Ying Mitchell, President/Board Member
Ying is founder and creator of VivAsia Fitness Inc. Her teaching career spans over 30 years at various establishments including non-profit organizations, K-12 schools and universities, for-profit fitness facilities and corporations. She served as Vice-Chair and member on the Board of Trustee’s for the International School of the Peninsula, located in Palo Alto.
(READ MORE)She holds a B.S. in Computer Science, M.B.A. in Information Systems, and M.A. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in exercise physiology. She hopes to improve her golf swings and work on earning a Ph.D in Kinesiology in the near future.
Elyse Feldman, Board Member
Elyse Behr Feldman is a long-time active volunteer for numerous causes. She served on the board of Congregation Kol Emeth and chaired its Youth Activities Committee for ten years. She was also on the Advisory Board at Gunn High School and volunteered as a room parent throughout her children’s schooling.
(READ MORE)At Eichler Swim Club she was a swim team parent for over ten years. Elyse continues to be an avid volunteer at Bread of Life, Ecumenical Hunger Project, JCC of Palo Alto and YMCA. Aside from her work in philanthropy, she likes to spend time with her family near and far. Elyse has been married for 47 years to Chuck. They have two grown children and four grandchildren.
May Kao, Director of Technology/Board Member
May Kao is currently the Vice President of Keizai Silicon Valley, an over 25 year old nonprofit organization serving the US-Japan business communities in the greater Bay Area. She is in charge of managing over twenty-five staff, planning events and fora, and overseeing all operations. Aside from her non-profit experience, May has been working in the high tech industry for over 30 years.
(READ MORE)She started out as a software engineer in 1983 and became an engineering manager at Sun Microsystems in 1989. Since then she has worked with many start-up companies as Senior Engineering Director, including Ductus Inc., a computer graphics company specializing in software and hardware for the OEM market. Since 2009 May works as a consultant in GIS and web applications. May received her bachelor degree from UC Berkeley majoring in Computer Science. May interests include fitness dance, senior welfare, languages, travel and food.
Darice Koo, Board Secretary
Darice has a B.A. in Family Consumer Studies from University of Utah. A strong believer in volunteering in the community, she is involved with various non-profit organizations. Her volunteer career started when her children were in elementary school where she was very active with the PTA.
(READ MORE)She served in various leadership roles including PTA president at the elementary, middle and high schools and on the board of the PTA Council. Currently, she sits on the board of directors for the Youth Community Service, where she has been a member since 2010. Darice has also been a member of the Junior League of Palo Alto – Mid Peninsula since 2005. She is still very active with the Junior League and has served in several leadership roles. Much of her involvement with both organizations has been working with underserved, at-risk kids and families in the community.
In her spare time, Darice enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her adult children. She also enjoys working out at the YMCA, where she was introduced to Ying Mitchell and VivAsia.
Corinna Shi, Secretary/Treasurer
Corinna has been involved with the VivAsia program since 2010 as a participant, instructor and prog director. After leaving her IT career in 2012, she found her passion in helping the aging population through exploration of the colorful cultures of Asia with VivAsia’s fitness cultural dance program. Her goal is to bring the VivAsia wellness program to the under-served non-English speaking seniors. She is bilingual in Mandarin Chinese and English. She serves as a VivAsia treasurer and master VivAsia Lotus instructor. She loves traveling, cooking, swimming and dancing.
Melvia Wong, Advisor
Melvia Wong has over 30 years in strategic business and marketing planning in the Hawaii hospitality industry and not-for-profit organizations. Her extensive non profit experience includes: served in Ukraine as a Peace Corps Volunteer; two years as Treasurer for the Northern California Peace Corps Association; six years in financial project marketing for a major California state not-for-profit credit union and various not-for-profit microfinance organizations located in the Republics of the former Soviet Union.
(READ MORE)Mel has a B.S. and an M.B.A. from California Miramar University. Her hobbies include knitting, crocheting and exercising at the YMCA.