“I am excited for AAWAA’s new direction and wish to congratulate Michelle, Diana, and the entire AAWAA team for the restructure! 

My heart will always be with AAWAA.  The steadfast intention to support and nurture its members and the Asian American artist community is why AAWAA has been pivotal in creating a 30 year legacy dedicated to telling the stories and history of our families struggles and victories of migration. As descendants of survivors, it is so important that AAWAA thrive. I am thankful to have been a small part of forging that journey with AAWAA, and look forward to supporting, honoring, connecting to and sharing all of AAWAA’s future accomplishments for the next 30 years!” ~ Susie Kagami

Here are some of the projects and accomplishments Susie played a significant part in during her time with AAWAA:

• AAWAA Regional Growth:  Agrarianaa Satellite Exhibition - JAMsj San Jose (2019)

• NEA Project Grant to design AAWAA's new website (2018-19)

• SF Taiko Exhibition (2019)

• Mural Muses Unveiling Celebration (2018)

• StARTup Fair (2018)

• Slide Slam (2018)

• Holiday Art Mart (2017) 

• Shifting Movements: Art Inspired by the Life & Activism of Yuri Kochiyama (2017)

• Operational growth in Membership, Salesforce CRM implementation and AAWAA.net phase one improvements

Susie has gone on to follow her passion of fundraising and auctioneering for Asian American and cultural arts non-profit organizations.  One of the few Asian American auctioneers in the nation, she is in the process of obtaining her Benefit Auctioneer Specialist designation through the National Auctioneers Association.  With over 11 years experience in Development, event planning, and grass roots fundraising, she has worked for organizations like the Japanese Culture and Community Center of Northern California, Oakland Asian Community Center, Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program (JBBP-SF), Nihonmachi Little Friends, Japanese American Museum of San Jose, and the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce of Northern California. She now continues to assist organizations to strategize and execute their annual fundraising goals while finding creative ways to engage their community and inspire their supporters. Susie can be reached at @linkedin.com/in/kagami/ or www.SusieKagami.com

Learn more about our dedicated team of staff, volunteers and board members at AAWAA.