Meet Our Co-Founders
Our Co-Founders are founding members who lead the work of TeachAAPI through the connection of mission, communication and celebration. Our collective goal is to strengthen identity and self-advocacy for future generations of AAPI children while developing allyship with all children. This group of co-founders work together to ensure TeachAAPI has an enduring impact through our programs and partnerships.
Ellen Chen
Co-Founder
Ellen, founder of Mendocino Farms, now supports female & minority founders. With 20+ years in food brands, she offers a big business perspective with an entrepreneur’s passion. Recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News, she serves on boards, advises startups, and is a Teach AAPI & AAPI LA board member.
Maya Dharwarkar
Co-Founder
Maya Dharwarkar, LA native, litigator, Harvard Law grad. Passionate about anti-racism, DEI, AAPI representation. Past President of Brentwood School Parents Association, current board member. Advocate for AAPI children with TeachAAPI.
Carol Koh Evans
Co-Founder
Carol Koh Evans, CFO of HopSkipDrive, has 20+ years of finance experience in tech, ecommerce, and digital media. Formerly CFO of Baby2Baby, she supports female founders and underrepresented entrepreneurs. With expertise in CPG, nonprofits, Carol will help TeachAAPI manage budgets, fundraising, and operations to promote AAPI history education in U.S. schools.
Ann Kono
Co-Founder
Ann Kono, a finance industry executive with 20+ years of experience in scaling enterprises and complex infrastructure design. Formerly at Ares Management, she now serves on public/private boards. With a decade of non-profit leadership, Ann will help drive meaningful change at TeachAAPI to enhance AAPI pride, identity, and resources for future generations.
Serena Minikes
Co-Founder
Serena Minikes is a strategy focused, brand building professional with over 20 years of experience imagining, creating and growing consumer products and ideas. Her passion is working with organizations to achieve seemingly impossible goals by thinking, planning and acting strategically. With an MBA from Kellogg, Northwestern she is a founding board member of TeachAAPI and a Trustee at the Willows Community School.
Jeanne Yang
Co-Founder
Jeanne Yang, A-list fashion stylist for 20+ years, works with top talent, contributes to major publications, consults for fashion/cosmetic brands. Managing directors/actors at Anonymous Content, develops/produces TV/films.
Renee Yang
Co-Founder
Renee Yang, with 20+ years of CPG Strategy and Marketing expertise, brings a consumer-first mindset, simplifying complexity to drive results. Passionate about CSR, she led Neutrogena’s efforts in skin cancer reduction, sustainability, and social equity. A parent and advocate for TeachAAPI, Renee aims to educate new generations about AAPI experiences in a leading non-profit organization.
Gloria Chang Yip
Co-Founder
Gloria Chang Yip is the Managing Director at J.P. Morgan Private Bank with 20 years of experience in senior management roles. She specializes in liquidity events, strategic sales, and IPOs for founders and entrepreneurs. She holds a CFA and MBA from The Wharton School, is a founding board member of TeachAAPI, and is passionate about Asian community investment. Fluent in 5 languages, Gloria enjoys travel, food, and the arts.
Calvin Cheng
Co-Founder
Calvin Cheng is a corporate lawyer with 15+ years’ experience in venture financings, M&A, and public offerings. He has a background in community organizing and LGBTQ+ advocacy, serving on boards and cherishing past experiences. Proud parent and Harvard Westlake alumni