Cornell Asian Alumni Association

Officers

New York City Headquarters - Board Members

President

Monica Gelinas '99 monica.gelinas@gmail.com Hotel Administration - Monica is a veteran in the hospitality and consumer retail industry focusing on for-profit and non-governmental business development. Her knowledge spans sustainable product development, branding, merchandising and strategic supply chains while building relationships with farmers, manufacturers and multi-national corporations.  Monica launched Pret A Manger, the all-natural British food retailer in the United States and went on to become the retailer's first American employee as its Head of Marketing, Supply Chain and Product Development. Her work with Karp Resources today focuses on business consulting for companies and new concepts, including the US market leader in fortune cookie and Chinese noodle products.  Monica is the immediate past president of Cornell Hotel Society NY and past trustee president of the Meadowlands Museum of NJ and currently serves on Cornell University Council.  She worked at the Clinton Global Initiative while completing her MS in Global Affairs from NYU ('06) with an advanced research on Green Hotel Development and Its Metrics. 

Senior Vice President – University Relations

Enoch Chu '06 enoch.chu@gmail.com Arts & Sciences - Enoch is a research analyst working for Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and was at the firm's investment banking division for the past three years.  He has been an active member of CAAA since graduation having previously served as VP for Student Relations.  He is also involved with several other alumni and local NY community organizations.  On campus, Enoch served on the University Assembly as an elected undergraduate representative and was the alumni liaison for the 2006 Senior Class Council.  Enoch currently serves as one of the three shareholder elected members of his co-op board. 

Vice President

Catherine Lee '06 catherine.lee26@yahoo.com Arts & Sciences – Catherine has been an active member of CAAA since 2007 as the VP of Alumni Relations.  She is an Ad Services Specialist for InStyle magazine, which is part of Time Inc.  Graduating with a degree in French Studies with concentrations in International Relations and Law & Society, Catherine was an active member of APAA (Asian Pacific Americans for Action) and regularly contributed to its publication, Parallax.  She has also studied abroad in Paris.    

Co-Vice President - Alumni Relations

Michael G. Lee '99 michaelglee@yahoo.com Industrial Labor Relations -  Michael is managing partner of GRN Manhasset, a full-service executive recruitment firm.  He is responsible for daily operations including overall firm management, marketing and business development. Michael previously worked with commercial real estate firm, CB Richard Ellis, where he was a member of its Greater China Desk and focused in investment sales, and tenant and landlord representation in industrial, office and retail markets.  Earlier experience includes project management roles in the technology and legal fields.  Michael designed and managed his own successful technical consulting group in wireless communications from the ground up to provide custom business solutions to investment banks and entertainment firms. In managing class-action securities litigation settlements, Michael headed a team responsible for funds in excess of $3.5 billion. Michael currently serves as Co-Vice President of Alumni Affairs with the Cornell Asian Alumni Association (CAAA) and is a board member of the Long Island Chapter of the Organization of Chinese-Americans (OCA). 

Vice President – Student Relations

Danielle Chan Caldwell '00 chan.danielle@gmail.com Hotel Administration – Danielle is a Vice President at Bank of America in the Real Estate Structured Finance Group, responsible for transaction closings, securitization support, and warehouse operations. Danielle graduated from the Hotel School in 2000, with a concentration in Management Operations and Human Resources. While at Cornell, she served as a Cornell Hotel Society Regional Representative. 

Vice President – Communications

Kaiser Wahab '96 kwahab@wrlawfirm.com Industrial Labor Relations - Kaiser is a partner at the law firm of Wahab and Medenica LLC. A graduate of Cornell University and Columbia Law School, he has assisted entrepreneurs and multi-national companies to manage their business operations.  Beginning his career with Pryor Cashman, Sherman & Flynn LLP, he later joined Day Pitney LLP, where he handled licensing, trademark/copyright, and contractual issues for companies like Microsoft and UTC.  In addition, he clerked at the US Court of International Trade.  He is published in the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Journal and his firm has participated in a variety of panels including the School of Visual Arts and Harvard Law School.  He currently is the chair of the Corporate Law Committee at the NY County Lawyers Association and sits on the advisory board for Heart Gallery NYC, a non profit devoted to placing foster children with families. 

Secretary/Membership

Binan Xu '07 binan.xu@gmail.com Arts & Sciences - Binan hails from the lovely northern California and is currently working as an analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Debt Capital Market group, where she focus on helping investment grade companies raise debt. She thoroughly enjoyed her four years on The Hill, where she met great friends and mentors, and graduated from the Arts & Science college with a BA in both Economics and Asian Studies. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, working out and spending quality time with close friends. She is excited to become more involved in CAAA. 

Treasurer

Linda (Yang) Yau '00 LYau@ackmanziff.com Hotel Administration - currently serves as a director for The Ackman-Ziff Real Estate Group, which she joined in 2007.  Her responsibilities include the origination and placement of debt, joint venture and preferred equity, mezzanine financing, and investment sales for hospitality-related transactions.  Prior to joining the firm, Linda was a senior associate with Sonnenblick Goldman, where she completed $2 billion in hotel transactions.  Linda was previously with HVS International, where her experience included feasibility analysis, market studies, acquisition due diligence, and the valuation of hotel, motel, resort, and mixed-use developments.  Linda has also held various management positions with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia.  Linda is the social chair and events committee lead for the Cornell Hotel Society's New York City Chapter, and has previously been a guest lecturer at New York University. 

Webmaster

Paul Bonner '78 pdb22@cornell.edu Arts & Sciences - is a professional Web Developer. He has worked in a broad variety of environments, including DIRECTV, Columbia University, the Clinton Global Initiative, Black Enterprise Magazine, the University of Chicago and many more. At Cornell he majored in Psychology and Theatre Arts and appeared in several plays. Paul is also the Webmaster for the Class of 1978. 

CAAA Officers Strategy Meeting at the Cornell Club. Click for more photos.