For the past six years, Jim Park has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Asian American Investment Managers (AAAIM). According to Park, the organization is more than just a professional community. “Members often describe it as a ‘family’—a network where people are genuinely invested in each other’s success, supporting one another in navigating careers, growing firms, and creating impact across the industry.”
Founded in 2006, AAAIM was established with the goal of advancing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) professionals in investment management. Currently, Asian Americans represent approximately 15%–25% of technical and analytical roles at large institutional portfolio management and research firms; however, that figure drops off significantly at the senior leadership level. “This gap highlights both a lack of visibility and a missed opportunity,” explains Park, “and served as the catalyst for AAAIM’s creation.”
Co-founded by Ginger Lew and Maeley Tom, the organization was created to expand access, visibility, and opportunity—providing a platform for professionals to connect, collaborate, and grow. Their call to action challenged longstanding barriers facing AAPI professionals—particularly women—in the industry. As Lew reflects, “The exclusion of AAPIs was, and still is, the driving factor. Some of it is overt, and some of it is simply oversight. We wanted to combat both—by educating the industry and supporting AAPI managers in building firms and advancing into the C-suite.”
The pair’s early efforts were further strengthened by Clayton Jue, whose industry credibility, resources, and support were instrumental in the organization’s early days. Founding board members Brenda Chia, Bennett Kim, and Gordon Liao also played key roles and remain active in advancing AAAIM’s mission today.
At the time of AAAIM’s establishment, major institutional limited partners (LPs) were beginning to develop emerging manager programs and questioned whether AAPI managers even existed to participate. While several professional organizations were already advocating for Black-, Latino-, and women-led managers, there was no equivalent platform representing AAPI professionals.
Fast forward to today, and AAAIM serves as a major hub for community-building and connectivity across the global investment landscape. The organization has evolved into a platform that brings together LPs and general partners (GPs) worldwide, fostering relationships, facilitating access to capital, and driving meaningful dialogue across the industry.
In addition, AAAIM has become a trusted source of research and insights on diverse managers, including performance and allocation trends—further strengthening its role as both a convener and a thought leader. As Park explains, “We offer something for every professional in the investment ecosystem—whether you are building a business, allocating capital, or developing your career.”
AAAIM’s membership spans the full spectrum of the investment ecosystem, including asset allocators, fund managers, founders, and professionals at large institutions. The organization is intentionally inclusive of individuals at all career stages and offers nearly 30 educational programs annually. These programs cover a broad range of asset classes and industry topics—from wealth management and venture capital to real assets and beyond—and are designed to provide timely market insights, facilitate knowledge sharing, and connect members directly with allocators and industry leaders shaping investment decisions.
While expanding its reach, the organization has remained intentional about preserving the close-knit, high-touch community that defines AAAIM. Currently, AAAIM hosts a robust calendar of regional events in major financial centers, including New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Toronto. In recent years, the organization has also launched global events in Hong Kong, Singapore, and London.
Across all programming, AAAIM is known for fostering a distinctive, high-touch environment that combines professional opportunity with a strong sense of community. Its flagship event, the Elevate National Conference, brings together LPs and GPs from across the network to learn, connect, and build lasting relationships. Park notes, “The content of our events is as diverse as our attendees. It is designed to support early-career professionals while also delivering value to senior leaders and decision-makers across the industry.”
AAAIM’s growth strategy balances scale with authenticity, ensuring the member experience remains personal and deeply connected to the AAPI professional journey. Central to this approach is the creation of clear pathways to success at every stage of a career. In addition to its mid-career programming, AAAIM offers a college program that helps prepare both current professionals and new entrants to become the next generation of industry leaders.
As Park puts it, “The best way to understand AAAIM is to experience it firsthand. Attend an event, and the value of being part of our community becomes immediately clear.”
Institutional Investor is grateful for the support of the Association of Asian American Investment Managers (AAAIM) for the following upcoming events:
Alpha Edge Europe (Alpha Edge Europe - Private Markets) – April 15-17 | London
Alpha Edge North America (Alpha Edge North America) – May 13-14 | Ft. Lauderdale
Redefining Fixed Income Forum (12th Annual Redefining Fixed Income Forum 2026) – May 20 | Chicago
Private Credit Forum (Private Credit Series Chicago 2026) – May 21 | Chicago
Jim Park is CEO of the Association of Asian American Investment Managers (AAAIM) and brings 35 years of experience across government, business, and nonprofits. A leading advocate for AAPI representation, he is a past Chair of APAICS and helped founded national organizations such as AREAA and National CAPACD. Park is also an entrepreneur, co-founding The Mortgage Collaborative, TMC Tech Fund and New Vista Asset Management. His public sector work includes roles as a political appointee, as an affordable housing lobbyist, and as Chair of the Federal Reserve’s Consumer Advisory Council. He has served on numerous national boards including Smithsonian advisory board.
