Meet the Team

Edward Yoo Pokropski, executive producer, creative

Ed is a two-time Emmy nominated Senior Writer/Producer for Cable Entertainment Brand Creative at NBCUniversal. Ed has been touring his critically acclaimed one-man show, Case 84: Adopted in the U.S.A., across the country. Ed is originally from Philly, and proud to be a Korean American adoptee.

Kate Lee Moran, executive producer, marketing

Kate is a Korean American producer, creative director, video editor, writer, and comedian with over 15 years experience working in production, casting, comedy and more. She currently works full time as the Senior Producer for Yahoo Brand Studio, creating award-winning branded content. A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, recent credits include The Revolution comedy show (founder/producer), Nasty Women Unite Fest, (founder/vice president), The Witchcast Podcast (founder/producer/co-host), and sketch instructor at the Peoples Improv Theater. She’s also trying to make her two dogs famous. See more at www.kmoproductions.com.

Yao King, executive producer, partnerships

Yao King is Founder and Chief Investment Officer of YKAM, a multi-strategy hedge fund based in New York City. He was most recently Global Head of Program Trading, Americas Head of PT, ETFs, and CRB Trading, and Managing Director at Deutsche Bank where he oversaw one of the firm’s largest businesses and a multi-billion dollar global book of risk. Yao studied Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was awarded the Karl Taylor Compton Prize, the highest award presented by the Institute in recognition of excellent achievements in citizenship and devotion to the welfare of the MIT community. Yao’s philanthropic interests extend from supporting the arts to the underprivileged to social issues and representation. He built and led the #GoldOpen movement on the East Coast, a non-profit venture of Gold House that supports diversity in media both in front of and behind the camera. He also trained at the French Culinary Institute, and enjoys cooking and managing his small farm using sustainable, regenerative agricultural practices. Recent recognitions include being named A100 Most Impactful AAPIs in Culture (Gold House, 2020), Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business (Asian American Business Development Center, 2022), Committee of 100 Next Generation Leaders (C100, 2022), and inaugural member of Friends of the CFDA (CFDA, 2024).

Nancy Lu, Fancy PR, public relations

Nancy Lu (Fancy PR) is a first-generation Chinese-American and an NYC-based entertainment and arts communications specialist who has built her career in the music industry helping break artists including The Beaches, Saucy Santana, SOFI TUKKER, MUNA, and more. She's driven by storytelling, exploring the intersection of identity and the arts, and championing underrepresented voices in media.For all media inquiries, contact Nancy at nl@fancypr.com.

Kyle Marian, producer, creative

Kyle Marian is a proud Filipina comedian and former scientist. She loves to produce and perform comedy that makes audiences laugh and think deeply––from standup to characters to improv. Kyle has performed across the US and UK, including taking the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe. In March 2020, she co-produced and co-hosted the headline-making “Asians Strike Back: A Coronavirus Comedy & Science Show,” and since then has helped to co-found the first official bicoastal Filipino Comedy Festival.

Mabel Chung, producer, production manager

Mabel is a marketing and communications executive with over 15 years experience, representing brands such as Sega and Nintendo in the video games industry, along with various startups in the NY Tech Scene.
In addition, she has always prioritized supporting the arts and her culture, volunteering and working with festivals such as the SF Int'l Asian American Film Fest (now known as CAAMFest), as well as NYFF, Tribeca, the New York Asian Film Festival, and Halawai Film Fest (now known as PIFF).

Catherine Choi, selections committee

Emily Chen, volunteer coordinator, social support, selections committee

Emily is a Korean-American adoptee with a Chinese last name and cancer survivor. Raised in Nebraska with a love of pop culture, boy bands & Broadway, she is excited to be a part of the Fest. Endlessly thankful to Kate, Ed & Yao for this community they have built and for providing a space for Asian joy year after year! She is the COO of merch. (a BIPOC owned Broadway merchandising company) and is a full-time K-Pop Multi. 화이팅! 

Eva Suskind, social support, selections committee

Eva Suskind is a Washington DC based communications and branding professional dedicated to amplifying adoptee voices and stories. In 2025, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from James Madison University, receiving a BA in Korean Language and Digital Video and Cinema. She serves as Communications and Social Media Manager for Emergency Action for Records Storage (EARS), creating clear, timely content and visual campaigns while helping organize forums and events. Eva also supports creative projects like the short film You’re So Lucky, developing social media branding, content, and partnerships.

Franklin Shen, selections committee

Franklin Shen has been supporting the Asian American community for a number of years. Beyond Asian Comedy Fest, he is currently a fellow with Gold House. In the past, he founded the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. His day job however is focused on strategy, product and operations in healthcare tech. Overall, he's passionate about helping mission-based companies and organizations develop strategies and drive operational scale. 

John Bai, art direction & design

John Bai is a multidisciplinary designer with a background in product design. Having graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, John's previous companies and clientele have included household names such as Plaid, Lyft, and Dropbox. During his tenure at these companies, he led employee resource groups centered around Pan-Asian celebration and initiatives. Current and ongoing work can be found at johnb.ai

Lisa Angulo Reid, selections committee

Margaret Breitton, program support

Willa Yeh, partnerships support