Executive Board
We are currently looking to expand our community and welcome new Board Members onto our team! Please contact us for more information on how you can become involved.
ACMA EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
San Diego native Dr. Khoa D Truong, O.D. has been a member of the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association, and San Diego Optometric Society for over fifteen years. He was a member of the President’s Lions Club and used his expertise to conduct free vision screenings and health fairs for the community of San Diego. He also has his own wellness talk show on Vietnamese Television (VNTV) that helps address different aspects of health and life with co-host Dana Vo.
Dubbed "Korean Food Ambassador" by the media, Cathlyn is a multi award winning TV show host and producer of the first Korean TV cooking show in English on PBS called “Cathlyn’s Korean Kitchen" and Asian Voices, a cultural and educational television program featuring Asian and Pacific Islanders, community, art, culture and events in Southern California. Cathlyn is the co-owner of CNA Digital Media Marketing Services, specializing in digital media marketing and TV/Film production.
Born in Richmond, Kentucky to a Japanese mother and Cherokee Indian and Irish father, Ellen studied art at eastern Kentucky University, where she also worked as a library technician. In addition to 6 years of experience working as an advertising and graphic designer. Ellen has over 13 years of background as a commissions specialist and currently works for the Producers Group, an insurance brokerage in La Jolla.
A community activist with a passion for promoting Korean culture, Hyosoon co-founded a non profit organization called San Diego Pungmul Institute with her husband in 2009 to create awareness of Korean folk music in the United States while fostering and mentoring second generation Korean Americans teaching then about the importance of cultural roots and tradition.
Dennis Michael is the recipient of numerous awards, commendations, and recognition for his community involvement and outreach efforts. For the past decade, he has hosted and produced many cultural events and festivals in San Diego namely the Asian Cultural Festival of San Diego, the San Diego Ramen Festival, the AMP Music Festival, and many other large community events.
Ariana Alexa Cohen is an Emmy-winning TV News Anchor and Reporter, currently the Primetime Anchor for WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News in Jackson, Tennessee, where she has been anchoring the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts since August 2017. She has also worked as a reporter for CBS8, bringing her extensive experience and dedication to the network. Prior to her current role, Cohen was the Good Morning Northwest Host and Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) for KXLY 4 News in Spokane, Washington.
Christine is the co-founder and owner of Makani Kai, a Polynesian dance group established in 1993 along with a group of professional Polynesian dancers. Beginning with regular performances at Sea World and throughout San Diego during the 90’s, today Makani Kai has become a thriving Polynesian entertainment troupe completed with live drumming and a live band “Moku Kani."
Drawing on 30 years of restaurant-industry experience, Chef Eddie has led The Neighborhood Café since 2019. Born and raised in San Diego, he started his career at a local mom-and-pop café in Chula Vista. From there, Chef Eddie worked his way up to Sous Chef/Kitchen Manager at the Paradise Point Hotel, overseeing large-scale banquets and 30+ staff members. Chef Eddie’s drive to give back to the community inspired him to leave the corporate world and join The Neighborhood Café.
Major Joanne Whitlock is an Air Force Officer and recently led their service wide efforts for AAPI Heritage Month while also serving as member of their Barrier Analysis Working Group. In this capacity, Joanne is involved in analyzing data, trends and barriers to identify and address issues impacting AANHPI personnel in the Air Force. Born and raised in the Philippines, Joanne is a staunch advocate for diversity and inclusion and promoting AANHPI heritage across various platforms.
Nanda Mehta is a giant for the South Asian community in San Diego. She is the founder and managing director of Ahaana, a South Asian organization based here. Her exuberant, charismatic personality comes through in all the events she has hosted in San Diego since 2013. Having been active in Indian organizations from the time she was 19, it was natural for Mehta to create Ahaana and launch “Yoni Ki Baat.”
A compassionate and dedicated RN who hails from the stunning island of Guam, Sue was born and raised as the youngest of four siblings, she completed her Associate in Nursing degree from Guam Community College. She then took a leap of faith and moved to California to pursue her nursing career, and has been making a significant impact in the field ever since.
