Meet the Team!
Board Members
Director of Peer 1 on 1
Zhan Qi is the head and founder of the Peer1on1 program. She is a mother of two autistic children, and understands the difficulties of being such a parent. As a result, she created this program not only to help her two autistic sons but to educate teens about autism and to help other autistic families as well.
Zhanqi Cheng
CFO
Ge Yan
As an experienced customs broker, rigor, precision, and efficiency define my professional foundation. Beyond my corporate career, I have channeled these leadership skills into community advocacy through Peer 1 on 1. In 2019, I founded the organization's first Los Angeles County team, strategically scaling it from 10 to more than 50 active volunteers.
While I am not a parent of a child with special needs, I am deeply driven by the philosophy that "one life touches another." Over the past several years, I have directed volunteer operations, managed complex weekly schedules for over 30 volunteers, and delivered direct, individualized support to autistic children. To elevate the quality of my impact, I earned my Behavior Technician (BT) certification, successfully blending evidence-based professional skills with genuine compassion.
For me, the ultimate reward is witnessing these children build lasting confidence, gain independence, and foster meaningful social connections.
Haixia Gu
Advisory Board Member
Haixia Gu serves as an Advisory Board Member of Autism Peer 1 on 1. She is an actuarial professional and community leader dedicated to advancing opportunities for neurodiverse youth. Haixia provides strategic guidance on volunteer leadership development, program structure, and sustainable growth.
She brings extensive experience leading peer mentorship initiatives that have supported over 100 autistic children and trained more than 35 student volunteers. As a parent of a neurodiverse child, she offers valuable lived perspective alongside her professional expertise, strengthening the organization’s mission and long-term impact.
Advisory Board Member
Brandon Q. Tran represents banks and financial institutions, and other corporations, large and small, in business litigation matters in both state and federal courts. He has wide-ranging experience in general business and commercial litigation matters, including lender liability, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud, unfair competition, breaches of contract, mechanic's liens, stop notices, receiverships, and class actions. He also has experience in real estate litigation, representing design builders and design professionals. In addition to other facets of the litigation process, Mr. Tran advises his clients on alternative dispute resolution options that are available in both state and federal court, such as mediation and arbitration.
Brandon Q. Tran
Advisory Board Member & Volunteer Trainer
Memi Lorico-Iriye, M.S.
Memi Lorico-Iriye brings decades of specialized experience in social and educational inclusion to the Peer 1 on 1 Advisory Board. As a Behavior Therapist and Adaptive Skills Trainer, Memi holds a B.S. in Health Services Administration and an M.S. in Special Education Studies from the University of La Verne.
Her clinical approach is rooted in the belief that effective support requires more than just following "best practices"—it requires a deep theoretical and conceptual understanding of how different children learn. Memi is a staunch advocate for moving beyond "teaching to the test," focusing instead on the strategic, consistent, and individualized reasoning necessary to support students with complex learning difficulties.
With a professional background spanning school-site support, in-home services, IEP advocacy, and Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Memi’s expertise is further deepened by her personal journey as the mother of an autistic son. As a board member and Volunteer Trainer, she ensures that Peer 1 on 1 volunteers are equipped with the high-level insight and hands-on skills needed to provide truly impactful 1:1 socialization.
Board of Directors
President
As President of Peer 1 on 1 and a senior at Flintridge Preparatory School, I lead initiative-driven community building for neurodivergent youth. Beyond hosting weekly meetings and our annual talent show, I managed corporate outreach across Los Angeles—raising $10,000+ by pitching to 70+ businesses, including Home Depot, Krispy Kreme, and Costco. Expanding our vision, I directed our team in a national entrepreneurship competition where student volunteers and neurodivergent partners collaborated on innovative ventures. For 2026–2027, my priority is scaling our outreach while enriching programming for all participants.
Arthur Zhang
Vice President
Bella is a high school senior and in her fifth year with Peer 1 on 1, she has grown from a student volunteer into an experienced student leader passionate about inclusion, friendship, and opportunities for neurodivergent youth. Bella leads the Seal Beach Branch, organizing weekly activities, recruiting and supporting student volunteers, helping with fundraising, and participating in community events. As Vice President, Bella helps represent and strengthen student leadership across Peer 1 on 1. She hopes to expand programs and branches, mentor the next generation of peer leaders, develop new youth-led projects and community partnerships, and create more opportunities for neurodivergent and neurotypical youth to connect, participate, and lead.
Isabella Patterson
Secretary
I am a senior at Oxford Academy. I am honored to serve as the Secretary of Autism Peer 1 on 1 this year. Over the past four years as a volunteer, I have seen firsthand how meaningful peer connections and inclusive activities can help neurodivergent individuals build confidence, friendships, and new skills. Peer 1 on 1 provides a welcoming environment where neurodivergent and neurotypical youth can participate in social, recreational, and community activities together.As Secretary, I hope to contribute to the continued growth of Peer 1 on 1, support our student leaders and volunteers, and help create new opportunities for meaningful inclusion and community involvement. Most importantly, I hope to inspire other students to step forward, take initiative, and become advocates and leaders for the neurodivergent community.