Yun is a Taiwanese immigrant. From young age, she developed a deep passion for charitable work which she continued while pursuing both a B.S. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering. Yun worked at IBM for 20 years before switching her career path to dedicate her personal and professional life to helping people and servicing the community. She became a well trusted LPL independent financial consultant who always places clients’ interests first.

Yun has served on the Asian Focus core team with Lily since its founding in 2009. Together they worked hard to create a great team to further the goals and mission of Asian Focus. The core team members each contribute their special talents, and through mentorship and collaboration, they create an even more sustainable future for Asian Focus.

Rajesh is originally from India but moved to US with his family in 2013 from Singapore. Has more than 15 years of experience in information technology field and currently works in Swiss financial organization. Beside regular technology job, Rajesh is an active volunteer in local community organizations. Currently live in Cary, NC with family, he loves spending time with family and friends as well as gardening.

Education: Master of computer Applications, India.

Chien-Yi Hou is the Director of Web Services at the Carolina Population Center at UNC-Chapel Hill where he leads a team of web developers to develop and maintain the web applications to support the daily operation of the center and projects. He currently also serves as the Vice President and Director of Marketing at the Asian Focus where he organizes events to serve the Asian community and takes initiatives to enhance Asian Focus's visibility.

Christin joined Asian Focus as the program coordinator in 2016, primarily organizing the performance program for the Asia Fest. She enjoys working with local artists and performers and promoting all types of culture. Over the years, Christin has been involved in a variety of community service organizations in the Triangle area including Raleigh Chinese School, Food bank and Habitat for Humanity. 

Christin holds a Master of Science in System Science from Binghamton University. She worked as a software engineer for 20 years before deciding to pursue her passion in the real estate field. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and hiking.

Tho Nguyen grew up in Greensboro, NC and is an avid foodie, traveler and blogger. Tho holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University and an MBA in International Business from England as an Ambassadorial Scholar from the Rotary Club. Tho works in the data and analytics industry for over 18 years and has recently published a book Leaders and Innovators: How Data-Driven Organizations Are Winning with Analytics with all proceeds going to charity. Tho and his wife live in Raleigh for over 20 years and have been very active in the community to preserve the Asian culture and values for their daughter and the future generation.

Benjamin UySmith is a passionate, big hearted, critical thinker. He joined Asian Focus in 2013 as a project manager and day-of-operations for Asia Fest. He has an extensive background in project management and a deep understanding of personal and business finance and taxes.

He calls Durham his home with his wife and their two daughters. A partner in Prestige Financial Group, he enjoys working in our local community. When he isn’t volunteering or working, he enjoys traveling with his family and rolling up his sleeves on DIY home and old car projects.

Lekenna Hicks is an African American who works as a Managing Director for a corporate AV production company. She

is a Project Manager with a BS degree in project management from Liberty University in NC. She is an active member of MPI (Meeting Planner international) and is newly approved to serve on MPI’s anti-trafficking committee. 

After traveling to China, Lekenna became deeply interested in Asian culture. She encouraged her family to start Mandarin lessons at the RACL and consistently worked with a Chinese teacher for several years. Together, they actively participated in various Asian activities, immersing themselves in the richness and beauty of Asian and world cultures.

Y. Ethan Lin is a software engineer specializing in the computer networking industry, and he has called the Triangle area home for over 28 years. Beyond work and family, Ethan has actively volunteered with organizations such as the Tzu-Chi Foundation and Raleigh Chinese Language School. He is passionate about creating broader avenues for Asian Americans to contribute to society and fostering social harmony through the appreciation of cultural diversity.

Iris Yim offers deep expertise in both qualitative and quantitative market research. Her extensive experience across diverse industries from CPG to healthcare allows her to provide comprehensive insights and strategic solutions to complex business challenges. Iris's passion for multicultural marketing shines through her role as Research Chair for the Asian American Advertising Federation and her participation in the Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing. An alumna of the University of Michigan with an MBA and the University of Southern California with a Master's in Public Relations, she's also a thought leader, speaking at major marketing conferences. Committed to community and social causes, Iris contributes pro bono work for Asian Focus, including insightful research for the Dragon Boat Festival, and actively supports criminal justice reform. Her efforts enhance Asian Focus's efficiency and outreach, embodying her dedication to service and excellence.