Bethany Li has officially assumed the role of executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

The AALDEF named Li their next executive director in April after co-founder Margaret Fung announced she would be stepping down from the role. Li brings a wealth of experience as a civil rights attorney and has worked with the AALDEF for several years.

“AALDEF’s history has been a critical part of my education as a civil rights attorney, and I am excited to build on this incredible legacy,” Li said in a statement. “Our team is ready to move nimbly and creatively to address the challenges that our communities face today and amplify their voices in the courts and in the halls of government. Centering those voices is the only way for Asian Americans to dismantle injustices and achieve real change.”

Li earned her bachelor’s degree at Amherst College and her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. She began working at AALDEF as a legal intern while still in law school. After graduation, she started as an Equal Justice Works Fellow at the organization. In 2022, she became the AALDEF’s legal director.

“Bethany is a creative change maker who will never back down,” Professor Mari Matsuda, the first tenured Asian American woman law professor in the U.S., said in a press release. “Her toughness is combined with grace, generosity, and a commitment to helping people see their own power. She leads by making others feel valued and empowered. I canʻt wait to see where she takes us!”

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