APALA Hires Malcolm Amado Uno New Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Malcolm Amado Uno
Phone: (202) 508-3733
Email: muno@aflcio.org

(Washington D.C.) – Malcolm Amado Uno was unanimously chosen by the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Board of Directors to become Executive Director. Mr. Uno replaces Gloria T. Caoile, the former Executive Director and also a founding APALA Executive Board Member. Ms. Caoile will continue with APALA as Emeritus board member.

“We are excited to have Amado take over the reign of the organization. His experience, energy and enthusiasm will ensure success for APALA,” said Maria Somma, APALA President. "We are all indebted to Gloria for  the commitment, vision and leadership she has provided APALA for so many years. Fortunately for APALA, she has agreed to assist in our leadership transition by serving as a senior advisor to the organization.” 

Mr. Uno served as APALA Deputy Executive Director . He worked to strengthen APALA’s chapters, assisted in the development of APALA’s Every Vote Counts national political program, and took charge of the APALA Organizing Institute, which identifies and recruits  the next generation of Asian Pacific American organizers.

“Amado comes from a strong line of labor organizers but represents a new face and perspective to the labor movement,” said Luisa Blue, APALA First Vice President.  “Equally important, Amado has effectively engaged our base and displayed a willingness to fight for the rights of all working people.”  

Mr. Uno’s experience includes working on local, statewide and national organizing efforts.  Most recently, he worked as the National Organizing Director with Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), an organization dedicated to increasing the civic engagement of Asian Pacific Americans.  Prior to relocating to Washington D.C., Mr. Uno worked as Policy and Outreach Coordinator for Preschool California, a statewide campaign working to achieve universal preschool. 

After completing his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz, Mr. Uno worked as a youth counselor with the Asian Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy and Leadership (AYPAL) project, a collaboration of six community-based organizations designed to empower and train the next generation of APA leaders.  He is a recipient of the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Fellowship and the Coro Fellowship and received his graduate degree in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.