ACMA Staff Members

Asian Culture & Media Alliance Staff Members

ACMA’s Staff Members facilitate all organization functions.

Cathlyn Choi
Executive Director

Cathlyn Choi (she/her/hers) is the founder and Executive Director of Asian Culture and Media Alliance. She is also the host and producer of Asian Voices featuring Asian culture, history, businesses, artists and events in Southern California. As an expansion program to Asian Voices TV, she recently launched Asian Voices Radio Podcast. Dubbed "Korean Food Ambassador" by the media, Cathlyn is a media personality and community activist. A multi award winning TV show host and producer, Cathlyn produced the first Korean TV cooking show in English on PBS called “Cathlyn’s Korean Kitchen" from 2008-2012.

Eric Michelson
Creative Director

Eric Michelson (he/his/him) is the Creative Director and Take One Instructor at ACMA. He is also the co-producer, DP and editor of Asian Voices TV series. Eric is the owner of Carma Media Productions and has over 20 years of tv/film and video production experience including producing, directing, writing and editing. His experience includes corporate training programs, commercial spots, music videos, live fashion and music events to short films and documentaries. Eric provides direction both on-camera and behind the scenes for all ACMA projects.

 

Yigithan Bal
Digital Media & Production Assistant

Yigithan Bal (he/his/him) is a media arts creator who moved to the US from Ankara, Turkey in late 2017. Ever since he held a camera in his hands, he has been creating and sharing his creative vision with the world through digital media, as a photographer, video producer, and editor. He joined ACMA in early 2021 assisting with various media projects involving Asian Voices, Pacific Cultural Showcase and SanDISCA video projects including digital marketing efforts.

Jane Perry
Goodwill Media Ambassador

Jane Lee-Perry (she/her/hers) has 17 years of experience in the broadcasting industry. Jane has also built her acting experience by playing Gini in ACMA’s short film "Butterfly". Jane holds a Master of Cultural Journalism from University of Westminster in London, UK. A content creator of YouTube channel Serene Teaching, Jane is a published author of OPIc Punch series focused on business interview skills in English. Previously, Jane was a TV & Radio reporter at Arirang TV in Korea where she also did voice acting for TV commercials. 

In addition, Jane was a news commentator (World Biz Brief, Winglish.com), contestant of a reality show (Find the Best English Teacher in Korea, MBC every1) and a TV show script translator (Eyes on Korean Business, KBS World).
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Ryan Stanly
Production Assistant / Assistant Instructor

Ryan Stanly (he/his/him) is an emerging filmmaker and musician. He has been interested in storytelling and creating visual media content since he was 13. Since 2014, Ryan has written, produced and edited . He currently operates his own production business called Ryan Stanly Productions providing production and post production services. Ryan graduated from ACMA's Take One program in 2019, and has been assisting with production of Asian Voices TV including as assistant instructor for Take One program.

Merrienne Jimenez
Digital Media Marketing Coordinator

A graduate of ACMA's Take One Program 2021, Merrienne (they/she) is a first-generation Filipino-American who works to expand and promote the mission of ACMA through digital media and community outreach. With a BA from UC San Diego in Literature and Media and dual minors in Ethnic and Film Studies, Merrienne is charged with providing platforms for BIPOC/AAPI and queer communities.  

Clara Truong
Digital Marketing Associate

Clara (she/her/hers) is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. She holds a deep appreciation for art of all mediums. She is always looking for an excuse to exercise the right side of her brain, and does so mainly through music and photography. In her spare time, Clara enjoys reading, traveling, and dog walking.

Mandy Wang
Digital Marketing Coordinator

Mandy Wang (she/her/hers) has 8+ years of a social media presence under the verified handle @lovemandywang on Instagram. With a BFA in illustration/pre-production from CSULB, she works with various clientele for graphic design, custom illustration, and UX design work. Her core focus in her work revolves around storytelling and representation.

Through her past Lead Graphic position at Korelimited (A Korean-American streetwear brand), she has worked with NBA LA Clippers, Emmy-nominated actress Sandra Oh, SubkGroup, T1 E-sports, and various other brands. Mandy strives to bring AAPI community representation to all aspects within the design industry. In her free time, she loves kickboxing, karaoke, and all things Disney.
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Hanur Pak
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Hanur Pak (He/His/Him) is half Korean and half Cantonese who lives in Seattle Washington. He currently is a senior studying marketing at Seattle University. He has lived and studied in Beijing, Hong Kong and South Korea, and is currently looking to get back in touch with his Asian American roots with the help of ACMA. In his free time he enjoys playing beach volleyball and baking cakes for his online business. Hanur wants to help celebrate those of the AAPI community who have done incredible things and share it with the rest of the world.
Prema Smith
Prema Smith (she/her/hers) was born in the PNW and raised by her Indian mother and Scottish father. She split her time between the city and the countryside, growing up somewhere in-between. As a graduate of the University of Washington, Prema has a bachelor's in Creative Writing and Socio-Cultural Anthropology. Some of her influences include, Paul Farmer, Micah Bickham, Aube Perrie and Mari Okada. 
Prema has been working in film and media since 2015 as a video editor, videographer, story editor and most recently assistant producer.  She has edited branded A/V content including promos, podcasts, lectures, and live events. Her obsession with telling stories carries over to helping others share theirs with creativity and precision.
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