About Us

Samuel Jamier is the President and Executive Director of the New York Asian Film Foundation and Festival, where he has led the festival’s artistic expansion and major fundraising initiatives for over a decade. A Korean-French cultural programmer and curator, he previously held roles at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Japan Society, and The Korea Society, developing international film and cultural programs. He also served as a Professor of English Literature at the Sorbonne and is eligible for lifetime professorship in the French university system. He is the first Asian American graduate of the École Normale Supérieure and attended the University of Tokyo and King’s College London.

Randy Watts, CFA is Chief Investment Strategist at William O’Neil + Company, where he provides deep insight on global equity market trends using a balanced blend of quantitative, technical, and fundamental analysis. He has a long track record managing long-only and long-short hedge funds, mutual funds, and institutional accounts, and previously managed $4 billion in equity portfolios at The Boston Company and Westfield Capital. A University of Virginia graduate, he is regularly featured on Reuters TV, Bloomberg Radio, and Fox Business. He also serves on committees at the Whitney Museum, the Pérez Art Museum, and leadership councils at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Siddhartha Rao is a Partner at Hoguet Newman Regal & Kenney, LLP in New York, bringing nearly two decades of experience in securities, intellectual property, cryptocurrency, and other complex commercial disputes in federal, state, and appellate courts as well as arbitration forums. Previously, he served as a litigation partner at Romano Law PLLC, where he helped grow the firm’s litigation group into its largest department with a national footprint. His work included cryptocurrency-platform arbitrations, eight-figure fraud and conspiracy defense, and entertainment, media, and talent disputes. He holds a J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law and a B.A. from Middlebury College.

Thomas Lee, CFA is a Managing Partner and the Head of Research at Fundstrat Global Advisors. He is an accomplished Wall Street strategist with over 25 years of experience in equity research and has been top-ranked by Institutional Investor every year since 1998. Prior to co-founding Fundstrat, he served as J.P. Morgan’s Chief Equity Strategist from 2007 to 2014 and previously as Managing Director at Salomon Smith Barney. His areas of expertise include Market Strategy, Small/Mid-Cap Strategy, and Telecom Services. He received his BSE from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

John Bai is a Managing Partner and the Head of Sales at Fundstrat Global Advisors. He possesses extensive knowledge of major hedge funds in the US and Asia through more than 25 years of experience in finance. Prior to co-founding Fundstrat, he served as Head of Asia and US Equity Sales at Mizuho Securities USA from 2009 to 2014. He previously worked as Head of Hedge Fund Sales at Calyon Securities (CLSA) and Head of Asia Equity Sales at ING Barings and was the top producer at both CLSA and Mizuho. He earned a BS from Columbia and an MBA from Chicago Booth.

Jason Lee is the Chief of Enterprise at Chime Financial, Inc., where he leads Chime Enterprise, the company’s workplace financial-wellness division. A fintech and HR-tech entrepreneur, he founded DailyPay in 2015 and pioneered the earned wage access industry. He later founded Salt Labs in 2022, joining Chime following its acquisition in 2024. Earlier in his career, he spent more than a decade on Wall Street investing in distressed debt, structured credit, and private equity. His recognitions include Gold Winner “Innovator of the Year” at the CEO World Awards, Top 20 Digital Innovator in Benefits, and global accolades from IFR and the Milken Global Institute.

Mike Kim is a General Partner at Third Prime, where he primarily invests in vertical AI applications. He focuses on the intersection of AI and various physical industries and has led investments across aerospace, energy, and advanced manufacturing. Prior to joining Third Prime, Mike was a partner and senior investment professional at Valinor Management, a multi-billion-dollar “Tiger Cub” investment firm. Prior to Valinor, Mike held partner roles at UBS O’Connor, Suvretta Capital Management, and Trian Partners, underwriting public and private investments. Mike received his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University.

Trailblazing actress whose seven-decade career bridged Hollywood and Chinese cinema, Lisa Lu starred in the nine-time Academy Award–winning The Last Emperor and won the Golden Horse Best Actress Award, redefining Asian representation and inspiring generations across East and West.

Pioneering entrepreneur, Emmy-winning TV icon, and best-selling author who revolutionized China’s beauty industry, Yue-Sai Kan brought Asian culture to American audiences, and earned top honors including the United Nations Exceptional Achievement Award.

Emmy and Golden Globe-winning producer and former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Janet Yang has produced landmark films advancing representation, and co-founded First Light StoryHouse in 2025 to showcase Asian and Asian American stories worldwide.

Acclaimed film executive and strategist, producing and consulting from Hong Kong, advising major clients. He has served on numerous industry and festival advisory boards and juries. Michael Werner is a voting member of the Oscars. He was one of the partners in the pioneering sales company Fortissimo Films. He is also a strategic consultant to Edko Films and 852 Films.

NBC News anchor, an Emmy, Murrow, and Loeb Award winner, investigates consumer fraud, advances AAPI visibility, and mentors young journalists. Vicky Nguyen’s nationally recognized work impacts news, business, and culture through powerful, public-interest reporting.

Former Regional Audiovisual Attaché for Southeast Asia and Taiwan at France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; Cannes Directors' Fortnight selector (2003-2011); programmer for Deauville Asian Film Festival; writer for Cahiers du Cinéma; 20+ years bridging European and Asian cinema.

Founder of the Chinese American Arts Council (est. 1975), a pioneering force in elevating Chinese-heritage artists and transforming New York’s cultural landscape through visionary performances, exhibitions, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Elaine Sheng is a senior consumer insights and marketing consultant with executive experience at Shiseido Americas and L’Oréal USA. She has lived and worked in Tokyo and Seoul, serves in volunteer roles with AAPI nonprofits, loves travel, the arts, and mentoring next the generation.

Alex Chester-Iwata is an award-winning performer, writer, and cultural advocate with 35+ years in entertainment. She founded Mixed Asian Media and Mixed Asian Day™, uplifting mixed AAPINH voices. Alex serves on several national boards and received the National Association of Asian Americans’ Inspire Award in 2025.

Brie Manakul is a senior client solutions and growth leader at Comcast Advertising, helping scale Universal Ads. She also advises mission-driven brands on partnerships, storytelling, and audience growth, and is active in culture-focused initiatives including Rebel Girls and NYAFF.

Cassindy Chao is a former Goldman Sachs executive turned matchmaker, entrepreneur, and speaker. Founder of Ancient Wisdom Modern Love, she helps professionals build meaningful relationships. She is passionate about community building and Asian American cultural initiatives.

Jenny is a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs where she leads the Portfolio, Pricing & Analytics team for the Marcus US business. She also serves on the steering committee for the GS NY/NJ Asian Network. Jenny earned as in Mathematics and Economics from University of California - San Diego and a MS in Management Science & Engineering at Columbia University.

Kate is AP World Languages and Arts Manager at College Board, where she leads a team of specialists who create AP Language and Culture and AP Music Theory curricula and exams. She has been writing grants for NYAFF since 2018.

Maria Steward is a Director at AlixPartners with 20+ years’ experience in operations, workplace strategy, and employee experience. She leads multi-site programs that drive excellence and mitigate risk, partnering with executives to scale initiatives, strengthen culture, and elevate engagement through events, mentoring, and vendor management.

Melissa Lee Gibson manages Unilever and LVMH partnerships at TikTok and produces the podcast Smart Girl Dumb Questions. She is involved with several nonprofit organizations, chairs PEN America’s Young Patrons board, and has a strong interest in photography, magic, events, fundraising, and advocacy.

Monty is a 3x founder and runs Pearl Talent, where he places top overseas operators into US based startups. He previously ran a deeptech VC fund and worked at McKinsey. Monty grew up in the Philippines on Hong Kong cinema and Mandopop.

Novika Ishar is Partner and Chair of Entertainment Law at Romano Law in New York. She advises media and entertainment clients on content development, rights acquisition, production, and emerging issues, including AI and new technologies, representing studios, creators, brands, financiers, and talent.

Sarah Bierenbaum is the founder of Nimble Penguin, a coaching and advisory practice based in Brooklyn. A theater veteran and tech startup leader turned coach, she joined the NYAFF Associate Board to champion the films where her daughter can see herself represented onscreen.

Shloka Ananthanarayanan is a Senior Client Outreach Specialist at Bank of America with prior Anti-Money Laundering and Project Management experience at Standard Chartered Bank. She is passionate about Diversity & Inclusion initiatives and volunteers for various organizations, while spending her spare time reading and blogging about movies and television.