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The National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs (NAAPPPA) has released its inaugural list of the top 40 Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) professionals under 40 who are “breaking barriers” in politics and public affairs.

The list is bipartisan and comprised of unelected professionals who represent the “groundbreaking AAPI campaign strategists, lobbyists, legislative staff, and corporate public affairs professionals that work behind the scenes to elect and advance AAPI electeds and the AAPI community.”

In a press release naming its honorees, NAAPPPA praised them for advancing community causes saying, “These elite individuals are breaking the meek Asian model minority stereotype by excelling in the rough and tumble, rule-bending, bare knuckle world of American politics.”

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Individuals on the list include the Democratic National Convention Committee’s Chris Chan, the Hoover Institution’s Lanhee Chen, the RNC’s Jason Chung, and Alissa Ko, the associate director for the White House’s Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.

NAAPPPA describes itself as a “non-partisan non-profit national organization dedicated to promote and develop Asian American and Pacific Islander career advancement and excellence in political consulting, public affairs, and legislative advocacy through networking, innovative training, and professional development programs.”

Its “40 Under 40” list was established to showcase the growing number of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in unelected politics, and to recognize the influence of prominent AAPIs who work behind the scenes.

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