Leadership & Team Bios
Ted Gong, Chairman of the Board
(Holding duties of President and Treasurer)
Ted Gong is Co-Founder and Chairman of the 1882 Foundation, where he previously served as Executive Director through 2025. He has been instrumental in shaping the Foundation’s national voice and expanding public understanding of the Chinese American experience.
After retiring from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2009 as a Senior Foreign Service Officer, Ted brought decades of federal leadership experience to the Foundation’s work. During his government career, he worked on policies and programs related to immigration, refugees, border security, citizenship, and consular services at the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security.
Ted led the national grassroots effort in 2011–2012 that urged Congress to formally apologize for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 — a historic milestone in acknowledging this legacy of exclusion. In 2024, under his leadership, the Sierra Summit Camp of the First Transcontinental Railroad was registered as a National Historic Landmark.
He currently serves as President of the DC Lodge of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance. Ted studied History at the University of California, Asian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i, and National Strategic Studies at the U.S. Army War College. In 2019, he received the Frederick Douglass FD200 Award.
Ting-Yi Oei, Secretary of the Board
Also serves as Education Program Director
Ting-Yi Oei is a lifelong educator dedicated to advancing the teaching of Asian Pacific American history. At the 1882 Foundation, he leads the development of curriculum resources and professional learning opportunities that strengthen historical understanding in classrooms across the country.
He earned a B.A. in History from Hamilton College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Brown University. Ting-Yi taught middle and high school social studies for 20 years and later served as a high school administrator in Virginia for a decade.
His international and research experience includes service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Korea, a Fulbright Teacher in Scotland, and a year teaching in the Dominican Republic. He also held a one-year research fellowship at Teaching Tolerance, the education project of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Today, Ting-Yi continues his work as a curriculum consultant, with a particular focus on improving the quality and accessibility of Asian Pacific American history education.
Stan Lou, Talk Story Program Director
Stan Lou brings a lifelong commitment to community engagement and heritage preservation to his role as Talk Story Program Director. Born in Greenville, Mississippi, to immigrant parents from China, his personal journey has deeply shaped his dedication to strengthening Asian Pacific American communities.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan and spent his professional career with the Federal Aviation Administration before retiring in Washington, DC. In 2003, he moved to China for nearly three years to teach English at the university level — an experience that deepened his connection to his heritage and informed his community leadership.
Since returning to the Washington, DC area, Stan has been actively involved in advancing the quality of life for Asian Pacific American communities. He has held leadership roles with OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates, serving as Co-President of the Greater Washington DC Chapter and currently as Vice President for Education & Culture on the OCA National Board.
Stan was part of the group that created the Talk Story series, which now serves as a cornerstone of the 1882 Foundation’s community engagement efforts, bringing together diverse voices to share lived experiences and preserve collective memory.
Amy Trang, Ph.D., M.Ed., Senior Director
Also serves as Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Amy Trang is an education scholar, nonprofit executive, and public policy leader. In addition to her leadership at the 1882 Foundation, she is Founder and CEO of Social Capital Solutions, an SBA-certified 8(a) EDWOSB firm specializing in management consulting for nonprofit organizations.
As a Vietnamese-born Chinese American, Dr. Trang is deeply committed to expanding Asian American studies and preserving Chinatown histories. Her academic career spans more than two decades as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Virginia, where she has taught Sociology of Education, Education in Multicultural Societies, Anthropology of Education, Critical Education Policy, Comparative Education, and Asian Education. She also teaches at the University of California Washington Program (UCDC), offering coursework on Asian American policymaking in Washington, DC.
Dr. Trang earned her doctorate in Public Policy from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy, after beginning her doctoral studies in Culture and Values of Education at McGill University. Her doctoral research examined the impact of social capital development within national nonprofit organizations, combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies. She holds a master’s degree in Social and Psychological Foundations of Education from the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from George Mason University.
Elaine Gin, Co-Executive Director
Elaine Gin brings decades of legal and public service experience to her leadership at the 1882 Foundation. Her work bridges policy, law, and community advocacy — strengthening the Foundation’s ability to engage thoughtfully in issues that shape the Chinese American experience.
Elaine served as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Commerce for more than 20 years. Prior to her federal service, she practiced law in the private sector, specializing in intellectual property and antitrust litigation. She also served as Intellectual Property Counsel to Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and clerked for former Chief Judge Randall R. Rader of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
She holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Yilin Zhang, Co-Executive Director
Yilin Zhang brings strategic communications, development, and nonprofit leadership experience to the 1882 Foundation. Her work strengthens the organization’s public voice, expands its reach, and deepens engagement with diverse audiences.
In addition to her role at the Foundation, Yilin is a nonprofit executive and Principal Strategist at Yilin Zhang Advisory, where she provides advisory services in communications and public relations, development and fundraising, and special events management. She contributes her expertise in public relations and program development to help advance the Foundation’s mission and national visibility.
Yilin holds a master’s degree in Health Policy and Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor. She is a Fulbright Fellow and a graduate of The Campaign School at Yale. She is a long-time Washington, DC resident.
Sojin Kim, Ph.D., Historic Preservation Director
(Volunteer Academic Director / Advisor)
Dr. Sojin Kim is a historian, curator, and preservationist with deep experience in community-centered public history. She serves as Historic Preservation Director and volunteer Academic Director / Advisor to the 1882 Foundation.
Professionally, she is a curator at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, where she works at the intersection of history, culture, and public engagement. Previously, she served as curator of history at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (2008–2010) and as curator at the Japanese American National Museum (1998–2008), collaborating with diverse communities on exhibitions, documentation projects, media initiatives, and public programs.
Dr. Kim holds a Ph.D. in Folklore and Mythology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also serves on the board of the Alliance for California Traditional Arts.
Jenn Low, M.Des., Chinatown Projects Director
Jenn Low is an integrative designer and landscape architect whose work centers on design, power, and spatial justice. With more than twelve years of professional experience in New York City, San Francisco, and Seattle, she brings a multidisciplinary perspective to urban design and community engagement. She is also an educator with experience in both secondary and higher education.
Jenn earned a Master of Design in Integrative Design from the Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington.
In collaboration with the 1882 Foundation, her thesis project, Dear Chinatown, DC, explored new models of public engagement that empower community members to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of their neighborhoods. Her work continues to support equitable, community-centered planning and preservation.
Ellen Feng, DC Office Manager
Ellen Feng began her journey with the 1882 Foundation as a summer intern in 2022, where she helped launch a Talk Story program focused on Asian American youth experiences. Since then, she has grown into a central operational and communications leader within the organization.
She holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Maryland — one in Government and one in History — with academic concentrations in international relations and colonialism. Her work at the Foundation bridges program coordination, digital engagement, and community communication, helping to connect volunteers, partners, and the public to 1882’s mission.
In addition to her work with the Foundation, Ellen supports a local florist serving the greater DMV area.
James Xiao, Sacramento Office Manager
James Xiao manages the 1882 Foundation’s Sacramento office and leads its regional cultural and educational initiatives. Born in San Francisco to immigrant parents from Shanghai, his work reflects a deep commitment to heritage, storytelling, and community engagement.
He earned a B.A. in English from UC Davis and an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from Purdue University. Prior to joining the 1882 Foundation, James worked as a university lecturer, program manager, and corporate trainer for educational and cultural institutions in both China and the United States.
In addition to his work with the Foundation, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Locke Foundation, where he manages volunteer engagement and outreach programs that support the preservation of historic Chinatown communities.
Alex Lucas, Technology Associate
Alex joined the 1882 Foundation as a volunteer in 2025 and quickly became integral to advancing the organization’s digital infrastructure and innovation strategy. Their work bridges technology, storytelling, and community engagement.
They hold a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, specializing in Software Development, from Purdue University, with a minor in Psychology. Alex is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Science at Georgia Tech, concentrating in Interactive Intelligence.
Beyond their work with the Foundation, Alex designs simulations and interactive gaming experiences, bringing creative and technical expertise to immersive digital projects.
Deborah Steinhart, Creative Director & Marketing Consultant
Deborah Steinhart is a seasoned Creative Director, designer, and marketing consultant with more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications and brand development. Her work spans the pharmaceutical, higher education, and nonprofit sectors, where she is known for crafting bold, thoughtful campaigns that connect communities and elevate organizational impact.
Over the past year, she has led the Foundation’s rebrand and website redesign, developed fundraising and initiative-specific marketing materials, and advised on social media strategy and digital content development. Her approach combines creativity with strategic clarity — ensuring that design and storytelling serve mission, growth, and long-term sustainability.
Deborah’s work reflects a deep belief in creativity with purpose: using visual communication and narrative to build awareness, understanding, and meaningful connection.