Meet Our Incredible Volunteers

Phonethip “Tai” Vaz is the Executive Producer of the annual Asian Culture Festival at Tropical Park, leading the celebration of Asian heritage and diversity for over eight years. She also serves as Chairwoman of the Miami-Dade County Asian American Advisory Board and Vice-President of the Thai-American Association of Florida, passionately promoting cultural advancement, civic engagement, and small business support. Additionally, Tai organizes charitable initiatives through the Gummakonda Reddy Foundation and manages two corporations, embodying leadership and community empowerment.

Joshua Ho, Program Director for the Miami-Dade County Asian-American Advisory Board, plays a vital role in the Asian Culture Festival as a liaison with government agencies, ensuring compliance with county guidelines and securing essential support. Drawing on his experience as a teacher and pastor, Joshua helps students and non-profit service organizations gain exposure and connect with the festival, fostering mutual awareness and collaboration. His dedication to education, civic engagement, and cultural advancement strengthens the festival’s ties to the community.

“Art” Podchara Jittaleela, a skilled computer technician, is the go-to problem solver for the Asian Culture Festival’s technical needs. From handling updates and setups for the ticketing system to creating forms and ensuring smooth front- and back-end operations, Art’s expertise guarantees a seamless experience for attendees and organizers alike. In addition to managing and documenting finances and ticketing, he provides invaluable support wherever needed, drawing on years of experience with the festival. Art’s adaptability, attention to detail, and commitment make him an indispensable part of the team.

Mae Phikulthong, a former restaurant owner with a keen sense of customer service and hospitality, plays a vital role in managing food for the festival volunteers. This demanding task involves careful preparation, accommodating allergies and dietary restrictions, and striving to meet personal preferences whenever possible. As a devoted mother, Mae transitioned from the restaurant business to a career as a childcare worker, where her nurturing reputation continues to shine. Over the years, she has also contributed to the Asian Culture Festival through graphic design, event planning, and unwavering dedication wherever help was needed. Mae’s kindness, attention to detail, and commitment make her an essential part of the team.

Kai Whitcomb, founder of the Thai Dance Troupe of Ottawa, brings decades of expertise in Thai classical and folk performing arts to the Asian Culture Festival. A leader in preserving and promoting Thai culture, Kai trains local dancers in Miami each year, ensuring authentic and captivating performances. Her contributions extend beyond the stage, as she assists with performer selection, lineups, festival organization, and parade coordination. Kai’s dedication and deep cultural knowledge make her an integral part of the festival’s success and its celebration of Thai heritage.

Fareida Rajkumar plays an active role in the Asian Culture Festival as the lead MC, helping to coordinate performances and ensure a representation of diverse cultural traditions. With 28 years of experience as a teacher, youth camp coordinator, and cultural leader, Fareida also engages with the Indian community to promote the festival. Additionally, she successfully advocated for Broward County Public Schools to recognize “Diwali Day Off” starting October 2025.

Miles Leelayuwattanakul, an emerging architect, contributes her design and planning expertise to the Asian Culture Festival, focusing on logistics for traffic, parking, and the kids’ play zone. Moving to the U.S. at a young age, she gained independence, resilience, and an appreciation for community and interpersonal connections. As a martial artist, Miles brings a calm and collected approach to handling complex tasks, making her a valuable part of the festival team.

Tippy S. Lewis has been an important contributor to the Asian Culture Festival, managing food vendors with attention to detail and ensuring smooth operations through clear protocols and compliance. She recruits vendors, maintains open communication to help them prepare effectively, and balances selections to create a successful and enjoyable festival experience.

With an MBA in Finance from the University of Miami, Tippy brings extensive experience as a Senior Credit Analyst, where she managed financial analyses, cash flow strategies, and customer relationships. Beyond her professional expertise, Tippy has been recognized by the American Cancer Society–Palm Beach Chapter as a top individual fundraiser for several years and served as a Corporate Run Captain at Citrix for five years. She also participated in the Humane Society’s Walk for Animals, raising over $2,000. Her strong organizational skills, combined with her dedication and friendly yet firm approach, make her a valuable asset to the festival team.

“Jessi” Surasvadee Mahler, MBA graduate from California, has been married to David, Esq., for 38 years and is a proud mother of two, Angelina and Andrew. As a Thai interpreter and translator, she brings a wealth of cultural understanding and communication skills to her role as a Board Director of the Asian Culture Festival. Surasvadee’s dedication extends to supporting arts and crafts vendors, leveraging her insight into vendor needs and the importance of diverse offerings to enhance the festival’s atmosphere and customer experience. Her commitment is reflected in her efforts to recruit and support vendors, while her family actively participates, with her children volunteering and performing at the festival. Surasvadee’s expertise and passion make her an integral part of the event’s ongoing success.

Celine Fang, Director of Busi-Boost, brings her expertise in marketing, business development, financial resources, and community empowerment to the Asian Culture Festival. As the festival’s lead marketer, she manages its website and develops impactful digital presentations, including videos, posters, and social media posts, that not only advertise but resonate meaningfully with the audience. Celine also strategizes to enhance online and offline reputation and engagement while fostering strong community connections. Collaborating closely with the main organizers, she serves as a trusted sounding board, contributing to the festival’s success and lasting impact.

Amanda Gonzalez, a recent university graduate, has been actively involved with Asian American organizations through internships, cultural collaborations, and student clubs. Now embarking on a career in this field, Amanda brings a unique perspective as a Cuban descendant with a passion for Asian culture. She uses her skills to bridge generational and cultural gaps, contributing to Spanish communications, marketing, and social media. Amanda also plays a crucial role in managing the festival stage, coordinating performers, guest speakers, MCs, and other essential components to ensure a seamless and vibrant event. Her energy and dedication reflect the festival’s mission of cultural celebration and connection.

Bell Pansap, a psychology student at Florida International University (FIU) and future immigration attorney, plays a vital role in the Asian Culture Festival by collaborating closely with food vendors and assisting organizers across various festival operations. Drawing on his background in customer service, cultural awareness from managing his family’s Thai restaurant, and his diligence as a psychology student, Bell ensures seamless communication and a positive experience for all participants. His passion for helping others extends to his career aspirations, where he aims to support immigrants through a multifaceted approach informed by his education and cultural insight.

William Tsang, Philanthropy Chair at Sigma Phi Epsilon – FIU, brings dedication, leadership, and a keen eye for detail to the Asian Culture Festival. With experience as a vendor helper at the past two festivals, William takes on an important role this year, coordinating volunteers to ensure a smooth and successful event. Beyond his fraternity involvement, William runs a mobile car detailing business to support his education, demonstrating his ability to manage multiple tasks and processes over several hours to deliver polished results. His strong work ethic and organizational skills make him a valuable contributor to the festival and its community-focused mission.

“Mimi” Sutatip Tritachaigoon, plays a vital role in the success of the Asian Culture Festival, leveraging her expertise to secure corporate sponsorships and explore grant opportunities that provide critical support for the event. Her patience, persistence, and strategic mindset ensure the festival thrives and continues to make an impact. With a background as a Data Analyst at Thomson Reuters Thailand and two years of finance and accounting experience in Connecticut, Mimi brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Now a financial professional and insurance broker with First Financial Security, she balances her dedication to the festival with her life as a proud mother of twin boys and her passion for community growth.

Pattama Phaksim, fondly known as Pu, is a dedicated supporter of the Asian Culture Festival, contributing her time and effort to ensure its smooth execution. She assists with maintaining the temple kitchen, transporting tools and equipment, setting up spaces, and decorating tents for the organizers, always ready to lend a helping hand wherever needed. Outside of her contributions to the festival, Poo is passionate about Traditional Thai dancing, bringing beauty and grace to cultural events through her performances.

Montana Thitisupudom, known as Honey, supports the Asian Culture Festival through her involvement as a board member of the Thai American Association. The board plays a key role in securing funding to cover most of the festival’s upfront expenses, with proceeds directed toward community services to uphold the festival’s mission as a non-profit fundraiser. Honey also assists with various tasks needed to ensure the event’s success. With over 25 years of service to the Thai community, she has made a lasting impact as a professional interpreter in Thai and English and as a skilled Thai classical dancer. Raised in South Florida, her dedication and compassionate spirit continue to enrich the community.

Tina Root, Vice President of the Thai American Association of Florida, plays a multifaceted role in ensuring the success of the Asian Culture Festival. In addition to coordinating food and drink offerings and managing the Thai Beer Tent sponsored by Singha, she dedicates her time to working alongside Kai from Thai Dance Troupe Miami. Tina helps the dancers practice and condition throughout the year, ensuring they are well-prepared to deliver captivating performances at the festival. Her commitment to preserving and promoting Thai culture through both her leadership and hands-on contributions highlights her passion for the community and its traditions.

Watt Korattana, also known as Non, contributes significantly to the success of the Asian Culture Festival as a board member of the Thai American Association of Florida. He plays a key role in supporting the event’s planning and funding efforts, ensuring the festival’s mission of cultural celebration and community support is upheld. Beyond his contributions to the festival, Watt is a professional financial advisor at Equitable Advisors, one of the largest financial firms in the United States with over 170 years of history. With a Master’s Degree in Finance and expertise as a Fiduciary, he specializes in holistic financial planning, particularly for Asian communities. In his personal life, Watt is also a talented golfer, bringing the same focus and dedication to his game as he does to his professional and community efforts.

Jeans Weiner serves as one of the Volunteer Coordinator for the Asian Culture Festival, bringing her passion for organization and community engagement to this vibrant celebration of Asian heritage. Her dedication ensures the seamless coordination of volunteers who play a vital role in creating an unforgettable festival experience.

Jeans spent over a decade in the hospitality industry in Thailand, including 11 years at Nikki Beach Thailand. After relocating to Miami, she transitioned to a new career in healthcare and has been an Emergency Department nurse for the past 5 years.

Outside of work, Jeans finds joy in Pilates and yoga, embracing a balanced and active lifestyle that mirrors her commitment to personal and professional excellence.

Qiyou Yuan, a 91-year-old Master Calligrapher, has been a devoted supporter of the Asian Culture Festival for years. In previous years, he traveled from Wisconsin to showcase his unique and exotic calligraphy, captivating attendees. Even when he cannot travel, Qiyou stays connected, offering his support and regularly checking in on the festival’s progress.

This year, Qiyou is helping engage the Chinese American community in South Florida. He writes beautiful empowerment greetings and helps stuff envelopes with festival postcards, which are mailed to Chinese business owners. These efforts encourage them to share the event with their staff, families, and customers, promoting awareness of Asian culture. Qiyou’s artistry and kind spirit make him an invaluable part of the festival, fostering connections and leaving a lasting impact.

Douglas, a long-time vendor and dedicated supporter of the Asian Culture Festival, brings a unique touch to the event with his incredible products sourced from across Asia, including Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Tibet, and more. His handcrafted items, such as Buddha statues, Ganesha figures, and other artisanal creations, add an authentic and grand aesthetic to the festival. Douglas provides products for gift bags and textiles for tent decorations, further enhancing the festival’s appeal.

Beyond his role as a vendor, Douglas is a talented artist and had given guest speeches at the Art Institute, he mentored designers and students. His store, Eccentricity, located near Tropical Park, serves as a hub of creativity. He actively markets the event, helping to promote it through his networks and providing valuable insights to the festival’s marketing and design team. His deep knowledge of the area is instrumental in finding prime locations for banners and signs, ensuring maximum visibility. Douglas’s artistry, expertise, and enthusiastic support make him an indispensable part of the festival’s success.

Sumei Ji, founder and president of the Asian Angels Volunteer Alliance and Chief Executive of the Asian American Women Federation, plays a key role in the success of the Asian Culture Festival. Based in Washington, D.C., she brings extensive experience from global events like the World Festival, offering insights into teamwork, marketing, talent recruitment, and vendor management.

A dedicated special education teacher, Sumei nurtures Chinese descendants with special needs and emphasizes professionalism and presentation in her volunteer team. Known as the “most beautiful volunteer” in her community, she is admired for her inner kindness, grace, and tireless dedication to helping others, which shine through in all she does. Despite the distance, her leadership and passion continue to elevate the festival’s success.

Lena Ung – Lena is a trilingual singer, emcee, and entrepreneur, bringing her vibrant energy to the 34th Annual Asian Culture Festival as one of the event’s MCs. Originally from Vietnam with Chinese heritage, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1989 and later earned a degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. With a deep passion for music and cultural expression, Lena has entertained audiences for over two decades in Southern California and Florida, earning recognition for her engaging stage presence. Fluent in Cantonese, Vietnamese, and English, she seamlessly connects with diverse communities through music and storytelling.

Beyond the stage, Lena is a real estate investor and dedicated mother of four, balancing business success with her love for global travel and cultural discovery. At this year’s Asian Culture Festival, she brings her charisma, experience, and love for Asian heritage, ensuring a memorable celebration for all.

Greg Brothers is a key figure in the Asian Culture Festival, overseeing supplies, field workers, sanitation, and event setup and takedown logistics to ensure smooth operations. Growing up in a military family, he traveled the world, but his fondest memories come from living in Asia. He later joined the U.S. Navy, serving for six years before receiving an honorable discharge. Eventually retiring from Miami-Dade County.

His deep appreciation for Asian culture extends into his daily life, and he dedicates much of his time to volunteering at Wat Buddharangsi, where he helps maintain the temple and supports community events. Beyond the temple, he is actively involved in various Miami organizations, always offering a helping hand to those in need and strengthening cultural ties in the community.