CH R
HI UC
E WAN N I IF T S I
Former CEO of
ASIAN PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER Staying involved in the community to share her different experiences and knowledge — particularly of the challenges and beauty of our Asian communities — has always been important to Christine Wanifuchi. Therefore, it’s no surprise that she’s spent the last three decades volunteering and giving her time to organizations that help communities and individuals in need. Wanifuchi recently retired as the CEO of the Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC) after 10 years of supporting AAPI communities in Colorado with behavioral health and other social services. “Under her leadership, APDC was able to weather the economic recession and grow its programs to meet the needs of the community,” says Harry Budisidharta a colleague who nominated Wanifuchi for the Asian American Hero award and a past award recipient. “Her careful planning enabled APDC to expand its programs to include a primary care and legal aid clinics. APDC is now the premier direct service organization for AAPI community in Colorado — serving approximately 12,000 individuals every year.” A Colorado native, Wanifuchi grew up in Denver and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in nonprofit management. Her father, a first-generation immigrant from Japan (Issei), and her mother, a second-generation Japanese American from California (Nisei) worked hard to provide their four children with a good home while instilling them with a blend of Japanese and American cultures and traditions. “After World War II broke out, my parents
20
May 2018 | Cover Story
Lifetime Achievement Award Served 10 years as the CEO of the Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC) supporting AAPI communities in Colorado with behavioral health and other social services.
fled to and resettled in Colorado in order to avoid the internment camps,” Wanifuchi says. “Growing up in Denver, our family lived a pretty typical life. We would not be considered wealthy, but we were definitely rich in love and happiness.” Her career path includes working in both for-profit and nonprofit arenas in Colorado. Throughout the years Wanifuchi has been involved with many organizations, including the Asian Roundtable of Colorado, Denver Buddhist Temple, Denver Mayor’s Asian Advisory Council, Denver Health Community Diversity Advisory Committee and many other boards and committees. She currently serves as a board member for the Organization of Chinese Americans, Denver and is a member of The Denver Foundation’s Economic Opportunity Advisory Board. Wanifuchi’s greatest personal achievement is to celebrate her 49th wedding anniversary in August with her husband, Howard, and being blessed with two daughters,
“We live in a world with many challenges... but we also live in a world of endless opportunities to make things better — to make life better — to help others.” Leslie and Jennifer and three grandchildren, Lauren, Kyle and Benjamin. While raising her family and working full time she is also proud to have received a college education. “Growing up I learned that it was important and vital to get a good education,” she says. “My parents believed that people can take away material things and even your freedom, but no one can take away the education you earned.” Wanifuchi says younger generations have a huge responsibility to ensure and protect our world, including the precious freedoms
and rights we have now and for future generations to come. “We live in a world with many challenges that we have never faced before both politically and economically — especially those that challenge our humanity and democracy,” she says. “But we also live in a world of endless opportunities to make things better — to make life better — to help others.” As a result, her advice for future leaders is: “Persevere and understand that good things take time to realize but are certainly worth waiting for. And don’t forget to celebrate the little successes that come your way.”
Wanifuchi and her granddaughter participate in Denver’s Women’s March
Wanifuchi celebrates Christmas with her family