Meet the UMAI Team — Creative Healing & Youth Empowerment

The Founder of the UMAI Foundation and CEO of the School of Couture in Los Angeles, where she has educated over 2,500 young designers through sewing, fashion design, and creative arts. With over 20 years of experience in creative education and community program development, she is dedicated to empowering children and families, particularly those affected by cancer. As a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and a partner and volunteer of  Cancer Support Community South Bay, she bridges medical care with creative recovery to improve survivorship and quality of life.

The Chief Marketing Officer of the UMAI Foundation, where she combines her expertise in brand strategy with her passion for creativity and healing. A graduate of Stanford University with a BA in Political Science (2023) and a former Varsity Track and Field athlete, she brings both discipline and vision to her role. Yinka is also the founder and designer of Yínká, her namesake sustainable fashion brand known for recycled fabrics and original hand-painted prints. Her professional background spans marketing and brand strategy across fashion, beauty, tech, and consumer goods, giving her a unique perspective to lead UMAI’s mission and inspire children facing cancer through sewing and design.

The Chief Relationship Officer of the UMAI Foundation brings a unique blend of corporate expertise, creative innovation, and community-building passion to the nonprofit space. With more than 15 years of experience as a licensed insurance broker specializing in Commercial Property & Casualty coverage, Erin developed a strong foundation in risk management, client service, and strategic problem-solving.

A natural, creative, and outside-the-box thinker, she also built a successful career as a stand-up comedian, writer, and performer before blending her professional and artistic paths. Today, she uses that experience to design and lead corporate sewing workshops, helping teams bond, build trust, and discover joy in creating together. 

The Chief Financial Officer of the UMAI Foundation oversees financial planning, accountability, and sustainability. He completed leadership programs at Duke University and Nazarbayev University, combining international education with a strong background in business and community service. A member of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) community, he also works as an interpreter, bridging cultures and communication. Earlier in his career, he was recognized through the USAID program as one of the youngest successful businessmen, an achievement that highlights his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership. Today, he brings his expertise in finance, education, and international cooperation to advance UMAI’s mission of supporting children with cancer and their families through creativity

The Chief Programs Officer of the UMAI Foundation brings a wealth of leadership experience, organizational expertise, and a strong commitment to service. With a background in senior management roles at large corporations, he developed deep skills in team leadership, program development, and strategic execution. His ability to organize people and processes has consistently helped achieve ambitious goals and create lasting impact.

A natural communicator and connector, he excels at building relationships, fostering collaboration, and inspiring communities to work together for a common purpose. His vision and dedication to efficiency and growth now serve the UMAI Foundation, where he oversees the planning, coordination, and delivery of key programs.

Today, he leverages his corporate expertise and leadership abilities to strengthen the Foundation’s mission, ensuring that every program not only supports children and families in need but also fosters opportunities for creativity, resilience, and hope.

A student at Peninsula High School, an artist, and a valuable member of the UMAI Foundation, where she serves as Youth Program Leader. She began her sewing career at just six years old, debuting her Rubbish to Runway Fashion show in LA. Today, she is an active member of the School of Couture, where she not only develops her own creative projects but also leads youth programs that teach sewing and design. Zarema’s passion for fashion, creativity, and leadership makes her a key voice in shaping programs that empower children and teens through the arts.