Ron Chew

Ron Chew is a prominent Asian American community leader, activist, and nonprofit executive based in Seattle, Washington. He served as the Executive Director of the International Community Health Services (ICHS) Foundation from 2010 to 2020.13

Throughout his career, Chew has been a dedicated advocate for Asian Pacific American issues, taking on various roles including journalist, editor, museum curator, nonprofit leader, fundraiser, and author.2 Some key highlights of his career include:

1. Journalism: Chew rose to prominence as a reporter and editor of the International Examiner newspaper in Seattle's Chinatown-International District during the late 1970s and 1980s.2

2. Museum Leadership: He served as the executive director of the Wing Luke Museum for 17 years, earning the museum national recognition and pioneering the community-based model of museum exhibit development.24

3. ICHS Foundation: During his tenure at ICHS Foundation from 2010 to 2020, Chew led fundraising efforts during a critical growth period for ICHS, which included the opening of two new clinics in Bellevue and Shoreline in 2014.2

4. Capital Campaign: As ICHS Foundation executive director, Chew initiated a capital campaign to expand senior services in King County with a new Healthy Aging and Wellness Center.2

Chew's contributions to the community have been widely recognized. In 2000, President Bill Clinton appointed him to the National Council on the Humanities.1 More recently, in 2021, he received two lifetime achievement awards for his work in historic preservation and uplifting Asian heritage.1

In honor of his significant contributions, ICHS announced in July 2024 that its new state-of-the-art senior care facility would be named the Ron Chew Healthy Aging and Wellness Center.2 This 25,000-square-foot center, set to open in late 2025, will provide comprehensive services to vulnerable older adults in the community.2

Ron Chew's legacy continues to inspire and shape the Asian American community in Seattle and beyond, particularly in the areas of healthcare access, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.