MEET THE CREW

 
 

The Changing Tides (CT) Crew, officially founded in 2018, is comprised of youth who drive the direction and vision of CT. The Crew brainstorms, plans, and implements education and outreach efforts aimed at encouraging dialogue and destigmatizing mental health in the community. 

 
 
 

Lauryn Alejo (she/her/hers)

Lauryn was born and raised in Redondo Beach, California and is currently pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design at Cal State Long Beach. In her free time, she enjoys visiting museums and coffee shops, and taking care of her plants.

Kaelyn Fung (she/her/hers)

Kaelyn is currently an undergraduate student at UCLA. She first joined Changing Tides in her freshman year, looking for local AAPI non-profits to get involved with. She instantly fell in love with the team and has been volunteering with CT, along with other LTSC programs, ever since. Outside of CT, Kaelyn enjoys paddling with her dragon boat team, exploring coffee shops, thrifting, collecting records, and taking pictures. She is always trying to acquire new and random skills (she is currently attempting to teach herself guitar).

Katie Mitani (she/her/hers)

Katie was born and raised in Palos Verdes, California, and has been a part of Changing Tides since 2018. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Cognitive Science and Computing at UCLA in 2022 and is currently attending the University of Michigan to pursue a Master of Science in Human Computer Interaction. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, visiting museums, and playing basketball.

 



Madeline Sugimoto (she/her/hers)

Madeline was born and raised in West LA, California and joined Changing Tides in 2023. She is a high school senior at Geffen Academy at UCLA and first got involved through developing CT's high school and college ambassador program. In her free time, Madeline enjoys drinking matcha, playing basketball, going to the beach, and sewing.

 
 
 

Ty Tanioka (he/him/his)

Ty is one of the founding members of the Changing Tides Crew. He graduated from UCLA and currently works in creative advertising at DIRECTV. In his free time he enjoys hot yoga, cooking and being in the outdoors.

Deena M Umeda (She/They)

Deena is from Los Angeles, but grew up in San Jose, California and has been a part of the Changing Tides crew since 2024 when she was hired as the Assistant Outreach Coordinator. She graduated from UCSB in 2022 with a Degree in Asian American Studies. In her free time she enjoys cooking, tending to her indoor plants and doing different kinds of arts and crafts.

 
 

Linh Vo (she/her/hers)

Linh Vo is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist currently working with children, adolescents, and families in the San Fernando Valley. She received her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from USC and her bachelors in psychology from UCSB. After her close friend Nick Song died by suicide in 2021, she joined the CT Crew through the Song family’s connection to Changing Tides and their dedication to honor his memory and raise awareness for suicide prevention. Linh’s goals and passions are rooted in destigmatizing mental health within the broader AAPI+ community and providing culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care to this population. She is now the screening coordinator for CT Stream, our therapy stipend initiative aimed at reducing barriers to accessing professional mental heath services.

Matthew Yonemura (he/him/his)

Matthew is from Redondo Beach, California, and joined the CT Crew in 2020 and later employed as the Changing Tides Program Coordinator in 2021. He graduated in 2021 from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television with a concentration in Directing, which he utilized in creating his film, Ryse Up Documentary. In his free time, Matthew enjoys working out, bowling, and playing with his dog, Jack.

Yua Watanabe (she/her/hers)

Yua was born and raised in Southern California and grew up in Hermosa Beach, a small South Bay beach city. She is an incoming first-year Theatre major at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television and hopes to minor in Cognitive Science. Her hobbies include running, playing the ukulele, and baking for her friends and family.