Kelli Ayame Tani

Kelli was a radiant force—brilliant, compassionate, and endlessly uplifting—whose presence left a lasting imprint on everyone she encountered. A dedicated scholar and driven professional, she excelled at UCLA, pursued her MBA at NYU while working full-time at Google, and held roles at ABC and NBC Universal. She had an extraordinary gift for bringing people together, creating deep, meaningful connections across friendships, family, church, and school. Her faith and commitment to service, inspired by her beloved grandmother, guided her in mentoring underserved students, advocating for foster youth with CASA, and supporting veterans through Hire Heroes.

Kelli’s spirit was pure joy—embodied in the yellow heart emoji she loved—radiating warmth, intelligence, confidence, and optimism. Kelli was taken from us suddenly and far too soon in a tragic road biking accident in 2024. She was only 28. Her laughter, light, and love touched hundreds of lives. We will love her forever!

Now, it’s on all of us to carry on her legacy!

Woman hugging man in a forest with tall trees, smiling at the camera.

Our Foundation

Kelli lived a life for others, pouring her huge heart into her friendships, her Japanese American community, her church, and volunteer causes like Hire Heroes, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). She dreamed of shaping a world with equal opportunity and one without homelessness.

We created the Kelli Tani Foundation to carry on her legacy.

Our mission is to fund educational opportunities & support community programs which promote Kelli’s values of service, compassion, and cultural pride.

Kelli doesn’t get the chance to continue her work, but with your support we can help achieve her dreams.

Woman with long hair and hairclip, holding a book, looking left, in front of a plain background.
A man playfully carrying a woman in a field with trees in the background.
Bride and bridesmaids in burgundy dresses smiling outdoors
Three women sitting on grass in a park, smiling, with trees and a fountain in the background.
A smiling adult standing behind two smiling children at a kitchen table with a soda can and flowers visible on the table.
Two smiling children sitting close together on a couch, with colorful pillows and floral designs in the background.
Smiling child holding toy horse head in a living room.