About Yamei

From College Prep to Digital Academy

Yamei Academy of Excellence began as a 501(c)(3) public charity organization (TAX ID# 82-4273263) specializing in international student counseling, helping high school students navigate the college admissions process.

Our Story

A mission that grew from counseling into a school

Yamei Academy of Excellence began as a 501(c)(3) public charity with a clear purpose: helping high school students navigate the often overwhelming college admissions process. We started by serving Asian American, international, and local students—many of whom were at-risk youth facing significant familial and educational pressures, and many who needed bilingual support in English, Chinese, and Spanish.

But we quickly noticed a troubling pattern. Talented, motivated students were falling through the cracks. Even with strong college prep, they lacked a personalized, self-directed learning environment where they could truly breathe and grow.

That realization changed everything.

We developed a self-motivation system designed not just to boost grades, but to build confidence and uncover each student's innate strengths. We proved that when students believe in themselves, they pursue success differently—and they achieve more than they ever thought possible.

Today, Yamei Academy of Excellence has evolved into a hybrid school that offers the best of both worlds: rigorous, accredited online curriculum paired with in-person and virtual support, tutoring, and community engagement.

Governance

Board of Directors

Portrait of Denis Nurmela

Denis Nurmela

Denis is a professor of Public Speaking, a TEDx speaker, and a certified practitioner of NLP and clinical hypnotherapy. He brings expertise in communication science to the board, helping to advance the art of confident, authentic expression for both students and staff.
Portrait of Jerry Liang

Jerry Liang

Jerry holds a degree in Mathematics from Cal State LA and is an Enrolled Agent (EA). With a background in strategy, operations, and technology, he provides strong analytical skills and tax knowledge to support the school's strategic planning and problem-solving.
Portrait of Alden (Peng) Sun

Alden (Peng) Sun

Alden holds an MBA from the Paul Merage School of Business and a B.S. in Computer Science from UCI. He leads cross-border technology teams across the Asia-Pacific region, bringing expertise in AI, digital transformation, and business strategy to support Yamei Academy’s innovation, industry partnerships, and long-term growth.
Portrait of Dr. Brian Wang

Dr. Brian Wang

Dr. Wang holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and completed postdoctoral training in neuroscience at UCLA. As a Principal Scientist in the medical device industry, he supports the school with expertise in STEM education and biomedical innovation to prepare students for future success.
Portrait of Dr. John Zhiyu Jiang

Dr. John Zhiyu Jiang

Dr. Jiang earned his Ph.D. in Experimental Particle Physics from SUNY Stony Brook and completed postdoctoral research at Stanford University. He has held senior research and leadership roles at U.S. national laboratories, NASA, IBM, and Lockheed Martin. He now leads a Silicon Valley venture practice while mentoring students in STEM and research.
Leadership

Founders & Administration

Portrait of Annie Xiang

Annie Xiang

Founder & Head of School

Annie is the Founder and Executive Director of Yamei Academy. She has 26 years of experience working in the educational field. She is a licensed bilingual school counselor and holds a master degree in Applied Psychology at NYU.

She leads the school with a vision to create personalized learning experiences that empower students to discover their passions and become confident global citizens.

axiang@yameiacademy.org

Our Team

Department Heads

Portrait of Emily Sebring

Emily Sebring

Director of Student Success

Emily holds a degree from Western International University and brings over 10 years of experience in education, with expertise in digital learning.

She partners with families and faculty to remove barriers to learning, amplifies student voice, and collaborates with teachers to develop strategies for student success. She also leads accreditation efforts and works with developers to enhance the school's learning and information systems.

esebring@yameiacademy.org

Portrait of Stephanie Gao

Stephanie Gao

Director of Admission & School Counselor

Stephanie holds a master degree in Educational Counseling at USC. She guides families through the enrollment process and is passionate about welcoming students ready to discover their strengths.

She works closely with students to understand their individual interests and talents, analyzes data to develop personalized strategies, and serves as school counselor with deep cultural awareness to support families on their academic journey.

sgao@yameiacademy.org

Portrait of Niu Liu

Niu Liu

Director of Athletics

Niu is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside, and a former national-level basketball player.

She brings expertise in international education, brand development, and program management. She develops athletic programs that build character, resilience, and school spirit through competitive sports, fitness activities, and community engagement.

Portrait of Angel Chu

Angel Chu

Director of Global Outreach & Partnership

Angel has more than 30 years of international marketing and business experience.

She builds bridges with international communities and educational organizations worldwide. She works to expand access to Yamei's bilingual, college-bound hybrid model, ensuring students everywhere can benefit from the Yamei experience.

Portrait of Lucas Zheng

Lucas Zheng

Director of Instruction

Lucas is a multidisciplinary artist and educator trained at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. With a background in visual media and cross-cultural projects, he brings a unique creative perspective to instruction and curriculum development.
Portrait of Michelle Tabrizi-Ortiz

Michelle Tabrizi-Ortiz

Director of Instruction

Michelle holds a master degree in TESOL at Pepperdine University.

She is an accomplished educator specializing in curriculum development and educational leadership. She designs innovative programs that promote academic achievement, language development, and leadership growth, helping students build confidence and reach their full potential.