J.D. Hokoyama is the President and CEO of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP), Inc. As LEAP's chief executive officer, he is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the organization. Hokoyama has been with LEAP for nearly 20 years - first as a founding Board member, then as President and Executive Director - is a lead trainer, speaking around the country on leadership, diversity and Asian Pacific American issues.

LEAP is a national, nonprofit organization founded in Los Angeles in 1982 with a mission to achieve full participation and equality for Asian Pacific Americans through leadership, empowerment and policy. With original programs in leadership training, public policy research and community education, LEAP raises the impact and visibility of Asian Pacific Americans in all sectors.

Under Hokoyama's leadership and vision, LEAP has steadily grown from its roots as a volunteer organization. In addition to serving an extensive roster of nonprofits, LEAP's clientele currently includes federal and state government agencies, colleges and universities and Fortune 500 companies.

In nearly two decades of commitment to advancing the leadership potential of Asian Pacific Americans, LEAP has conducted over 1,000 workshops, reaching more than 100,000 people nationwide. In recent years, LEAP has developed collaborative partnerships with several corporations, offering customized leadership and cultural diversity training for such leading companies as IBM, Raytheon, Procter & Gamble, and Merrill Lynch.

Hokoyama is also nationally recognized for his leadership and service to the Asian Pacific American community. In 2000, he was named one of the "100 Most Influential Asian Americans of the Decade" by "A." Magazine, and has received numerous awards, including the "Executive Development Institute Service Award" by the Seattle Japanese American Chamber of Commerce and the "Community Leadership Award" by Asians for Corporate and Community Action at Pacific Bell.

Hokoyama has dedicated his professional life to educating others. A former Peace Corps volunteer serving in Ethiopia, Hokoyama has served as a high school teacher, an elementary school principal and the Director of Asian Pacific American Student Services at University of Southern California. He was also the Acting National Director of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the largest and oldest Asian Pacific American civil rights organization in the U.S.

In addition to growing leaders in Asian Pacific American communities, Hokoyama is committed to raising the visibility of Asian Pacific Americans. His current affiliations include board positions in organizations such as Independent Sector, Alliance for Nonprofit Management, National Immigration Forum, National Diversity Network, Volunteer Consulting Group and the Gates Millennium Scholars Program.

Diversity, Diversity Topics, Leadership,