Meet Our Team

Nick grew up in China before he came to the US for graduate studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has extensive business relationships with Chinese schools, companies, and NGOs. 

Nick is a cross-cultural communication expert and enjoys learning via travel. He has been leading Real Asia to help many schools across the US with their faculty-led study trips.

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With over ten years spent abroad, Joe has developed a vast global network and has been able to travel extensively throughout all of Asia. He has coordinated and led numerous MBA & EMBA overseas trips. Such programs include Wharton, Stanford, Columbia, HBS, Kellogg, and many more.

Joe is consistently praised for his excellent customer service, as well as for his leadership and passion for Asia. He currently lives in Taiwan and manages most of Real Asia’s Taiwan trips.

Carol began her career as an award-winning assistant producer for Taiwanese television working on travel shows, food features, and news segments while building strong communication and project management skills. After moving to the U.S., she shifted to e-commerce and digital marketing. Today, Carol designs immersive, customized travel programs across Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and other Asian destinations. With strong local ties and attention to detail, she curates authentic and engaging experiences. A passionate traveler, Carol loves exploring cultures and hidden gems.

Originally from New York City, Tai is half-Chinese and has extensively traveled and lived throughout China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. With over 15+ years of experience working in the US-Asia cross-cultural education arena, his dedication to Real Asia’s mission speaks for itself. Tai has led, sold, designed, and directed a diverse array of experiential learning programs for US students, Asian students, and adults throughout the world. He holds an MA in Intercultural Services, Leadership, and Management from SIT Graduate Institute, and completed the ICLP Mandarin-intensive language program at Taiwan National University. Tai is a girl dad and loves spending time with his family. During his free time, he can be found cooking, doing art, and traveling to new countries (30 and counting!). 

Diana has lived and studied in China, Japan, and Canada, earning graduate degrees in documentary filmmaking from Communication University of China and Waseda University. She spent eight years in Japan as a producer and director, capturing cultural stories across Asia. After further studies in Asian Studies at UBC, she transitioned into education, leveraging her filmmaking expertise and fluency in Uyghur, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean to create immersive travel experiences that connect people with Asia’s rich heritage.

Eric grew up between the US and China, has traveled to over 25 countries, and spent several years living in Thailand. With more than 6 years of experience in sales and fluency in English Chinese and Thai, he is passionate about connecting people across cultures, and sharing his Asian heritage through travel. Outside of work, Eric is also a musician, a chef (in his own kitchen), and a certified scuba diving enthusiast--always on the lookout for his next underwater adventure.

Kate was born in Shanghai and educated on the U.S. East Coast. She has built her career at the intersection of cross-border education and cultural exchange, bringing over a decade of experience in program development, client engagement, and revenue-focused roles.

Having lived and worked across Asia, including Taiwan, Korea, and the Philippines, and now based in the Washington, D.C. area, she offers a nuanced cross-cultural perspective and well-established institutional relationships on both sides of the Pacific.

An amateur musician and violinist, her early international performance experiences shaped her long-standing commitment to meaningful people-to-people exchange. She sees both Shanghai and Washington, D.C. as home and enjoys traveling with her family.

Jade has over 12 years of experience in customer service, technical support, administration, and B2C and B2B sales management in a variety of different industries such as TELCO, Insurance, Recruitment, and Travel. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Tourism, certified and passed the Insurance Certification in Singapore College of Insurance, and gained over 95% score in Abacus and Amadeus (GDS).  Jade is an expert in the Philippines and Singapore from her time studying and residing in these countries.

Zoe Chen is from Shanghai and graduated from SISU, where she majored in Tourism English. Her academic journey was filled with enriching experiences that greatly shaped her perspectives and expanded her knowledge. After graduation, she traveled to over 20 countries and joined a travel agency. She has guided and coordinated numerous MBA & EMBA trips all over China. Zoe always believes teaching is learning and learning is teaching. She will continually delve into different cultures and the tourism industry. 

Nelly has over 8 years of experience in customer service and excelled in roles across hospitality, healthcare, and retail industries. Nelly's passion for travel has had a significant role in developing a broad cultural perspective and deep appreciation for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Nelly has built a strong understanding of global customer needs and service excellence, which has been invaluable in crafting personalized experiences that resonate with clients. Nelly's love for languages, having majored in French, further complements a rich travel background, fostering a unique ability to engage effectively across cultures. Nelly is excited to bring this blend of global insight, customer service excellence, and personal passion to the team, contributing to our collective success.

Born to Japanese parents, Miki has lived not only in Tokyo and Osaka but also in the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Iran, the UAE, South Africa, and the United States, experiencing a diverse range of cultures. Having spent her childhood in several Asian countries, she is particularly passionate about sharing the beauty and richness of Asian cultures with the world. For the past 5 years, Miki was in charge of human resources and marketing and contributed to the growth of a social startup in Tokyo, Japan. She is a mother of 3 children and a great cook, especially Japanese cuisine.

Renee has lived and studied in China, Canada, and Taiwan, which has shaped her into a highly adaptable professional with a truly global perspective. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Victoria in Canada and brings over eight years of cross-industry experience across banking, technology, and luxury goods. Her background spans finance, project coordination, and international trade operations, making her well-versed in navigating complex, multicultural environments. In her free time, Renee enjoys traveling, discovering new experiences, and exploring the underwater world through scuba diving. Her curiosity and sense of adventure extend beyond the workplace, enriching her approach to both life and work.

Based in Shanghai, Tracy possesses two decades of specialized experience as a travel agency operations professional. Demonstrating proficiency in itinerary formulation, supplier liaison, and addressing diverse client requirements, she has cultivated profound insights into Shanghai’s tourism ecosystem and global travel dynamics. Adept at balancing operational precision with tailored service delivery, Tracy excels in curating seamless travel experiences, leveraging extensive industry expertise to transform clients’ expectations into memorable journeys.