
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
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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

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
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Charlotte Ackert
Board Member, WNET New York Public Television
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Sujuan Ba
President & CEO, National Foundation for Cancer Research;
Co-Founder, AIM-HI Accelerator Fund; Co-Founder, GCAR - Global Coalition For Adoptive Research
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Eden Cai
Co-Founder, Managing Partner, GardenStar Group
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Clarence Kwan
Founding Partner, KCY Family Office; Ex CEO, Partner, Deloitte China
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Shu Li
Co-President & Chief Operating Officer, Rendr
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Lisa Lim
Independent Board Member, HF Foods Group, Inc.; Ex Senior Partner, Global Account Leader, EY
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Karen Mu
Managing Director, Alliance Global Partners
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Frank Wu
President, Queens College, City University of New York;
President, Committee of 100;
Author, Scholar and Professor
OUR INTERNS 2024-2025

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
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
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
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Di Cai
Partner, Sanders Capital LLC
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Gregory Ho
President, Spring Mountain Capital
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Joan Kaufmann
Senior Director for Academic Programs, Schwarzman Scholars
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Josephine Lau
Former Executive Director, The Serica Initiative
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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.
