Alum founds non-profit to empower Pan-Asian American students
Kevin Ha ’21 is the founder, executive director, and board chair of the Asian American Dream (AAD),
a career-advancement nonprofit that provides mentorship networks, professional development
training, and career advancement opportunities to underserved Pan-Asian American undergraduates.
AAD partnerships include leading Fortune companies, colleges, and other nonprofits.
“It’s no surprise that Asian Americans are the fastest growing demographic in the
United States. However, more often than not, Asians are left out of the diversity
and inclusion equation,” Ha says.
“There is this persisting stereotype that all Asians are wealthy, successful, and
well-connected but this is not the reality for many Asians, especially those who are
underserved,” he adds. “AAD provides a support system for these students.”
Ha, who double majored in Spanish and management and business, founded AAD as a senior
at Skidmore. He was inspired by his Vietnamese parents, who exposed him to entrepreneurship
early on. His parents immigrated to the United States in 1994 and established a nail
salon business in Carpinteria, California. They also instilled the importance of education
in Ha and his two brothers.
After graduation, Ha worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as a markets analyst
while devoting his off-hours to jumpstarting AAD, largely with the help of James Liao,
an entrepreneur, consultant, and former adjunct professor at Skidmore. Liao is AAD
board secretary and treasurer. Ha and Liao were introduced to one another by Professor
Colleen Burke, executive in residence and director of the Skidmore-Saratoga Consulting
Partnership in the Department of Management and Business, who is revered for her extensive
business contacts and networking know-how.
Ha’s other Skidmore experiences also influenced the development of AAD. “On campus,
I always loved to help out. I worked with students through Residential Life, participated
in Asian Cultural Awareness Club and other clubs and events, and served as the captain
of the tennis team for two years,” he says. “All of these experiences helped me develop
leadership skills that have translated well to the work I do today in continuing to
grow AAD.”
