Our Team
Board of Directors
Meet our Board of Directors who provide constant guidance, support, and mentorship to ASA
Meet Shane
Shane Carlin is the founder, President, and CEO of Asian Student Achievement. He is a Korean American adoptee who grew up in northern Kentucky. Carlin earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, and his Master in Higher Education Administration at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. His professional career has spanned Student Affairs and Fundraising from the following organizations: Northwestern, Miami, and Capital Universities, as well as the University of Kentucky (UK), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and two international social services non-profits. Carlin also help start-up Asian/Asian American Paicific Islander Alumni Network at the University of Kentucky and the APIDA Alumni Group at Miami University (OH).
Carlin not only has over 30 years of experience in higher education administration, but has also mentored and coached students in international settings. In addition to his expertise in higher education, Carlin is also an experienced public speaker. He has been invited to speak at universities from coast to coast and across the world. In addition, he was a speaker for TEDx Lakeshore East. His speaking engagements on the educational and vocational soft skills have been at many student/professional regional and national conferences as well as universities, Fortune 500 companies, and others. Internationally, Carlin has presented to students at The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University Science & Technology (HKUST), and managers at General Electric (GE) in Shanghai at the China Technology Center. Lastly, he advised, coached, and mentored students for a C-40 (Clinton Global) case study competition in Seoul, South Korea with Hong Kong University Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Seoul National University and Korea University.
In addition to his commitments at ASA, Carlin is currently the President of the University of Kentucky (UK) Asian/Asian American Pacific Islander Alumni Network and is a member of the Oakton College (IL) Educational foundational Board of Directors & the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Chicago Board of Directors.
Meet Alana
Alana Zhu was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. After some soul searching and finding that the business path wasn’t the right one, she graduated again from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. Alana thrived as a bedside nurse for 10 years with specialties in Medical/Surgical/Telemetry and Labor and Delivery and was able to travel the country taking contracts as a travel nurse. While working the bedside at her last nursing job, she discovered the field of Health Informatics. Bedside nursing would always be a passion for her, but she was ready for a change. While maintaining her full time nursing job, she attained her Master’s of Science in Nursing in Health Informatics from the University of Colorado – Denver. She now works as a Health Informaticist at Intermountain Health and resides in Denver, CO. Alana’s hobbies include snowboarding, being active in the Yelp Elite community, playing pickleball, reading, and watching new series and movies.
Meet David
David is an experienced IT leader with over 14 years of expertise in building and scaling IT functions for high-growth startups, corporations, and institutions of higher learning. He has proven success in designing and implementing IT strategies, security policies, and scalable infrastructure to support remote workforces as well as those in office. He’s adept at managing cloud-based systems, SaaS platforms, and device management while driving operational efficiency. Skilled in establishing IT help desk operations, administering SSO/Okta environments, and overseeing physical asset management. David is a hands-on leader with a player-coach mentality, exceptional technical aptitude, and a solutions-oriented approach to IT security and compliance. Strong communicator with a track record of aligning IT strategies with business goals. Currently working as a Technical Program Manager for Google, leading a privacy/security compliance review and company audit.
While attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, David served as an officer and advisor in the Philippine Student Association. Not only was he an active member of the organization, but he also dedicated his time on campus to improving the quality of student life for minorities and underrepresented communities. He did so through his philanthropic work, multicultural advocacy programming as a resident advisor, keeping a weekly column in the Daily Illini focused on social justice issues, and assisting with FACT conference delegation for 5 years. He also led a number of initiatives in his journalistic field, including writers’ workshops at local middle-schools, revitalizing the National Association of Black Journalists, fundraising and community outreach in Champaign, and more. David enjoys collecting video games from all eras, playing competitive chess, analyzing baseball statistics, powerlifting, reading, and hiking.
Meet Michelle
Michelle graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering and a Masters of Science in Chemical Engineering. In her professional career, she leads the global manufacturing technology development for the largest product portfolio in the division, has led the qualification efforts of capital projects over one hundred million dollars, and introduced disruptive technology globally. She is also involved in mentorship programs, Women’s Leadership Forum Lean In Circles, is on the Steering Committee for A3CTION (Asian and Asian American Network Employee Resource Group), and is active on the Emergency Response Team. Michelle has a strong passion for higher education and giving back to the community. She also serves on the board for The Journey School, a non profit charter school in St. Paul as their Fund Development Chair since 2018, and volunteers as a foster for Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue. She resides in the Twin Cities with her husband Steve and her 3 dogs: Waffles, Mackenzie, and Butters!
Staff
ASA thrives under the leadership of a highly proficient and passionately committed team of professionals
Meet Shane
Shane Carlin is the founder, President, and CEO of Asian Student Achievement. He is a Korean American adoptee who grew up in northern Kentucky. Carlin earned his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, and his Master in Higher Education Administration at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. His professional career has spanned Student Affairs and Fundraising from the following organizations: Northwestern, Miami, and Capital Universities, as well as the University of Kentucky (UK), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and two international social services non-profits. Carlin also help start-up Asian/Asian American Paicific Islander Alumni Network at the University of Kentucky and the APIDA Alumni Group at Miami University (OH).
Carlin not only has over 30 years of experience in higher education administration, but has also mentored and coached students in international settings. In addition to his expertise in higher education, Carlin is also an experienced public speaker. He has been invited to speak at universities from coast to coast and across the world. In addition, he was a speaker for TEDx Lakeshore East. His speaking engagements on the educational and vocational soft skills have been at many student/professional regional and national conferences as well as universities, Fortune 500 companies, and others. Internationally, Carlin has presented to students at The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University Science & Technology (HKUST), and managers at General Electric (GE) in Shanghai at the China Technology Center. Lastly, he advised, coached, and mentored students for a C-40 (Clinton Global) case study competition in Seoul, South Korea with Hong Kong University Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Seoul National University and Korea University.
In addition to his commitments at ASA, Carlin is currently the President of the University of Kentucky (UK) Asian/Asian American Pacific Islander Alumni Network and is a member of the Oakton College (IL) Educational foundational Board of Directors & the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Chicago Board of Directors.
Meet Amelia
Amelia worked as a Sales Intern for ASA in 2018 and rejoined the team as Operations Manager in 2025.
She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. In her professional career she worked in learning & development, training, administration, recruiting, and onboarding in the field of Human Resources.
Amelia is passionate about giving back to her community and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship organization, and serves on the leadership team of the Cincinnati Badminton Club. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, spending⌛ time with family, traveling, and chasing her long-haired grey cat Bé.
Interns
Meet our interns who enrich our team with their exceptional skills and dedication
Meet Abhaya
My name is Abhaya Ladalla. An Information Systems graduate student is being trained on the use of data analytics and data-driven methods. The experience has been acquired in the collection, cleaning, and analysis of datasets of different sources. The skills acquired are in Excel, SQL, Python, and data visualization programs. The trends, patterns, and insights are discovered using statistical and analytical tools. High level of attention to detail, probelm soving, and teamwork skills are manifested.
Meet Anuj
Anuj Garg believes that good data means nothing unless it’s useful to the person on the other end, and that insight only matters when someone can act on it. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Analytics from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, where he learned how closely business and data move together. His experience ranges from building a data pipeline from the ground up for a regional trading business to deploying GenAI models as a Data Science Intern at KPMG, and, most recently, to an analytics consulting project. He is excited to join ASA in service of a conviction he holds closely: that leaders are not only born but can be created, once they learn to position themselves. Deeply curious about where the world is heading, Anuj spends his free time building AI agents, meditating, and exploring his spiritual side.
Meet Ashley
Ashley is an accounting student with a strong interest in finance and professional development. Through her coursework and dedication, Ashley is working towards a future career in accounting and CPA certification. In her free time, Ashley enjoys gaming, reading, and playing instruments.
Meet Cindy
Cindy is a student at New York University pursuing a joint Bachelor’s and Master’s degree, majoring in Accounting with a co-concentration in Finance. There, she has developed valuable skills in data research and collection through her involvement in research programs on campus. She has also been working in the restaurant industry for several years, where she first became interested in finance and accounting, especially when she began bookkeeping for the restaurant she worked for. In addition to her professional and campus involvement, she is also a part of CAAAV (Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence), an NYC-based organization that advocates for Asian rights. In her free time, she enjoys reading, collecting CDs and soccer jerseys, as well as spending time with her Samoyed. She is excited to use the skills she has accumulated to support ASA and the success of Asian students nationwide.
Meet Daniel
Daniel Wei is an intern originally from Charlotte, North Carolina and currently attending Pomona College in Los Angeles. Though he is majoring in environmental analysis, Asian-American and social justice issues have always been important to him. He supports the local community by volunteering at the college’s community garden, where he works alongside Pomona Unified School District high schoolers, and by helping to coordinate the residence hall composting program. Outside of school, Daniel enjoys reading, walking, and listening to music.
Meet Kirana
Kirana Kottyan is from Charlotte, NC and is currently a high school student. She loves dirtbikes and is very enthusiastic about cars. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, going to the gym, and listening to country music. Kirana is interested in pursuing a job in healthcare in the future
Meet Kyra
Kyra Reilley is an undergraduate at New York University studying interactive media arts and web programming. Kyra’s work spans across all fields of design — from data to experiences — and she hopes to highlight personal connections and accessibility through design. She fosters her skills in marketing, graphics, and data visualization through her on-campus involvements, hosting free sold-out screening events for the student body and serving as the digital director for her university’s newspaper. At the core of all her involvements, Kyra finds joy in curating community. When she’s not hustling across campus, you can find Kyra adding to her overflowing junk journal or enjoying the beaches of San Diego. She is excited to expand ASA’s digital presence and mission of mentorship.
Meet Madiha
Madiha Lopez is a recent graduate of Ewha Womans University with a background in International Studies and Business. She has experience in business development, market research, social media management, and community engagement through internships and leadership roles. Having lived and studied in multicultural environments, she enjoys building connections across different communities and is passionate about helping students and young professionals access meaningful opportunities. She is excited to contribute her skills and enthusiasm to support ASA’s mission.
Meet Melanie
Melanie graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in sociology and education. She has been teaching grades ranging from preschool to fifth grade for the past 8 years. She has a passion for helping kids reach their education goals and supporting teachers in a system that constantly changes. She is excited to help ASA support students and help them begin their professional careers. Ready to move out of the classroom, Melanie is pursuing a human resources certification from UC San Diego extensions. She hopes to continue working for the education system as an administrative advocate for teachers. In her free time, Melanie likes to take her dogs on adventures, horseback riding, painting with watercolors, and spending time with friends and family.
Meet Penny
Penny is finishing her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington, Seattle, with a major in Integrated Social Sciences. With a passion for immigration advocacy, Penny’s goal is to pursue a legal career in immigration law. In her free time, she volunteers to support refugees adjusting to their new life in America. She also loves spending time with her two pets: Soba Noodle and Sesame Chicken Nugget.
Meet Sathwik
Sathwik Raja Mupparapu is a Data Scientist and AI/ML Engineer with a Master of Science in Data Science from the University of North Texas. He has experience in machine learning, data analytics, big data technologies, and cloud platforms, with expertise in Python, SQL, and Apache Spark. He has worked on research and industry projects involving predictive modeling, NLP, data engineering, and AI-driven solutions. Sathwik also has knowledge of data visualization tools such as Tableau and Power BI, enabling him to transform complex data into actionable insights. He is passionate about leveraging data and artificial intelligence to solve real-world business problems.
Meet Shannon
Shannon is a student-athlete at the University of Notre Dame, where she studies business analytics and philosophy. There, Shannon has gained valuable experience from consulting case competitions and data research. Since high school, Shannon has been passionate about giving back to the Asian community, and she hopes she can use her background in data analysis and consulting, along with her interests in social media and art, to empower the Asian community and grow the good in business. Through her internship with ASA, Shannon is excited to apply what she has learned in the classroom and in projects, learn through cross-training and strengthen her soft skills! In her free time, Shannon enjoys working out, cooking, playing the oboe, and hanging out with her friends.
Meet William
William is a student at New York University majoring in accounting. He has experience in both finance and video editing, developed through prior internships and independent hobbies. He first became interested in accounting during a bookkeeping internship at a local non-profit. He is also a content creator and video editor on TikTok, where he has built a following of over 14,000 followers and accumulated millions of views. He is excited to combine his interests in accounting and videography to support ASA in its mission to uplift Asian student success.
Volunteers
ASA runs with the help of our incredible and gracious volunteers
Meet Krittiya
Krittiya graduated from Chulalongkorn University with Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering from Thailand. She has been navigating the commercial side of the petrochemical industry, focusing on building great partnerships and finding smart ways to grow in this ever-changing market.
Beyond the commercial landscape, she’s also passionate about giving back through Asian Student Achievement and helping our community’s students reach their full potential.
Meet Sue
Sue graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelors in Fine and Applied Arts in Industrial Design, and a minor in Informatics. As a student, she got to work with Shane as a web design and graphics volunteer for the NAAAP convention. She has also volunteered with other orgs on web design and graphics. She has worked professionally as a web developer, and currently as a software engineer.
She is based in the Chicago suburbs, has a black and white corgi-mix named Kichi, and enjoys walking with her family, taking care of her plants, volunteering at her church, crocheting amigurumi and scarves, drawing and coding.