Cathy Li, director of this tournament and a 1dan Go professional, was titled "Go Prodigy" at 11 years old as part of the underrepresented female Go players' population. In China, she won two national championships and was a Go coach for 10 years. After immigrating to Vancouver, Canada, she continued to teach at the JCY Go school, where her student, Bill Lin, achieved 3rd place at the 8th Premier Cup World Amateur Go Championship in 2013. 

Currently living in Irvine, California, Hai Li is a 5dan Go professional. In the US, he gives Go lessons in several Go clubs and Chinese schools, including the San Diego Go Club and the South Coast Chinese Culture Center. In the past 3 years, he has instructed over 100 students and extensively promoted Go activities in the Southern California area. Two of his numerous successful students are Shi Yue and Sun Pengyu, both famous Go Pros that participated in celebrated competitions on a global level.