Senior Vice President

Frank Bi

Candidate Statement: I’m running for Senior Vice President of AAJA because I know how our organization serves as the connective tissue linking diverse voices across the media landscape. In an era of unprecedented change and uncertainty – both for our industry and society at large – we must strengthen the bonds that unite journalists across newsrooms and expand our definition of what journalism encompasses. Our community must grow to meet this moment. We need to cast a wider net while simultaneously fortifying our foundation. This means welcoming new voices and perspectives into our ranks while deepening the support we provide to members navigating an evolving media ecosystem.

For me, this role isn’t about maintaining the status quo – it’s about building AAJA into an organization that generates meaningful impact and stands as an independent force for change. Working with the current Governing Board, we’ve already begun this transformation, and I’m committed to seeing these initiatives through to completion. These efforts will fundamentally strengthen collaboration between our Chapters, Affinity Groups, and Task Forces, creating a more cohesive support system that delivers real value to members. At its core, this work is about defining the member journey and making each of us proud to be a member of AAJA. The future of journalism depends on the strength of our community. I’m committed to ensuring AAJA rises to meet this moment.

Vice President of Communications

Annie Z. Yu 

Candidate Statement: 

It has been a privilege to be on the board of local chapters for the last 10 years, dreaming up ways to bring members together in Los Angeles then Washington, D.C. I’m proud that under my presidency, AAJA-DC was named Chapter of the Year last year — but it’s been even more rewarding to have heard privately from countless members about how we’ve helped them feel more connected and supported. I’m also known in the broader D.C. journalism community as a longstanding advocate of solidarity and diversity in media; I helped launch an annual joint diversity in media mixer and I co-organize an annual D.C. Journalism Job Fair that regularly connects ~200 job seekers with 15-20 newsrooms in the area. 

I look forward to continuing to give back to my AAJA family by raising my hand for the national board. My current and former colleagues at Politico (where I work as a deputy Congress editor) and the Los Angeles Times (where I was an engagement editor) know me as an organized, efficient leader who cares deeply about collaboration and excellence. If elected VP of communications, I’d apply those strengths both toward my new responsibilities and to dreaming big again — but this time for all AAJA members. 

Thank you for your consideration. You can find me on IG at @anniezyu if you have any questions. 

Jingyao Yu

Candidate Statement: 

I’m running for Vice President of Communications because I believe in leadership rooted in accountability, care, and action. I bring a decade of multidisciplinary experience and a deep commitment to serving AANHPI communities. After a brief respite from local chapter leadership, I’m re-energized and ready to contribute to AAJA’s national efforts — bringing the same commitment that defined my tenure as President of AAJA Philadelphia.

Previously, I served as Senior Program Manager at Resolve Philly, where I led initiatives that uplifted community narratives and built trust with underserved Philadelphians. Currently, I serve on staff at the Society of Environmental Journalists, a board-led membership association like AAJA. I help shape internal operations for long-term sustainability and support awards, elections, and conference planning. This gives me a practical understanding of how boards and staff can work in concert, an insight I’d bring to AAJA’s national board to translate vision into meaningful, member-serving outcomes.

As former President of AAJA Philadelphia, I prioritized community building and responsive programming. I centered member needs, expanded local collaborations, and led efforts that increased membership retention by 33%, earning our chapter AAJA’s 2023 Chapter Leadership of the Year award.

Outside of journalism, I serve as Co-Chair of Asian Mosaic Fund, a local AAPI giving circle in Greater Philadelphia. On this working board, I help guide strategy and implementation, using participatory grantmaking to move resources to small AAPI-led and -serving organizations. This experience reinforces my commitment to work that builds collective power with and for AANHPI communities.

With a collaborative spirit, I’m eager to apply my strategic thinking, program management, and fundraising experience to support the board and membership. I look forward to contributing to the growth and impact of an organization that has profoundly influenced my professional journey. Thank you for considering my candidacy for VP of Communications.

Vice President of Journalism Programs

Amritha A. Joseph

Candidate Statement: 

Newsrooms are shrinking and free press and diversity are under attack. It is more crucial than ever to give early career and experienced journalists the most relevant training, resources and platforms needed to raise the voice of AAPI communities and meet the pace of change today. As VP of Journalism Programs, I will pair my business strategy background and journalism experience to carefully examine and deliver the most relevant programs for members.

My last three years serving AAJA as an awards judge, awards category lead and convention programming lead have deepened my understanding of how AAJA operates and its membership’s needs. Increasingly our members say they want to launch their own products to cover topics of interest to specific AAPI communities. Amid wide ranging layoffs, they seek skills to create and grow independent platforms into thriving businesses or to cultivate transferable skills that can be used outside the newsroom, too. Students and veteran journalists are interested in honing technical skills to harness the power of AI. Finally, even high performers promoted to leadership roles lack management skills to effectively run newsrooms. They require people management and strategy training to guide newsroom operations.

These areas are within my wheelhouse: I worked at local Gannett newspapers undergoing a digital-first transformation, and I currently work at a technology company that creates and sells AI products. I have pivoted from full-time reporter to freelance writing and product strategy. I have first-hand experience rising from reporter to editor, from individual contributor to people manager. With this lens, I will deepen our voice-of-customer research through a membership survey, 1-1 conversations, and a review of industry trends. I will then approach the right program partners to identify funding sources or training resources that can best serve our membership.

Thank you for your consideration.

Janet Woojeong Lee

Candidate Statement: 

Hey there! My name is Janet Woojeong Lee (she/her), and I’m running for the role of VP of Journalism Programs. I’m a producer covering education at National Public Radio, where I help tell stories about and for young people. I also cover education policy and how it impacts students and families around the country.

In my journalism career, I have always valued opportunities to work with students and early career journalists. At NPR, I run the Student Podcast Challenge, a national podcasting contest for middle, high school and college students to share their reporting with a national audience. I’ve also previously taught audio journalism at Columbia Journalism School, and have loved being involved with AAJA’s JCamp as its audio instructor.

In this AAJA officer role of VP of Journalism Programs, I look forward to supporting Voices, JCamp and all professional development programs to meet the needs of AAJA’s members, no matter where you are in your career. Elevating youth voices and building community have always been a focus in my journalism work, and I hope to better understand your needs and provide mentorship, training and growth opportunities to support you.

I look forward to serving the organization and giving back to many of you in this role. Thanks in advance for your consideration!

Beena Raghav

Candidate Statement: 

I’m Beena Raghav (former last name: Raghavendran). I ran Yung AAJA (young professionals network) a few years ago, and have been an AAJAer since doing Voices in 2015. As your next vice president of programs, I would listen, examine how AAJA builds a community and a connecting thread through our signature programs, ensure that program leaders feel supported and identify opportunities.

Why me? I live and breathe programs at work, I have experience building community in AAJA and I know how to make projects scalable and sustainable.

I am a senior editor for digital storytelling and training at The New York Times, where I make programs to train journalists in our newsroom on a variety of new tools and strategies. This can look like helping create best practices for a new way of storytelling and then meeting with reporters/editors or training large groups, encouraging them to try it out. This role has taught me to listen first, ask for feedback and consider empathy while advocating for change. Prior to NYT, I worked at a non-profit and a local newsroom, and would bring that empathy to my role.

From early 2020 through the end of 2021, I was the sole director for Yung AAJA during peak Covid. Under my leadership, Yung’s membership surpassed 600 members and our members needed guidance. I helped grow our community through creative virtual programming during Covid like panel sessions, a storytelling contest and “office hours” chats on Slack.

Roles like these require project management, leadership and an eye toward sustainability. At NYT, I track who I speak with and how we’re meeting larger goals. For Yung, I ensured there was a group of future leaders and a transition plan.

Lastly, I love AAJA and would be honored to serve.