We're a great community and we present with pride a few of our alumni who are open to mentoring students. To request to join the Mentors of the Student and Alumni Connections Action Team, please email Co-chair Keith Catone at soulchinese@gmail.com

NaRhee Ahn (Theater Arts/Art Semiotics '93) is a Korean American filmmaker committed to raising the visibility of Asian American stories through media representation. At Brown she created the first GISP for studying Asian American Film & Video. She has lectured at City University of New York and appeared on Asian America TV (PBS). Ms. Ahn is a former President of the Asian American Filmmakers’ Collaborative/The WorkSHOP. A select list of Ms. Ahn’s personal works include A SON FOR SENSEI a feminist martial arts comedy completed at Columbia University’s Graduate Film Division and distributed by AtomShockwave, UNDER: ELEGY a 9/11 meditation on repressed grief that has just ended its tour at Asian American film festivals nationwide and THE KIM/LEE/PARK TRILOGY, 3 feature length screenplays about the Korean American experience. Her next step is directing the feature film PURITY. Ms. Ahn is an expert on dealing with parents and a community who don't quite understand the desire for a career in the arts ;) You can reach her at narhee@alumni.brown.edu

Naia Cucukov (’04) is Mongolian/Italian/English. Her father’s side of her family came to the U.S in 1951 and her mother’s side came in the 1700s and 1920s. Naia grew up in Millville, New Jersey. She now resides in Los Angeles California and works at Creative Artists Agency. She concentrated in Modern Culture and Media. While at Brown she was involved with BTV (Brown Date), Senior Class Officer Social Chair, Hawaii Club, Asian/Asian American Alumni Alliance, and the theatre department. Her hobbies and interests include: movies, television, yoga, sky diving, spending hours stuck in LA traffic, the beach, and traveling. As a recent graduate, she understands the fears associated with leaving Brown and entering the “Real World.” If you have any concerns or questions about your first year out, the entertainment industry, moving cross country, or anything at all, please don’t hesitate to ask. She can be reached at Naia@alumni.brown.edu.

Mushtaq Gunja (’00) is Indian American. His family came to the United States in the 70s before Mushtaq was born. He grew up in Diamond Bar, California. Mushtaq now resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he attends Harvard Law School. He worked as a consultant for Bain and Company and as a research analyst for Massachusetts Tobacco Control Program. He concentrated in Political Science and History. While at Brown, Mushtaq was the chair of the Undergraduate Finance Board, a Student Activities Coordinator, MPC, Mock Trial member, Brown College Democrat, and Meiklejohn advisor. He enjoys basketball, fantasy sports, and is recovering from obsessive poll-watching. He can be reached at mgunja@law.harvard.edu.

Jonathan Kim ('88) Mr. Kim received his BA from Brown University in English and American Literature and has continued to serve the University in a wide range of volunteer capacities, including: BASC alumni interviewer (1991-1996); BASC Manhattan Area Chair (1996-1998); Board of Directors Brown Club of New York (1996-1998); Board Member, Brown Alumni Association Board of Governors (1998-2000); Co-President, Brown Club of New York (2002-2004); 10th Reunion Fundraising Committee (1997-1998); 15th Reunion Fundraising and Reunion Committee Chair (2002-2003); Brown Asian American Alumni Alliance (A4) Interim Executive Board (2002-2004); and Class Treasurer for the Class of 1998 (2003-present). In 2001, he had an essay on 9/11, entitled Understanding, published in the November/December issue of the Brown Alumni Magazine. Following Brown, Jonathan received his JD from Georgetown University, where he was an editor and published author for the Tax Lawyer, the American Bar Association's journal of taxation. While at Georgetown, he studied EU law at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. Jonathan also received his MBA with a dual concentration in Finance and Strategy from the Yale School of Management, where he served as a research assistant to the dean. He currently serves as the Treasurer of the School of Management's Alumni Association and sits on the Association's Steering Committee. Jonathan is the current General Counsel and Secretary for Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: MRH) a publicly traded global reinsurance company based in Bermuda. He began his career with the United States Department of Justice in Washington, DC as a law clerk in their Criminal Tax Division. Subsequently, he was an associate in New York with Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts. He has also served as in house counsel to a number of start up ventures and worked in London and Amsterdam as an Account Director for Modem Media, Inc. Prior to joining Montpelier Re, Jonathan was with AXA Advisors, LLC in New York. Jonathan grew up in Connecticut and has lived and worked in Washington, DC, New York, New Haven, Stamford and London. He also holds dual U.S./Italian Citizenship. He can be reached at jkim@toast.net

Saeromi Kim (’96) is Korean. She grew up in Caracas, Venezuela and came to the United States in 1991 to attend Brown. She now resides in Providence, Rhode Island and is a doctoral student in clinical psychology. She has also served as an Assistant Director of Admission at Brown University and a case manager/clinical staff with the Venture leave-taking program. She concentrated in Psychology. While at Brown, she was involved with community service (ESL), Theater (puppeteer), Resource Center, and KSA. She enjoys pool, volunteer work, reading, writing, the Red Sox, and feminist literature. “I have a 12 year old son named Jesse. He is my partner’s biological son and we have been living together as a family for almost 7 years. My partner, Susan is from Providence and I stayed here after Brown because I fell in love! Now I consider Providence my main home. My family moved from Korea to Venezuela when I was 5 years old. My best language now is English, then Spanish, then Korean. The French I learned in High School and at Brown seems to be all gone by now!” She can be reached at Saeromi@cox.net.

George Kong ('02, MS '03) migrated to West Virginia from Southern China in 1992, when he was 12.  He received a BA in International Relations, a BS and a MS in Computer Science at Brown.  After Brown, he moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to work as a software engineer in Network Appliance, where he is still currently employed.  When he was at Brown, George was a member of CSA, AASA and served as the Vice
President of the Brown United Nations Club.  He also served as a MPC, a TWC staffer, and a Community Director.  George is a Brown interviewer and an Brown ACCESS mentor, and a member of the Chinese Software Professional's Association.  When not working, George likes to play basketball, scuba dive in the freezing Bay water, and travel.
He can be reached at george_kong@alumni.brown.edu.

Marie Lee ('86) is Korean American. Her family came to the United States in the 50s before she was born. She grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota and is a novelist and visiting scholar in the American Civilization Department at Brown. Her field of interest is Korean/Korean American/Asian American literature and Korean adoption. She is also an essayist, her op-ed, "We Koreans Need an Al Sharpton" appeared in the New York Times. She concentrated in Economics. While at Brown she was involved with the Brown Daily Herald. She enjoys tae kwon do, gardening, and the ocean. "My spouse is also a Brown grad and Brown professor, Karl Jacoby. Oh, and my first novel, Somebody's Daughter, is coming out in the spring and I'm extremely excited. Please tune in to marielee.net for more info."

Cindy Limawararut ('00) is Thai American. Her parents immigrated to the United States in the 70s before Cindy was born. She grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. She now resides in Boston, Massachusetts and is a 1st and 2nd grade teacher in Cambridge , but will soon be moving back to the Washington, DC area. She concentrated in French Civilization and Educational Studies at Brown and later received a Master's in Elementary Education. While at Brown, Cindy was involved with the MPC program, the Brown Madrigals, the Thai Student Association, and the French Department. She enjoys singing, traveling, being outdoors, organic farming and gardening. In her next career, Cindy would love to combine her latter two interests with education. She can be reached at mcl@alumni.brown.edu.

Mai Karitani Manchanda ('03) is Japanese American. She came to the United States in 1979 at age 7. Mai grew up in Huntsville, Alabama. She now resides in East Providence, Rhode Island and works as a Coordinator with the Drug Policy Research Group at Harvard Medical School/Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. She has also served as a clinical research assistant, a reports editor, and a technical writer. She concentrated in East Asian Studies. While at Brown, she was involved with the Women's Peer Counseling Program. She enjoys writing and cooking. She can be reached at mai_manchanda@yahoo.com

Yvonne Mark ('92) is Chinese American.  Her father's family came to

the U.S from Southern China in the early 1900s. Her mother was born in

Southern China, grew up in Hong Kong, and moved to the U.S in high

school.  Yvonne grew up in Barrington, Rhode Island.

She now resides in Columbia, Maryland and works as a physician at the

Johns Hopkins University Student Health and Wellness Center.  While at

Brown, she was a PLME student and concentrated in Biology.  She

received her M.D and M.M.S from Brown in '97. Yvonne has also worked

in NYC at a private family practice office and as the medical director

of the Fashion Institute of Technology.  As a student, she was

involved with the Asian Freshman Outreach Program, East Asian House,

the Meiklejohn Advising Program, Peer Health Awareness, Wind Symphony,

Commencement Band, Student for AIDS Awareness, and the Orientation and

Welcoming Committee.  She is the former treasurer of the Asian/Asian

American Alumni Alliance (A4), the former co-chair of A4's Student &

Alumni Connections Action Team, a Brown Alumni Schools Committee

(BASC) interviewer, a Brown Alumni Career Connections

(ACCess) career mentor, a member of the Rhode Island Association of

Chinese Americans (RIACA), and a member of Organization of Chinese

Americans (OCA). She enjoys piano, flute, Chinese folk dancing, jazz,

ballet, and cooking. "I wish an organization like A4 existed while I

was a student. I am happy to talk to students about issues at Brown

and beyond." She can be reached at yvieinny@yahoo.com.

Pang Houa Moua (’04) is Hmong. Her family came to the United States in 1986. Pang grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota. She now resides in Washington, D.C. and works as a Policy Advocate with Hmong National Development. She concentrated in American Civilization (Immigration and Ethnicity). While at Brown she was involved with the TWC, Volunteers in Providence Schools, the WPC program, Southeast Mentoring Program, Women’s Writing Circle, Women’s Literacy and Domestic Violence Prevention Project, The Women’s Center, and literacy issues. She likes the outdoors, traveling, and exploring new places. She can be reached at panghoua@hndlink.org.

Ruth Lok Neighbors (’95) is Chinese and Caucasian.  Her mother is from Hong Kong and immigrated to the United States after marrying her father.  Her father’s family has been in the United States for over 200 years.  Ruth grew up both in the Washington D.C suburbs and overseas in China.  She now resides in Greenwich, Connecticut and works as a web editor for The McGraw-Hill Companies.  She also has worked as an office manager for an Internet startup, an assistant to a Media & Entertainment division of Fleet Bank, communication manager for the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, Taiwan, and production coordinator for a joint Chinese/American TV production company in Beijing, China.  She concentrated in History. While at Brown, she was involved with WBRU-FM (news reporter and anchor), AASA, BOMBS, and International House at Buxton.  She enjoys traveling, mentoring high school students and working with Writers to the Rescue, a group of editors who work with non-profits.   She can be reached at ruthneighbors@gmail.com.

Cynthia Pong ('04) is Chinese American. Her parents came to the United States in the early 70s before she was born. Cynthia grew up in Newark, Delaware. She now resides in Boston, Massachusetts where she works as a paralegal and is hoping to attend law school to do juvenile justice law in the future. She concentrated in Ethnic Studies. While at Brown, she was a MPC, MPC friend, a member of Third World ACTION, RESist, the Asian American History Month planning Committee, Eyes on the Prize, and the Lion Dance Team. She enjoys reading and art. She can be reached at Cynthia@alumni.brown.edu.

Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar (’87) is Filipino. Her parents moved to the United States prior to her birth. Hanna grew up in Philadelphia, and now resides in Providence. She concentrated in Art History and received a master’s in art history at Brown in 1990. Since 2000, she’s been working as a researcher at Harvard Business School, and has just begun a doctoral program in higher education at at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. She’s very active in Brown’s alumni community, and is currently President-Elect of the Brown Alumni Association. In July 2005, she becomes President and also begins a 6- year term on the Board of Trustees of the Brown Corporation. She can be reached at hrf@hbs.edu.

Cris Sales is a 1990 graduate. A former Minority Peer Counselor and AASA Coordinator, Cris earned a BA in Theater Arts. Immediately following college, she pursued a career in directing, receiving artistic fellowships from Arena Stage and The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC. Her work has been seen at theaters in New York and Washington, including the Currican Theatre, The Duplex, and the Kennedy Center Lab. Cris is a member of IMUA! Theatre Company. As a writer and humorist, her work has been featured in American Theatre magazine, the NY-based literary website mrbellersneighborhood.com, and on comedycentral.com. Currently, she is Coordinator of Standards and Practices at Comedy Central, where she chaired the in-house Diversity Committee for three years. She has worked with the Brown ACCess program and Brown Career Services, and the Brown Club of NY. She is a member of the International Radio and Television Society Foundation. She can be reached at Cris.Sales@alumni.brown.edu

Jennet Sambour (’03) is Cambodian/Khmer. Her family came to the United States in 1981. Jennet grew up in Providence, Rhode Island and now lives in Washington D.C. She concentrated in Psychology and economics. While at Brown she was involved with AASA, TWC, the Brown field Hockey Club, and Southeast Asian student issues. She has two younger siblings attending Brown. She enjoys reading and learning. She can be reached at Jennet@alumni.brown.edu.

Dulari Tahbildar (’00) is South Asian. Her parents immigrated to the United States in the early 70s. Dulari grew up in Princeton Junction, New Jersey. She now resides in New York City and works as a Program Coordinator at a public school. She has also served as an Education Policy Researcher and a Development Coordinator at a youth organization. She concentrated in Public Policy/Urban Studies. While at Brown, she was involved with SASA, Shades of Brown, and the WPC program. She can be reached at Dularit@yahoo.com.

Sangeeta Tripathi (’04) is Indian-Cuban American. Her father came to the United States in 1969 and her mother was born in the United States. She grew up in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Sangeeta currently resides in Washington D.C where she is working as a lobbyist, waitress, artist and activist. She concentrated in International Development Studies (Community Health). While at Brown she was involved with Third World ACTION, the MPC program, MPC friend Program, Global Alliance to Immunize against AIDS, an UTRA to do HIV/AIDS work in Mali and a TA for an International Health class. She is interested in activism at Brown and the TWC community, international HIV/AIDS advocacy, social justice work, painting and mural making. “I bounced around A LOT spending a lot of energy at RISD, Brown, in TW activities, activism, academic coursework, building relationships with first-years, tutoring, doing international work and I don’t regret one minute of it – thought at times it was pretty hard to balance. If I could be of any help to folks who are trying to weigh very different options, I surely wouldn’t mind doing so.” She can be reached at sangtrip@alumni.brown.edu.

Margaret Woo (’79) is Chinese American. Her family came to the United States in 1964. Margaret hails from Boston where she currently lives and works as a law professor. She concentrated in Anthropology and later received a J.D. While at Brown she was involved with the Asian American Students Association. She enjoys spending her free time with her two children. She can be reached at woo@neu.edu.