Mary Sue Bissell is President of the US-Asia Institute (USAI), a position she has held since September 2018. She came to USAI at its founding, working with co-founders Esther G. Kee and Joji Konoshima as Director of Programs and Publications and Director of Administration from 1979-84. Ms. Bissell returned to USAI in 1987, serving as Executive Director until 1990. She returned for a 3rd time in December 2001 as Trustee, Vice President & Executive Director. While at USAI, Ms. Bissell has sought to build understanding and strengthen relations between the United States and Asia through organizing high-level conferences and policy dialogues, managing people-to-people exchange programs including Congressional Member and staff delegations to various Asian countries, and connecting political, business, government, academic and emerging leaders.

She also served as USAI’s Secretariat administrator for the US-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON) for 2.5 years. Ms. Bissell has over 40 years of experience. In addition to her work at USAI, she has managed the nation’s largest in-school educational touring program, directed marketing for a top 10 aquarium, led public relations efforts for US Army assets across Hawaii, and managed the administrative and logistical facets of a major Pacific Rim telecommunications membership organization, where she organized the programmatic aspects of the first ever three-node teleconference connecting Washington DC – Honolulu – Hong Kong. She has received numerous local, state and national awards and recognition for writing, public speaking and community service.

Ms. Bissell is a graduate of the University of South Dakota. She is married with two daughters.

Anna Bunn is the Director of Programs and Communications at the US-Asia Institute. She first joined USAI in 2022 as a Program Assistant. In 2024, she received her MLitt in International Security Studies from the University of St Andrews, Scotland. She also completed her undergraduate studies in International Relations at St Andrews. While at university, she competed on the women's tennis team and was an active member of the Japan and Foreign Affairs societies. Originally from Hawaii, Anna enjoys all things outdoors. In her free time, she can be found hiking, playing tennis, or learning new instruments and languages. 

Elsbeth Purdy is Executive Assistant at the US-Asia Institute. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, and Master of Library and Information Sciences from Catholic University of America, Washington DC. She has supported USAI as a volunteer while being employed by the DC Public Library system for the past 15 years. At the library she developed and conducted engaging library programs and events for diverse age groups. She also collaborated with colleagues on scheduling, planning events, and strategic design of future library operations. In her free time she enjoys cooking, reading, and travel. 

Katie Zeng is a Senior Program Assistant at the US-Asia Institute. She is a current master’s student in Democracy and Governance at Georgetown University and a graduate of Wake Forest University, where she earned her B.A. in Politics and International Affairs. Her academic and research interests focus on U.S.–China relations, democratic resilience, and the intersection of media, technology, and governance. 

Allison Adams is a Program Assistant at the US-Asia Institute. She is a rising senior at the University of California, Riverside, pursuing a dual major in Psychology and Public Policy. She is passionate about public policy and international affairs, with a particular interest in U.S.–ASEAN relations at the intersection of economics, trade, and regional cooperation. As a former Foreign Affairs Legislative Intern, Allison supported policy initiatives and conducted research on ASEAN-related issues. She also completed a fellowship with the Royal Thai Embassy through the US-Asia Institute's Thai-American National Internship Program (TANIP), further strengthening her understanding of the region and its role in international affairs. Beyond her policy interests, Allison is deeply committed to community engagement and leadership. She serves as President of the Delta Lambda chapter of Gamma Phi Beta, volunteers with Girls on the Run, and works on campus with Active Minds to promote mental health awareness and connect students with resources.

Siena Fershtman is a Program Assistant at the US-Asia Institute. She is a current student at Cornell University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in China & Asia-Pacific Studies with a minor in Business. Her academic interests include US-China relations, trade policy, and foreign language study. Originally from Berkeley, California, Siena speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

Reina Gammarino is a Program Assistant at the US-Asia Institute. Reina is a rising junior at the University of Pennsylvania studying international relations and Japanese, with a minor in music. Originally from Hawaii, she has spent a lot of time traveling between Japan and Philadelphia, where she has family. As a result, her main policy interest is in US-Japan relations, but she is also passionate about climate policy and technology policy. Her dream is to one day bring together these interests through work as a diplomat. In her free time, Reina enjoys running, playing the piano, and learning card tricks.

Henry Hung is a Program Assistant at the US-Asia Institute. He is a current student at Johns Hopkins University, where he is currently studying International Studies and Political Science with an East Asian Studies concentration. His academic interests include global security, international diplomacy, and U.S.-China and cross-strait relations. Originally from Maryland, Henry is also an accomplished Violist, and is concurrently pursuing a Bachelors of Music in Viola Performance through the Double Degree program with the Peabody Conservatory.

Karina Morey is a Program Assistant at the US-Asia Institute. She graduated from Kenyon College in 2025 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Chinese. Following graduation, she studied in Tainan, Taiwan, through the Critical Language Scholarship Program and spent the academic year at the International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University in Taipei. Her academic and research interests include Taiwanese politics and security, U.S.–China relations, and economic development in the Asia-Pacific.

Jillian Thompson is a Program Assistant at the US-Asia Institute. She currently attends the University of St Andrews, where she is pursuing a dual degree in International Relations and Chinese Studies. Her academic interests include Cross-Strait relations,  U.S.-China relations, and Asian security, with a particular emphasis on maritime security.

Olivia Van Hoey is a Program Assistant at the US-Asia Institute. She is a third-year student at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She is pursuing a double major in Global Affairs (Asia concentration) and Mandarin, as well as a minor in Jazz Studies. Olivia's academic focus is on U.S.-China and China-Taiwan relations; her research interests include international trade and language preservation. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to pursue a master's degree in Asian Studies.