Jo-Ann Yoo

Jo-Ann Yoo was formerly the executive director of the Asian American Federation (AAF). AAF is the strongest leadership organization in New York that collaborates with nearly 70 member and partner organizations to raise the influence and well-being of the 1.5 million-strong Asian community. She currently serves as the Senior Advisor for AAF. Under Jo-Ann's leadership, AAF has emerged as a powerful advocate for a community centered response to the anti-Asian hate crisis. Her guidance has shaped AAF's endeavors to support the pan-Asian economic empowerment, mental health advocacy, and to combat anti-Asian violence in New York starting in 2020, particularly through the Hope Against Hate campaign, AAF's signature effort to provide safety to Asian New Yorkers. In 2023, Ms. Yoo testified at a public briefing held by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in Washington D.C on the Federal response to anti-Asian racism in the United States. Jo-Ann was appointed to the New York City's Racial Justice Commission and the Racial Justice Advisory Board, Mayor Adams' Covid Recovery Roundtable and Health Equity Task Force. She co-leads the AAPI mental health task force for the New York State Office of Mental Health.