CAO K. O

Cao K. O has served as executive director of the Asian American Federation of New York since its inception in 1990. A philanthropy and policy organization, the Federation promotes Asian American philanthropy, awards grants to address community needs, conducts policy research, and strengthens the capacity of community nonprofit agencies.  Under Mr. O’s leadership, the Federation has gained local and national recognition for the catalytic role it has undertaken on behalf of the Asian American community.  Among several awards, the most recent is the 2007 Leadership in Action Award from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. 

Prior to joining the Federation, Mr. O was a consultant to United Way of New York City, serving as chief adviser on its Asian American Initiative. From 1986 to 1988, Mr. O worked at the New York State Office of Mental Health to improve mental health care access for refugees. Earlier, he served as development director of Hamilton-Madison House, a multi-service settlement house on the Lower East Side.  
Active in voluntary service, Mr. O is board president of Hamilton-Madison House and a board member of Human Services Council of New York City and the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York. He also serves on the Advisory Council for the New York City Department for the Aging and on the Research Advisory Panel for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.  In September 2003, at the invitation of the U.S. State Department, Mr. O participated in a ten-day tour of Japan to speak on the role of nonprofit organizations in American society and, in particular, the Federation’s post- September 11th experiences.

Mr. O has been recognized by numerous local officials and organizations. He is a member of the Hall of Fame of the Alumni Association of Hunter College.  In May 2002, Mr. O was featured as an “Unsung Hero” on WB 11 (WPIX-TV) in recognition of his dedication and leadership in the months after the September 11th crisis.  

Born and raised in Vietnam, Mr. O arrived in the United States as a refugee in 1975 with only rudimentary knowledge of English.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Cornell University and then a master’s degree from Hunter College School of Social Work.