Staff
Samip Mallick
Executive Director
Samip Mallick is the co-founder and executive director of SAADA, which he has guided from its inception in 2008 to its place today as a national leader in community-based storytelling. Mallick's background includes degrees in computer science and library and information sciences and work related to international migration and South Asia for the Social Science Research Council and University of Chicago. Mallick currently serves on the Library of Congress Connecting Communities Digital Initiative advisory board. He also previously served as an archival consultant for the Ford Foundation's Reclaiming the Border Narrative initiative and on the Pennsylvania Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.
Executive Director
Samip Mallick is the co-founder and executive director of SAADA, which he has guided from its inception in 2008 to its place today as a national leader in community-based storytelling. Mallick's background includes degrees in computer science and library and information sciences and work related to international migration and South Asia for the Social Science Research Council and University of Chicago. Mallick currently serves on the Library of Congress Connecting Communities Digital Initiative advisory board. He also previously served as an archival consultant for the Ford Foundation's Reclaiming the Border Narrative initiative and on the Pennsylvania Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs.
Sreedevi Sripathy
Senior Program Manager
Sreedevi Sripathy has worked in public media for 18 years, with a focus on amplifying unheard voices and untold stories. She most recently directed a fellowship of 20 independent documentary filmmakers in the early research and development phase of their projects. Previously the Director of Production and Programming at WHYY, she built relationships with local filmmakers and community organizations, increasing the portfolio of films from BIPOC makers. She started her career with ITVS, supporting the distribution of documentaries to PBS stations across the country, where she worked on the Emmy award winning series Independent Lens and the international documentary series Global Voices. She is thrilled to join the SAADA team and community, especially because it's the only place she’s worked where you can find paan in the kitchen cupboards!
Senior Program Manager
Sreedevi Sripathy has worked in public media for 18 years, with a focus on amplifying unheard voices and untold stories. She most recently directed a fellowship of 20 independent documentary filmmakers in the early research and development phase of their projects. Previously the Director of Production and Programming at WHYY, she built relationships with local filmmakers and community organizations, increasing the portfolio of films from BIPOC makers. She started her career with ITVS, supporting the distribution of documentaries to PBS stations across the country, where she worked on the Emmy award winning series Independent Lens and the international documentary series Global Voices. She is thrilled to join the SAADA team and community, especially because it's the only place she’s worked where you can find paan in the kitchen cupboards!
Matangi Melpakkam
Program Assistant
Matangi Melpakkam is an avid reader, critical thinker, and problem solver. She holds B.A.s in Physics and Political Science from Bryn Mawr College. Matangi led the Bryn Mawr IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for many years, preparing taxes for low-income Philadelphia area taxpayers. As a coordinator, she trained and empowered students to prepare tax returns and engage in customer and community service. Under her leadership, the program expanded to Haverford College. Matangi has communications experience with the American Institute of Physics’ FYI publication and has completed two internships with the U.S. House of Representatives. Matangi is excited to share her passion for community engagement as a program assistant. SAADA’s mission to tell the South Asian American story sits close to her heart.
Program Assistant
Matangi Melpakkam is an avid reader, critical thinker, and problem solver. She holds B.A.s in Physics and Political Science from Bryn Mawr College. Matangi led the Bryn Mawr IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for many years, preparing taxes for low-income Philadelphia area taxpayers. As a coordinator, she trained and empowered students to prepare tax returns and engage in customer and community service. Under her leadership, the program expanded to Haverford College. Matangi has communications experience with the American Institute of Physics’ FYI publication and has completed two internships with the U.S. House of Representatives. Matangi is excited to share her passion for community engagement as a program assistant. SAADA’s mission to tell the South Asian American story sits close to her heart.
Edward Wang
Grants & CRM Manager
Edward Wang is dedicated to spotlighting the cultural and creative output of communities which have historically lacked recognition. A writer and educator, Wang has presented research on Asian American musical theatre at the Society for Ethnomusicology and Society for American Music. He has worked with several Asian American nonprofit organizations to improve political participation and promote mental health access for underserved populations. A 2019 intern at the American Folklife Center, he created digital guides to the Library of Congress’s archival collections. Wang holds a master’s degree in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in music from The College of New Jersey.
Grants & CRM Manager
Edward Wang is dedicated to spotlighting the cultural and creative output of communities which have historically lacked recognition. A writer and educator, Wang has presented research on Asian American musical theatre at the Society for Ethnomusicology and Society for American Music. He has worked with several Asian American nonprofit organizations to improve political participation and promote mental health access for underserved populations. A 2019 intern at the American Folklife Center, he created digital guides to the Library of Congress’s archival collections. Wang holds a master’s degree in ethnomusicology from Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in music from The College of New Jersey.
Danbi Yi
Operations Manager
Danbi Yi has been an educator for the past eight years. She holds a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. She also majored in English with a minor in Social and Economic Justice at the University of North Carolina. For five years, she taught high school English and Social Studies in the School District of Philadelphia. As a teacher, she prioritized uplifting stories from underrepresented communities and creating space for her students to share theirs. She is excited to use her experience and passion to join the work at SAADA so that South Asian American stories can continue to redefine American history and identity.
Operations Manager
Danbi Yi has been an educator for the past eight years. She holds a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. She also majored in English with a minor in Social and Economic Justice at the University of North Carolina. For five years, she taught high school English and Social Studies in the School District of Philadelphia. As a teacher, she prioritized uplifting stories from underrepresented communities and creating space for her students to share theirs. She is excited to use her experience and passion to join the work at SAADA so that South Asian American stories can continue to redefine American history and identity.
Sophie Lee
Creative Design Associate
Sophie Lee is a multidisciplinary designer interested in marginalized histories, collective storytelling, and urban design. She holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and has led qualitative research at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design centering the experiences of queer youth on public transportation. As a lead teaching artist with The Young Artist Program, she co-organized events, programs, and exhibitions highlighting young creatives and activating community through art-making. Inspired by Korean folk arts and cultural history, she is the founder of Anchovy Studio, an independent apparel brand that weaves stories of diasporic connections through gender expansive clothing and illustrated zines. She is excited to bring her passion for storytelling and the arts to share South Asian American stories of belonging.
Creative Design Associate
Sophie Lee is a multidisciplinary designer interested in marginalized histories, collective storytelling, and urban design. She holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and has led qualitative research at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design centering the experiences of queer youth on public transportation. As a lead teaching artist with The Young Artist Program, she co-organized events, programs, and exhibitions highlighting young creatives and activating community through art-making. Inspired by Korean folk arts and cultural history, she is the founder of Anchovy Studio, an independent apparel brand that weaves stories of diasporic connections through gender expansive clothing and illustrated zines. She is excited to bring her passion for storytelling and the arts to share South Asian American stories of belonging.