Zai is a writer, teacher, and filmmaker based in Sacramento, California. After teaching in three different countries and earning a PhD in French literature, she chose to focus on the creative projects closest to her heart: filmmaking, writing, and storytelling. She discovered the art of live storytelling during the final year of her PhD and immediately felt at home. Since then, she has performed regularly on platforms such as DO Tell and The Moth. Through her work, she hopes to cultivate spaces where people from all walks of life feel empowered to share their stories—spaces where genuine human connection takes center stage despite the socio-political divisions.