Lauryn Alejo
Lauryn lives in Los Angeles as a graphic designer. Currently, working with Flamingo Estate and previously with Changing Tides’ long time collaborator UPRISERS. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, bowling, tarot, and yoga.
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Madeline Sugimoto
Madeline was born and raised in West LA, California and joined Changing Tides in 2023. She is a student at Northwestern University and first got involved through developing CT's high school and college ambassador program. In her free time, Madeline enjoys drinking matcha, playing basketball, going to the beach, and sewing.
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Kaelyn Fung
Kaelyn is currently an undergraduate student at UCLA. She first joined Changing Tides in her freshman year, looking for local AAPI non-profits to get involved with. She instantly fell in love with the team and has been volunteering with CT, along with other LTSC programs, ever since. Outside of CT, Kaelyn enjoys paddling with her dragon boat team, exploring coffee shops, thrifting, collecting records, and taking pictures. She is always trying to acquire new and random skills (she is currently attempting to teach herself guitar).
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Katie was born and raised in Palos Verdes, California, and has been a part of Changing Tides since 2018. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science and Computing at UCLA in 2022 and is currently attending the University of Michigan to pursue a Master of Science in Human Computer Interaction. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, visiting museums, and playing basketball.
She/HerKatie Mitani
Deena Umeda
Deena is from Los Angeles, but grew up in San Jose, California and has been a part of the Changing Tides crew since 2024 when she was hired as the Assistant Outreach Coordinator. She graduated from UCSB in 2022 with a Degree in Asian American Studies. In her free time she enjoys cooking, tending to her indoor plants and doing different kinds of arts and crafts.
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Linh Vo is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at the Little Tokyo Service Center. She received her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from USC and completed her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the UCSB. Her experience involves working with various populations such as children and families, LGBTQ+ youth, foster youth, domestic violence survivors, caregivers, young adults, adults, and seniors in community mental health doing individual and group therapy, as well as crisis intervention and community outreach. Her background as a Vietnamese American and lived experience with her own mental health journey fostered a passion for de-stigmatizing mental health within the AA+NHPI community. After her close friend Nick Song died by suicide in 2021, she joined the CT Crew through the Song family’s connection to Changing Tides and their dedication to honor his memory and raise awareness for suicide prevention. She is currently the Intake Coordinator for the Changing Tides Stream therapy stipend program, with a focus on cultural sensitivity and bridging barriers to youth accessing professional mental health services.
She/HerLinh Vo
Yua Watanabe
Yua is from Hermosa Beach, California and joined the CT Crew in 2020. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Theater from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television. Currently, she works as a freelance set designer and artist in New York City.
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Matthew Yonemura
Matthew is from Redondo Beach, California, and joined the CT Crew in 2020 and later employed as the Changing Tides Program Coordinator in 2021. He graduated in 2021 from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television with a concentration in Directing, which he utilized in creating his film, Ryse Up Documentary. In his free time, Matthew enjoys working out, bowling, and playing with his dog, Jack.
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