Executive Director

Bonsai Leadership Group is honored to support Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) in identifying its next Executive Director. This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a historic civil rights organization at a pivotal moment for democracy, belonging, and coalition building.

ABOUT JAPANESE AMERICAN CITIZENS LEAGUE

Founded in 1929, JACL is the nation’s oldest and largest Asian American and Pacific Islander civil rights organization. JACL helped lead the Japanese American redress movement, which culminated in the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. Today, the organization advances civil and human rights through policy advocacy, community education, and chapter-driven engagement.

The national office is located in San Francisco, CA, with a strong policy presence in Washington, DC, supported by a vibrant network of chapters and members nationwide.

Learn more about JACL at jacl.org and pacificcitizen.org.

THE MISSION

Japanese American Citizens League is a national organization whose ongoing mission is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and bigotry. The leaders and members of the JACL also work to promote cultural, educational, and social values and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American community.

THE OPPORTUNITY

JACL seeks an Executive Director who brings the steadiness of an experienced operational leader and the courage of a thoughtful changemaker. This moment calls for a leader who honors JACL’s powerful legacy, champions strategic focus, strengthens internal systems, and guides the organization into its next chapter of growth. The role requires discipline in execution, clarity in strategy, and a deep commitment to building a values-driven culture rooted in collaboration, belonging, respect, and accountability.

The Executive Director will shape how JACL engages with its members, chapters, and the broader Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) and ally communities, which count on its advocacy and voice. The Executive Director will serve as a visible partner to chapters, an ambassador for JACL’s civil rights agenda, and a relationship builder who elevates JACL’s presence with policymakers, coalitions, funders, and media.

At this stage of JACL’s evolution, the organization needs a leader who deeply values situational awareness, decisive action, and purposeful communication, and who is equally committed to cultivating dialogue, shared ownership, and collective progress. The right leader will see these qualities not as tradeoffs, but as essential to sustaining trust, momentum, and impact across a national, member-driven organization.

LOCATION

This is a remote or hybrid position, with a strong preference for the Executive Director to be based in San Francisco, CA, or Washington, DC. An Executive Director based in either city will work in a hybrid format that supports consistent, in-person engagement with staff, board members, partners, and key stakeholders.

LEARN MORE

Learn more and review the full position announcement at: https://www.bonsaileadershipgroup.com/jacl-ed

Japanese American Citizens League offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Vacation and sick time, plus holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• 403(B) Retirement plan with a 3% employer matching contribution
• Sick, bereavement, and family leave
• Professional development