Our team

As the Managing Director of CRCC Asia, Ed leads the company’s global strategy and operations, fostering international growth and ensuring the delivery of high-quality programs. Originally from Yorkshire, Ed brings nearly a decade of immersive experiences living and working in China and Vietnam, which have enriched his leadership with cross-cultural insights and a global perspective.

Van grew up in Hanoi, Vietnam and graduated from Hanoi University with a Bachelor degree in Accounting. She had then moved to Ho Chi Minh City to follow a career path in education and spent 6 years there working for different education organizations with various age groups and study objectives. Van always believes in providing a high-quality service to customers, as well as maintaining long-term and trusted relationships with partners and colleagues.

Van enjoys traveling, meeting and talking to people. In her free time, she spends time on studying Korean as she believes languages are such powerful tools in work and life.

Mi was born and raised in Vung Tau, a beach city in Southeast Vietnam before moving to Ho Chi Minh City attending University of Social Sciences and Humanities in International Relations. Despite staying for only a short period, the studies had provoked her curiosity in cultures around the world and eagerness to learn and see things from different viewpoints. At 20, she moved to Finland pursuing BBA degree in International Business whilst fulfilling her dream to explore different parts of the country and travel around Europe.

Mi started her career at CRCC Asia as an intern supporting 2019 Ho Chi Minh City Summer Program where she met a lot of young internationals and gained valuable experience. After graduation, she decided to return to Vietnam and dedicate herself to bringing in the best international experience for students around the world.

Mi loves cooking and baking in her free time and has a deep passion for Korean cuisine and culture.

Matt was born and raised in Arkansas. In high school, he learned of a Rotary cultural exchange program to Germany. This experience as an exchange student led to a broader interest in all things global. Following university, Matt did an internship at a church in Northern Ireland where he worked with international university students, and this experience cemented his love for cultural exchange and global education.

Matt earned a communications degree from John Brown University in Arkansas. Following a graduate program in Texas, he went on to work in university enrollment, partnership development and international internship administration. Most weekends you'll find him at his son's soccer games and watching Chelsea and Rangers on TV. While Matt loves his soccer, his favorite thing to do is travel somewhere new and fun with his wife, Mollie, and two kids, Niall and Freya.

Originally from Romania, Andreea moved to the UK to pursue higher education within a prestigious academic environment. Her background includes a BA in International Relations (Coventry University) and an MSc in International Development (University of Edinburgh).

From studying in the UK, to working & traveling in the US, volunteering in Madagascar, interning in the UK civil service, and enhancing her language skills (French, Spanish& Swahili), she is a strong advocate for the transformative power of international experiences.

For the past three years, she played a pivotal role within an international mobility programme in the UK, managing scholars from 160 countries. Her passion for education led her to establish a blog for international students, offering insights from her personal experiences and robust professional background.

She is excited to bring her expertise to the CRCC Asia team, where she will be fostering partnerships within the UK university sector and championing international education.

I was born in Ha Noi, Viet Nam. After living and working in France for over 15 years, I recently moved back in hope to reconnect with life and culture in Viet Nam. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to rock music, podcasts about mythology and crimes.

In her role with the CRCC Asia Shanghai office, Simona coordinates budget projections, manages payments, and oversees other accounting processes required our internship programs in Shanghai. Simona is a fresh post-graduate from Ecust. She majored in Accounting for her Bachelor’s degree and decided to learn something new by studying International Politics for her Masters degree.

She has internship experience in different departments of foreign companies and domestic start-ups, such as HR, Admin. and Procurement; She is a self-described extrovert, tends to think about things from a different perspective, and is always willing to communicate with others to ensure a successful experience of planning activities between companies.

I’m living in Ho Chi Minh and have 10 years experience in the Finance and Accounting field. In my role with the CRCC Asia Ho Chi Minh office, I am responsible for Financial Management and overseeing the accounting arm of the business.

I enjoy working in multicultural environments. Interacting with colleagues from various countries allows me to broaden my understanding of diverse perspectives, customs, and traditions. It's not just about work, but also the chance to make new friends who can offer unique insights into their perspective.

Having lived and studied in China, the UK, the US, and Japan, Michelle spent most of her student days meeting and connecting with people from different cultures and backgrounds. She is passionate about learning foreign languages, which is what led her to learn Japanese and study abroad at Waseda University during college. Later, she decided to pursue a Master's degree at the University of Oxford in Japanese Studies, where she wrote her dissertation on the adoption and foster care system in Japan. In her free time, she likes to catch up with her long-distance friends, walk around the city, and find nice cafes for coffee and cake.

Growing up, Jesse spent time on both the East and West coasts of the United States, in Southern California and Central North Carolina. Education and cultural exchange have always been at the top of Jesse's interests along with creative pursuits such as writing, music, and filmmaking. He loves storytelling and believes it plays a crucial role in education and human connection.

Jesse is on his sixth year living in Japan. For two of those years, Jesse lived and worked in a rural town in Kagoshima Prefecture
teaching children ages 3-13. He recently completed a Master's degree in International Culture and Communication Studies at Waseda University and wrote his dissertation on the role of children's media in the identity formation of children.

In Tokyo, Jesse spends his time touring museums, going to film/ musical events, and singing for hours at karaoke.

I have studied in Japan for 4 years as both research and master's student with the support of MEXT. I am thrilled and excited to assist international students on their internship journey here.

Michi has been a multilingual influential change agent working for China, the US and Japan in multiple roles. She joined CRCC Asia to support more and more interns to come visit Osaka and gain unique experiences, Michi is a native Osakan. Her passion for cultures and history like "Silk Road" made her traveled around the globe. In her spare time, Michi enjoys photographing, discovering new things and aroma therapy.

An analytical, pragmatic, and intensely curious September Virgo. A perfectionist at heart. A dedicated and hardworking ISTJ who values traditions, structure, and consistency. Can sometimes be a blast—with mercurial wit, dry humor, and a bit of a wild side. Would like to regard my own self as a hodophile, an explorer, and a learner of life.

I recently graduated from RMIT University in HCMC, Vietnam with a Bachelor’s degree in Tourism & Hospitality Management. I have a passion for travel, culture, and particularly education, in every aspect of it. Before coming to CRCC Asia, I worked for a few study abroad offices at universities such as RMIT University Vietnam and HCMC University of Technology (also called as Bach Khoa University).

Born in Mumbai, I grew up exploring the city’s museums, art galleries and cultural spaces which culminated in a BA in History. Ever curious about the complexities and interdependence of the world, I went on to study International Relations and completed my MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from Rutgers University. After working at an art gallery, I delved into the world of higher education and working with students, which I enjoy the most. In my spare time, you can find me teaching social studies at a local NGO, cooking without recipes, making artworks with glue and toothpicks, dreaming about publishing a poetry collection, and zooming into obscure locations on Google maps.

Yuki was born and raised in Japan with international experiences including studying in the US with support from the Japanese government, MEXT, and working in a bilingual environment. Her biggest personal growth occurred during the time she studied abroad and worked in a professional capacity in other countries or international multicultural settings. This naturally led to a passion and personal ambition: creating a similar opportunity for younger generations.

She loves to travel and interact with people from different backgrounds. During her spare time, she enjoys dancing, playing sports, being in nature, and learning other languages.

A Thai-Canadian professional with a passion to make a positive difference in the world. Honing years of experience in education, customer relations management, talent acquisition, leadership, curriculum design, and as CEO of a thriving business venture. She is a foodie who loves travelling and immersing in different cultures. She is fluent in English, Thai, French, and Spanish, and always looks forward to meeting people of all backgrounds.

Aaron was born and raised in the Philippines and has recently relocated to Germany where he continues to cultivate his interest for high-growth technology companies that foster meaningful social impact. He is pursuing his Master in International Business Law at the Universität für Weiterbildung Krems and holds a Juris Doctor of Laws Degree with a Minor in International Law Practice. He formerly served as Legal Advisor to Intellabridge Technology Corporation, a publicly-traded FinTech company listed in the Canadian Securities Exchange. Previously, Aaron also served as the General Business Formation Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for two emerging FinTech companies in Southeast Asia where he played an instrumental role in their regulatory and operational frameworks. Outside of work, Aaron is drawn to swimming and running — squeezing in time for a chance to participate in his next Ironman 70.3 event.

Originally from Bangkok, Thailand, Meena's passion for cultural exchange and education ignited during a high school exchange year in the US, where numerous culture shocks sparked her interest in exploring diverse cultures. After completing a Bachelor's in Economics with an exchange semester at Hiroshima University, Japan, Meena pursued further studies at LSE in the UK, specializing in Human Resources, and later attended a summer school at Peking University in China. Following this, she gained four years of experience working in HR roles. An interest in how technology could enhance HR departments led her to pursue another Master's degree in Computer Science. Despite a lot of suffering involved, Minaa fortunately graduated earlier this year. Meena enjoys eating, traveling, learning about psychology, and watching great movies.

Yunghee has experience at British Education Korea as an academic affairs officer and head of admissions, where he directed secondary school admissions and communicated regularly with students and parents. Before that, he was a program coordinator and an academic counseling coordinator at the CIEE Seoul office, where he counseled exchange program students on various academic, professional, and personal affiars. He has a BA in Economics with Cooperative Education from the University of Alberta, where he was an undergraduate ombudsperson and a student services assistant. He has a strong passion for helping students achieve their educational goals and career goals.

Sakshi is an enthusiastic person who likes to talk about education, foreign languages and cultures. As she is passionate about learning languages, she speaks Hindi, English, French and learning Japanese. She thinks that the best way to learn is by travelling. Her love for research and cross-cultural communication brought her to Japan where she is pursuing research to understand academic mobility and the motivational factors of international students. She has worked with people from over 30 countries and has trained thousands of learners ranging from 6 to 61 years. She always tries her best to help students achieve their goals by remaining empathetic.

With a diverse background spanning India, Thailand, and the United States, my international experiences have significantly influenced my identity and cultivated a global perspective on diversity and inclusion. Having relocated to Oregon, U.S., I dedicated my undergraduate studies to Global Studies and Journalism. Immersing myself in the international student community on campus, I found my passion for paving the way for myself and others to explore study/intern/work abroad opportunities. Being an international student in the U.S. was a game-changer for me, both professionally and personally and I believe that having an international education can pave an extraordinary path for those who decide to take up the experience. In my current role at CRCC Asia, I look forward to fostering meaningful connections with partners across the globe and assisting students in navigating the exciting realm of international education.

I was born and raised in the south-central of Vietnam. I went to the US to study and work for more than five years which I got to experience from living in a rural town of West Texas to working in the Big Apple; while I was studying in the US, I also went to study abroad in Belgium for almost half a year.

I am a traveler at heart, but it's always nice to sit down and have meaningful conversations with people around me. During the weekend, you can find me in the coffee shops or go to live concerts.

Nhi was born and raised in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam. Nhi graduated from Foreign Trade University and she has more than 5 years experience in HR focusing on Recruitment. She is enthusiastic about the candidate experience and would love to provide a positive first impression for the candidates and an great working environment for the team.

I have studied and worked in Australia for several years, I understand that the decision to work in a foreign country is a significant one. It’s not just about employment experience; it’s about discovering new cultures, expanding horizons, and pushing boundaries. At the end of the day, it is human nature to test limits.

Having a deep passion for connecting with people and helping them explore their career options, I want to make your journey as seamless and enriching as possible.

I like to create my own adventures, from finding hidden gems in Saigon like niche cafes and cute restaurants to riding a camel through the sand dunes of Dubai or camping in the Outback and watching kangaroos jump around.

Born in Central Vietnam, I am a girl with a passion for international education and want to discover new things around the world as well as be a helpful individual in daily life by spreading all the positivity and meaningful messages to the community.

Born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Tam brings a vibrant blend of marketing expertise, business development prowess, and a genuine affection for social media. More than anything, Tam is passionate about education and languages, always looking for new ways to connect with people all over the world. When not working, Tam enjoys crafting, swimming, reading, and listening to music. Presently, Tam is focused on learning Spanish, emphasizing the importance of languages in building bridges across cultures. Tam's favorite saying is 'Find your lane, Swim your race,' which means it's important to do what you're good at and follow your own path, personal goals, and aspirations without being influenced by others. Tam is always open to trying new things and loves to learn from every experience.

A graduate of Foreign Trade University with a Bachelor’s in Economics, Tia brings a strong background in Sales, Business Development, and educational consulting. She enjoys reading, values people-oriented activities, and is eager to deepen her understanding of CRM systems. Tia looks forward to contributing creativity to the B2B campaign alongside Tina and bringing meaningful value to the team.

I was born in Athens, Greece. Being in love with cultures and languages, I studied English and French
in my teen years and Japanese during my college years. I did my master degree in Japanese studies
at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. After I finished my master, I came to Japan as a Mext
candidate to continue my studies by doing my Ph.D. in Japanese Cultural Anthropology. I would love
to introduce the Japanese culture to people of different cultural backgrounds. My hobbies are hip-
hop dance, theater, and reading manga.

Karev, a young individual, is driven by a deep-rooted belief in the power of numbers as a faithful reflection of reality. Embarked on the path of Information Management, he is resolute in his ambition to become a professional Data Analyst. He approaches this new chapter with a set of clear expectations which are to gain experience in various tasks and be exposed to different functions of the department and, hopefully, to create memorable memories with CRCC Asia.

Ed’s passion for travel and Asia started early – at age 8, his mother sent him to Greece unaccompanied to stay with a Greek family.  At 12, he started to learn Japanese, later switching to focus on Chinese which became his Major at Cambridge University. He still managed a GCSE in Japanese, and also speaks conversational Thai and fluent Spanish.  He later achieved a Masters of Science in International Management from the University of London (SOAS).

He has lived in several countries throughout Asia (and spent his honeymoon in Vietnam), and has a real passion for the culture, food and language of the many places he has visited.  He enjoys sharing his knowledge of worldwide cultures, and considering how they might improve the employability and global confidence of today’s students and graduates.

Ed co-founded CRCC Asia in 2006 and has been heavily involved in various M&A projects, company due diligence and strategic analysis.  He has been published in print and in media such as Businessweek, The Sunday Times and the BBC. Ed has undertaken voluntary roles at the Young Icebreakers, part of the 48 Group Club, improving understanding between China and the UK, and he has also been a trustee at the Karen Hilltribes Trust, working to improve education, sanitation and health in Northern Thailand. Ed is currently studying for an executive MBA at Cass Business School in London.

Tom was born in Thailand in 1967 and educated in Singapore, Pennsylvania and England. He has an MA degree in Oriental Studies (Chinese) from Cambridge University and wrote his Master’s dissertation on “China’s Oil & Gas Development Strategy”.

Tom began his career at the emerging Markets Group of Wall Street investment bank, Wasserstein, Perella & Co. In 1991 he moved to China where he established several businesses in oil & gas, property, telecommunications and investment. He is the owner of Kirkwood & Sons LLP, a board member of Sino Geophysical, a shareholder in Yeepay and an adviser on energy matters to KW&Co.

Tom is fluent in written and spoken Mandarin Chinese and his interests include family time, oil and gas exploration, geophysics, fly-fishing, ice hockey and tennis. Tom and his wife Kate have been involved in co-sponsoring China’s first private charity for the blind (The Bright Angel Fund) and are active supporters of the Peace Corps and Special Olympics in China.

J. David Armstrong, Jr. is the sixth president of Broward College, one of the largest and most diverse institutions in America, with 63,000 students across 11 campuses and centers in South Florida. With more than 33 years of experience as a state and national leader in higher education and economic development, President Armstrong recently celebrated ten years leading the College.

With a strong commitment to the community, a business owner’s understanding of the evolving workforce landscape and the changing role of higher education, President Armstrong has led a redesign of the College to focus on new programs that better address skills gaps for students and employers. Several workforce bachelor’s degrees, for example, have been added in the fields of information technology, nursing, supply chain management, education, and aerospace science.

President Armstrong serves in a variety of positions with non-profit, workforce and educational organizations. He is currently the co-chair for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance Six Pillars Economic Program and serves on the Board of Directors for the Broward Workshop, the Broward College Foundation, and the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), Fulbright Scholar Program. He is also past chairman of Leadership Florida and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance.

After practising as a corporate lawyer with CMS in London, Marcus Shapiro pursued a 25 year investment banking career with Charterhouse Bank, Crédit Commercial de France and HSBC in London and New York, and ran his own M&A advisory firm, Amethyst Corporate Finance, prior to immigrating to Canada in 2014.  Since then, he has pursued a variety of roles assisting growth companies achieve their objectives, including serving as Chair of fintech company, Katipult Technology Corp (TSXV: FUND), and serving on the Advisory Boards of Bit Stew Systems Inc. (sold to GE for $200mm), NovoBind Livestock Therapeutics and SHM Controls, and he is currently Chair of the Advisory Board of Sikeleli Africa Safaris.  In addition, he has operated as a Trustee of the West Vancouver Memorial Library and as a Director of the West Vancouver Library Foundation, among his voluntary roles.

Luise Schafer is a senior international executive with 30 years’ professional experience of China. A literate and fluent Chinese speaker, completing postgraduate studies in Beijing in 1983, she is a sought-after commentator on China’s business environment. Her early career included positions at American and Japanese technology firms in Beijing, followed by a Consultancy role assisting British companies break into the China market. A stint as First Secretary, Commercial at the Embassy in Beijing in the 1990′s allowed Luise to lead on a broad commercial portfolio, building UK-China partnerships across a range of key industries and ministries. She successfully led on the visit of the British Deputy Prime Minister in 1996 in the run-up to Hong Kong’s handover and brought to signature an important bilateral maritime treaty opening up huge commercial opportunities to UK shipping.

Latterly head hunted into the Abacus Group, as Vice Chairman of Abacus’s China operations she grew the business and brand significantly over 15 years, in China and E. Asia, and in 2010 delivered on a new, larger greenfield design/manufacturing facility in Shanghai.

Luise is the immediate past-Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai and has held a number of other board positions, in the past, including Vice Chair at The 48 Group. She was honored at the Chinese Embassy in London in 2010 with an award acknowledging her deep contribution to Sino-British relations.

Luise was honoured with an OBE in the 2012 Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List for services to British business in China.

Symone D. Sanders is a strategist who served as the youngest presidential press secretary on record for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, Symone was featured on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 16 young Americans shaping the 2016 election. As a CRCC Asia Beijing Program Alumni, Symone has a deep understanding of the intern experience, providing key insight in her role as a Senior Adviser.

A communicator with a passion for juvenile justice, Symone is the former chair of the Coalition of Juvenile Justice Emerging Leaders Committee and former member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice. While serving on the committees, Symone worked to bring millennial perspectives to policy conversations. Now, Symone draws from her experience on the national stage to provide perceptive analysis and results-oriented problem solving on political and social issues. Through her work, Symone challenges the conventional wisdom that strong communities are only defined by what we have in common. Instead, she outlines the way our differences contribute to effective social movements and impactful media narratives.

Symone has been featured on NPR, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC, BET, TV One and currently can be seen on CNN as a Political Commentator. She has been profiled in the Washington Post, the New Yorker, ESSENCE Magazine and ELLE.