Founder : Evie Jeang
Evie Jeang is the President and Founder of Raised by a Village. She is also Managing Partner of Ideal Legal Group, Inc., and Surrogacy Concierges. An attorney in both California and New York, Evie is passionate about helping families and individuals with their legal matters, and takes pride in having the opportunity to give a voice to the clients she represents. Evie’s practice areas include, international family law, immigration law, surrogacy law, and workers compensation.
It was her experience both as a product of a broken family, as a participant in Asian Youth Center, and a family law attorney, that led her to establish Raised By a Village. A solver of problems, Evie understands the fact that children are often the only ones who “lose” post divorce, and as such, she believes that where two are unable to work together, “the village should step in to help raise a child”. It is this understanding of community that drives her to continue to stay involved and give back to a community that has given her so much.
When Evie is not working feverishly to better one of her many businesses or her community, she is busy tending to her favorite job of all, serving as a mother to her young son, Evan.
Executive Director: Aaron Gbewonyo
When Mr. Gbewonyo is not working, he is either coaching a youth basketball team, or serving as a mentor to the young men of his undergraduate fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon at California State University, Northridge.
John Chiang: Advisor of the Board
Andrew Rodriguez: Board Member
In April of 2016, Andrew was elected as the youngest City Councilman in the city of Los Angeles. Andrew is passionate about politics, and this passion is only second to his commitment to the community Andrew finds passion in giving back to his community, and advocating to bring about change and opportunity of the people of Walnut, a city of which he has been a lifelong resident. Andrew attended Rutgers University, where he studied political science and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.
Chester Jeng, Board Member
Dr. Jeng is a successful dentist and attorney who brings a bevy of experience to the board. He wears a number of hats serving, including, but not limited to- serving as the Planning Commissioner for the City of La Habra Heights, he is the Vice President of Legal Compliance and General Counsel of Kings Two Dental Corporation, and also runs a successful dental practice in La Habra..
Bárbara de Oliveira Pinto: Board Member
Media consultant and content producer. Broadcast/Print international correspondent specialized in cinema coverage.
Eddie Garcia- Board Member
Eddie is the Owner and CEO of a successful construction company, Dynasty Builders Inc., here in Los Angeles. Eddie is extremely passionate about the community and giving back. It is this passion and desire that led him to not only serve as an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce, but which also inspired him to get involved in Raised by a Village.
Justin Strassburg: Board Member
Justin enjoys nothing more than obtaining justice for his clients through trial by jury. He is a graduate of Gerry Spence’s famed Trial Lawyers College at Thunderhead Ranch in Wyoming. He is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
In his free time, Justin plays the saxophone, piano and guitar. He is an avid sailor and has crewed in long distance races, including the Newport Beach to Ensenada Mexico boat race. He is an open water swimmer, and won the “Escape from Alcatraz” swim across the San Francisco bay in his age group in 1999. He also enjoys competing in triathlons.
Hannah An: Board Member
Hannah An comes from a family of great restaurateurs and was a child of Vietnam. Hannah honors the great culinary traditions that she grew up with. While at the same time bringing her many years of culinary experience to the mainstream market, she challenges each guest to elevate their palate with unique dishes and an easy to enjoy balanced food philosophy.
The District by Hannah An embodies the philosophy of the now consumer, a more savvy food explorer that wants to taste fresh farm to table foods made in the style of the country of origin. Hannah's 30 years of experience in Fine Dining and successful mainstream foodservice has allowed her to capture the pulse of the ever evolving wants and needs of the dining population.
Hannah An has created a brand (The District) that is unique and simple while at the same time exciting and elegant. Her mixture of balance and taste wrapped into an experience that is enjoyed by guests of all ages is a welcome respite on the food scene. Come to The District by Hannah An and experience Hannah's answer to Culinary Happiness.
James Lin: Board Member
commercial banking experience. Areas of expertise include executing tactical strategies, implementing sales and service processes, leading a team to achieve significant results, and working with a variety of business units to successfully complete cross-functional projects and to improve organizational infrastructure.
Before joining CTBC Bank, James has held many consultant and management
positions at Deutsche Bank, East West Bank and Universal Bank with over 13 years of process improvement track record and 10 years of retail branch management at Bank of America. James has also participated in the Leadership Circle and HomeWalk events to support the United Way of Greater Los Angeles for more than 10 years.
Robert Herrera: Board Member
Mike Wang: Board Member
Mike is a successful businessperson, global connector, mentor, world traveler, author, and wellness and wealth trainer. He enjoys working closely with groups and individuals, and when he is not working, he can be found enjoying life to the fullest and teaching his young puppy new tricks.
Simone Liu: Board Member
Simone Liu is a Wealth Management Expert and VP of Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors, Beverly Hills. For the past 14 years, Ms. Liu continues to bring her vast expertise in wealth management solutions and sound investment strategies for individuals and families throughout US and abroad to help them preserve their assets and increase their net worth. As a board member of RotaryLA5, Ms Liu supports The American Cancer Society, American Chinese CEO society and the Global federation of Chinese Business Women.
Louise Linton: Board Member
Louise Linton was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland. She is a producer, writer, director, actress, and philanthropist. She owns a production company called Stormchaser Films. She lives in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. She was educated at St. George’s School for Girls in Edinburgh until she was fourteen. She then attended Fettes College, boarding school in Scotland until graduation. She then acquired a B.A. in Journalism at Pepperdine University. She then got her JD from UWLA Law School in 2012. She then formed Stormchaser Films, a production company. Read more at stormchaserfilms.com In 2019, Louise wrote and directed her first feature film, ‘Me You Madness’ a comedy starring Ed Westwick. Louise's primary interests are animal welfare, homelessness, and children. In 2019, she founded Perfect Storm, a charitable fund which aims to protect the wellbeing of children and animals in under-resourced communities.
She is married to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Steven T. Mnuchin.
She serves on the Boards of Fettes College, Mutt Match LA Animal Rescue, Mattel Children’s Hospital, and Raised by a Village. She is a major donor and fundraiser for Space for Giants (anti-poaching) and Tracy's Kids which is a hospital therapy program for children with cancer.
Louise contributes to the following organizations:
PETA, the Humane Society of the United States, Farm Sanctuary, Mutt Match LA, Mattel Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, Second Chance Rescue in Texas , Dallas Dogs RRR, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, Space for Giants, All Hands Volunteers, Austin Pets Alive, START animal rescue, LAPD Police Dogs Association, Fettes College, Space for Giants, and Raised by a Village.