AALAC

AALAC is led by a board of directors that provides leadership and oversight, helps with strategic planning, and ensures the fiscal and corporate integrity of AALAC.

Kimberly R. Bourroughs, Board Member

Jamie Decter, Board Member

  Jamie Decter is a cultural liaison, and has always gravitated toward international communities to live, work, and play.  From her origins as an international communication and Chinese undergraduate student in Buffalo, New York, her years living in China as a language student, to her volunteer service to the Asian community of Atlanta, Jamie has demonstrated an unmatched ability to connect with people across many cultures. After successful completion of two intensive mandarin certificates from mainland China and a Master’s degree in Asian studies, Jamie moved to the greater Atlanta area to pursue her dream of founding an organization that helps international students and families connect and share with local cultures. Jamie founded Everyday Interaction, LLC, a relocation and cultural adaptation assistance organization, and focuses on preparing students and families to come to Atlanta, as well as provide opportunities to help international people find a sense of community.   Aligned with these goals, she founded a multicultural group that started out for mothers of Korean students, and is now comprised of people from more than a dozen different countries. Jamie’s previous work includes many years as an English as a Second Language private and institutional teacher.  In this field, she not only brought energy to teaching, but also designed and implemented authentic, conversational lesson plans for adult English learners. In addition to operating Everyday Interaction, LLC, Jamie serves on the board of the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center of Georgia. Jamie’s passion is for connecting, learning about, and inspiring people through culture sharing.

Hemanth Digumarthi, Board Member

Sara Hamilton, Board Member

.

Sara Hamilton is an employment and litigation attorney in Atlanta, Georgia.  By day, she advises employers in regulatory matters and represents them in federal and state litigation, but her passion is serving the Asian and Asian-American community in Atlanta.  A founding board member of the Korean-American Bar Association and past president of the Asian-American Law Students Association at Emory University, Sara helps oversee and develop AALAC’s long term strategy and vision.  Prior to coming to Atlanta, Sara studied music in college, and lived and traveled throughout East and Southeast Asia.

Helen Ho, Board Member

Sonjui Kumar, Board Member

Sonjui L. Kumar is a founding member in the law firm of Kumar, Prabhu, Patel & Banerjee, LLC. She has been a practicing attorney for the past twenty one years, originally practicing in Hartford, Connecticut and since 1995 in Georgia. Attorney Kumar is a frequent speaker on issues relating to women and minorities in the profession, small and solo firm practice and business development. She is an active member of the South Asian community in Georgia and nationally. She is the Immediate Past President of the North American South Asian Bar Association (NASABA), having served on its Executive Committee for the past four years. She is also a founding Trustee of the NASABA Foundation. Ms. Kumar is a charter member of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE), Atlanta Chapter. She has previously served as an at-large representative on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia. She was awarded the State Bar of Georgia’s 2008 Commitment to Equality Award and later served on the selection committee for that award. She is a Past President and Board member of the South Asian Bar Association of Georgia (SABA-GA) and an active member of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL). In addition, Ms. Kumar is a member of the American Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Association. Ms. Kumar graduated with high honors from the University of Connecticut School of Law in West Hartford, Connecticut. She lives with her husband in Roswell, Georgia and has two daughters.

Masae Okura, Board Member

 Masae Okura is an associate in the Atlanta office of Baker Donelson. She provides immigration counseling services to multinational companies, including business immigration, labor certifications, immigrant visas and consular representations. Ms. Okura also assists clients with outbound immigration services to Japan, China and other countries. Ms. Okura routinely provides immigration seminars and training for Japanese companies in the United States. She has lived in Japan, Canada and the People’s Republic of China and is fluent in Japanese, English and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese).