Generation Fearless: Celebrating Alger’s Transformative Partnership with Apex for Youth

Dan Chung and Wendy Hu-Au, Director of Development at Apex for Youth, at Taste of Asia in October 2024. Photo: Clara Hung

Apex for Youth is honored to recognize Dan Chung, CEO and CIO of Fred Alger Management (Alger), and Alger as a Champion-level sponsor for this year’s 33rd Inspiration Awards Gala. Alger’s exceptional commitment to Apex’s mission has been instrumental in expanding our ability to empower Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds. Dan’s personal connection to Apex’s mission and steadfast support through the years exemplify the theme of this year’s gala: Generation Fearless.

A Personal Connection: Dan’s Journey

As a child of immigrant parents, Dan’s own background resonates deeply with the youth that Apex serves. Raised in California by a Chinese father and Filipino mother, Dan understands many of the challenges faced by the youth in our programs. These experiences form a through-line in his personal and professional narrative—one that eventually connected him to Apex for Youth.

“Apex for Youth is unique in its focus on issues facing Asian American youth,” Dan shares. “As an Asian American myself, and CEO of an organization that employs many people of diverse backgrounds, I feel a strong affinity to Apex’s goal of empowering youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds.”

A Story of Remarkable Resilience

The story of Alger and its team today is one of extraordinary resilience. In one of the most challenging periods in the firm’s history, Alger’s offices were located in the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the devastating 9/11 attacks and the firm lost 35 members of its investment team. In the aftermath of this tragedy, Dan, who had previously led the technology team, was appointed Chief Investment Officer and tasked with rebuilding the company his father-in-law had founded 37 years earlier.

This monumental challenge was met with determination and support from both existing employees and former employees who returned to help rebuild Alger. Through Dan’s visionary leadership, the firm has since grown to manage an impressive $25 billion in assets under management—a testament to the resilience that defines both Dan and the team at Alger.

Alger x Apex for Youth

Dan’s relationship with Apex for Youth began when he attended the 30th Inspiration Awards Gala in 2022. The stories shared by the youth who had benefited from Apex’s programs deeply resonated with him. He was particularly struck by the realization that despite years of progress, Asian American youth today face many of the same challenges he encountered in his own journey.

This revelation inspired Dan to view Apex as an opportunity for him and other Asian American professionals to address these persistent challenges, strengthen community networks, and improve outcomes for the next generation following in their footsteps.

“When I attended my first Apex gala and heard from their youth, I saw myself in their journeys – the same uncertainties, the same cultural barriers. When I look at these youth, I don’t just see the challenges they face today; I see their incredible potential and what they can achieve with the right support and resources. This is personal for me. It’s about creating the pathways I wish existed in my journey.”

Alger’s partnership with Apex for Youth reflects a profound alignment of values centered on:

• Education and Mentorship: These core values are deeply important to Dan and his family, making Apex’s educational and mentorship programs a natural fit for his philanthropic focus.
• Community: Dan believes strongly in the power of local community development. Apex’s focus on New York City resonates with Dan’s belief that building and supporting local communities is critical to the broader development of its members.
• Supporting Under-Resourced Communities: Alger has a long history of supporting nonprofits that assist people from under-resourced backgrounds, including City Harvest and God’s Love We Deliver.

Dan Chung and Alex Alger with Preeti Sriratana, Chair of the Board for Apex for Youth, at the Apex Summer Social, on Alger’s beautiful terrace, in 2023. Photo: Erika Kapin

Looking Forward

As we celebrate Dan and Alger’s partnership with Apex for Youth at this year’s Generation Fearless 33rd Gala, we recognize that this collaboration represents more than financial support—it embodies a shared vision for empowering Asian American youth to overcome challenges with resilience and determination.

Dan’s support of Apex for Youth is part of Alger’s broader commitment to community engagement. The firm and its team are actively involved with organizations such as the Harlem Educational Activities Fund and The Brooklyn Hospital Center. Through these varied partnerships, Alger demonstrates its dedication to creating positive change across New York City’s diverse communities.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Dan and Alger for their transformative support. Their partnership exemplifies how business leaders can leverage their success and personal experiences to create meaningful change in their communities.