory for continued growth. He conceptualized and shepherded the opening of the Pao Arts Center in 2017, establishing Boston Chinatown’s first ever community-based arts, culture, and education center. Under his leadership, we completed the Build a Better Life campaign in 2018, raising $3.5 million to invest in families and promote the cultural vitality of the Asian community for years to come. He also led the efforts to expand adult education workforce initiatives, and established BCNC’s presence in Quincy in 2014 that recently expanded into new quarters. And of course, this year Giles oversaw a series of unforgettable celebratory events to commemorate BCNC’s 50th anniversary.

The BCNC Board of Directors has assembled a search committee consisting of several BCNC board and staff members. We are engaging an executive search firm to help identify and select our next CEO.

During the search process, BCNC will be led by three devoted and seasoned members of the BCNC executive team, including Yoyo Yau (Director of Programs), David Jacobs (Director of Finance & Administration) and Joann Yung (Director of Development). We are confident in the talent and ability of this trio, two of whom assumed a similar role in 2018 when Giles took sabbatical leave. The board will actively support Yoyo, David, and Joann during this transition, to insure that BCNC’s dedication to community service, empowerment, innovation, and impact remains unchanged.

We thank Giles from the bottom of our hearts for all that he has done to inspire and advance our community over the past 13 years and wish him the best as he embarks on this new opportunity.

If you have any questions regarding this transition, please contact board@bcnc.net. As the first 50 years of BCNC draw to a close, we look forward to ushering in the next exciting chapter of this incredible organization. Thank you for all of your support.

Sincerely,

Eugene Mahr

BCNC Board President