Our Leadership

Thomas Yu is the Executive Director of Asian Americans For Equality (AAFE), a 50-year old community development organization serving the 1.3 million New Yorkers of Asian descent, and all of those in need regardless of background.

Through his leadership, AAFE has achieved development of over 1,200 units of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, provided crucial social services to over 35,000 individuals annually, assisted more than 10,000 small business entrepreneurs with over $70 million of direct capital, and aided 5,000 first time homebuyers in achieving their American dream through counseling and access to $250 million in sustainable home mortgages. Thomas also leads AAFE’s grassroots policy advocacy, urban planning and infrastructure capital investment in AAPI and other communities, with a goal of advancing community revitalization through local arts and space activation.

Thomas has served on various mayoral task forces and was a long-time member of Manhattan’s Community Board #3, specifically on the Parks, Waterfront Development, Landmarks and Housing committees. Thomas is a director on the boards of Hester Street Collaborative and the Van Alen Institute, NYC non-profits which leverage architecture and design to help residents become civically engaged in community planning. Thomas sits on the New Market Tax Credit community advisory boards of Low Income Investment Fund and NYC Economic Development Corporation, and the community advisory boards of Valley Bank and Santander. He also was the past board co-chair of National CAPACD. Thomas received a Bachelor’s Degree in Government from Harvard University and a Masters in Urban Planning from the New York University Wagner School of Public Service.