MEET THE TEAM

Susan Choi
Director of Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches (A3M) 

  Susan Choi has been with A3M since 2015 as Executive Director.  Susan graduated with a Masters of Science degree in Environmental Health Sciences and Policy from University of California, Irvine.  Her academic focus was in community health, especially cancer incidences in minority communities.
Prior to coming to A3M, Susan worked in language access for over 15 years, advocating for linguistically and culturally appropriate health care services for limited English proficient individuals. Access to meaningful health care is a theme that will continue in her work with A3M.  Outside of work, she is busy with her husband and three young children.

Athena Asklipiadis
Director of Development and Communications

A year after the passing of her aunt to Lymphoma in 2007,  Athena had a chance meeting with A3M focus patient, Krissy Kobata’s family at a recruitment drive where she recognized the desperate need for  mixed/hapa donors.  After a year of volunteering with A3M, she later launched Mixed Marrow in 2009. Most recently, Athena and Canadian filmmaker Jeff Chiba Stearns produced award-winning documentary film, Mixed Match (2016) which screened worldwide.  Athena is a graduate of Pepperdine University with a degree in broadcasting.

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Chris Chen
Outreach and Recruitment Lead

Chris Chen graduated with a Masters of Arts degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from
​Azusa Pacific University.
His academic focus was in team dynamics, event planning, marketing, and community outreach.
He joined A3M in August 2016 and is eager to serve our patients and reach the communities.​

Veronica Lases
Outreach and Recruitment Lead

Veronica "Vero" Lases graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor's degree in Human Services,
and a focus on non-profit work.
Vero is also an AmeriCorps Alum, serving two terms with the American Red Cross, as the Latino Preparedness Coordinator. When Vero's not working, she enjoys going to concerts, practicing martial arts, visiting family in Fresno, and (of course) going to Disneyland.

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Darice Espino
​Administrative Assistant

Darice grew up in the heart of Los Angeles; Downtown, Los Angeles. Growing up in Los Angeles definitely exposed her to endless opportunity to help promote and sustain healthy living, which inspired her to dip into community health. She obtained her degree in Public Health and minor in Psychology from University of California, Merced. Her goal is to enrich lives through effective and honest services that provide basic needs to the socioeconomically disadvantaged and multi-ethnic communities. Her prior experience in Public health are within Women's Health, Nutritional, and Environmental. 

Tai Nguyen
​Vietnamese Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator

Tai Nguyen joined A3M a few years ago with a passion towards helping patients and their families find a matching donor.
​He graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor's degree in Human Services and a Master's degree in Gerontology.
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Niranjan Bhatt
South Asian Outreach & Recruitment Coordinator

Niranjan has been with A3M as a committed
for about a decade!  Niranjan has made many
successful connections and partnerships in 
the South Asian community over the years.

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