Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Asian American Drug Abuse Program

Los Angeles, California

About Asian American Drug Abuse Program

The Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to serving Asian Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities with substance abuse services throughout Los Angeles County. Programs and services are provided to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity. AADAP's annual budget is $21.9M with staff of 143.

Since 1972, AADAP began with the mission to improve community health through providing prevention education, treating substance abuse, and facilitating economic development to increase job skills and employment opportunities. AADAP's programs have expanded to include HIV/AIDS outreach, Drug Court Services for the Inglewood Municipal Courts, tobacco education, and a for-profit business venture, MTC Construction.

AADAP upholds a value of cultural humility, offering services in 12-different languages, person-centered care, and ability to assist anyone wherever they're located. On top of our culturally competent services, AADAP integrates holistic approaches within our family-based care model. AADAP also uses evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Contingency Management (CM), and Trauma Informed Care (TIC) from prevention to harm-reduction to intervention. Additional services include, substance use prevention and mental health capacity service deliveries.

AADAP Inc. has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International since 2014. CARF International is an independent, nonprofit organization that sets rigorous and comprehensive guidelines for governance, fiscal responsibility along with standards of care. Service providers who are CARF-accredited have earned the recognition for their compliance with the company's leading-edge set of standards from business practice to service delivery. CARF accreditation is the official industry designation that recognizes service standards as well as best practices which AADAP has proudly upheld the meticulous standards and maintenance process throughout the agency.

Much has changed since those early AADAP days, but one thing that remains is AADAP's motto and philosophy: "People Need People."

Learn more about AADAP at aadapinc.org.

AADAP Today and Organizational Culture

For over 50 years, AADAP has been dedicated to transforming lives in the Greater Los Angeles area and beyond. With a mission to change and save lives, AADAP offers essential outreach and residential treatment services, promoting family values and individual upliftment. The committed staff, many of whom have long tenures, are central to this mission, forming strong bonds with local leaders and championing social justice and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

Guided by visionary leaders like Mike Watanabe and Dean Nakanishi, AADAP honors its legacy while looking forward to future progress and innovation. The organization's success and stability are ensured by a strong track record and well-funded programs. AADAP is poised to continue strengthening communities and fostering self-sufficiency, embodying representation and commitment to core values.

Founded by the Japanese American community, AADAP serves African American, Latino, Japanese American, and other communities with respect and inclusivity. The agency celebrates cultural events, promoting an inclusive environment for staff and the community. AADAP's extensive community presence fosters pride, strengthens bonds, and mutual understanding, and fosters appreciation among staff for each other's values. The organization is client-centered, investing in clients and upholding AADAP's values while embracing new ideas and growth.

Staff at AADAP feel deeply connected to the community, drawn by the inclusive culture, meaningful work, and strong sense of family. The agency offers a supportive environment, where people stay due to the positive culture and impact they make. With increased funding and expansion throughout the recent years, AADAP's sense of humanity and mission remain constant.

Maintaining the sense of "ohana" (family) has been crucial to preserving AADAP's strong identity, making it a powerful and inspiring place to work and serve.

The Leadership Opportunity

AADAP is seeking a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the organization and build on its 50-year legacy of serving South Los Angeles. The ideal candidate will unify staff, balance treatment services with program sustainability, and enhance community partnerships. With consistent, long-term support from federal, state, and private partners, this leader will operationalize the core values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion while inspiring staff and preserving the mission.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO will be passionate about AADAP's mission, and eager to lead AADAP into its next era of growth. This is a rare opportunity to lead an organization renowned for its critical community services, including residential programs and long-term treatment, which have profoundly impacted countless lives and families. The CEO will shape AADAP's future by integrating its legacy with innovative approaches, unifying independently functioning units into a cohesive whole.

The ideal CEO must blend dynamic leadership with a commitment to community and healthy organizational growth. They should be approachable and engaging, uplifting the atmosphere in a dedicated environment where staff passionately support individuals in recovery and mental health. Inspirational leadership is key to galvanizing a diverse team and fostering a sense of "ohana" toward a shared vision for the next 5-10 years.

Commitment to community and family culture is paramount, alongside a solid understanding of budgets, financial acumen, fundraising/revenue development, and operational leadership. The CEO will maintain an open-door policy, ensuring involvement with all units and accessibility to staff. They must possess emotional intelligence and the ability to work harmoniously with experienced directors and staff, embracing cultural events and fostering an inclusive and vibrant organizational ethos.

Candidate Profile

While no single candidate will have every experience listed in the position description, the ideal candidates will exhibit the following professional and personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

Passion for the Mission

The CEO will passionately uphold AADAP's mission of transforming lives and fostering self-sufficiency in the community. Demonstrating integrity, they will inspire and lead a team of dedicated professionals while driving innovative solutions and sustaining vital programs. Building on AADAP's legacy and strong partnerships, the CEO will ensure programs thrive and expand, improving the lives of clients. With energy, humor, and a deep understanding of AADAP's history and future direction, the CEO will rally the community around the mission.

Visionary and Strategic Leadership

As a visionary leader, the CEO will elevate AADAP's programs, infrastructure and operations by building on its rich history and substantial impact. They will strategically seek opportunities to broaden the organization's reach, remaining flexible to the evolving needs of Los Angeles communities. Ensuring cohesive alignment across programs, operations, finance, and administration, the CEO will set and achieve annual strategic goals that further AADAP's goals and objectives. Previous experience in collaborating with and reporting to a Board of Directors is highly desirable.

Operations Management and Financial Acumen

The CEO will be a solutions-oriented leader, tech-savvy, with a deep understanding of operational efficiency and effectiveness. Their strong management skills will drive the organization toward its goals with clarity and purpose through streamlined processes, effective systems, and aligned day-to-day operations. With expertise in fiscal and budget management, the CEO will uphold fiduciary responsibilities and ensure sound financial practices and accountability. Demonstrating financial acumen, they will mentor staff to achieve financial objectives and promote a collective understanding of budgetary goals.

Fundraising and Revenue Development

This leader will possess a deep understanding of fundraising strategies, having achieved success in securing financial support from diverse sources such as donors, sponsors, grants, city and state funding, and other partnerships. They will excel in building and leveraging connections to generate and diversify funding opportunities, effectively communicating the value proposition to potential funders, partners, and supporters. Experience with grant funding and grant management is preferred.

Community Ambassador, Relationship Builder and Communicator

The CEO will thrive in the external aspects of the role, authentically, credibly, and enthusiastically conveying the importance of AADAP's work to a wide range of audiences, including donors, partners, government agencies, and the broader community. They will nurture existing relationships while cultivating new ones to broaden AADAP's network and influence. Characterized by humility, warmth, and approachability, the CEO will build trust and strong relationships across all organizational levels. With high cultural competence, they will embody empathy and inclusivity, and possess high emotional intelligence to create a unified atmosphere. Exceptional communication and listening skills will enable them to foster meaningful dialogue, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $200,000 - $240,000 with a generous benefits package

About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group

Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation's premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of "America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms" and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.

To apply, visit: https://talent-profile.diversifiedsearchgroup.com/search/v2/21190?_gl=1*1614984*_gcl_au*MTY2NTI5Mzc2LjE3MTcwMDYyMzY.*_ga*NDMyMjYyMDg3LjE3MTcwMDYyMzY.*_ga_R1M9LYHJ5R*MTcyMDcxMjAzNy40OC4wLjE3MjA3MTIwMzcuNjAuMC4w

jeid-e93ec69edaa947d0a81c656c4b769131