In this powerful episode of Asian Pacific Voices Radio, Emmy-winning actress and SAG-AFTRA leader In this compelling episode of Asian Pacific Voices Radio, Emmy-winning actress and union leader Jodi Long joins host Rasha Goel for an inspiring conversation about her lifelong mission to amplify underrepresented voices on stage, screen, and beyond. Jodi opens up about her groundbreaking career as an Asian American actress, the lessons she learned from her vaudevillian parents, and the resilience it took to navigate an industry riddled with bias.

As a former Los Angeles Local President of SAG-AFTRA, she shares candid insights about fighting for equity, ageism protections, AI safeguards, and performers’ rights. Now running as an independent candidate for National President of SAG-AFTRA, Jodi reflects on what it means to lead with integrity and why empowering every performer to own their unique story is at the heart of great acting—and lasting change.

Iva Chen is a dynamic entrepreneur, CPA, and community advocate whose career spans finance, hospitality, and small business empowerment. A UC Santa Barbara graduate, she began at Deloitte before holding leadership roles at Nestlé USA, CBS Paramount, and The Capital Group. Currently CEO of IOC Design & Consulting and Chief Development Officer of Lady Luck Gourmet, she develops and operates airport restaurants and retail concessions, bringing local and minority-owned brands into major airports. Her entrepreneurial ventures have ranged from matchmaking to launching a pizza chain in China, showcasing her creativity and adaptability. Iva also serves as VP of Public Relations for the Los Angeles Chapter of AMAC, co-founded the Association of Asians in Aviation, and was named “Mentor of the Year” by UCLA’s Riordan Programs. She sits on advisory boards, supports inclusive economic development, and is passionate about equity, mentorship, and leadership development. Outside of work, she is an Army ROTC Bootcamp graduate, two-time triathlete, wife, mom of two, foodie, and lifelong learner, recently earning her WSET Level 1 certification in Wines.

Kaila Yu is a luxury travel and culture writer and on-camera correspondent based in Los Angeles, with bylines in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, and more. Her debut memoir, Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty, will be published on August 19, 2025, by Penguin Random House’s Crown Publishing.