Announcing APEN’s new Co-Director, Michelle Chan

By APEN and Friends of the Earth

Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) and Friends of the Earth – U.S. (FOE) are thrilled to come together in sharing some exciting news with our communities: Michelle Chan is embarking on a powerful new chapter in her movement journey. After years of visionary leadership as Vice President of Programs at Friends of the Earth, Michelle is stepping into a new role as Co-Director at APEN in February, joining Co-Director Vivian Yi Huang.

This is a moment of pride and gratitude for both of our organizations. Michelle’s transition represents the alignment of our values and strategies—rooted in grassroots power, bold policy change, and a vision for a just transition.

During her 30-year tenure at Friends of the Earth, Michelle worked to hold Wall Street accountable for its environmental impacts, trained thousands of activists, and founded BankTrack, an international advocacy organization. She worked with communities around the world to block funding for ecologically harmful projects, won environmental financing standards at major investment banks and advocated for regulations to rein in the power of Wall Street.

Since 2013, as VP of Programs, Michelle has provided FOE with strategic campaign leadership focused on power-building, bold advocacy and systems change. Under Michelle’s leadership, Friends of the Earth built a number of strong campaigns including efforts to defund factory farming in the United States and globally; launched the first bank policy to end financing of Petrochemical refineries; developed campaign efforts to add indigenous voices to the International Maritime Organization; and solidified FOE’s campaign to end private finance of deforestation.

“Over her 30 years, Michelle has deeply shaped the very DNA of Friends of the Earth. Our focus on environmental and climate justice; the manner in which we approach and talk with frontline communities; and the humbleness with which we approach solving problems from a people-first perspective are all deeply intertwined with Michelle’s amazing leadership,” said Erich Pica, President of the Friends of the Earth. “Michelle built an amazing team of campaigners and leaders at Friends of the Earth that will move our focus on climate and environmental justice forward.”

Michelle’s new role is also a homecoming. She has longstanding ties to the Richmond community, where APEN builds power with working-class Asian immigrant and refugee communities on the frontlines of environmental injustice. Her enduring relationships and accountability to Richmond make her new leadership at APEN especially meaningful.

At APEN, Michelle will lead an organization with deep roots in California’s Asian immigrant and refugee communities that is known nationally for its grassroots organizing, policy wins, and people-powered vision for a just economy.

“Michelle brings a deep commitment to community, a sharp political analysis, and decades of experience fighting for policies that hold big polluters accountable and center a just transition,” said Aysha Pamukcu, Board Chair at APEN. “We are thrilled to welcome her as Co-Director. Her leadership will not only strengthen APEN, but also contribute to the broader environmental justice movement.”

Please join us in celebrating Michelle Chan and cheering her on as she takes this bold next step. We can’t wait to see what’s ahead.

In solidarity,

Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)

Friends of the Earth U.S.

P.S. It would mean so much to have your support in this moment of transition for both of our organizations. Please consider making a donation to APEN and Friends of the Earth by the end of the year to help us fight for environmental justice in 2026 and beyond.