Melissa is a licensed art therapist on Apex’s Mental Health team. Before joining Apex, Melissa worked providing therapeutic support to survivors of torture and asylum seekers, as well as with children and families in various clinical and educational settings. She practices a strengths-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed approach to healing, and as a multi-racial therapist, Melissa values the intersections of identity, culture, and community. She received a B.A. in Design from the University of California at Davis and an M.A. in Art Therapy from New York University. As an artist and art therapist, Melissa values the creative process as a means to discovering narratives of resilience. She is a painter, an avid reader, and adventurer who really enjoys ocean swims.

Paul coordinates Apex’s athletic programs for our Manhattan sites. Paul gained valuable experience playing 4 years of varsity HS basketball as well as coaching in various youth basketball leagues in his community. With a proven ability to strategize, execute, and inspire, Paul is committed to making a significant impact on our organization’s athletic endeavors. He thrives on creating opportunities for athletes to shine, and his unwavering enthusiasm for sports is contagious. In his spare time Paul enjoys playing and watching basketball, hiking, and managing his fantasy sports teams.

Mikaela coordinates Apex’s Elementary Programs in Manhattan. Prior to Apex, she taught history to high school students while supporting various after school activities and facilitating student affinity group initiatives. Mikaela completed her undergraduate work in International Studies and Education at Middlebury College. Through her work at Apex she is excited to empower youth with the tools to understand identity, build strong foundations for community, and to strive towards justice. In her free time she enjoys going on walks, listening to music, and frequenting coffee shops.

Shirley is a social worker with the Mental Health team at Apex. Prior to joining Apex, she worked with young people of color as a clinically licensed social worker, providing individual/group therapy to college students and youth in mental health settings. She was born and raised in NYC’s Chinatown and received her BSW from the University at Albany, and MSW from Hunter College. Her approach working with young people is person-centered, trauma-informed, and relationally driven, with particular attention to systemic contexts that shape social injustice. In her free time, Shirley enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and exploring new places.

Emily is the Middle School Mentoring Program (Brooklyn) Coordinator at Apex for Youth. Born and raised in Taiwan but has also lived in California and Boston, Emily has worked in many educational spaces in both Taiwan and the United States. From her past experiences, she developed interests and became committed to works that advocate for education equity, culturally responsive education, and critical youth development. Emily holds a MA in Sociology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BA in International Relations and Gender Studies from Boston University. In her free time, she enjoys playing guitar, reading, going on walks and is recently picking up knitting.

Beau manages the K-2 in-person and virtual programs. Most recently with Apex, Beau was the Elementary After School director at PS 184. Prior to joining Apex Beau served as a director at the Robotics camp, NORY & worked at the Fresh Air Fund providing low income NYC children with unique programs. Additionally, Beau has experience as a high school teacher and teaching English as a 2nd language overseas. Beau holds a B.A. in history and is currently completing his M.S. in adolescence social studies education. In his free time Beau enjoys kayaking, listening to music and hanging out with friends and family.

Assumpta manages, supports, and develops programming for all the students who have gone through Apex programs with their post-secondary paths. This includes supporting them with their academic and professional pursuits. She has been working in college and post-secondary access and support programs for underrepresented young adults in New York City for over thirteen years. Prior to this work, Assumpta was a high school health educator at a school-based health center in Oakland, CA. Assumpta holds a B.A. in Psychology from UC Berkeley and an MPH from Columbia University. In her spare time, Assumpta enjoys yoga, cooking, trying new cuisines, and exploring the city.

Jing-Jing oversees the volunteer programs of Apex, with a focus on the Mentoring, Elementary, Athletics, and College & Career Success programs. She brings 15 years of educational experience and has worked at schools across NYC as a teacher, instructional coach, and administrator. Jing-Jing holds a BA from Binghamton University, a MA from Teachers College, Columbia University and a EdM from Bank Street College of Education. During her spare time, she likes to travel and spend time with her family. 

Marina graduated from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study where her focus was the sociology of education and health. She has spent nearly a decade working on education focused initiatives with a specialization in afterschool and summer career readiness initiatives. In her free time Marina enjoys traveling, cooking, and knitting.

Atiya is the Manhattan Middle School Mentoring Program Manager. Born and raised in Queens, she loves her city and wants to do work that empowers the people and communities that raised us. Prior to joining Apex for Youth, she worked as a Community Coordinator in Adult Education which provides free English, CTE, and GED classes to NYC students. A forever student of people’s history, she majored in American Studies and minored in Teaching and Learning Studies in Wellesley College. Through her work at Apex, she hopes to learn about relationship and community building, honoring the identities we hold, and building strong futures together. She enjoys reading, cooking, going on picnics, loving her cats, and collecting journals. One day, she hopes to be an athlete who hikes in mountains and learns archery.

At the core of who Lea is, there’s an intrinsic drive to help uphold human rights and advance social justice. In particular, she is excited to do her part to serve and uplift the Asian and immigrant communities. With prior experience working with high school youths, mentoring students, coordinating volunteers, and managing programs, Lea joins the Apex for Youth team as the High School Mentoring Program Coordinator. She is responsible for program communications, mentoring pair support, and curriculum facilitation/planning. In her free time, Lea likes to cook, crochet, play Pokémon GO, and help organize pop-up markets all over NYC.

As the Elementary Program Manager for Apex’s programming in Brooklyn, Erica is dedicated to supporting youth and their families and communities in creating safe, inclusive, and uplifting spaces. Building meaningful, reciprocal relationships has been central to Erica’s past experiences as a teaching assistant, dining services employee, and kindergarten teacher, and it continues to be a priority today as she promotes educational equity. In her free time, Erica enjoys playing with her rescue pup, exploring bookstores, and spending quality time with her loved ones.

Jennifer is the Elementary Program Manager at Apex’s sites in Manhattan. She is committed to fostering value among immigrant youth through community work, identity exploration, and relationship-building. Jennifer approaches her work with optimism and the belief that students have the agency to uplift and become visionaries for their community. Before joining Apex, she worked in education and youth development both locally and abroad. Jennifer studied Cultural Anthropology at Rutgers University and International Education at NYU. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys biking, surfing at Rockaway, and discovering new pizza spots.

Stephen is the Brooklyn Athletics Program Coordinator. Stephen graduated from NYU getting a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Media and Business where he worked for many professional sport teams and leagues including the National Women’s hockey League, the New York Red Bulls and the Sydney Sixers. His love of basketball started at the age of 8 and continues to this day. Stephen is excited to expose the next generation to the lifelong benefits and lessons athletics can provide.

As the Elementary Programs coordinator in Manhattan, Khrystalie is passionate about cultivating innovative and crafty little mindsets in her students. For the last few years, she has worked in various educational settings, including fostering a safe and fun learning environment for preschoolers and supporting high schoolers with their postsecondary decisions. Making education accessible and responsive to the needs and interests of her community is foundational to her teaching style. Khrystalie is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and creative space that empower youth to explore their identity and build meaningful relationships in their community. Khrystalie completed her undergraduate studies in Media & Cultural Studies at UC Riverside and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Library & Information Science at San Jose State. When Khrystalie isn’t leading Apex’s Elementary Explorers, you’ll probably find her reading a book or spooling yarn next to her three legged furry best friend, Layla.

Heather manages Apex’s community partnerships and one-off events in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Previously, she supported Apex’s Elementary programs in Sunset Park, Brooklyn for two years. Prior to her time at Apex, Heather served as an AmeriCorps member at an education nonprofit supporting low-income, immigrant students and families in Northern Virginia and studied Sociology and Psychology at Clemson University in South Carolina. She is passionate about building community wherever she goes and providing underserved communities with the resources they need to feel safe, be happy, and stay healthy. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, playing volleyball and tennis, strolling through Central Park, trying new restaurants, and journaling.

Ivy oversees the mental health services at Apex. Prior to joining Apex, Ivy has worked extensively with Asian American non-profit organizations, where she played pivotal roles in developing and leading high impact programs to support Asian American and immigrant communities. Through her different roles working with diverse communities, Ivy developed a profound understanding of ways in which social systems, cultures, and personal experiences can shape personal and community well-being. Therefore, in her clinical practice, Ivy adopts a strength-based and trauma-informed approach to help individuals define their personal narratives and develop effective coping mechanisms. Ivy is a licensed social worker. She received her B.S. in Social Work from Syracuse University and an MSW from Columbia University. Ivy loves to travel, cook, and capture the little moments in photos.

Stephanie is the Middle School Mentoring Program Manager at Apex, merging her teaching experience with her passion for connecting communities to resources that nourish, grow, and root resilience. A newcomer to the Sunset Park community, Stephanie hopes to build new relationships, support student interests, and leverage intergenerational knowledge. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Stephanie enjoys hiking, climbing, cooking, and jumping from high places into bodies of water. Stephanie holds an MA in International Education Development from Teachers College, Columbia University and a BA in English from Wesleyan University.

Junyue Liao is the Mental Health Associate with the Mental Health team at Apex. She holds a BA from UC San Diego and an MPH from Columbia University, with a specialization in health policy and infectious disease epidemiology. Before joining Apex, Junyue worked with diverse, marginalized communities, including immigrants, communities of color, and older adults. At Apex, Junyue is dedicated to empowering underserved Asian and immigrant youth from low-income families in NYC by connecting them to needed mental health and social services. She hopes to assist these youth in overcoming challenges, building confidence, and accessing educational opportunities, ultimately guiding them to reach their full potential. Outside of work, she enjoys practicing yoga, doing CrossFit, and exploring various restaurants in New York City.

Haywood is the Athletics Program Manager at our partner sites in Manhattan and Brooklyn. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management specializing in operations from Stony Brook University. He has spent many years in the sports realm training and advising many high level athletes globally. Haywood brings diverse skills to help bring the Athletics program to a new level as Apex grows exponentially. Haywood has mentored athletes around the world and loves to give back to the youth as athletics has helped him grow and experience various new avenues in life. During his spare time, Haywood loves to workout, hike, trade stocks and travel.

Phung works in the College and Career Success team, where she develops the 11th & 12th Grade curriculum. She also manages volunteers, recruitment and check-ins for the college access program. Prior to Apex, she has worked as an educator in Boston Public Schools, which instilled in her a passion for making the world more equitable through education and advising. Phung received her individualized degree in Ethnic Studies from Wellesley College and a Masters in Education from University of Massachusetts Boston through the Boston Teacher Residency. In her personal life, Phung likes to take long walks, explore different art spaces, powerlift, boulder, bake and cook.

Grace Noh is an art therapist on the Mental Health team at Apex. Prior to joining at Apex, she took a lead role to pioneer in-person & remote art therapy programs and build group therapy curriculums for school settings both in NYC and Seoul. She has diverse work experience with different age groups including at-risk students from immigrant families, students of families who defected from North Korea, and those who experienced the loss of a loved one.

Grace received her M.A. in Art Therapy from New York University and earned her B.F.A in Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, writing, museum hopping, and riding a bike.

Ashwath Srivatsan was born in Seattle, and moved to New York to study at NYU Tisch and Stern in a dual degree program for Film and Business. Ashwath seeks to pursue work that empowers individuals, and places value on growth and personal development. With past experience in both the worlds of business and education, Ashwath is now hoping to coalesce knowledge from a plethora of learning and apply it to his career. Outside of their career, Ashwath is a passionate storyteller, animator, and a dungeon master for the popular game system Dungeons & Dragons. He has not only authored a number of unique campaigns, but has even developed original game systems to tell these stories. Ashwath aspires to share his passion for storytelling with anyone who will listen, and to teach others how to tell stories of their own.

Isabelle is Apex’s Associate Director of Elementary Programs. Prior to Apex, she served as the Coordinator of Tutoring and Academic Skills at NYU Shanghai and as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Hualien, Taiwan. Isabelle graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in Peace and Justice Studies and Asian American Studies. She is committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for immigrant youth and providing them with the tools for community and self empowerment. In her free time, Isabelle likes to read, play soccer, climb, and bake.

Annie Tan manages Apex’s National Virtual Mentorship Program. Prior to joining Apex, Annie taught special education students for over a decade in New York City and Chicago Public Schools. Annie holds a MAT in Special Education from National Louis University, a BA in Urban Studies and Elementary Education from Columbia University, and a Certificate in Teaching English as a New Language (ENL) from Northeastern Illinois University. Born and raised in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Annie loves karaoke and trying new Asian foods. Annie is writing a memoir about her heritage language loss, reclamation of Cantonese and Toisan, and the historic legacy of her cousin Vincent Chin.

Jia-Ming works on the College and Career Success team, where she plans and manages the implementation of our college access and career exploration events and collects and evaluates student engagement data. Before working at Apex for Youth, Jia-Ming worked on 10th and 11th grade programming and managed student recruitment at Minds Matter NYC, a college access and persistence program for low-income and marginalized students in NYC. Jia-Ming graduated from Haverford College with a B.A. in Political Science and two concentrations in Peace, Justice, and Human Rights and in Latin American and Iberian Studies. In her free time, Jia-Ming likes to travel, read, take long walks while listening to podcasts, and try new restaurants around the city.

As the High School Mentoring Program Manager, Ellie helps with curriculum planning, mentoring pair support, and communication. Her MSc dissertation at the University of Oxford focused on the effects of racism on Chinese American Youth. She is so happy to work in a position that combines her passion for education and racial justice and allows her to serve her community. For fun, she loves watching true crime documentaries while playing with her cat.

Ian oversees Apex’s athletics programs. Ian brings his experience from playing Division III basketball at Hunter College and has organized basketball clinics and leagues in Chinatown, NY for youth and adults. His passion for sports helps with teaching the students teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance.