As Wenda Fong presided over her last meeting as chair of the California State University's Board of Trustees on May 22, she received high praise and accolades for her leadership role.
“You have set an extremely high bar," said incoming Board of Trustees Chair Jack B. Clarke Jr., who presented Fong with a crystal gavel commemorating her service. “You have led with tenacity and courage and vision, and with a collaborative spirit and unwavering focus on the CSU's mission. In my decades of legal practice and community service, I've met many fine leaders, but none with your combination of personal and professional qualities and long list of achievements. Thank you for modeling such distinguished leadership for me and those who will follow."
Fong, a longtime Hollywood executive who has broken barriers for both women and Asian Americans in entertainment, joined the board in 2018. She began serving as chair of the board in 2022, becoming the first Asian American to hold that position at the CSU.
During her tenure, the CSU has faced multiple challenging periods including two chancellor transitions, two Title IX assessments, post-pandemic recovery and ongoing enrollment and budgetary hurdles. But Fong, known for her unflagging enthusiasm for the CSU, has remained steadfast and resolute in her support of the university and its mission.
Chancellor Mildred García recognized Fong's “courageous, gracious, elegant and impactful service" as chair and as “a role model and woman of color shattering the concrete ceiling."
“Through your focus and diligent efforts, you have led our institution through a very turbulent era towards a new era of trust, transparency, alignment and stability—all in service to our wonderful university system and to our Golden State," said García. “And with uncompromising attention to equity, opportunity and social justice for all, you have helped to advance the CSU's role as a national leader in inclusive excellence and accomplishment that would no doubt make your parents and grandparents beam with pride."
Fong was reappointed in February by California Governor Gavin Newsom for another eight-year term on the Board of Trustees. She expressed pride and gratitude for her time as chair.
“While I have been incredibly blessed with an amazing career as a producer, director and creative executive in the entertainment industry—in fact, this year marks my 50th anniversary—I have found my life's most meaningful work alongside all of you as a member of the CSU Board of Trustees," Fong said. “And as my tenure as chair nears its end, I firmly believe that the CSU is well-positioned for success."
Fong thanked the chancellor, her fellow trustees, CSU faculty and staff, students, and the associated groups that she has worked with in her time on the board. She then presented a video compilation, set to Coldplay's “A Sky Full of Stars," that she had created as a way of thanking her colleagues.
“Looking out at all of you, I see a sky full of stars," she added.
Leadership Inspired by Immigrant Grandparents
Fong's decorated career in entertainment has spanned multiple decades. After getting her start as the host of her own live talk show series in Los Angeles, she went on to produce and direct musical variety and reality specials, awards shows, sitcoms, talk shows, documentaries and even live events—launching productions across the United States and around the world, including China, Canada, Europe and Africa.
She has worked with such luminaries as seven presidents, a pope, Beyoncé , Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, Madonna, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and even Elvis Presley. She also holds the dual distinction of being the first person of color and first woman to have produced the Emmy Awards—a feat that wasn't seen again until 30 years later.
Throughout her career, she has also been known as an advocate for Asian American and other marginalized communities.
She is the co-founder and chairperson emeritus of the
Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE), which began in 1991 and is the largest, longest-running and one of the most influential organizations for APIDA individuals in the entertainment industry. She also co-founded Asian Americans for Fair Media to help combat negative depictions of Asian characters in television and movies.
During her time as a member, vice chair and chair of the Board of Trustees, Fong has helped to advance educational equity, and she is proud of the progress the university has made regarding support for APIDA and other underrepresented students.
Fong credits her grandparents as the inspiration for her
career trajectory and
journey to higher education leadership. Her grandparents, who
immigrated to California from China 120 years ago, made sacrifices such as working multiple jobs to provide their families with better opportunities.
Growing up, Fong's mother would tell her that the reason her grandparents left China was so that their children and grandchildren would not have to lift “anything heavier than a pencil."
“Higher education changes lives; it changes entire family trees," Fong said. “My grandparents' hardships and backbreaking work resulted in their granddaughter being given the opportunity to serve as the first Asian American chair of the CSU Board of Trustees—can you imagine how proud they would be to know that?"
The CSU Board of Trustees is responsible for the oversight of the CSU, adopting rules, regulations and policies governing the university. It is made up of 25 members, 16 of whom (including Fong) are appointed by the governor. Learn more about the
Board of Trustees.