Our Team
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Dipti Ghosh, Board Co-Chair
Vincent Pan, Board Co-Chair
Myong Leigh, Board Vice Chair
Brent Quan Hall, Secretary
David Lei, Treasurer
Cheryl Wei
Christine Chen
David Hee Lee
Frank Nakano
Hanson Li
James Bao
Jennifer Thuy Vi Nguyen
Paula Madison
Richard Chin
Rosemarie Nahm
CAAM STAFF
Stephen Gong, Executive Director
My great-great-grandparents came to the Bay Area in the 1850s.
Donald Young, Director of Programs
I’m a Scorpio, a former pole vaulter, and now a proud father of a daughter who hurdles.
Sapana Sakya, Talent Development & Special Projects
I am a Virgo Pig , I love food, culture & languages; I spent 8 weeks at Everest base camp (way too long) and was a stunt person (very briefly) in my production career!
Czarina Garcia, Media Fund Manager
I’m a Scorpio sun and Libra moon. I love to travel and I learned how to read/write in Arabic after living in the Middle East when I was younger! My Arabic is rusty now but I’m hoping to get back into it and relearn it sometime soon.
Christian Yau-Weeks, Programs Assistant
I can out-eat anyone at hot pot and can also play some sick jazz trumpet!
Frances Pomperada, Director of Development
I am a water sign, and my perfect afternoon pick-me-up is a hojicha latte with a red bean bun.
Jonathan Hsieh, Development & Partnerships Manager
I could not live without music and salt & vinegar chips.
Anteeniya Bell, Development Associate
I’m a Capricorn and the two things I never get tired of consuming are Thai tea and poké.
Grace Hwang Lynch, Communications & Engagement Director
I’m a Gemini, and I love food and books. When I’m not working, I can be found cooking or writing–or writing about cooking.
Jennica Gonzales, Marketing Coordinator
I’m fortunate to say that since I was 22, I have committed to travel to 2 countries per year!
James Ott, Finance & Administration Director
Marisa Mariscotti, Business Manager
I once briefly shared a stage with Mikhail Baryshnikov and played in the same tournament as Jeanette Lee.
Lauren Lola, Office, Distribution & Outreach Coordinator
I published my debut novel when I was 22.
FESTIVAL STAFF
Thúy Tran, Festival and Exhibitions Director
I can’t eat onions, but I’ll order onion rings just for the fried part.
Delaney Holton, Festival Programs Associate
Kaitlyn Ryan, Operations Manager
I am a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo.
Jonathan Woo, Operations Assistant
I couldn’t live in this world without my obsession for delicious onigiri, beautiful sunsets, or our nerdy popular culture! May the Force, Live Long & Prosper for you, always!
Camila Villanueva, Volunteer Coordinator
I’ve been stung by a stingray! Coincidentally enough, it was on the same foot I sprained on a solo hike down a mountain where I was rescued and wheeled down by 21 firefighters a month prior. You might see this scene play out in my debut feature film coming soon!
Mey Saechao, Guest Services & Travel Coordinator
I am afraid of heights, but I skydived in Hawaii for my birthday a few years ago and would do it again! I also love being a professional auntie and freelancing as creative director and stylist.
Joy Jihyun Jeong, Public Relations & Media Coordinator
I tried skateboarding for the first time at the ripe age of 28 and sprained my ankle so bad that I had to be on crutches for the next couple weeks. But that didn’t stop me from exploring new challenges because now I am taking ice skating lessons, and I love it!
Catherine Calangian, Graphic Design Assistant
I love plants and taking care of my houseplants brings me joy.
Sunshine Lampitoc Smith, Marketing Assistant
In 2017, I made use of an 18-karat solid gold toilet. In 2019, on my birthday, the same toilet was stolen. This is just a coincidence.
Jesse Dubus, Print Traffic Manager
Waverly Chao, Events Coordinator, Talent & Special Projects
I’m named after the character and street in SF Chinatown, à la The Joy Luck Club.
irene faye duller, Arts & Letters
bonafide ugly crier, fluent in emoji 🫨.
Larsen and Associates, Publicist
Girl Friday, Special Events Production
Mitch Vaughn, Boxcubed
Ryan Delgado, Box Office and IT
Otherwise, Festival Branding & Design
Filmbot, Festival website
