Kendall Kosai is the Director of Policy for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Western Division, overseeing legislative advocacy and policy for ten states on the West Coast. His portfolio includes leading a comprehensive legislative strategy, supporting field offices in key political issues, engaging with elected officials, and strengthening the organization’s civic engagement efforts. Since starting at ADL, Kendall has led the passage of numerous state-level legislation addressing issues of social media transparency, online hate and harassment, hate crimes, support for victims of hate, domestic extremism, and symbols of terror.
Prior to his current role, Kendall was the Associate Regional Director for the ADL’s Pacific Northwest region, Deputy Director for OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, and a Senior Reporter at the North American Post.
Kendall is a Washington State Commissioner on Asian Pacific American Affairs, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in 2021 where he currently serves on the Executive Committee the 2nd Vice Chair. He is also the current President of White River Buddhist Temple and a member of the US-Japan Council. In 2023, he was recognized as a 40 Under 40 by the Puget Sound Business Journal. He is a proud fourth generation Japanese American native to the Pacific Northwest and is a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Japanese Language.