Leadership & Mission

Chief Executive Officer
Craig Maki
Craig Maki joined Asian Human Services as its CEO in 2015, bringing a creative, compassionate leadership style and vast organizational knowledge. He most recently served as COO of Christopher House in Chicago. Prior to that, Dr. Maki founded Maryville Jen School, offering a therapeutic learning environment for students with emotional, behavioral and cognitive disabilities, and served as its Director of Educational Services. Dr. Maki currently serves on the board of the Illinois Consortium for 21st Century Schools. He is committed to making the State of Illinois and its teacher’s national leaders in the 21st Century Skills teaching movement. He received his Doctorate in Education from National-Louis University, Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and his undergraduate degree from Hope College. Dr. Maki lives in Chicago with his wife Raquel Flores-Maki and is the proud father of daughter Isabella.

Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Nikita R. Johnson
Nikita R. Johnson, Ed.D, is a senior level executive with extensive finance, administration and accounting experience in diverse industries, including secondary and post-secondary education, non-profit, corporate, and financial services. She holds a Doctorate of Educational Leadership from National Louis University. She has also received an MBA from DePaul University, with a concentration in Leadership and Change Management, and an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in Accountancy. Nikita has held finance positions at various institutions including school districts and not for profit organizations. She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2002, holds a Professional Educators License with a Chief School Business Official and Superintendent endorsement.

Director of Community Partnerships

Thidaporn Iamsutta
Thidaporn Iamsutta moved to study in the United States from Bangkok, Thailand. She studied Liberal Arts in Sociology at Valparaiso University and Clinical Psychology at Roosevelt University. She joined Asian Human Services in 2000 as an intern. Since then, she became Director of the Mental Health program in August 2016. She is passionate about immigrants, refugees and its communities. When human beings experience traumas or severe life stressors, it is not common for their lives to unravel. Her great passion is bringing healing to people who have been through traumatic and stressful experiences. It is her honor to help clients, who include children, adults and families, to find healthy perceptions of themselves and strengthen their relationships so they can learn to adapt, prosper, and thrive in their lives and in their communities.

Director of Education

Cindy La

Cindy La, M.S. serves as the Director of Education for the LEAF Program. Her commitment to serving children and families is clearly reflected in her 10 years plus in the education field. She has worked as a program director for early childhood programs; practiced behavioral play therapy with school age children; supported families through family engagement; and served in communities through Chicago Public Schools Child Parent Centers. She holds a master’s degree in Child Development and Specialization in Infancy from Erikson Institute and a bachelor’s degree in Education from California Polytechnic University of Pomona. Cindy also holds the Director; Family Support; and Early Childhood Education Gateways Level Credentials. Cindy also has been nominated to serve as the 2017 cohort for the Barbara Bowman Leadership Fellows and recently was elected to serve as the Associate Board member for BUILD Chicago that serves at risk youth in the Westside of Chicago. During her free time, Cindy looks forward to spending time with her son and family exploring the city.