NEW YORK, NY.- The Museum of Chinese in America today announced the resignation of Executive Director, Helen Koh. MOCA Board Chair, Patricia P. Tang and the Executive Committee will work with senior staff to oversee the operations of the institution in the interim.

Ms. Koh informed the Board of her decision to step down as Executive Director for personal reasons. During her tenure, she has overseen the Museum's efforts to consolidate and strengthen programming and external affairs. "It has been a privilege to serve as MOCA's Executive Director and to work alongside such a passionate and dedicated Board and staff," said Ms. Koh. "MOCA's mission remains vital and important. I have every confidence that MOCA will continue to build on this success."

"We wish Helen much success in her future endeavors and we thank her for her work and dedication to MOCA," said Patricia P. Tang.

Over the past few years, MOCA has successfully transformed itself from a community-based organization to a nationally recognized educational and cultural institution addressing the diverse communities of the Chinese American population and connecting them with the broader New York and American public. The Museum's exhibitions, programs, and audiences have grown in size and scope after its expansion.

MOCA's mission is to celebrate the living history of the Chinese experience in America, to inspire our diverse communities to contribute to America's evolving cultural narrative and civil society, and to empower and bridge our communities across generations, ethnicities and geography through our dynamic stories.

MOCA is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution that presents the living history, heritage, culture and diverse experiences of Chinese Americans through exhibitions, educational services and public programs. It began in 1980 as the community-based New York Chinatown History Project founded by community and student activists led by historian John Kuo Wei Tchen and Charles Lai. It has since grown to encompass the stories and journeys of the many communities of Chinese America, both in the New York Metro area and across the U.S., including new immigrants and established multi-generation families.

Since late 2009, when MOCA moved into its new space, designed by Maya Lin and located at the crossroads of Soho and Chinatown, its exhibitions, programs and audiences have grown in size and scope. This was made possible by a unique public/private partnership between collaborative government efforts to rebuild Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11 and MOCA's growing community of donors led by its Board of Trustees. Currently, MOCA's family consists of its many visitors, members, scholars, artists, activists, and families with young children as well as a growing base of young professionals, business leaders and entrepreneurs.