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.
Honors & Awards:
ELLIS ISLAND SOCIETY METAL OF HONOR 2023
CHINA INSTITUTE BLUE CLOUD AWARD 2021
ASCEND OUTSTANDING LEADER AWARD 2019
NY CHINESE LEADERSHIP & SERVICE AWARD 2015
MUSEUM OF CHINESE AMERICA LEGACY AWARD 2009
Anla Cheng
Chair, Founder & CEO
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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
OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Charlotte Ackert
Board Member, WNET New York Public Television
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
Co-Founder, Managing Partner, GardenStar Group
Clarence Kwan
Founding Partner, KCY Family Office; Ex CEO, Partner, Deloitte China
Shu Li
Chief Operating Officer, Rendr
Lisa Lim
Member, Strategic Advisory Board, WilliamsMarston; Retired Senior Partner, EY
Karen Mu
Managing Director, Alliance Global Partners
Frank Wu
President, Queens College, City University of New York;
President, Committee of 100;
Author, Scholar and Professor
OUR INTERNS 2024-2025
Julia Cai
Marketing Intern
Julia recently graduated from New York University with a B.S. in Global Public Health & Biology. Her past work has focused on using narrative research to communicate the interaction between health and cultural identity. She is passionate about storytelling as a force for cross-cultural outreach and community empowerment. Outside of work, she enjoys creative writing, language-learning, and exploring diverse cuisines.
Julia Cai
Marketing Intern
Julia recently graduated from New York University with a B.S. in Global Public Health & Biology. Her past work has focused on using narrative research to communicate the interaction between health and cultural identity. She is passionate about storytelling as a force for cross-cultural outreach and community empowerment. Outside of work, she enjoys creative writing, language-learning, and exploring diverse cuisines.
Emily Chen
BD Intern
Emily recently graduated from Duke's Master of Quantitative Management program and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Boston University. Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, she has been an avid volunteer, contributing to several nonprofit organizations. Outside of work, Emily enjoys pilates, golf, and watching Chinese TV series. She is passionate about building connections, exploring cross-cultural dialogue, and supporting impactful community initiatives.
Emily Chen
BD Intern
Emily recently graduated from Duke's Master of Quantitative Management program and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Boston University. Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, she has been an avid volunteer, contributing to several nonprofit organizations. Outside of work, Emily enjoys pilates, golf, and watching Chinese TV series. She is passionate about building connections, exploring cross-cultural dialogue, and supporting impactful community initiatives.
Sushila Sahay
Social Media Intern
Sushila Sahay is a graduate from Bard College with a B.A. in Asian Studies. She likes to explore culture and identity through social media, video production, and cross-cultural storytelling and is passionate about amplifying diverse voices through creative media.
Sushila Sahay
Social Media Intern
Sushila Sahay is a graduate from Bard College with a B.A. in Asian Studies. She likes to explore culture and identity through social media, video production, and cross-cultural storytelling and is passionate about amplifying diverse voices through creative media.
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.
OUR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Di Cai
Partner, Sanders Capital LLC
Gregory Ho
President, Spring Mountain Capital
Joan Kaufmann
Senior Director for Academic Programs, Schwarzman Scholars
Josephine Lau
Former Executive Director, The Serica Initiative
Wayne Silby
Former Founder, Calvert Investments and Founding Chair of Syntao, Ltd.
OUR PRESS
Read Serica stories in the news!
CLIMATE ARTISTS EPISODE 1
Winner of Best Episodic at 2024 Climate Film Festival.
Between Black & White
Asian Americans Speak Out - Official selection of the 2024 Seattle Asian American Film Festival and the 2024 Phoenix Film Festival.
OUR AWARDS
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