David Yu is an advocate for human dignity, justice and equality, specializing in non-profit fundraising, event planning, member mobilization, organizational governance and strategic development. His work has raised considerable resources for prominent non-profit advocacy organizations including Amnesty International USA (AIUSA); Her Justice (inMotion, Inc.); amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research; the Aperture Foundation; and Human Rights Campaign. An AIUSA supporter, member and donor for more than 25 years, David is currently Senior Development Office – Major Gifts at the Human Rights Campaign.
From 1991-2004, David was a staff member of AIUSA, working in key positions included Acting Assistant, Program to Abolish the Death Penalty; Executive Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer; Board Liaison; Coordinator, Annual General Meeting (AGM); Deputy Director, Training & Conference Planning; and Acting Director, National Field Program. In these roles David worked closely with grassroots members, volunteer leaders, board, and senior staff. He provided guidance and support for AIUSA’s annual budget process, board governance and elections, AGM planning, national resolutions process, AI global assemblies, and youth membership trainings.
At AIUSA, David met the late Sister Dianna Ortiz. She recruited him to serve as a multi-term board member of the organization she co-founded, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition (TASSC International). He served on TASSC’s Executive Committee (2005-2008) and helped develop their first strategic plan. During his second term (2016-2018), he led fundraising initiatives and the successful search for the organization’s current Executive Director.
Born in Malaysia, David’s identity as an immigrant and proud, Asian member of the LGBTQ community fuels his motivation to advocate for equality and social justice, open opportunities for inclusion, fight back against hate, and secure resources to sustain this important work.
David was the opening speaker for the 2021 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights’ Speak Truth to Power “Good Trouble” program—providing international students and youth leaders with an introduction to community organizing. He recently completed a 375-hour Jivamukti Yoga teaching certification.
