Writer and Producer Koji Steven Sakai’s film and television projects have played on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Peacock, Paramount+, Roku, and Tubi. He has worked with a variety of talented and award-winning actors and filmmakers, including Cuba Gooding Jr., Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, James Shigeta, Michael Jai White, Mel Gibson, Mickey Rourke, Randall Park, RZA, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard, and Wilson Cruz.
Martha is the Founder and CEO of Frendii, a Los Angeles County based early stage, technology startup working on a solution for women over 50 that builds community and facilitates frequent social and human connection. She is a second time entrepreneur. She also launched Yaya Fitness, a mobile personal training business for women over 40. Prior to the start of her entrepreneurial journey, Martha worked in financial services in corporate America for fortune 500 companies like Allstate and AIG. She worked in various capacities starting in entry level marketing, Sales Manager, and Director of Sales for the Southern California region.
Javier is a first-generation Mexican-American born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton. He later earned his Executive master’s degree in urban planning and development from the University of Southern California. Javier has nearly 20 years of experience advancing local, regional, and statewide public policy, political strategy, urban and multimodal transportation planning, capital infrastructure programming, and holistic community and economic development.
Olivia Loo, currently Director of International Students at Pasadena City College, has been in the field of international education for over 15 years. A Chinese native who grew up in Panama, Olivia immigrated to the U.S. to complete college and earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s at the University of Southern California. Her journey in international education started with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme, an English teaching program sponsored by the Japanese government, and since then, she has made a lifelong mission to support international students and their educational goals of studying in the U.S. Olivia presents extensively at conferences on international admissions and educational credentials, as well as mental health and wellness among international students. She lives in the San Gabriel Valley with her family.
Audrie Gordon was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley. She grew up in South San Gabriel and attended school in the area. Right after graduating from Schurr High in Montebello she had her first son and wasn’t sure what her next step should be. Not having any solid goals or guidance she began to get in more trouble and ended up in a downward spiral. Despite the trials she was always surrounded with people who were willing to share advice and encouragement. At 23 she decided to make some changes and began utilizing resources such as church, Homeboy Industries, twelve step programs and counseling to build a better life for her and her son.
Mr. James De Pietro is a Partner at De Pietro Holdings LLC, a family-owned and operated commercial real estate investment company in Pasadena, CA. A member of the senior management team, James is involved with the strategic direction of the company while managing the company’s daily operations with a focus on asset management, financial and market analysis, and business administration. In 2020, James launched The Crown City Podcast and serves as its producer and host. The podcast seeks to explore the people and places that make our communities such a special place to call home.
Carina Tsang is a mental health therapist with six years of experience working alongside diverse and vulnerable families and individuals to bring about change and inspire growth. Carina moved to the U.S. from Hong Kong to pursue her passion in mental health. Carina earned her bachelor degree in Psychology at UCLA, and Master in Social Work with a specialization in Adult Mental Health and Wellness at USC. From the medical field to the mental health field, she is not only a mental health clinician but also a medical social worker. She works with clients with depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, schizophrenia, self-esteem issues, and relationship issues. Coming from a diverse cultural background, she values the importance of providing culturally congruent therapeutic services with a holistic approach. She also runs a private mental health practice that aims to bridge the cultural gap in therapy rooms.
Commander Arthur Chi-Wing Fong was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy Reserve through the Direct Commissioning Officer program in 1997. He graduated form the Navy Supply Corps School Basic Qualification Course Navel Reserve (BQC-NR) Company 47th with the class Leadership Award in the year of 2000. CDR Fong has two daughters, Andrea and Tracy. CDR Fong completed eleven marathon races in his running career. In his civilian career, CDR Fong retired as a senior system analyst for LAPD IT Division after 30 years of dedicated service. He is an active licensed California real estate salesperson. He has served in the City of Monterey Park Planning Commission, Traffic Commission, and the Business Improvement & Development Commission. CDR Fong is the President of the Chinese-American Miliary Support, a no-profit organization that serves all armed forces member in his community.
Ted A. Moreno is an award winning hypnotherapist and success performance coach, published author, educator and sought-after speaker who works with his clients to achieve freedom from fear, anxiety, self limiting beliefs and bad habits. He also works with professional men and women for goal achievement, financial abundance and career success. With more than fifteen years of mastery in the art of motivating people to take action, Ted brings a lifetime of expertise in the fields of personal development and human potential. He is an Honors Graduate of the Hypnosis Motivation Institute, the nation’s first accredited college of hypnotherapy, where he is currently a senior instructor. He combines his life experiences, compassion and humor with his expertise in hypnotherapy and imagery techniques to help clients move past limitations and create transformational change in their lives.
Yonette Alleyne is the lovely woman behind Caribbean Gourmet. When she was young at home in Guyana, she found what she loved to do early in life. She asked her mother for a cookbook for her 11th birthday and has been cooking, baking, and refining her talent ever since. In Guyana, she had run her own business, and she knew she had the skills to survive. Her skills had come from her own mother and grandmother, as Yonette had assisted her grandmother in the kitchen making peppermint candies, jams, jellies, cakes and pastries.