Sandra Chen Lau is the Chief Advancement Officer for the prestigious American Film Institute and has held similar positions in the nonprofit sector including the Japanese American National Museum. She also runs her own consulting firm, Trans-Adaptive Philanthropy, serving charitable organizations including foundations that support local public school districts.

For more than 15 years, Chen Lau has specialized in helping colleges and universities grow and sustain their educational missions. She has worked on successful multi-billion-dollar comprehensive campaigns, and personally helped raise millions for leading schools such as University of California Los Angeles and University of Southern California. In addition, she has led nonprofit organizations aiding diverse constituencies to increase civic engagement and participation.

Chen Lau is serving her first term as the Governing Board Member of Pasadena Area Community College District - Area One (La Canada and Pasadena-West Pasadena, Old Town, Oak Knoll and Madison Heights neighborhoods). Chen Lau is also a board member of the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association. Recently, Chen Lau was a policy group member on the National Covid-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative.

In addition, Chen Lau serves as a member of Pasadena City College President‘s Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Council. Previously, Chen Lau was a board member of Pasadena City College Foundation and an appointed commissioner on the Northwest Commission in Pasadena.  Chen Lau is also a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy. 

Chen Lau graduated from UC Riverside with honors. She holds a master’s degree in urban planning from UCLA, with a focus on community development and leadership in civil society. She lives in Pasadena with her husband and their two school aged children.

Email: sxchenlau@pasadena.edu