There’s more to As I Am than just what you hear. We are a team of passionate individuals based in Naarm (Melbourne), Australia.
Jeff is one of As I Am’s Podcast Hosts and Co-founders.
Jeff started As I Am to build a platform that amplified Asian voices as he believes they have been long muted in mainstream western discourse. He hopes that grassroots initiatives are the key to solving that problem.
By trade (which means when he has his work pants on), Jeff works in consulting, but by night, you will find him obsessing over one of several things - anything and everything food related (his alter ego is señor sourdough), electronic music with a fat break (130bpm+ thanks), and probably watching a super corny Shounen anime because he doesn't have enough patience for the indie ones.
Isabella is one of As I Am’s Podcast Hosts and Co-founders.
Isabella co-founded As I Am because she wanted to explore what it means to be Asian in the West - an experience that is both unique and shared. It is her goal that this platform becomes a place that empowers and educates.
Isabella is a full-time law student who travels when she can. At one point she studied in Paris, which she will not stop talking about. Isabella is obsessed with good food, Nina Simone, yoga and her two dogs, Lola and Koda. She is currently open to advice on how she can become an indoor plant mum – as a beginner, should she start with snake plants or monsteras?
Aaron is our Marketing Lead.
Aaron’s story at As I Am began with a curious email for a chat. He hopes every conversation started through As I Am will help people better understand each other and themselves – creating a compassionate society.
From 9-5pm (sometimes 6, 7 or 8pm), Aaron works in consulting – helping clients understand their customers or design intuitive solutions. After hours, you can find him with his head in the clouds speculating better futures; eating, at the gym, eating; or elbows deep in a creative project. He is a proud coffee snob and is useless until he has finished his second cup.
Ana is our Design Lead.
Ana’s interest in As I Am came from wanting to be more aware of issues concerning the Asian-Australian community and a desire to uplift stories of those within it. She's particularly interested in the topics of entrepreneurship and social issues.
Ana recently began her journey as a UX Designer at an international digital consulting company. Outside of work, she can usually be found working on a painting, reading, or tending to her farm on Stardew Valley. When Ana does leave her room, she can usually be found going to live music events or at cute cafes drinking an oat milk latte.
Emerson is our Social Media Lead.
Emerson was drawn to As I Am’s togetherness and nurturing space for Asian-Australians of all backgrounds and allies, who dual between their cultural background alongside the Western world. He channels and nurtures As I Am’s online presence to amplify and support the community.
Whilst studying in design and business, and working as a copywriter on the side, Emerson winds down by doing hatha yoga or reading a 500+ novel for absolutely no reason but culture. Emerson loves a good horror film and can be found shazaming songs in public.
Allison is our Production Lead.
Allison joined the As I Am team with a desire to become more proactive in amplifying stories that stem from the Asian Australian experience, a conversation she finds both valuable and necessary. She is confident that As I Am will continue to inspire others to become more vocal about their own experiences on navigating a convoluted identity.
Allison currently works as a Creative Producer at an Independent publishing company, and is also undertaking a postgraduate course in media practice. Outside of work, she is religiously napping, or reading up on ways to dismantle the patriarchy. Her ultimate favourite pastime is boba and bánh mì nights with her friends.
Writing Corner Contributors:
Clinton Chan
Vincent Leung
Joy Szeredi