Asians in Animation Announces Executive Leadership Shift to Champion Asian Voices in Animation

From left to right: Lexie Chu, Dani Yuan, Katie Dizon

Los Angeles, CA, February 15, 2024 — Asians in Animation (AIA), the largest global nonprofit community dedicated to empowering Asian talent in the animation industry, proudly announces a major leadership evolution.

Lexie Chu, one of the organization’s four founders, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Dani Yuan steps into the role of Chief Operations Officer, and Katie Dizon is named Chief Strategy Officer. This leadership team marks the culmination of years of visionary planning since 2023 to strengthen AIA’s mission of creating representation through education and mentorship.
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Under Chu’s leadership as CEO, AIA has grown from a passionate grassroots collective to an industry powerhouse with over 5,000 members spanning every major animation hub worldwide. Chu’s unparalleled expertise in business development and strategic partnerships—honed through her tenures at Netflix and Skydance Animation—has been instrumental in building AIA’s operational foundation and launching high-impact initiatives like the Asians in Animation Career Summit and Immersive Lab Production Program. “I am incredibly thrilled to lead the future of Asians in Animation alongside Dani and Katie,” said Chu. “Dani’s leadership paves the way for others to shine—it’s effortless and empowering, and it’s helped us sustain a vibrant volunteer team over many years. Katie’s visionary strategy and deep industry knowledge have been essential in building programs that mentor emerging talents and unite the brightest creative minds year after year.”

Dani Yuan brings a unique and formidable leadership style shaped by their seven years in the United States Marines with the elite 4th Force Reconnaissance team, where they served as communications chief on deployments to Iraq and Mauritania. Following military service, Dani transitioned into the safety and security sectors for global innovators such as Google, Nvidia, and Pixar before dedicating their expertise to organizing and leading communities. As AIA’s Chief Operations Officer, Dani leverages their passion for organization and operational excellence to expertly manage the nonprofit’s broad range of programs and sustain its growth. 

“Leading operations at Asians in Animation is about creating space for others to grow and succeed,” said Yuan. “Our volunteer team’s passion and dedication inspire me every day—it’s a privilege to help empower such an incredible community.”

Katie Dizon, Chief Strategy Officer, is a seasoned animation industry professional with experience spanning Nickelodeon Animation and Sony Pictures Animation. She has played a pivotal role in shaping AIA’s production programs, including the Animation Industry Immersive Lab’s four core tracks: 2D Production, CG Production, Series Pre-Production, and Feature Pre-Production. Katie’s deep industry relationships and strategic insight have been invaluable in forging partnerships and creating unique opportunities that elevate Asian talent on screen and behind the scenes. “I’m honored to help build the future of AIA’s production programs,” said Katie. “Our mission to mentor emerging talent and bring together the brightest creative minds is more vital than ever. Together, we’re shaping a more inclusive and dynamic animation industry.”

Together, this leadership trio guides a robust team of over 120 dedicated volunteers and inspires thousands of community members, all united by the shared vision of amplifying Asian voices within and beyond the animation industry. The organization pays special tribute to Andrea Kutcher, who recently stepped down after a long and impactful tenure as Executive Director. Her foundational work paved the way for this new chapter of dynamic growth and empowerment.
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Asians in Animation remains steadfast in its commitment to providing mentorship, education, and career development to the communities and talents who need it most—continuing to lead the way toward a more vibrant, diverse, and inclusive animation industry.

ABOUT ASIANS IN ANIMATION
Asians in Animation (AIA) is the largest global community and accelerator for Asian talent in animation. Founded in 2020, AIA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that offers mentorship, career pipelines, and training for emerging professionals. With more than 6,000 members in over 90 countries, the organization is committed to empower talent, drive industry innovation, and helping the next generation of storytellers lead by creating long-term access and increasing visibility for Asian talent across all areas of the entertainment industry.

Visit asiansinanimation.org for more information.