BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jessica Chen
Jessica Delgado
Chris Ellis
Michael Gisser
Ryan Kuang
Elizabeth Lahens
Marcus Nishihara
Ryu Tanabe
John David Tran
Jessica Chen
Jessica Chen is the Artistic Director and Founding Board Member of J CHEN PROJECT since 2017. She is a dancer, choreographer based in New York City known for creating "visceral ...emotionally charged movements and choreography." Her work has been presented at New York Fashion Week (MoMA), Restart Stages (Lincoln Center), Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, MACY’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, TEDx Semester at Sea, World Expo-USA Pavilion in Shanghai, and featured in Google Arts & Culture by the Asian American Arts Alliance. Currently projects include AAPI Heroes: Myths and Legends, R&H Cinderella, Jersey Boys, The Messenger, and Cabaret. She is a 2021 GALLIM Moving Women Artist-in-Residence, 2021 Dance Lab New York Choreographer, and 2023 Bessies Awards nominee for Outstanding Choreographer/Creator.
Jessica Delgado
Jessica Delgado is a Founding Board Member of J CHEN PROJECT since 2017. She is a Medical Coder Auditor with Change Healthcare for ten years. A natural entertainer, Jessica has been dancing and performing since she could walk, learning all the music videos on MTV growing up in the '90s. She loves being part of JCP because of its passion and dedication to the arts and the unique programs that give back to the community. Being a part of this dream and vision keeps her connected to her love of dance. Jessica is a mother to three beautiful children and is especially passionate about JCP educational outreach.
Chris Ellis
Chris Ellis is a startup veteran with four previous exits where he held roles ranging from National Channel Manager to Head of Sales in which he led the go to market strategy, strategic partnerships and distribution models. Chris is currently CEO and cofounder of AudioCardio™, a digital health and wellness company that has developed technology that aims to restore sensorineural hearing loss and reduce the symptoms of tinnitus. Chris’s areas of focus are related to strategy, business development, sales and marketing, fundraising and venture building. Chris has been involved as an advisor and investor in blockchain technologies, active aging and longevity, and a variety of consumer technology companies. Chris joined the JCP Board of Directors in 2021, and is currently serving his second consecutive term.
Michael Gisser
Michael Gisser is an experienced international businessman with a background in technology companies, early-stage through IPO. He lived in Hong Kong and China for many years, teaches at Stanford and NYU, and holds degrees from Harvard and Stanford. Michael gained his interest in the performing arts in childhood, as his mother was Frank Sinatra's cellist. After years at Juilliard, he had a career as a professional trombone player. Despite the fact that he never quit his day job, Michael follows the arts closely, and particularly loves modern dance. Michael joined the JCP Board of Directors in 2020, and is currently serving his second consecutive term.
Ryan Kuang
Ryan Kuang graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 2003. Upon graduation, he joined the family meat business with his father in law, specializing in production, outsourcing, and distribution globally. He ran the EU branch from Dublin, Ireland, from 2008-10. From 2010-17 Ryan lived in Singapore and expanded the business throughout Asia. When he stepped down as CEO in 2019, Ryan moved on to the family investment company which holds investments in real estate (USA) and seafood operations in Asia and Costa Rica. Ryan joined the JCP Board of Directors in 2020, and is currently serving his second consecutive term.
Elizabeth Lahens
Elizabeth Lahens is an Executive Director and audit coverage director for Morgan Stanley's Internal Audit Department. Elizabeth is responsible for supervising Wealth Management Operations audits in the Americas region. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 2014, Elizabeth’s career spans 17 years at Citi in which she held various progressive roles within Operations, Technology and Internal Audit. Her roles included Operations Manager, IT Project Manager, Chief of Staff and Audit Manager covering Derivatives Operations, Reconciliation Accounts & Control and Asset Services entities. Elizabeth graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, double major in Communication Media Studies and International Studies. She also obtained a Certification in Finance and Investment Principals at Baruch College Continuing & Professional Studies. Elizabeth joined the JCP Board of Directors in 2022, and is currently serving her first term.
Marcus Nishihara
Marcus Nishihara is a Founding Board Member of J CHEN PROJECT since 2017. He grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles playing instruments, performing in his school band, and participating in the occasional dance competition. Although the love of music and arts followed him through a degree in Finance from California State University, Fullerton decided to enter the world of business. His business practices are laced with precision, grace, and a little showmanship due to his love of arts. Thank you, J CHEN PROJECT, for reminding him of his foundational values, and pushing us all to strive for constant improvement.
John David Tran
John D. Tran is a well-established attorney and entrepreneur with over 15 years of legal experience in domestic and international corporate and business transactions. He earned his Masters of Law in Entertainment and Taxation and has his own practice with clientele spanning across the globe. In recent years, John has transitioned his focus into more progressive industries such as e-sports and cryptocurrency. He is currently in-house counsel for Parley Labs Inc. which focuses on building, testing and validating new technology related to autonomous and distributed systems.
During his free time, John enjoys playing basketball, outdoor activities with his family, and coaching his two sons in a variety of sports. His greatest accomplishment is being a father. He quoted his favorite role model, Kobe Bryant, when asked why and said, "Being a father is the thing I am most proud of in this world; it's my greatest accomplishment. I've learned so much, but the most profound thing has been the fierce, unconditional love you have for your children when you become a parent." John joined the JCP Board of Directors in 2020, and is currently serving his second consecutive term.
Ryu Tanabe
Ryu Tanabe was born in Tokyo, Japan, during the early 80s and Japan's economic boom. Soon after he was born, his family moved back to America to pursue the American Dream. Beef exports to Japan were his father's main business, which went well for a period. Trade sanctions between the USA and Japan forced his father to move back to Japan and start over with meat importing while leaving his wife and kids in America. At the age of five, Ryu started playing the piano. He began with classical music to modern music and then to Jazz.
During his adolescence, the piano was a source of comfort during times of hopelessness and doubt. He immersed himself in musical activities. Music taught him the language of art, self-expression, and control. Ryu now manages the company his father developed, is married to a lovely wife, and has two children. "To be back into the community of the arts is a great privilege." Ryu joined the JCP Board of Directors in 2020, and is currently serving his second consecutive term.