Investment Banking Associate, Westcove Partners
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Asian@Anderson
UCLA Anderson is proud to welcome so many students, faculty, alumni, donors and staff who identify with the Asian and Pacific Islander community. With the full breadth of cultural and national heritages — including those of the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, South Asia and East Asia — we are greatly enriched by our community’s business expertise, cultural knowledge and extensive international experience in regions around the Pacific Rim. Through events and initiatives, our six student clubs affiliated with Asian identities bring to light the vibrant, complex cultural distinctions that are so vital to the entire UCLA campus.
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month at UCLA Anderson
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, when we celebrate individuals and groups of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. We pay tribute to the generations that have enriched and strengthened our nation and celebrate our shared experiences.
Community, Career, Culture
Jillian Zhang (’25) and Jodi Yip (’25)
Co-Presidents, Asian Management Student Association
UCLA Anderson student leadership is engaging across the campus community and across the globe to celebrate heritage and showcase talent in all industries.
Community Success
Poets & Quants
Delivering Life-Saving Biotech — in Part, by Magic
Amgen’s Richard Balagtas (’24) is a passionate patient advocate
Linkedin
UCLA Anderson Student-Led Impact Ventures
Sagar Pande (’25) founded Blaze Power to revolutionize sustainable battery storage
NEWSROOM
What Would Any Parent Do?
UCLA Anderson alumna Jane Zhang’s (’20) otoscope makes telemedicine more accessible
Newsroom
Winning the Game
UCLA Anderson alumnus Eugene Wu’s (’19) passion for esports and gaming paid off
Q&A
A U.S. Army Dentist Disproves Stereotypes
Dr. Katherine Loi (FEMBA ’25) says people are surprised she’s a veteran
Jason Kim (’09) Is a Leader for the Millennium
Among his essential responsibilities as CEO of Millennium Space Systems is establishing the corporate culture
UCLA Anderson’s Stamp of Approval Got Him Through the Door at Disney
Former actor Mark Zee (’14) now negotiates entertainment deals globally
An Accessibility Expert Cultivates Allies for a More Inclusive Campus
UCLA Anderson FEMBA Carolanne Link (’23) is recognized for her EDI leadership
For UCLA Engineering Alumnus, Pride Is Year-Round
Double Bruin Calvin Cam (B.S. ’13, ’23) on Equity for LGBTQ+ in STEM
Managing Entertainment Analytics at Google Was a Dream Job
Reggie Panaligan’s (’10) patience and strategic thinking got him there
UCLA Anderson FEMBA President Engineers Solutions Like a Concertmaster
Salesforce’s Tiffany Lin (’24) pairs musicianship with business leadership
What Exploring Mars Can Teach Us about Business and Ourselves
NASA’s Al Chen (’07) describes how an MBA helps him do his fascinating job
Is Sexism in Medicine a Well-Kept Secret?
Neurosurgeon Linda Liau (Ph.D. ’99, ’16) observes implicit bias
What Makes L.A. a Great Place to Earn an MBA?
Silicon Beach’s entertainment tech advantage persuaded Judy Wang (’23)
UCLA Anderson Was Always the Top Choice for This CFO
Jeanelle Arias (B.A. ’01, ’23) Is a Poets & Quants’ Best & Brightest EMBA
Authentic and Open to New Ways of Working
Rohit Kolar (’23) believes in the power of bringing people together
Through the Faculty Lens
UCLA Anderson’s renowned faculty contribute research with far-reaching global influence, including across the Asia-Pacific region. Their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rise in crimes against AAPI people, supply chain disruptions and many other current topics have changed our experience of the world.
NEWSROOM
UCLA Anderson Assistant Professor among NIHCM Research Grantees
Jennifer Kao’s work on the controversial topic of drug repurposing will inform policymakers
Do America’s AAPI Communities Enjoy True Business Equity?
UCLA Anderson’s Chris Tang recommends corporations rethink their practices
UCLA Anderson Professor Is Appointed to the White House OMB
Economist Wes Yin will help meet U.S. policy, budget and management objectives
Face-to-Face Meetings Improve Outcomes for Buyers
Research by Mariko Sakakibara and Keith Chen reveals how acquiring companies get better deals
Banks Transmit Financial Shocks, Including from Natural Disasters
Shohini Kundu found that localized natural disaster reduces loans to far-off communities
Unlocking Cryptocurrency for Financial Engineers
UCLA Anderson MBA Benjamin Tsai’s (’01) new MFE course demystifies the trend
An Entrepreneur Shares Her Success
Saujin Yi launched her first company at Anderson, now teaches MBAs
Trademark Filings Can Serve as Valuable Indicators for Investors
Professor Siew Hong Teoh found a missing link to higher future profits
Soaring Prices Plunged the Energy Sector into Crisis
Global supply chains disrupted following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
What People of Asian Descent in America Face Now
Vice Chancellor Margaret Shih explains the cultural and workplace conflicts
Are You a Woman Applying for a Job? Choose Words Carefully
Using masculine words for male-dominated positions will backfire, according to Joyce He
The Pandemic Has Raised Questions about the Global Supply Chain
UCLA Anderson Distinguished Professor Chris Tang has the answers
Tools of the FinTech Trade
Jinyuan Zhang teaches UCLA Anderson MFEs the latest in financial technology
What Is the Fate of Same-Sex Marriage in China and Hong Kong?
UCLA Anderson’s Chris Tang says LGBTQ citizens are gaining traction
A Global Immersion in Cuba, and for Gonzalo Freixes, a Return to Homeland
UCLA Anderson's first class in Cuba was high in intellectual and emotional value
Meet our tastemakers
The First Asian-Inspired Hard Seltzer Is a Sell-Out
Beverage industry professional John Dalsey (’23) and music industry layoff casualty Jeremy Kim, with their friend Brando, an art director, co-founded 하드Nectar Hard Seltzer by scraping together $20,000 and incubating their company in UCLA Anderson’s Venture Accelerator. It was a trial-and-error, seat-of-their-pants enterprise that required soliciting another $100,000 from friends and family. They almost gave up in the face of more than 200 rejections from Los Angeles stores. In desperation, they posted their phone number and a compelling video, and sold out their initial stock before they knew it. Less than four years later, the Asian-inspired canned beverage is sold online and by major retailers in six states — giving the biggest brands a serious run for their money.
Three Days, 300,000 Views
How a trio of millennials started a hard seltzer brand while working full-time jobs
How One Asian Hard Seltzer Brand Took on White Claw
하드Nectar tapped a burgeoning market with lychee, yuzu and a compelling story
하드Nectar Hard Seltzer Almost Failed
It took 11 sleepless months and a viral video to launch the brand
The Earth-Friendly Partnerships Behind a Plant-Based Snack
UCLA Anderson EMBA Karin Lin (’24) unveils a trail mix alternative
UCLA Anderson FEMBA Student Embraces Culinary Diversity
Ziwei Li’s (’24) Wei Good Food shows how coexisting cultures strengthen each other
Veggie Grill: Eats for the Planet
Beyond the largest all-vegan restaurant chain, T.K. Pillan (’96) encourages the urban farming movement
JSL Foods’ Corporate Strategist Kelsey Kawana (’22) Knows Her Way Around
The John Wooden Leadership fellow serves in the C-suite as well as on the production floor
The Sharks Must Love It
UCLA Anderson Accelerator alumnae tamed judges with soy-free vegan ice cream
UCLA Student Union Welcomes Asian Snack Vending Machines
Three Anderson alumni founded Dachi to share a friendly taste of home
UCLA Anderson Startup KPOP Foods Acquired By Korean Food Retailer
Theo Lee (’17) and Mike Kim (’17) spread more love with Wooltari USA
From Custom to Customizable
L&L Barbecue's Elisia Flores ('14) took her family's business in delicious new directions
In Their Words
When Horses Run Together, They Are Stronger
Joining Asian Identity Clubs Led to Appreciation
A Rebellious Spirit Challenges Stereotypes
Appreciation Lies in Accepting Cultural Contrasts
Why Don’t We Gamify Learning?
A Nepali American Is Inspired by Multi-Ethnic L.A.
Tell Them You’re Taiwanese
On a Path to Peace with His Korean American Identity
Even in California, Growing Up Multiracial Is Challenging
The Origins of a Rebellious Spirit
Proud AAPI Heritage and Leadership
UCLA Anderson Student Clubs
Asian Management Student Association (AMSA)
Greater China Business Association (GCBA)
Japan America Business Association (JABA)
Korean Business Student Association (KBSA)
South Asian Business Association (SABA)
Southeast Asian Business Association (SEABA)
Five Questions With
Research Analyst at Fidelity International
Shanghai, China
Shanghai, China
Global Strategist, Samsung
Seoul, Korea
Seoul, Korea
Consultant at Bain & Company
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Consultant, Boston Consulting Group
Program Manager, Facebook
Co-Founder, U-Defi
Manager, Deloitte Digital
Major, U.S. Army
Major, U.S. Army
Operations Lead, MedArrive
Lieutenant Junior Grade, U.S. Navy
Lieutenant Junior Grade, U.S. Navy