top of page
Serica-Primary-RGB-r.jpg
ourteam_sec1.jpg

OUR HISTORY

Founded in 2018, the Serica Initiative has centered its work on building bridges and fostering understanding between and among diverse communities and the Asian diaspora in America. The organization’s greatest asset has always been its vast network of AAPIs across sectors and geographies. Through innovative programs (like its video series collaboration with WNET public television) and signature events (such as its beloved annual Women’s Gala), the Serica Initiative is helping to foster deeper understanding and more meaningful engagement in an increasingly complex world.  

OUR leadership team

Anla Cheng

Chair, Founder & CEO

Anla’s career includes work as Asia Head, SVP at Robert Fleming, Goldman Sachs, Citi, and an Asian Portfolio Manager for both Institutional and Private Wealth Group. Ms. Cheng received her MBA from the Wharton Graduate School of Business. She is a Trustee of the following Boards: Vice-Chair of China/US at TNC (The Nature Conservancy); Facing History and Ourselves(past Chair of China Project); Vice-Chair at China Institute; and past Trustee and current member of Committee 100. She has won multiple awards including at Ellis Island, China Institute, MOCA and Ascend.

Anla Cheng

Chair, Founder & CEO

Andrea Louie

Executive Director

Andrea Louie was Executive Director of the Asian American Arts Alliance, leading arts advocacy and cultural equity for NYC’s diverse, pan-Asian, multidisciplinary cultural community. She also was in public service, as Assistant Commissioner, Program Services, at the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and as Secretary in the Commissioner’s office at the Nassau County Department of Health. She is the author of a novel, Moon Cakes (Ballantine Books) and coeditor of an anthology.

Andrea Louie

Executive Director

Daniel Tam-Claiborne

Deputy Director

Daniel is a multiracial writer, multimedia producer, and nonprofit director. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Daniel has spent over five years living and working in Greater China and is an outspoken advocate for Asian American issues and increased global understanding through education, cultural exchange, storytelling, and effective philanthropy. He holds degrees from Oberlin College, Yale University, and the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College.

Daniel Tam-Claiborne

Deputy Director

Michelle Maiuri

Events Director

Michelle previously worked in several finance and tech in roles driving growth, events, and people connection. She recently managed the NEXTChina Conference at The China Project. Michelle lived in China for nearly 5 years, passionately developing her Mandarin Chinese language skills and community building skills throughout the country. She graduated from Kalamazoo College with a degree in International Business with concentrations in Chinese & Psychology after studying abroad in Beijing with CET for nearly a year. In her spare time, she likes biking and exploring with her husband and pup.

Michelle Maiuri

Events Director

Janet Oh

Director of Development

Janet Oh is a nonprofit professional, writer, and musician of Korean heritage. She was formerly Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Asian Art Museum and has held development and programming roles at the New York Philharmonic, Art Institute of Chicago, and New York Live Arts, among others. Throughout her career, she has been committed to uplifting socially engaged work, including commissions by emerging to mid-career artists. Janet earned a BA at Northwestern University in Art History with a concentration in Music and MA at Columbia University in Art History.

Janet Oh

Director of Development

OUR BOARD MEMBERS

Charlotte Ackert

Charlotte Ackert

Board Member, WNET New York Public Television

Sujuan Ba

Sujuan Ba

President & CEO, National Foundation for Cancer Research;
Co-Founder, AIM-HI Accelerator Fund; Co-Founder, GCAR - Global Coalition For Adoptive Research

Eden Cai

Eden Cai

Co-Founder, Managing Partner, GardenStar Group

Clarence Kwan

Clarence Kwan

Founding Partner, KCY Family Office; Ex CEO, Partner, Deloitte China

Shu Li

Shu Li

Co-President & Chief Operating Officer, Rendr

Lisa Lim

Lisa Lim

Independent Board Member, HF Foods Group, Inc.; Ex Senior Partner, Global Account Leader, EY

Karen Mu

Karen Mu

Managing Director, Alliance Global Partners

Frank Wu

Frank Wu

President, Queens College, City University of New York;
President, Committee of 100;
Author, Scholar and Professor

OUR INTERNS 2024-2025

Summer Ma

Summer Ma

Marketing Data Intern

Summer Ma has over a decade of experience in data science, having worked in the US, Australia and Japan, where she contributed to a wide range of projects in finance and tech sectors. She has lived in multiple countries, giving her a deep appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Currently pursuing a part-time master degree at Oxford University, she is committed to leveraging her technical expertise and global experiences to foster cross-cultural dialogue and community empowerment.

Summer Ma

Marketing Data Intern

Summer Ma has over a decade of experience in data science, having worked in the US, Australia and Japan, where she contributed to a wide range of projects in finance and tech sectors. She has lived in multiple countries, giving her a deep appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. Currently pursuing a part-time master degree at Oxford University, she is committed to leveraging her technical expertise and global experiences to foster cross-cultural dialogue and community empowerment.

Angela Wu

Angela Wu

Content Marketing Intern

Angela Wu recently graduated from Columbia University with a master’s degree in Enterprise Risk Management. Before starting her own financial services firm, she has cultivated a strong foundation in accounting and finance while working for a Chinese medical technology company. Motivated by her desire to make meaningful social impact, she also participated in global volunteer programs across more than 10 countries, collaborating with nonprofit organizations on initiatives that promote education, cultural exchange, and community development.

Angela Wu

Content Marketing Intern

Angela Wu recently graduated from Columbia University with a master’s degree in Enterprise Risk Management. Before starting her own financial services firm, she has cultivated a strong foundation in accounting and finance while working for a Chinese medical technology company. Motivated by her desire to make meaningful social impact, she also participated in global volunteer programs across more than 10 countries, collaborating with nonprofit organizations on initiatives that promote education, cultural exchange, and community development.

Christina Zhang

Christina Zhang

Events Intern

Christina Zhang was born in Shenzhen, China, and immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, where she attended elementary and high school. She graduated from NYU in May 2024 with a degree in Economics. Currently, Christina works at EY in tech risk consulting. With a background in art, Christina is passionate about discussions surrounding arts, entertainment, and lifestyle, particularly within the Pan-Asian American communities. In her free time, she enjoys snowbo.

Christina Zhang

Events Intern

Christina Zhang was born in Shenzhen, China, and immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, where she attended elementary and high school. She graduated from NYU in May 2024 with a degree in Economics. Currently, Christina works at EY in tech risk consulting. With a background in art, Christina is passionate about discussions surrounding arts, entertainment, and lifestyle, particularly within the Pan-Asian American communities. In her free time, she enjoys snowbo.

OUR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Di Cai

Di Cai

Partner, Sanders Capital LLC

Gregory Ho

Gregory Ho

President, Spring Mountain Capital

Joan Kaufmann

Joan Kaufmann

Senior Director for Academic Programs, Schwarzman Scholars

Josephine Lau

Josephine Lau

Former Executive Director, The Serica Initiative

Wayne Silby

Wayne Silby

Former Founder, Calvert Investments and Founding Chair of Syntao, Ltd.

12/10/24

“Foodie Event Explores Community and Resilience in the Aftermath of COVID-19”

International Examiner, Misty Shock Rule

11/12/24

“The Serica Initiative and PBS’s ALL ARTS presents Voices Rising: What’s next for Asian American foodies?”

Northwest Asian Weekly, Admin

10/31/24

“How Art Brings Climate Crisis Into Focus”

All Arts, Staff

4/4/24

“‘Without other people understanding, not a lot is going to change’ Serica Initiative executive director Daniel Tam-Claiborne weighs in on how he uses storytelling to affect change”

JoySauce, Samantha Pak

6/2/23

“Between Black & White” explores Asian racial roles in America”

Northwest Asian Weekly

our_press.jpg

OUR PRESS

Read Serica stories in the news!

CLIMATE ARTISTS EPISODE 1

image17.png

Between Black & White

Asian Americans Speak Out - Official selection of the 2024 Seattle Asian American Film Festival and the 2024 Phoenix Film Festival.
image9.png

OUR AWARDS

OUR SPONSORS & DONORS

Join us in making a difference for the AAPI community. Partner with us!

AdobeStock_635419104.jpeg

Our film series are getting thousands of daily views, and we've just gotten started. Support our work to amplify AAPI voices & communities

bottom of page