Board Members

Kumi Alderman

Executive Director, Asian Culture Center of Tennessee

Kumi Alderman, worked as a Tour Conductor based in Tokyo, traveling the world. Through her global experiences, she gained a deep appreciation for diverse belief systems, arts, and lifestyles—realizing that beneath all differences, people share the same humanity.

For more than a decade, Kumi has dedicated herself to organizing the Knox Asian Festival—ranked #1 Best Festival in Tennessee in 2024 by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Through the festival, she has brought the richness of traditional Asian arts and culture to East Tennessee. Her passion lies in fostering mutual understanding, inspiring younger generations, and building a welcoming environment through cultural appreciation.

Kumi’s leadership and cultural contributions have been widely recognized. On August 1, 2024, she received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for her outstanding efforts in promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. In 2025, she was honored with the Community Leadership Award by the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) Southeast Region as the sole leader selected in the Southeast.

She was also invited to participate in Leadership Knoxville 2024, the program’s largest class ever, where she strengthened her leadership skills and built meaningful connections with community leaders.

Kumi is also committed to preserving the history of the Asian community in East Tennessee, ensuring that the stories, contributions, and cultural heritage of Asian Americans in the region are recognized and remembered for future generations.

Gretchen Neisler

Education Program Advisor

Dr.Neisler is the Senior International Officer at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She joined UT in 2018 as Vice Provost of International Affairs and Director of the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), after previously serving at Michigan State University.

Neisler focuses on expanding UT’s global impact through intentional international partnerships, global citizenship, and support for faculty and students. Under her leadership, CGE emphasizes meaningful collaborations and oversees education abroad scholarships, global research grants, and innovative programs such as the Academy of Global Scholars and Collaborative Online International Learning.

With extensive international experience living and working in Egypt, Pakistan, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, Neisler is committed to preparing students and researchers to address global challenges. She serves on the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities’ Commission on International Initiatives and will serve as Chair for FY 2024–26. She lives in Knoxville with her husband and twin sons.

David Gras

Board Advisor

Dr. David Gras holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship from Syracuse University, an MS in Marketing from Clemson University, and a BA in Management from Texas A&M University. His research focuses on the antecedents of business performance and competitive advantage. Within these areas, Dr. Gras explores the financial impacts of corporate social responsibility, new venture diversification, strategic decisions, and entrepreneurial characteristics. Dr. Gras has taught numerous classes in entrepreneurship (e.g. introduction to entrepreneurship; opportunity recognition; values-centered entrepreneurship) and strategic management at the University of Connecticut, Syracuse University, and Texas Christian University.

Dr. Janine Al-Aseer

Educational Program Advisor

Dr. Janine Al-Aseer is clinical faculty in the College of Education at the University of Tennessee. She is committed to advancing equitable outcomes for students and caregivers. Of Palestinian and Appalachian heritage, Dr. Al-Aseer brings extensive experience working with nonprofits, grantmaking, and educational organizations. Having lived in Japan and China teaching English and traveled widely across Asia, she is passionate about exposing youth to diverse cultures, fostering empathy, and encouraging personal growth. She resides in Knoxville with her family and close friends, all of whom live on the same street.