Michelle Li
Co-Founder and President
Michelle Li is an award-winning, veteran journalist who co-launched The Very Asian Foundation in January 2022 alongside friend and fellow journalist Gia Vang.
Her response to a racist voicemail became a global movement of unity and caught the attention of The Ellen Show. Ellen’s monetary gift of $15,000 provided the seed money to create a non-profit focused on shining a light on all walks of Asian life.
A Korean adoptee, Michelle spent many years supporting adoptees through heritage camps and volunteer tours to Korea. She also launched a program to support Missouri children in foster care. This work led to a congressional award in 2010. Michelle’s reporting has been honored with a national Peabody Award, four national Murrows, and multiple regional Emmys– often for covering topics related to race or gender inequities. Michelle has appeared on CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, and The Washington Post.
Michelle currently resides in St. Louis with her family.
You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
GIA VANG
Co-Founder and Secretary
Gia Vang is an award-winning journalist, co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation. She is currently a weekend anchor and reporter covering San Francisco for NBC Bay Area.
A daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos, Gia’s work and passion centers on exploring and documenting New American stories. She is the first news anchor of Hmong descent in a major US market with pit stops in Eugene, Oregon, Kansas City, Missouri, Phoenix, Arizona, Fresno, California, and the Twin Cities in Minnesota prior to her current role.
Gia received her B.A. in journalism from Sacramento State and currently resides in Oakland, California with her partner and dog Teddy.
You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
SOOGI HONG
Executive Director
Soogi Hong is the Executive Director of the Very Asian Foundation where she is responsible for developing and implementing VAF’s strategic vision in AANHPI advocacy and celebration, community education, and engagement.
Prior to joining VAF in 2022, Soogi spent 15 years in a variety of non-profit volunteer and board positions. Previous to that, she served as the Assistant Director of External Affairs at Stanford Law School, and as the Assistant Director of Development at the Fielding School of Public Health at UCLA.
Soogi received her B.A. in Molecular & Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley and her M.S. in Cell & Neurobiology from the University of Southern California. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband, two teenage children, and an energetic cavapoo.
Alex Lee
Treasurer
Alex is the Chief Legal Officer for TKC Holdings, Inc., and has served as the head of the Legal Affairs department since he joined the company (formerly Centric Group, LLC) in 2012.
In 2012 Alex co-founded the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis (“AACC”), served as President until 2014, and began a second term in 2021. Since its inception, it has enjoyed a strong partnership and support from the St. Louis Regional Business Council, an organization comprised of the CEOs of the top mid-cap companies in the St. Louis region.
Alex resides in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife and two children.
Stephen Lenivy
Vice-President and Finance Chair
Steve is based in St. Louis, Missouri, where he is a certified public accountant specializing in nonprofit and healthcare tax matters at a global accounting firm.
Steve’s dedication to nonprofits and the community extends beyond his firm responsibilities as he utilizes his accounting expertise through pro bono service with area nonprofits and service on other boards.
Steve is passionate about the pursuit of education, serving as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Saint Louis University. In his free time, Steve enjoys cooking, running, playing music, and spending time with his wife, Liz, and their two cats, Oscar and Poe.
Advisory Board
Courtney Clark
Marketing and Public Relations
Courtney Clark is a vice president of operations for a marketing company based in Saint Louis. She has more than 13 years of experience in project management and serves as the Executive Board of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce in Saint Louis.
Dr. Min Liu
Professor and Author
Dr. Min Liu lives in St. Louis, and is involved in the St. Louis Chinese American community. She serves on the board of several community non-profits, including the organization CCES (Chinese Culture and Education Services), which sponsors the annual Chinese Culture Days celebration. As a professor herself, she comes from a family of teachers. Dr. Min Liu teaches research methods, intercultural communication, and a variety of health communication courses.