National Association of Asian American Professionals

What National Association of Asian American Professionals does

National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization founded in 1982 in New York City and currently headquartered in Lawrenceville, Georgia. It cultivates and empowers Asian & Pacific Islander leaders through leadership development, professional networking, and community service, operating a hybrid model in which a small paid national staff (hired in 2017, formalised with the appointment of Executive Director Newlyn Wing in July 2025) coordinates a largely volunteer national administration and a network of 30+ local chapters across the United States, Canada, and China. The organization engages ~5,000 active members and reaches more than 25,000 people annually.

NAAAP delivers its mission through an interconnected portfolio of programs: the annual Leadership Convention (e.g., July 16-19, 2026 in Philadelphia), the National Career Center (job board and virtual career fairs), the National Speakers Bureau (vetted API speakers available at $250-$10,000+ per engagement), the STEP mentorship program, ERG leadership programming including a semiannual ERG Symposium, identity-based programs (Women in NAAAP, NAAAP Pride), the Self Care & Wellness Program, the National Leadership Academy, and awards programs (NAAAP100 lifetime achievement, Inspire for emerging leaders, Pride for LGBTQ+ API leaders). Technology consists of a website platform (naaap.org, jobs.naaap.org) and a Backoffice National Technology Platform first launched in 2002; no native AI/ML product layer is present.

Revenue is generated through corporate sponsorships (Caesars Entertainment, Hearst, Liberty Mutual, Sun Life, Merck, Ross Stores, Huntington, NFP), membership dues paid across chapters, National Speakers Bureau booking fees, donations (tax-deductible under 501(c)(3) status), and fees from the Career Center, virtual career fairs, and convention/event registrations. Notable corporate recruiting customers participating in virtual career fairs include Garmin, ADP, Beam Suntory, Cerner, Continental, FEMA, Heartland Financial, Honeywell, Tyson Foods, and Dairy Farmers of America. Coalition partners include APIA Vote, AAJA, CAPAC, NCAPA, CAPAW, and SASE. The organization holds a registered trademark on the NAAAP name and acronyms and aims to conform with WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility (partially compliant as of December 2025).

Name

National Association of Asian American Professionals

Legal name

National Association of Asian American Professionals

Website

https://naaap.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NAAAP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization founded in 1982 that cultivates Asian & Pacific Islander leaders through leadership development, professional networking, career fairs, mentorship, and community service across 30+ chapters in the U.S., Canada, and China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Remote/Hybrid Leadership & Distributed Team Management (EDABAAAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK), Training, Enablement & Talent Development Summits (THAHAMAH)

Keywords

• Professional networking
• Leadership development
• Career advancement
• Community service
• Employee resource groups

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrenceville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support in exchange for recruitment access, event visibility, panel participation opportunities, and brand association with NAAAP's professional network. Sponsors include major corporations across industries (entertainment, financial services, retail, technology).
2. Membership Dues: NAAAP members pay dues to access programs, member benefits, networking opportunities, and leadership development resources across 30+ chapters.
3. National Speakers Bureau: NAAAP's Speakers Bureau charges professional speaker fees ranging from $250 to over $10,000 per hour for API and ally speakers. Bookings serve as tax-deductible sponsorships supporting NAAAP's 501(c)(3) mission.
4. Donations: Individual donations support NAAAP's mission of providing leadership and professional development programs, community service efforts, and networking opportunities. NAAAP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with tax-deductible donations.
5. Career Fair and Event Registration: Revenue generated through career fair participation fees for employers and event registration fees for the annual Leadership Convention and specialized programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

NAAAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association that cultivates and empowers Asian & Pacific Islander leaders and allies through leadership development programs, professional networking, career advancement resources, mentorship (STEP), an annual Leadership Convention, the National Speakers Bureau, an online Career Center, awards recognition programs (NAAAP100, Inspire, Pride), and community service opportunities delivered through 20+ chapters across North America.

Product overview

NAAAP operates as a non-profit professional organization offering a suite of interconnected programs centered on leadership development, professional networking, and community service for Asian and Pacific Islander professionals. The portfolio includes flagship events (Leadership Convention, National Leadership Academy), talent marketplace (Career Center), speaker booking services (National Speakers Bureau), mentorship (STEP), awards recognition (NAAAP100, Inspire, Pride), ERG engagement programs, and identity-based programming (Women in NAAAP, NAAAP Pride, Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month). The ecosystem is supported by 20+ chapters across North America serving several thousand active members.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Leadership Convention Annual flagship event bringing together professionals and companies for leadership development, career development, career fair, and networking, featuring professional development sessions, networking roundtables, speakers, workshops, a Gala, and the NAAAP100 and Inspire Awards.
• NAAAP Career Center Online job board platform connecting professional talent with companies across the globe, open to job seekers of all backgrounds, offering job search, registration, and employer posting capabilities, and hosting virtual career fairs.
• National Speakers Bureau Booking platform for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) and ally speakers, trainers, and leaders for corporate, government, and conference events, with vetted speakers experienced in keynotes, panels, fireside chats, workshops, and coaching at professional speaker fees ranging from $250 to over $10,000 per hour.
• STEP Mentorship Program Success Through Empowered Partnerships (STEP) connects mentors and emerging leaders through intentional mentorship designed to foster professional growth, leadership development, and lasting relationships within the AAPI professional community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 years of leadership development and community building for API professionals
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• APIA VotecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for presidential town hall and civic engagement initiatives. NAAAP collaborated with APIA Vote and AAJA for the first Presidential Town Hall in 2016.
• AAJA (Asian American Journalists Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on presidential town hall events and media representation initiatives for Asian American community.
• Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for policy advocacy and community representation at federal level.
• NationalACEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Asian American business and entrepreneurship initiatives.
• NCAPA (National Council of Asian Pacific Americans)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partnership for collective impact on Asian American policy and advocacy priorities.
• SASE (Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Asian scientists and engineers with professional development and networking.
• Center for Asian Pacific American Women (CAPAW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosting Women's Summit at Leadership Convention to empower API women leaders.
• KearneyminorOthersGlobal management consulting firm conducted pro bono impact analysis of Speaker Expo, reporting NPS of 61 (excellent).
• Caesars EntertainmentmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate sponsor with representation on NAAAP website sponsor page. Provides event hosting and support for Leadership Convention and ERG Symposium.
• Hearst CommunicationsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting NAAAP programs and events.
• HuntingtonmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting NAAAP programs and events.
• Liberty MutualmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting NAAAP programs and events.
• NFPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting NAAAP programs and events.
• Sun LifemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting NAAAP programs and events.
• Ross StoresmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting NAAAP programs and events.
• MerckmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting NAAAP programs and events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Ascend Foundation: Pan-Asian professional leadership organization serving Asian business leaders with mentoring, leadership programs, and corporate partnerships — directly comparable to NAAAP in mission, target demographic, and programming mix.
• National Association of Latino Professionals (NHLA): Identity-based professional association serving Latino professionals with leadership development, networking, and corporate partnerships — same model as NAAAP, applied to a different demographic, making it a strong structural comparable.
• OCA (Asian Pacific American Advocates): National Asian Pacific American advocacy and civic engagement organization with chapters nationwide; comparable in demographic focus, chapter-based structure, and advocacy orientation, with stronger emphasis on civil rights.
• National Black MBA Association: Identity-based professional organization with chapters, leadership programming, career fairs, and corporate sponsorships targeting Black professionals; same chapter-and-conference operating model as NAAAP, providing a clean structural benchmark.
• Japanese American Citizens League (JACL): One of the oldest Asian American civil rights organizations with chapter-based structure and policy advocacy; comparable in mission, member-based operating model, and historical significance within the API ecosystem.
• Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA): Identity-based professional association with chapters supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander journalists; an active NAAAP coalition partner, comparable in chapter structure and mission-aligned professional development focus.
• Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers (SASE): National organization supporting Asian heritage scientists and engineers in STEM careers; comparable mission, demographic, and an active NAAAP partner, focused on a STEM-specific niche within the same API professional ecosystem.

Others

• APIA Vote: Nonpartisan nonprofit increasing civic and political participation of Asian Pacific Americans; not a direct membership competitor, but an NAAAP coalition partner with overlapping demographic focus and complementary mission.

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: Large, established civil rights and workforce development organization serving African Americans with professional development, advocacy, and corporate partnerships; broader scope and significantly larger scale than NAAAP.

Emerging players

• Out & Equal Workplace Advocates: Organization focused on LGBTQ+ workplace equality with employer partnerships, summits, and ERG programming; directly comparable to NAAAP's ERG Symposium mission and ally engagement model, though serving a different demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NAAAP
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naaap_national
• Instagraminstagram.com/naaap_national/?hl=en
• Xx.com/naaap

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Association of Asian American Professionals