Clayton Hoi-Yun McClintock, Ph.D., M.T.S., is a clinical and research psychologist and group facilitator, with a focus on embodied and relational dimensions of mindfulness for strengthening resilience, integrating post-traumatic stressors, and expanding human capacity for belonging and connection. Clayton graduated with honors from Dartmouth College with an A.B. in English, received an M.T.S. from Harvard University in religion and the social sciences, and completed a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University, with research focused on cross-cultural factors of spirituality and neural circuitry of spiritual and stressful experiences. He recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the San Francisco VA Health Care System and at University of California, San Francisco, and his work has expanded to facilitating groups in Asian American communities and other racially and culturally diverse communities and institutions. He also serves as an advisor to Cambridge Family Enterprise Group, a global advisory firm that specializes in supporting family companies across generations.

Lauren DeVera is a Certified Life and Mind-Body coach, Mindfulness Teacher, Positive Psychology Practitioner, 200-hour registered yoga teacher, entrepreneur, and host of the Thrive and Thread Podcast. Additionally, Lauren holds a BA in Dance/Communications. Born in San Diego, raised in Virginia, Lauren is known for her warmth and infectious energy. She is the youngest daughter of Filipino immigrant parents and is passionate about integrating the arts, healing and AAPI empowerment. She has been teaching, facilitating, performing, and curating in the DC Metropolitan area for 14 years. Her credits include The Kennedy Center, NPR, Yoga Alliance, Asian Mental Health Project, Howard Theatre, Culture Shock DC, World of Dance, BET, CW Network, Ladies of Hip Hop, and various universities. She is also the proud founder of The Lion’s Den, a welcoming dance and wellness hub that provides in-person and online classes, events, and performance opportunities for the community. When she's not in the studio, she is coaching creatives and visionaries in her coaching programs, or snuggled up with a good book and cup of coffee. Lauren's excited to bring her multi-passionate approach to Mixed Asian Day - attendees can expect to feel empowered, connected, and inspired!

Christopher Sean is an Japanese American actor known for his role as Paul Narita on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. He previously played Brandon on Netflix’s You as well as Bing Lee in the critically acclaimed web series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and his recurring role of Gabriel Waincroft on CBS's Hawaii Five-0 and as Brandon in You. Sean also gained recognition for his lead voice over roles in Star Wars such as Kazuda Xiono in the cartoon series Star Wars: Resistance and roles in DC including Dick Grayson/Nightwing in the game Gotham Knights, and his most recent lead role as Kenji Sato/Ultraman in the animated Netflix film. IG: MrChristopherSean

Ryan Alexander Holmes [何仁安] is an actor and content creator [@ryanalexh] based out of Los Angeles, CA. Having garnered a sizable presence on social media by using his platform to embrace his mixed Chinese/African American background through comedic story telling and poignant writings about his family’s perseverance, Ryan has made it his goal to encourage others of mixed ethnic/cultural backgrounds to fully embrace who they are and to show the world there is unimaginable strength in discovering harmony in multiculturalism.

He is a proud alumni of both UC Berkeley, where he achieved a Bachelor’s in Business, and USC, where he achieved a Master’s in Drama.  He has been featured in the Washington Post’s coveted interview series Race in America, whose past interviewees include: Lisa Ling, John Cho, John Legend, Los Angeles Mayor: Karen Bass, Ava Duvernay.  His acting credits include For the People on ABC, Dear White People on Netflix, The Morning Show on AppleTV+ and Back on The Strip, where he stars alongside Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes.

Alex Chester-Iwata is the founder of Mixed Asian Media - A website and community for mixed APIs, recognized by the Nielsen Consumer Report. In 2023 MAM hosted the first ever Mixed Asian Day in NYC.Alex received the 2023 Women of Distinction Award from the Assembly 69th of California, and she was one of the Asian Hustle Network’s top 50 Unsung Heros in their inaugural year. She received her BA in 2021 from St. Mary’s College graduating with honors and received the Dean’s Award for community engagement and academic excellence. Alex is the Chapter President of ACE Next Gen NYC and is on the Board of Directors for American Advertising Federation LA. She is on the advisory board for the Lunar Collective, New York Asian Film Festival (associate board), and her alma mater St. Mary's LEAP Program and she is also part of the Jews of Color cohort The Workshop. Alex is a member of Gold House and is part of their inaugural Journalism Program.Alex is also an Actor. Some acting credits include: Broadway’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Gillian in This Space Between Us Off Broadway’s Keen Company. TV credits include: New Amsterdam, The Good Fight, and The Closer to name a few. @AlexFChester

Yasmine Tanres is an award-winning TV Host, Producer and multi-media Journalist. Filled with genuine passion, thought-provoking insight and sincere human interest, she has been recognized as a ‘Top Face of Hollywood’ by the prestigious Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for her professional dedication and true excellence in her field, and most recently is a 2x Telly Award winner in DEI and Interview/ Talk show categories for her show ‘A look into our America’ broadcast on Chime TV and Golden TV. Originally from London reporting on local news, she has grown fast into the entertainment industry in Los Angeles with her distinctive British charm, blended with her Spanish and Asian heritage. Due to her worldly upbringing, Yasmine shares a broad cultural perspective and provides unique relatability that captivates global audiences through her candid and engaging conversations. Learn more about her on www.yasminetanres.com & follow her on social media @yasminetanres.

Peter Jang has had a successful career on hit TV series like NCIS, The Last Ship, and Criminal Minds, even playing a Power Ranger with his own action figure by Hasbro. His unique blend of strength, intensity, and world-weariness has captivated audiences in a range of roles, and his mixed race and ethnically ambiguous appearance make him especially versatile. His ability to fully internalize the emotions of his characters, whether they are victims of trauma or perpetrators of crime, has made him a standout performer.

Recently, Peter has been seen on TV in a leading role on CBS's NCIS Hawaii as the world's most wanted Chinese spy, Bao, alongside Vanessa Lachey. He's also had roles on Nickelodeon's Danger Force and HBO's Westworld with Hiroyuki Sanada. In addition to his TV work, Peter has won numerous international awards for his leading roles in short films Nothing Is Sacred (with Daniel Moncada of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul), Pawns, and Mask, where he won Best actor at the RED Movie Awards in Reims, France for his portrayal of a PTSD-stricken combat veteran.

Jennifer Kumiyama was born with Arthrogryposis and uses a wheelchair daily. Kumiyama earned a spot on Warner Bros. reality TV show “Popstars 2” and earned national accolades from many publications including Variety Magazine and TV Guide – referring to her as “the girl in the wheelchair, whose voice blew everyone out of the water.” Shortly after that in 2002 – Jennifer was cast in Disney’s “Aladdin; a Musical Spectacular” at Disney California Adventure Theme Park, where she is the first performer in a wheelchair to ever be on any Disney stage in the world. She performed 4 times a day for 8,000 guests a day, who visit from every corner of the world. It was at Disney that Jennifer took on her real role as an advocate for people living with disabilities – showing the entire world that talent sees no boundaries. This motivated her to become a speaker – sharing her story with schools, social groups, and major businesses. Her new passion, in addition to singing – is being a voice for people living with disabilities by breaking attitudinal and architectural barriers. "Aladdin; a Musical Spectacular" closed on January 10, 2016.

In 2010, Jennifer was crowned Ms. Wheelchair California and Ms. Wheelchair America 2011, 1st Runner Up. During her reign she spread the message of hope through her platform “Empowering Children with Disabilities to Make Their Own Dreams Come True.” Jennifer was cast in a major role as ‘Carmen’ in Sundance Film Festival hit and Academy Award Nominated film “The Sessions”, MTV’s teen sensation “Awkward” and "Celebrity Undercover Boss". Since the closing of 'Aladdin' Jennifer worked for former Long Beach Councilwoman, Senator Lena Gonzalez, former Long Beach Mayor Dr. Robert Garcia and is also an elected AD 70 Delegate in the California Democratic Party. Jennifer can be heard as the voice of Dahlia in Disney's new hit animated feature WISH, released in theaters everywhere November 22nd, 2023.

Jennifer is currently the City of Long Beach Citywide Accessibility Coordinator.

Angela Laprete is an award-winning Producer from Hawaii and has worked in the production industry for over 30 years. Angela earned her BA in Film Studies from UC Santa Barbara and lives in Los Angeles and Hawaii. Her work spans across local, national and international projects for episodic TV, blockbuster features and independent films. Her long list of credits includes,  CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0”,  award-winning film, “The Wind and The Reckoning”, and Apple+ TV series, “Monarch: Legacy of Monsters” and “Chief of War”, debuting in 2025.

Angela’s focus has always been on elevating Hawaii’s film industry and educating the next generation of filmmakers. In early 2023, she co-founded ICAN - International Cultural Arts Network – with the mission to empower diversity with focus on Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander representation in the entertainment industry and bridging connections globally. She served on the Board for the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) for 15 years and is in development for the film adaptation of Chris Mckinney’s award-winning book, "The Tattoo”.  In 2024, Laprete was featured in Forbes Magazine’s “Beyond Paradise: 6 Visionaries Shaping the Hawaii Filmmaking Scene.”

Kristian Fanene Schmidt [or Krit] was born and raised in Porirua, Aotearoa/New Zealand while both his parents hail from Samoa.

He earned a conjoint degree in Law and Arts majoring in Pacific Studies from the University of Auckland and a Master’s in Education at Lehigh University as a recipient of the prestigious Fulbright scholarship. In 2014, Kristian shifted gears and went from lecturing in Pacific Studies to hosting for MTV Australia as a VJ.

Since beginning his career in television and entertainment, he has relocated to Los Angeles where he is now a writer, host, and consultant, contributing to a number of media outlets and organizations such as HuffPost, BuzzFeed, Sundance, Disney, Paramount, Amazon, BET, Ubisoft, WME, Riot Games, Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix, The Root, Spotify, GLAAD, Them, Starz, Extreme Reach, NQAPIA, Washington Post and Think Tank for Inclusion and Equity. His work covers everything from Pacific Islander (or Pasifika) representation and cultural appropriation to LGBTQIA+ issues and the impacts of colonization. He is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Pasifika Entertainment Advancement Komiti (PEAK).

Krit continues to follow his passions for education, art, and advocacy in working towards equitable outcomes for people from communities that mirror his own identity and upbringing as a young, queer Samoan.

Lindsay Watson is a native of Maui, HI and attended Kamehameha Schools Maui, where she first explored acting through their theater program in both plays & musicals. After graduating, she relocated to Los Angeles where she pursued acting in film & television. She has trained at numerous acting studios throughout Los Angeles. Prior to her film castings, Lindsay has had an extensive commercial career with ads for Adidas, Nike, United Airlines, Playstation, Shiseido, Hyundai and Subway to name a few. 

Lindsay can be seen starring in Netflix’s family-adventure film Finding ‘Ohana in which she plays one of the lead roles, Hana Okumura. The film takes place in O’ahu (where they also filmed). Lindsay's current film, The Wind and The Reckoning, was recently released and stars Lindsay portraying the historical role of Pi’ilani. Lindsay has recently begun to explore her passion for writing film & television scripts, as well as her passion for singing. Outside of her career, Lindsay is passionate about helping other Hawai’i natives pursue careers in the entertainment industry.

Stacey Young is a San Francisco Native, residing in New York City. As the founder and executive director of the Pacific Island Film Festival NYC, and board member of Hālāwai NYC and Dancers Unlimited, Stacey uses her passion to provide for her community and is creating solutions to meet unmet opportunities. Professionally, Stacey is a Product Leader in the AdTech industry, where she has worked to set industry guidelines, and holds technology patents in the US and EU.

Daniel Tam-Claiborne is a multiracial author, multimedia producer, and nonprofit director. He serves as Deputy Director of The Serica Initiative, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness of the Asian diaspora in America through dialogue, storytelling, and the power of convening. His debut novel, Transplants, was a finalist for the 2023 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction and is forthcoming from Regalo Press (Simon & Schuster) in 2025. He holds degrees from Oberlin College, Yale University, and the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he lives with his wife and daughter in Seattle.

Jasmin Iolani Hakes is the author of HULA, winner of HONOLULU Magazine’s Book of the Year, and named a must-read book by Oprah Daily, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and others. She has received support from Writing x Writers, Community of Writers, Hedgebrook, VCCA, and Storyknife. Her work has been published in the Sacramento Bee and the Los Angeles Times. Of mixed ethnicity, she was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Mei-Mei Holland is a mixed-race Chinese-American writer from the Washington, DC area. Year of the Cicada is her debut collection of poetry and prose. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

Sarah Kuhn is the author of the popular Heroine Complex novels—a series starring Asian American superheroines. The first book is a Locus bestseller, an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award nominee, and one of the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog’s Best Books of the Year. She also penned the beloved YA rom-coms I Love You So Mochi and From Little Tokyo, With Love, and a variety of short fiction and comics, including the DC Comics graphic novels Shadow of the Batgirl and Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story and the Star Wars audiobook original Doctor Aphra. Her books have been Junior Library Guild Selections and nominees for YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults and the Golden Poppy Award. They have also been featured on Best of… and Most Anticipated lists in People Magazine, Book Riot, Amazon, the AV Club, Nerdist, Entertainment Weekly, the New York Times, and more. Additionally, she was a finalist for both the CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) New Writers Award and the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. A third generation Japanese American, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and an overflowing closet of vintage treasures.

Christine Mari is a Japanese American comic artist based in Los Angeles, California. She is known for her online comics, which deal with topics ranging from her multiracial identity to navigating adulthood and the joys and challenges of daily existence. HALFWAY THERE is her first graphic novel. She loves rainy days and grocery store birthday cake.

Dylan Adler is a comedian, actor, writer, and musician based in NYC and LA. He was recently a writer on the Late Late Show with James Corden where he also performed  Stand Up and was a Sports Correspondent. He recently performed stand up on Comedy Central and was named a Comic You Should and Will Know by Vulture Magazine.

Elizabeth Su, MA (she/her) is the author and creator of The Adventure Tarot, a road trip-inspired deck about self-discovery, belonging, and celebrating Asian joy. She earned her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University where she researched burnout and perfectionism. Prior to that, she was busy hustling for her worth at a Silicon Valley start-up. Her work has been featured in, among others, the Los Angeles Times, POPSUGAR, and Bustle and centers around topics such as self-love, intersectionality, and the multifaceted nature of being human.

When she’s not writing (or trying to smash the patriarchy), you can find her dancing in the kitchen, binge-watching the latest teen dramedy, or finding the hottest boba spot in town. After a two-year nomadic adventure, she and her hubs now live in Los Angeles. Hang out with Elizabeth on Instagram and TikTok at @heyelizabethsu and join her popular newsletter Monday Vibes at elizabethsu.com.

Haileigh (YU) is a DJ from the heart of the Midwest now living in LA. YU’s journey into DJing began with the support and inspiration of friends who shared their skills and love for the craft. She quickly fell in love with the art of mixing, finding her groove in genres like House, Hip-Hop, UKG, and Jersey Club. YU’s music is all about having fun and just being ....  silly.