The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes the civic awareness, public service, and economic effectiveness of the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Our mission is to develop young leaders in the United States, Asia, and other Pacific Rim countries in public service, entrepreneurship, and international business through a network of business and community leaders.

Since our founding in 2000, ILF has provided scholarships and leadership training for over ten thousand select AAPI college students nationwide. ILF has a network of national advisory boards and global advisory councils in 20 cities, comprised of professional, civic, business, and community leaders. We help prepare the young generation to become public, business, academic, community, and professional leaders. Our programs include the Civic Fellowship Program, Youth Leadership Academy, Global Exchange Program, Leadership and Business Conference, and Leadership Activities. These programs offer a series of internships, lectures, seminars, and discussions on topics ranging from international business relations to public policy and the legislative process.

The Washington D.C. Civic Fellowship is the nation’s most prestigious AAPI civic leadership development program. Each Fellow participates in a supervised training program, including a public service internship to learn how to network and access government and public policy to help their communities. ILF also sponsors over one hundred additional college students each year for the Washington Leadership Program in conjunction with other leading AAPI organizations.

Every year, ILF hosts an exciting Leadership and Business Conference comprised of various events, policy discussions, and meetings with Members of Congress and other high-ranking government officials. This conference also includes a Global Strategic Economic Forum, Business to Business matchmaking, and the ILF’s annual Scholarship and Awards gala.

ILF holds a global awards ceremony to recognize outstanding members in the AAPI community who have provided exceptional services to their communities. Awards are given to winners of different categories through rigorous judging processes. The awardees provide the next generation of young people with examples to follow and allow them to see AAPI leaders thriving in mainstream society. Americans that have been recognized as models for all young American leaders for their outstanding contributions to politics, economics, science and technology, and culture. Past Awards Gala honorees and speakers include the Honorable Elaine L. Chao, 18th Secretary of Transportation and 24th Secretary of Labor; U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai; Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the U.S. Doctor Anthony Fauci; Members of Congress, including Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Mazie Hirono, Marco Rubio, Tim Scott, Judy Chu, Grace Meng, Michelle Steele, Andy Kim, Young Kim, Doris Matsui, Ted Lieu, and Amata Radewagen; Ambassadors, White House administration officials, and other public figures; prominent AIDS researcher, Dr. David Ho; and Nathan Adrian, five-time Olympic gold medalist.