Yasmin Padamsee Forbes

Executive Director

[email protected]

Yasmin Padamsee Forbes is a dedicated advocate for change and community empowerment. As a first-generation student, immigrant, and a devoted single mother to her daughter, she brings a unique perspective to her work, fueled by her commitment to social justice, human rights, and climate change activism.

In her role as the Executive Director of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission in Massachusetts, Yasmin demonstrates exceptional strategic planning, management, and resource mobilization skills. Working closely with commissioners, she has fostered an
environment of collaboration, ensuring that the collective efforts of the Commission make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of those it serves.

She has previously served in senior leadership roles with non-profits and the United Nations in Papua New Guinea, India, Lao PDR, Burma, and the United States. With a wealth of experience in leadership roles, Yasmin deeply understands the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and building robust partnerships for significant change. She holds a Masters in Communications and Film Production from New York University, where she received a scholarship, and a second Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Yasmin’s impactful contributions have garnered significant recognition, notably the 2019 All- Star Award from the Harvard Kennedy School. This honor was awarded to acknowledge her exceptional work in curating, fundraising, and organizing the LGBTQ film festival, “Pride and Progress”. Furthermore, Yasmin was honored with the esteemed 2018 Julius E. Babbitt Memorial Volunteer Award from Harvard, recognizing her outstanding efforts in organizing and fostering partnerships with Harvard alumni across the public and private sectors in Burma. Her remarkable achievements include orchestrating the most significant gathering across Asia, attended by an impressive 99% of Harvard alumni in Yangon during the visit of the Dean of HKS.

Beyond her professional achievements, Yasmin actively engages in community service as a Cambridge Human Rights Commission Commissioner. Committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, she collaborates with communities across Massachusetts, passionately striving to drive positive and sustainable change.