The history of the Chinese in America has been a neglected piece of the American fabric. MOCA’s mission is to shine a light on that history, from Yung Wing and the Chinese Educational Mission and railroad workers in the 19th century to the increasing incidents of racism that Chinese Americans and other Asian Americans confront today in the age of Covid-19. Founded in 1980 by community activists in Chinatown, New York City who literally dumpster dived to preserve historical relics, including shop signs and laundry presses, MOCA has grown to become a leading cultural institution in the U.S. and a force for change to redefine the American narrative. MOCA sits in the heart of Chinatown in New York City, fittingly on Centre Street, in a space designed by the famed Chinese-American architect, Maya Lin. It re-opened in 2009.
The year of the metal rat, 2020, has been a challenging one for MOCA, starting with a January fire in the offsite building where MOCA’s collection of historical documents and ephemera, numbering over 85,000 items, was held. And then came Covid-19 and the acts of racism against the Asian-American community in the pandemic’s wake. Layering the American conscience-raising Black Lives Matter movement, and how does an institution such as MOCA thoughtfully respond to and ally with justice, equity, and a resolved American-ness and its drivers.
All topics to be addressed by Nancy who has served as the President of MOCA since 2015. In that capacity, Nancy has the unique privilege of combining her experiences in managing organizations, promoting arts and culture as a bridge between peoples, and executing research focused on redefining the American narrative by examining the role of Chinese Americans in U.S. history.
Prior to her time at MOCA, Nancy was the executive director of the Yale-China Association, one of the oldest non-profit organizations dedicated to building U.S.-China relations. At the Yale-China Association, Nancy led more than 20 programs in the areas of arts, education, and health. These programs were lauded as best-in-class and models for bilateral engagement.
Nancy has more than 20 years of leadership experience in governance of non-profit organizations and for-profit management, including staff and board positions at Goldman Sachs & Co, Council on Foreign Relations, CNN, the Center for Finance and Research Analysis, Aberdeen Standard Investments-managed closed-end funds, Community Fund for Women & Girls, International Festival of Arts and Ideas, and the Tessitura Network. Her work has brought her to the region regularly over the last 25 years and she was a resident of Hong Kong from 1999 - 2004. Nancy is a lecturer at the Yale School of Management where she teaches governance to Theater Management students.
Nancy received her MBA from the Yale School of Management and her AB from Occidental College. She was an original member of the Here and Now Theater Company. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.PROGRAMME
Nancy will be interviewed by Roy Delbyck, an RAS Council Member as well as a member of MOCA’s Board of Directors.
The Speaker
Nancy Yao Maasbach, President of the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA)
Moderator: Roy Delbyck
Venue: Online on Zoom
Admission: No charge.
Booking: Please email membership@royalasiaticsociety.org.hk in advance to register your attendance and receive the Zoom link