irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2022
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $607KAscend ChaptersOur Ascend chapters are regionally based across the U.S.A. to provide premier engagement opportunities for our partners through year-round programs and annual conferences.Our growing number of professional chapters include a membership base of corporate executives, managers and professionals across various industries. In an effort to cultivate and advance Pan-Asian professionals, our chapters organize a variety of local events and social mixers, and deliver local programs such as professional development workshops, regional conferences and mentoring programs. Chapters also encourage and promote civic engagement through community service.Our student chapters at colleges and universities are affiliated with a regional professional chapter to provide access to content and recruiting events developed by some of the top API talent at Fortune 500 companies. These chapters bring unique value to their members by creating a platform for career development and by helping them build a network of mentors and coaches.
- #2 $192KOther miscellaneous programs:Ascend Inc. provides other miscellaneous programs in an effort to cultivate and advance Pan-Asian professionals.
named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
ATLAS 2026
Landmark research study exploring workforce motivations and organizational strategies to improve engagement and equity in corporate environments.
Ascend Chapters
Regional professional and student chapters across North America that organize local events, professional development workshops, mentoring programs, and community service initiatives to advance API talent.
Executive Insight Series (EIS)
Leadership program for high-potential Pan-Asian managers and professionals with 8–12 years of experience, designed to prepare them for executive roles in major North American corporations.
Mental Health for API Professionals Series
Three-part research series examining mental health and well-being among Asian and Pacific Islander professionals, covering cultural stressors, generational challenges, and workplace support strategies.
Women CEOs in America Report
Research initiative analyzing the representation and advancement of API women in Fortune 1000 companies, highlighting barriers and opportunities related to the "double glass ceiling."
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Leadership Development Programs 2 activities
- Board readiness and corporate board placement initiativeOperates the largest Pan-Asian board network in North America, providing mentorship, leadership programming, and development opportunities to prepare emerging leaders for corporate board service, including year-round networking and an annual Board Leadership Summit.
- Executive leadership advancement programsRuns the Executive Insight Series and offers membership in the Ascend Executive Network to support high-potential Pan-Asian managers and senior executives in attaining top leadership roles through targeted training, networking, and mentorship with senior leaders.
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Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
- Leadership development and professional programming for Pan-Asian professionalsProvides leadership training, mentorship matching, networking events, career development workshops, resume and interview critiques, and access to a content library for professionals at all career stages through local chapters and national initiatives. Offers remote and in-person sessions and hosts elite speaking engagements and regional conferences.
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Regional Chapter Network Support 1 activity
- Operation of professional chapters across North AmericaOperates more than 75 regional professional chapters across the U.S. and North America that organize local events, workshops, mentoring programs, and regional conferences focused on advancing Pan-Asian talent.
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Leadership & Policy Dialogue Forums 1 activity
- Podcast and public dialogue series on the future of workProduces the API Futures podcast and hosts discussions with global leaders from diverse industries to explore cultural connection, equity-focused strategies, and strategic adoption of AI in the workplace.
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Student Club and Organization Support 1 activity
- Support for student chapters and education programsSupports over 50 student chapters at colleges and universities, offering career development platforms, mentorship networks, leadership training, and scholarship opportunities through the Ascend Foundation to API students.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Workforce research through ATLAS studyConducts the annual Ascend Talent & Leadership Advancement Study (ATLAS), including employee surveys on motivation beyond pay and promotion, and produces research insights on workforce needs related to feeling valued, motivated, and connected, shared via reports and a results-preview event.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$6.98M
Contributions & grants$856K12%
Program service revenue$6.04M87%
Investment income$78K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$5.58M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$2.14M
Grants paid out$3K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$9.03M
Cash$5.03M
Investments$3.54M
Liabilities$744K
Net assets$8.28M
Liquid reserves18.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue +7.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
paid leadership · 6
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tifanny Papish | National Director | 0 | $179K |
| Katherine Lee | National Dir Business Devel | 0 | $152K |
| Allison Graham | Head of Marketing | 0 | $151K |
| Annalie Fritz | Head of HR | 0 | $151K |
| Robina Singh | National Dir Programs Mark | 0 | $148K |
| Rupa Sethu | Director Chapters | 0 | $148K |
board members · 10
- Alexander Peh — Board Member
- Anna Mok — President
- Hussain T Hasan — Vice President External Affa
- Jeff Chin — Treasurer
- Jenny Wei — Executive Vice President
- Michael Ku — Board Member
- Michelle Tang — Board Member
- Richard Hwang — Board Member
- Tariq Khan — Secretary
- Vartika Prasad — Board Member
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- API rising stars Partner — Featured contributors and guest hosts on the API Futures podcast
- Ascend Engage 2026 Network — Event hosted by Ascend Inc to preview ATLAS study results.
- Ascend Foundation Partner — Collaborates to offer student scholarship and education programs.
- BNY Mellon Partner — Company partner whose employee participates in Ascend leadership network.
- Crowe Partner — Co-hosts Post-Engage Meet & Greet events with Ascend Midwest in Chicago.
- Fortune 1000 Network — Includes professionals from Fortune 1000 companies in its membership network.
- Fortune 1000 companies Partner — Networks board directors from Fortune 1000 companies to mentor emerging leaders.
- Fortune 500 companies Partner — Collaborates with Fortune 500 companies to develop content and recruiting events for student chapters.
- Reinsurance Group of America Partner — Company partner whose board member participates in Ascend leadership network.
- allies Partner — Featured contributors and guest hosts on the API Futures podcast
- diverse leaders Partner — Featured contributors and guest hosts on the API Futures podcast
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Chapter-Based Leadership Pipelinemethodology: chapter-based_modelBy using a decentralized, chapter-based model to deliver localized professional development, mentoring, and networking, the organization cultivates and advances Pan-Asian professionals because community-embedded programming increases relevance, accessibility, and sustained engagement across the career lifecycle.
- Evidence-Based Advocacymethodology: evidence-based advocacyBy using commissioned research and thought leadership to identify systemic inequities, the organization drives lasting impact on workplace equity because data-driven insights inform targeted, scalable interventions and shift institutional practices.
- Executive Mentorship Networkmethodology: executive-mentorship-networkBy convening senior executives in intimate, affinity-based gatherings, the organization fosters mentorship and leadership sharing to build a pipeline of qualified board-ready leaders because trust-based, peer-driven mentorship accelerates leadership readiness and access to high-level opportunities.
- Leadership Development Through Representationmethodology: leadership-development-through-representationBy selecting and elevating API rising stars, allies, and diverse leaders whose values align with the organization's mission, the organization advances community leadership and increases representation in corporate governance because visible role models and aligned leaders inspire and create pathways for others.