AAPISTRONG Annual Conference

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Longevity: Advancing Opportunity and Equity LAS VEGAS

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| OCTOBER 12-13, 2023

AAPISTRONG

CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

National ACE and ACE NextGen are honored to co-host the AAPISTRONG Annual Conference from October 12-13, 2023. The conference theme is Longevity: Advancing Equity and Opportunities. This theme represents the cross-generational collaboration of the two organizations, while celebrating the longstanding legacy a business creates in its community.

The two-day business conference will bring together AAPI small business owners, AAPI Chamber leaders from around the country, corporate partners, and community advocates to network and celebrate AAPI entrepreneurship.

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AAPIs are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, and the ability of the AAPI business community to foster longevity and advance opportunities across generations will be key drivers to the national economy for decades to come.

THURSDAY AGENDA CONFERENCE REGISTRATION OPENS Westgate Hotel 1:00pm STRATEGIC PARTNER MEETING Ballroom G 2:00pm - 3:00pm HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR GROWTH LANE & SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT Ballroom G 3:00pm - 4:00pm Ami Kassar, Founder and CEO, Multifunding GRANTS AND NETWORKING WORKSHOP Ballroom G 4:00pm - 5:00pm Emily Fuder, Vice President of Programs & Marketing, National ACE ACE NEXTGEN WOMEN’S INITIATIVE EVENT Ballroom F 4:00pm - 6:00pm Misa Chien, Founder of The Authentic Asian Sofia Wakabashi, Founder & Principal Consultant of Wakagrowth, Asia’s Next Top Model WELCOME RECEPTION Xiao Long Dumplings 7:00pm - 9:00pm 4275 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUTS BREAKOUT 1 11:00AM - 11:45AM Equity & Allyship Breakout Room E

FRIDAY AGENDA

AARP Presents: Balancing Acts: Navigating Mental Health, Parental Care, and Parenthood in AANHPI Men Breakout Room F

BREAKFAST, REGISTRATION, EXPO Ballroom C 8:00am - 9:00am

Delegating & Elevating to Scale Your Business Breakout Room G

EXPO OPENS Ballroom C 8:00am - 4:00pm

BREAKOUT 2 1:30PM - 2:15PM

WELCOME & KEYNOTES Ballroom B 9:00am - 9:45am

Meta Presents: The Future of Technology and Our Workforce: AI and Automation Breakout Room E Fidelity Presents: Building Wealth Workshop Breakout Room F Health & Wellness Circles Breakout Room G

BREAKOUT 3 2:30PM - 3:15PM Bridging Cultures: The Next Generation of AANHPI Food & Beverage Brands Breakout Room E How Advocacy Impacts Your Business Breakout Room F

AANHPI WOMEN EXECUTIVE FIRESIDE CHAT Ballroom B 9:45am - 10:30am

BREAKOUTS 11:00am - 4:15pm COCKTAIL RECEPTION HOSTED BY SUNTORY Ballroom D 6:00pm - 7:00pm

AAPISTRONG AWARDS DINNER Ballroom C 7:00pm - 9:00pm

The Power of Inner Work Breakout Room G ACE NEXTGEN AFTER DARK SOIRÉE 10:00pm BREAKOUT 4 3:15PM - 4:15PM You are the Brand Breakout Room E Access to Capital and Funding to Grow Your Business Breakout Room F Entrepreneur Mentoring Circles Breakout Room G

BREAKOUTS

AAPI WOMEN EXECUTIVE FIRESIDE CHAT Gain insights from accomplished AAPI women executives as they share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs in navigating the business world.

Angela Chang, Chief Strategy Officer, KCAL Insurance Agency Sherry Singh, Senior Director of Supplier Diversity, Walmart Thear Suzuki, Global Client Service Partner, EY Linglong He, Chief Leadership Advisor, Rocket Central Vanessa Dew, Co-founder, Health-Ade Kombucha

BREAKOUT 1 EQUITY & ALLYSHIP Learn how diverse Chambers of Commerce and other organizations help create equity, opportunities, and allyship for their members and their communities.

Ron Busby, Sr., President/CEO, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Susi Feltch-Malohifo'ou, CEO & Director, Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR) Sean Franklin, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement Center, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Tony Gladney, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, MGM Resorts International Brian Pang, Development Director, Electronic Arts Chiling Tong, President/CEO, National ACE

AARP PRESENTS: STAYING IN BALANCE: HOW AANHPI MEN NAVIGATE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, PARENTHOOD, AND PARENTAL CARE Discover the resources and support available for entrepreneurs who are running a business, caring for aging parents, and raising children at the same time.

Ray Cui, Financial Advisor, Strategic Financial Group, LLP. Evan Louie, Managing Partner, Asian Pacific Joint Venture, LLC. Richard Lui, News Anchor, MSNBC & NBC News Ky Eap, VP of International Sales, Lorde + Belle Leo Wong, VP of Product Development, ZNEST

DELEGATING & ELEVATING TO SCALE YOUR BUSINESS Create freedom and sustainable growth in your business by learning effective delegation strategies that bring out the best in your time, talents, and team.

Kevin Chan, Executive Director, ACE NextGen Frances Luong, Chief Marketing Officer, Resibrands; Co-founder & Partner, Joieful Ian So, Co-founder, Chicken & Rice Guys; Cofounder, Momentum John Victoria, Founder & Owner, Polianna

BREAKOUT 2 THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY AND OUR WORKFORCE - AI AND AUTOMATION Gain valuable insights into the impact of artificial intelligence and automation on the future of work, and explore opportunities and challenges that arise in this evolving landscape.

Misa Chien, CEO & Co-founder, The Authentic Asian Maui Orozco, Public Policy Manager, Meta Anna Wang, CEO & Co-founder, Searchlight.ai Kevin Zhang, Principal, GSV Ventures Le Zhang, Co-founder & CEO, Spaceport

FIDELITY PRESENTS: BUILDING WEALTH WORKSHOP Acquire essential financial knowledge and strategies to build and grow your wealth, exploring topics such as investments, passive income, and long-term financial planning.

Ali Ahmed, Director, Global Thought Leadership Ronita Panda, Vice President, Customer Inclusion Community Leader, Fidelity Tony Peng, Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Maria Racho, Founding Managing Partner, FilKor Capital

HEALTH & WELLNESS CIRCLES Engage in discussions and interactive sessions focused on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, prioritizing self-care, and promoting overall well-being in the entrepreneurial journey.

Amy Chin, Founder, Calm Better Days Zoey Gong, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Chef, Food Therapist, Registered Dietitian Brandon Lee, Founder, Zone Genius Institute Soo Jin Lee, Co-founder & President of Entwine Community Andrea Maeng, Founder, Coach, Facilitator, In Business & Life Manumalo Muasau, Founder, ManuMental Linda Yoon, Therapist & Founder of Yellow Chair Collective Charles Wu, CEO, Chi’Tiva

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 3 BRIDGING CULTURES: THE NEXT GENERATION OF AAPI FOOD & BEVERAGE BRANDS Explore the rich diversity of AAPI food and beverage brands, their cultural significance, and how they navigate the market, sharing their stories of innovation and success.

David Choi, Proprietor, Magna Carta Esther Lee, Founder, Asian Founded Hola Motuapuaka, Owner & Founder, STATUS Sparkling Wines; Co-Owner, Legado Whiskey Danny Taing, Founder & CEO, Bokksu Larry Wu, Founder & CEO, Wuju Foods

HOW ADVOCACY IMPACTS YOUR BUSINESS Discover pathways for business leaders to advocate for government policies that can shift the economic potential of their businesses and entire industries.

Susan Jin Davis, Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. Tom Gannon, Chief Government Relations Officer, H&R Block Linh Hoang, Managing Partner, The Outpost Joon Kim, Associate Vice President of External Affairs, Comcast

THE POWER OF INNER WORK Dive into the world of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and mastery of our mindsets that enable entrepreneurial leaders to thrive as their authentic selves.

Andrea Maeng, Founder, In Business and Life Dr. Clayton McClintock, PhD, MTS, Neuroscience Researcher and Clinical Psychologist Ha Nguyen, Owner & Co-founder, 7 Leaves Cafe Michelle Phan, CEO & Founder, Em Cosmetics

BREAKOUT 4 YOU ARE THE BRAND Showcase your unique expertise, amplify your leadership, and broaden your sphere of influence by leveraging the power of your personal brand.

Learn from branding experts who have personally built and helped others build powerful and profitable personal brands.

Mike Kim, Consultant, Speaker, Coach, Author Jerry Won, Founder & CEO, Just Like Media

ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND FUNDING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS Learn strategies and best practices for accessing capital and securing funding to fuel the growth of your business, including navigating investment options and building strong financial partnerships.

Elmy Bermejo, Region IX Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration Priscilla Lim, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase Carol Lee Mitchell, Senior Vice President, Bank of America Small Business Ben Raju, Director of Program Management, U.S. Small Business Administration

ENTREPRENEUR MENTORING CIRCLES Engage in intimate mentoring circles with experienced entrepreneurs, allowing for meaningful discussions, personalized guidance, and valuable insights to propel your entrepreneurial journey.

Susan Jin Davis, Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. Dr. Karen Eng, President & CEO, CSMI Jimmy Ferguson, Owner/Operator, McDonald’s Garrett Gin, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Bank of America Bill Imada, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Connectivity Officer, IW Group Norris Liu, Founder and CEO of EHLP Corp

AAPISTRONG

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CONFERENCE 2023

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BOARD ROOM

D E F G REGISTRATION

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Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

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Meta

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CONFERENCE 2023 Longevity: Advancing Opportunity and Equity

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ACE NextGen

Verizon

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multifunding

MAIN ENTRANCE BALLROOM C

Wells Fargo

THURSDAY WORKSHOPS

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR GROWTH LANE & SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT 3:00 - 4:00PM

BALLROOM G FEATURING

Ami Kassar Founder and CEO of Multifunding Ami Kassar, founder and CEO of MultiFunding and author of The Growth Dilemma, has earned a national reputation as a thought leader in business finance. He is the President elect of EO (Entrepreneurs Organization). For more than 20 years, Ami has challenged executives to think differently about how they capitalize growth. Regularly featured in national media including The New York Times, Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur, Forbes and Fox Business News, Ami also writes a biweekly column for 21 Hats. He has advised the White House, the Federal Reserve Bank and the Treasury Department on credit markets. Ami regularly speaks at corporate, academic and industry events on topics including entrepreneurship and access to capital.

WORKSHOP GRANTS & NETWORKING 4:00PM - 5:00PM

BALLROOM G

Emily Fuder Vice President of Programs & Marketing, National ACE Emily Fuder (Wong Loi Sing) is the Vice President of Programs and Marketing at National ACE where she provides expertise in the areas of marketing, grants, technical assistance programs, building relationships with regional chambers and partner organizations. She worked in hospitality sales for 10 years with Hilton Hotels working with the historic Palmer House Hilton, Drake Chicago, and Hilton Chicago.

Emily joined National ACE in 2020 under the MBDA CARES Act Grant, and helped over 30,000 AANHPI small business owners and entrepreneurs access capital and grow in capacity through technical assistance training. Her team helped launched the AAPISTRONG Fund and has since given over $6M in grants to minority small business owners since 2021.

THURSDAY RECEPTIONS

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

ACE NEXTGEN’S WOMEN’S INITIATIVE EVENT 4:00 - 6:00PM

BALLROOM F

Misa Chien CEO & Co-founder, The Authentic Asian

Sofia Wakabashi Founder & Principal Consultant of Wakagrowth, Asia’s Next Top Model

WELCOME RECEPTION 7:00PM - 9:00PM

XIAO LONG DUMPLINGS

Krystal Ka'ai Executive Director of White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) Krystal Ka‘ai is the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. In this role, she is responsible for advising the Biden administration on the coordination and implementation of federal programs and initiatives to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities. Prior to joining WHIAANHPI, Krystal worked on Capitol Hill for over a decade, including serving as the Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) for eight years. She previously held positions with the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, the State of Hawai‘i, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the National Japanese American Memorial Foundation. Krystal was born and raised in Hawai‘i and is the first Native Hawaiian to ever lead WHIAANHPI.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023

WELCOME RECEPTION 7:00PM - 9:00PM

XIAO LONG DUMPLINGS

Victoria Seaman Councilwoman, Ward 2, City of Las Vegas As an elected official and community leader, Councilwoman Seaman has advocated for issues important to Nevada. She has legislated on lower taxes, fewer government regulations for small business owners, guardianship issues to protect seniors, human rights, and issues related to animal welfare. She has also given many volunteer hours to her church, charities, and various not-for-profits, serving on the advisory committee for Friends of Parkinson's. Her recent awards include the International Christian Academy Community and Leadership Award, recognition from Friends of Parkinson's, Friends of Recovery award from the Foundation for Recovery, and a medal award from Marsy's Law for victims' advocacy. Her passion is giving back to her community and serving others.

Ian So Co-Founder of Chicken & Rice Guys & Co-Founder of Momentium Upon graduation from Babson College, a top global entrepreneurship school in Boston, MA, with a Diversity Leadership Scholarship, Ian gained experience in the entrepreneurship world working at several startups. In 2012, eager to apply his entrepreneurial studies and work experience to real life, he bought a food truck on eBay for $19,000 and launched his food business, Chicken & Rice Guys. From that initial investment, his business grew into an annual multi-million dollar revenue company with 6 food trucks, 3 restaurants, a 10,000 sf full service food truck commissary and a full-service catering/popup division. In the first 4 years of business, Chicken & Rice Guys was the 9th fastest growing private company in Massachusetts and the 206th fastest growing private company in the USA. Ian is also personally recognized as a Boston business leader by winning numerous awards including Boston Business Journal's 40 Under 40, Mayor Walsh's Spark Impact Awards, Smart CEO's Future 50 award, and GetKonnected 25 Most Influential Millennials of Greater Boston.

Bill Imada Founder, Chairman and Chief Connectivity Officer IW Group Bill is active in the community and serves on more than seven boards and advisory councils. His board service includes the Advertising Educational Foundation, Asia Society Southern California, California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Center for Asian American Media, Coalition for Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, LAGRANT Foundation and PBS National. Bill also co-­‐founded the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) more than ten years ago and established the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (ACE), an organization that is based in Washington, D.C three years ago. His efforts were recognized by The White House and he was invited to meet President Barack Obama with 12 other Asian/Pacific Islander American leaders. Later, Bill was appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by President Obama.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023

AAPISTRONG

BREAKFAST PLENARY 8:00AM - 9:45AM

CONFERENCE 2023

BALLROOM B

Sean Reyes Utah’s 21st Attorney General In 2013, at the age of 42, the Honorable Sean Reyes was appointed by Governor Gary Herbert as Utah’s 21st Attorney General. Reyes took over an office racked with scandal and inefficiency in the midst of some of the most significant constitutional issues in state history. Within a year, he reorganized and reenergized the office internally and recaptured the trust of the State with striking leadership, innovative programs and historic wins against drug dealers, human traffickers, child predators, and white-collar criminals. After winning the election in 2014 by one of the largest margins nationwide, Reyes was selected in 2015 by the Republican National Committee as one of its four national rising stars.

Kimberly Yee Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee is the State Treasurer of Arizona. She is Arizona's chief banking and investment officer and oversees the cash management of Arizona's $64.7 billion state budget and payments to agencies, local governments, and schools. Upon taking office in January 2019, assets under management were at $15.4 billion. Today, assets under management stand at over $30 billion, an increase of over 95.5%. Treasurer Yee is also the Administrator of the AZ529 Education Savings Plan. Since the Fall of 2020, Kimberly has grown assets to over $2.02 billion with 30,964 new accounts opened to help families save for higher education and workforce development.

Kendee Yamaguchi Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field, Global Markets, U.S. Department of Commerce Kendee Yamaguchi was appointed by President Biden to serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field at the International Trade Administration. In this role, she oversees nearly 300 trade professionals in more than 100 U.S. cities. She helps U.S. businesses export their goods and services, and attracts foreign direct investment to grow jobs within the United States. Yamaguchi has more than 20 years in executive management working closely with local, state, and national government leaders, businesses, and investors across the globe to promote job creation, public investment, and cultural diversity. She has deep experience within the aerospace, technology, agriculture, energy, and life sciences sectors of the economy. Most recently, she served as Deputy Mayor of Seattle, one of the largest cities in the nation, where her primary responsibilities included coordinating City priorities on business, cultural initiatives, and external relations. She also served Washington state as Assistant Director of its Department of Commerce, and as an Assistant Attorney General.

Chewy Jang Board Chair, ACE NextGen Chewy Jang is the CEO of Kid's Dream, a special occasion girl's dress brand established in 2012.

Kid's Dream prides itself on designing elegant, high-quality dresses in sizes 3 months to plus size 20.5 made locally in downtown Los Angeles. Kid's Dream is sold in over 30 countries through authorized retailers and was featured in Vogue and Brides Magazine. Chewy is also the Chief of Staff of Spaceport, a licensing tech platform accelerating the growth of the next digital economy by building tools for creators, brands, and agencies to monetize their intellectual property in the metaverse.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2022

AANHPI WOMEN EXECUTIVE FIRESIDE CHAT 10:15AM - 11:45AM

BALLROOM B

Angela Chang Chief Strategy Officer, KCAL Insurance Agency Angela Chang is the Chief Strategy Officer at KCAL Insurance Agency (KCAL) where she oversees the company's strategies in sales, marketing, partnerships, technology, customer acquisition and retention. She has made it her goal to encourage and foster a company culture that embraces innovation and respects tradition. KCAL now has a team of over 150 professionals, and serves over 6,000 business and 120,000 individual clients from its offices in Hacienda Heights, San Gabriel, Diamond Bar, Irvine, Cerritos, and Ontario, California.

Vanessa Dew Co-Founder, Health-Ade Kombucha As Interim CEO and Chief Sales Officer, Dew brings an invaluable knowledge of sales and marketing that has successfully enabled Health-Ade to grow from a farmers' market commodity to a nationwide brand. Dew leads the company's burgeoning sales team while continuously working to boost availability in key channels and markets. The company's consistent growth speaks to Dew's expertise in educating customers and cultivating the Health-Ade brand. She has made her mark as an integral member of the team, equipped with an unwavering focus on the key metrics necessary to keep Health-Ade's projected growth on track.

Linglong He Chief Leadership Advisor, Rocket Central Linglong He is the Chief Leadership Advisor of Rocket Central. With more than 25 years of experience within technology and leadership, Linglong is currently responsible for the overall strategy and implementation of Rocket Companies executive leadership succession planning and development. She was a co-founder of Rocket Central, where she held the position of President and Chief Operations Officer from March 2020 to February 2022. Prior to that role, she was Chief Information Officer of Rocket Mortgage (formally known as Quicken Loans Inc.) for 10 years. As the CIO, Linglong was responsible for the overall vision, alignment, deployment, and leadership for technology initiatives across the business.

During her time as CIO, the company placed in the top-15 of Computerworld magazine’s “100 Best Places to Work In Technology” for six consecutive years.

Thear Suzuki Board Chair, National ACE Thear’s personal purpose is to inspire courageous actions in others so they can lead more impactful lives. Thear is a Global Client Service Partner at EY with over 25 years of professional services experience. She served clients at Accenture for 16 years and joined EY in 2012, where she has served as Regional Advisory Managing Partner and Americas Consulting Talent Leader. At EY, Thear is a strong advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and she champions leadership development programs that build inclusive, innovative, and courageous leaders for the 21st century.

Sherry Singh Senior Director of Supplier Diversity, Walmart As of January 2023, Sherry leads the strategy and team responsible for building an inclusive supply chain at Walmart that is reflective of Walmart’s customer base. She is tasked with helping to grow Walmart’s direct and indirect spend with certified diverse owned businesses.

Her team works as business partners to Walmart’s merchant and procurement teams, helping to build diverse supplier connections and drive internal engagement with certified diverse owned suppliers. Her team also works to engage external stakeholders all in service of helping to level the playing field for diverse owned businesses to grow with Walmart.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 1 EQUITY AND ALLYSHIP 11:00AM - 11:45AM

BALLROOM E

Chiling Tong President & CEO, National ACE Chiling Tong has extensive domestic and international experience in economic and business development, focused on enhancing the growth of minority-owned small businesses. Tong's career spans the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. She is the President and CEO of the National Asian & Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE) representing the interests of 2.65 million Asian American & Pacific Islanders (AAPI) small business owners and entrepreneurs. National ACE collaborates with over 120 affiliate AAPI chambers and partner organizations across the country to advocate for AAPI small business, to enhance capacity building and to foster the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives.

Ron Busby, Sr. President & CEO, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. As President/CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), Ron Busby, Sr. brings business management skills as well as a lifetime of community development experience to the organization. Mr. Busby is a former successful business owner himself, and he has been recognized as one of the nation’s best CEOs. Ron grew his first company, USA Superclean, from $150,000 annualized revenue, to over $15 million in only 10 years. Early on in his career, USA Superclean was recognized as the largest Black-owned janitorial firm in the country. Mr. Busby has also started and grown two other janitorial firms, both resulting in over $7 million in annualized revenue.

Susi Feltch-Malohifoʻou CEO & Director, Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR) In 2015, at the age of 51, Feltch-Malohifo'ou co-founded her nonprofit, PIK2AR, which focuses on cultural preservation, economic impact, and wellbeing for Pacific Islanders. One of the programs of PIK2AR is the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce whose mission is to support business and entrepreneurs in Utah. In 2021, she was named by Forbes Magazine as one of the 50 most impactful women in the country over the age of 50. In August 2022, Walt Disney hired FeltchMalohifo'ou to be one of two Pacific Islander Cultural Advisers. She was also honored as one of the 40 most influential women in Utah in September 2022.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 1 EQUITY AND ALLYSHIP 11:00AM - 11:45AM

BALLROOM E

Sean Franklin Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement Center, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) Sean leads the Stakeholder Engagement team with NGLCC, he assists corporate partners with their RFP/RFI opportunities. He is a recognized leader in telecom, customer service, training, project management and sales. Born in Texas, Sean is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Business Administration. Now based in West Hollywood, CA, Sean’s career spans over two decades with proven success to lead multidepartmental teams to meet aggressive process and project goals. Sean has expertise in quality assurance, process improvements and systems analysis. His key strengths include training, sales, self-motivation, detailed oriented, organized, self-directed and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Tony Gladney Vice President, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, MGM Resorts International As President/CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC), Ron Busby, Sr. brings business management skills as well as a lifetime of community development experience to the organization. Mr. Busby is a former successful business owner himself, and he has been recognized as one of the nation’s best CEOs. Ron grew his first company, USA Superclean, from $150,000 annualized revenue, to over $15 million in only 10 years. Early on in his career, USA Superclean was recognized as the largest Black-owned janitorial firm in the country. Mr. Busby has also started and grown two other janitorial firms, both resulting in over $7 million in annualized revenue.

Brian Pang Development Director, Electronic Arts Brian Pang is a Product Development Director at Electronic Arts (EA). He also serves as a lead, advisor, and board member at organizations centered on equity for Asian Americans. Through his work with Stand with Asian Americans, Asian Justice Movement, Asian Leaders Alliance, ACE NextGen, APAs vs Hate, Elimin8hate, Ascend Leadership, Racial Equity Screen Office, YPC, and Asians in Gaming, Brian is devoted to advocacy for marginalized communities, for-justice initiatives, and systemic improvements to ensure diversity, equity, inclusion.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 1

AARP PRESENTS: STAYING IN BALANCE: HOW AANHPI MEN NAVIGATE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, PARENTHOOD, AND PARENTAL CARE 11:00AM - 11:45AM

BALLROOM F

Ray Cui Financial Advisor, Strategic Financial Group, LLP

Ky Eap VP of International Sales, Lorde + Belle Ky Eap is a seasoned veteran in the direct selling industry, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success to the table. Having served as an executive for several top-tier direct selling companies, Ky has been instrumental in driving growth and expansion. His strategic acumen and deep understanding of diverse markets have enabled him to successfully open and significantly expand the companies' presence in both the Asian and African markets. Ky's expertise and commitment to excellence make him a recognized leader and a valued asset in the field of direct selling.

Evan Louie Managing Partner of Asian Pacific, Joint Venture LLC Evan Louie is a partner and founding member of Asian Pacific Joint Venture. He was appointed by Governor Sandoval and the state legislature of Nevada as Commissioner of Minority Affairs, chairing the Economic Development Subcommittee under the Department of Business and Industry. Evan built a business recognized by the Las Vegas Visitor and Convention Authority as one of three enterprises representing Las Vegas for global tourism. Evan represents several commercial real estate developers working on site plans, land entitlements, and legal teams for approval of commercial and mixed-use developments. His public affairs firm has represented some of the most prestigious brands ranging from companies featured in Forbes magazine, iconic industry-leading business establishments, and successful global award-winning companies.

Richard Lui News Anchor, MSNBC & NBC News Richard Lui, is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years in media, technology, and business, and has served as news anchor at MSNBC and NBC News since 2010, and previously at CNN Worldwide. Before journalism, Richard spent 15 years in business, launching six brands over three tech cycles, patenting a fintech model in 2003. He has held board seats for a fintech firm, a Silicon Valley AI firm, and various nonprofits, including AIISF and Freedom United. He is a fellow at the National Association of Corporate Directors, one of 200 US State Dept Traveling Speakers, a Senior Fellow at think tank GMF, and ambassador for NGOs focusing on gender equality and human trafficking. In 2021, his first book, Enough About Me, was published

by HarperCollins Zondervan, focusing on the unexpected power of selflessness and his caregiving experience.

Leo Wong VP of Product Development, ZNEST He began his career working at renowned advertising agencies such as Droga5, McCann Worldgroup, and Digitas in roles ranging from account management to diversity and inclusion. He had opportunities to not only create influential ad campaigns for iconic brands such as Google Pixel, Dos Equis, and Scion but also created meaningful programs and bonafide partnerships to diversify talent pipelines and understanding of individuals of all backgrounds. Leo took a pivot out of advertising and has since held roles as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oklahoma and Co-Director of the A100 for Gold House. He currently is the Vice President of Product Development for ZNest (a senior housing vertical SaaS), Owner & Operator of Tender Loving Memory Care & Assisted Living Home in North Las Vegas, Senior Marketing Strategist at Lunchbox Hydration Packs, and a Realtor in Nevada.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 1

DELEGATING & ELEVATING TO SCALE YOUR BUSINESS 11:00AM - 11:45AM

BALLROOM G

Kevin Chan Executive Director, ACE NextGen Kevin — also known by his initials “KFC” — is the Co-Founder and CEO of Best Delegate. Kevin has personally taught Model UN in 20 countries around the world and spoken twice at the United Nations.

Kevin graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and completed an executive program from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Kevin serves as the Visionary at Best Delegate. He has developed and scaled the Model United Nations Institute nationwide and the Virtual Model UN programs that serve thousands of students every year. He has authored over 470 articles about Model UN on BestDelegate.com, and helped create online MUN resources that are used by over 800,000 students and teachers every year. He has organized over 35 Model UN conferences, including a dozen conferences held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Outside of MUN, Kevin is active in giving back to the entrepreneurial community. He serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the national Asian American Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE NextGen), and as the President Elect of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) chapter in Los Angeles.

Frances Luong Vice President, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, MGM Resorts International

Ian So Co-Founder of Chicken & Rice Guys & Co-Founder of Momentium

John Victoria Founder & Owner, Polianna From his childhood to his training as a U.S. Naval Officer, John Victoria has always believed in the importance of service, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. With these core values, John founded Polianna, a digital marketing agency helping contractors profitably grow their businesses online.

He's helped companies cross 8-figures in revenue, add hundreds of additional inbound calls every month, and build truly consistent lead flow in their business by implementing effective internet marketing strategies. John is also the host of the HVAC Financial Freedom podcast. John currently resides in Arlington, VA.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG

CONFERENCE 2023 BREAKOUT 2 THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY AND OUR WORKFORCE - AI AND AUTOMATION

1:30PM - 2:15PM

BALLROOM E

Misa Chien CEO & Co-founder, The Authentic Asian Misa Chien is an authentic leader who is known for inspiring others, and helps people feel less alone and more connected through positivity and transparency. Misa’s engaging and charismatic communication style stems from her experience through multiple forms of communication through being on TV (food network), speaking at renowned institutions (HBS), and gracing the runway for brands such as Neutrogena and Target. Misa's exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial style have propelled her into high demand as a speaker, podcast host, television personality, and has even earned her the distinction of being ranked as the 23rd most viewed woman on LinkedIn worldwide and #1 most viewed AAPI woman nationwide with 16 million+ views per month.

Maui Orozco Public Policy Manager, Meta Maui is a public policy and communications professional with a track record of working with policymakers and stakeholders on adoption of emerging technologies, and partnering with them to leverage these technologies to bring the most value and impact to the communities they serve. She is passionate about identifying opportunities for the public and private sectors to work together to solve some of the toughest problems our communities face today. She thrives in roles that require diving into gray areas, flexing creative and analytical muscles to define policy positions, and developing the strategies to successfully address and execute. The roles that make her happiest are ones where she is able to have deep impact and direct engagement with communities and external stakeholders.

Anna Wang CEO & Co-founder, Searchlight.ai Anna Wang is the CTO and co-founder of Searchlight. At Searchlight, Anna leads our engineering and AI efforts to help companies match the right talent to every role. In a prior life, Anna co-taught the Computer Science, Ethics, and Public Policy class at Stanford as she was getting my Master's in Artificial Intelligence. In her free time, Anna works through cookbooks; she's currently perfecting recipes from Xi'an Famous Foods and Ottolenghi's Jerusalem.

Kevin Zhang Principal, GSV Ventures Kevin is a Principal at GSV Ventures based in San Francisco. Prior to joining the GSV team, he spent four years as a management consultant at Bain & Company, where he worked with clients in a variety of sectors including consumer products, technology, education non-profit, and private equity. Prior to Bain, he led a financial turnaround of The Stanford Daily Publishing Corporation as the COO and General Manager. Kevin is a 2015 graduate of Princeton University, where he earned an A.B. in Philosophy and was a member of the water polo team.

Le Zhang Co-founder & CEO, Spaceport

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 2

FIDELITY PRESENTS: BUILDING WEALTH WORKSHOP 1:30PM - 2:15PM

BALLROOM F

Ali Ahmed Director, Global Thought Leadership As a part of the Global Thought Leadership team, Ali Ahmed helps craft research-backed insights and data-driven best practices on how to create better workplaces. He regularly connects with senior leaders across the world about retirement, financial wellness, and the employee experience.

Ronita Panda Vice President, Customer Inclusion Community Leader, Fidelity Ronita is the Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Community Lead and Data Strategist for Customer Inclusion team at Fidelity Investments. She has been a passionate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion advocate and has contributed many volunteer hours to various affinity groups, fostering a culture of inclusion in everyday life. She was the founding chair for Fidelity’s Asian ERG, Rhode Island Chapter (now AIM – Asian Inclusivity & Multiculturalism). She also co-chaired Rhode Island RAISE (Fidelity’s Caregivers Forum). Her current focus is to leverage community data & cultural insights to identify and mobilize inclusive experience & financial wellness initiatives for our next generation of diverse customers, who have been historically under-represented & under-served by the financial industry.

Tony Peng Financial Advisor, Wells Fargo Tony Peng is a VP, Financial Advisor currently working at Wells Fargo Advisors in the Bay Area. Tony entered this industry in 2011 to help families, accomplished professionals, as well as small business owners preserve and grow their wealth.

He believes that the key to a sound wealth plan is to increase control against risk and opportunity costs. He prioritizes wealth planning on clients’ values and goals as part of his fiduciary duty. Tony currently holds FINRA Series 7 & 66 Registrations, and the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation. Tony also holds life and health insurance licenses in the state of CA, TX, IL, NY, and NJ

Maria Racho Venture Partner, Qubits Ventures Maria Odiamar Racho is an investor and organization development advisor. Her career spans three decades in Fortune 100 financial services with roles spanning sales, technology, HR, open innovation, and finance. Maria is a network builder. One network, intrapreneurs@allstate (i@a), grew to over 800 employees and became a corporate incubator. i@a ran internal “shark tanks” and startup challenges, contributing to the $44B corporation’s external recognition as one of Fortune’s 2023 Most Innovative Companies. Maria’s next leap was to Co-Founder and Managing Partner of FilKor Capital, a venture capital firm focused on Asian American women founders.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 2

HEALTH & WELLNESS CIRCLES 1:30PM - 2:15PM

BALLROOM G

Zoey Gong Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Chef, Food Therapist, Registered Dietitian Zoey Gong is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) chef, food therapist, registered dietitian, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. Born in Shanghai, China, she has hosted hundreds of pop-up dinners, workshops, and events featuring TCM food therapy in both China and the United States since 2018, bringing healing foods and Chinese cultural traditions to thousands of guests. Her first cookbook was released in February, 2023 by Harper Collins. She is also the co-founder of The Red Pavilion, a unique TCM tea parlor by day and neon noir night club after dark, in Brooklyn. She has been featured in VOGUE, Food & Wine Magazine, NBC news, Eater, Bon Appetit, and more.

Brandon Lee Founder, Zone Genius Institute Brandon has reinvented himself 5x. His journey spans from doing leadership development for non-profits, flipping houses, building a soft-skills education company for teens, running operations at a HR tech startup, and now the founder/creator of a personality test company that helps people design fulfilling lives and careers centered around their natural genius.

Brandon has a deep passion for teaching, coaching, and empowering others to become their fullest selves. His writing and video content have garnered over 20 million views and has been featured on media outlets like Inc.com, TIME, BBC, and HuffingtonPost. On the side he invests in real estate, learns new languages, and works on fun side projects.

Soo Jin Lee Co-founder & President of Entwine Community Soo Jin Lee is a licensed marriage and family therapist in CA, executive director of Yellow Chair Collective, and co-founder of Entwine Community. Soo Jin's work focuses on providing healing for Asian American identities through understanding intergenerational trauma, racial trauma, and immigration stories. She has a special interest in destigmatizing the cultural implications of mental health and bridging the gap of knowledge in the mental health field about the unique struggles of Asian American mental health. Soo Jin is a coauthor of the book, "Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity," set to release in January 2024.

Linda Yoon Therapist & Founder of Yellow Chair Collective Linda Yoon, LCSW, is a licensed therapist and social worker specializing in supporting individuals in their healing journeys. Drawing from personal experiences with C-PTSD and an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood, Linda has a deep commitment to the Asian American community, survivors of trauma, and those who are neurodivergent. Her practice, Yellow Chair Collective, is named after the color symbolizing resilience, joy, and hope. She also co-founded Entwine Community, a nonprofit focusing on Asian and Asian American mental health. Linda is a co-author of the book, "Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity," set to release in January 2024.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 2

HEALTH & WELLNESS CIRCLES 1:30PM - 2:15PM

BALLROOM G

Amy Chin Founder, Calm Better Days As a sufferer of anxiety and postpartum depression, I found great relief with CBD. Incorporating CBD into my routine, I became more patient, present, and mindful, able to respond to life’s twists and turns instead of reacting. After seeing the difference in myself, I knew I had to help others understand how CBD/THC could help in a myriad of ways and became a Cannabis Coach. Calm Better Days walks clients thru what is plant medicine, what to use it for, different delivery methods, and how to find their dosage. Knowing the essentials is crucial in maximizing your results. Clients also receive a tailored plant medicine regimen based on their individual needs and lifestyle so they can dive into their plant medicine journey informed and finding relief faster. Calm Better Days has a highly curated selection of craft hemp from smallfarmed, women and BIPOC-owned brands

Andrea Maeng Founder, Coach, Facilitator, In Business & Life Andrea Maeng (she/her) is a trauma informed breathwork facilitator and certified Ontological Life and Leadership coach, whose practice focuses on the breath, the body and mindfulness as a pathway for healing, emotional release and transformation. Her passion lies in supporting humans embody the confidence, courage and clarity to lead a business, life and relationships on their own terms and in a way that honors identity and the full spectrum of their lived experience. She has worked with clients all over the world through her 1:1 and group coaching offerings as well as retreats/events. She specializes on the AAPI community and 1st/2nd generation immigrants through the transformational experiences, conversations and spaces she facilitates. She is proud Korean-American and daughter of immigrants currently residing in Philadelphia, PA.

Manumalo Muasau Founder, ManuMental Manu Muasau is a Samoan Mental Performance Consultant for professional athletes, performing artists, and serial entrepreneurs. Manu serves as the Mental Performance Coach for Tennessee Titans of the NFL, and Manu Samoa (The Samoan national rugby union team). Manu is a former NFL athlete who will soon be Dr. Manu as he completes the final year of his doctorate degree in clinical psychology. In addition to a masters degree in sport and performance psychology, Manu also has extensive training in neuroscience that he integrates into his work with high performers. Combining his lived adversity, athletics prowess, and academic acumen, Manu is an empathic guide with an authentic, vibrant and infectiously optimistic attitude. He guides the world’s best athletes, performers and entrepreneurs toward mental strength and peak performance.

Charles Wu CEO, Chi’Tiva Charles runs Chi’Tiva, a food and hospitality and lifestyle brand that infuses award-winning baked goods and beverages with federally-legal hemp-derived cannabinoids like THCa and Delta9. Chi’Tiva currently operates 2 retail food locations in the Chicago-land area. Charles is also an advocate of social justice, advocacy and minority empowerment in the Cannabis industry. In 2017, he partnered with Boyce Watkins Enterprises and the Black Business School, one of the largest minority-focused online education platforms to provide and program cannabis industry education and training. In 2018, Charles became the Chief Revenue Officer of Minorities for Medical Marijuana and is currently actively involved with a variety of local Illinois organizations including E.C.C.S.C. (Ex-Cons for Community & Social Change), ChicagoNORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws), the Cannabis Equity Coalition and S.E.E.N (Social Equity Empowerment Network).

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG

BREAKOUT 3

CONFERENCE 2023

BRIDGING CULTURES- THE NEXT GENERATION OF AAPI FOOD & BEVERAGE BRANDS 2:30PM - 3:15PM

BALLROOM E

David Choi Proprietor, Magna Carta Born in Los Angeles and raised in Washington, D.C., David has been in the wine business for over 15 years. He found his passion for wine working at one of the nation’s oldest wine stores, Pearson’s Wine & Spirits (1933). He dove deeper into the wine industry as an importer and wholesaler. In 2012, David was inducted into Jurade of Saint Emilion, the oldest wine society in Bordeaux.He was also awarded Merite Agricole by The French Ambassador and the Republic of France for his work with Bordeaux wines and his service to the wine regions of France. David’s passion for Bordeaux wines inspires his art in producing Magna Carta. Mentored by two of the greatest winemakers in Napa Valley Peter Heitz (Turnbull/ Shypoke) and Scott Palazzo (Palazzo). Together, they create a powerful synergy combining their different experiences into one vision of producing a world-class Bordeaux blend from Napa Valley.

Esther Lee Founder, Asian Founded MEsther's career first started as a TV reporter in Los Angeles where she often found herself to be the only or one of few Asian journalists in the room. After an Emmy-nomination, producing two presidential elections, and being recruited for a dream job, Esther realized she wanted to do more for the API community. Equipped with something she likes to call "Covid courage," she quit her job to launch Asian Founded, a branding & marketing agency that now produces work for some of the most recognizable brands in the API consumer space. She is now heavily involved in the API founder space and hosts an annual demo day for consumer API-owned brands where businesses receive the opportunity to pitch in front of a panel of judges and get their products in front of investors. Esther hopes to continue to produce stellar work for her clients while amplifying her mission to power Asian-owned businesses, no matter how big or small.

Hola Motuapuaka Owner & Founder, STATUS Sparkling Wines Co-Owner, Legado Whiskey Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, from parents who are of full Tongan decent, Hola was raised deep-rooted in her culture, but was inspired as a young entrepreneur to go outside the traditional norm. Hola decided to create a wine brand that celebrates diversity and her passions within the wine space. Hola’s sparkling wine company quickly gained attention for its exceptional quality and innovative approach when it launched in to Madison Square Garden in NYC, American Airlines in Texas, Wells Fago Arena in Philadelphia, and many other sports venues across the country. Status is also known as an EMMY Award favorite beverage amongst the stars. By blending traditional winemaking techniques with a touch of Polynesian flair, Hola crafted a unique and unforgettable experience for wine enthusiasts nationwide.

Danny Taing Founder & CEO, Bokksu Danny Taing is the Founder & CEO of Bokksu, the world’s leading direct-to-consumer subscription company that brings the taste and culture of Japan to more than 100 countries worldwide. Based in New York City and Tokyo, Bokksu connects Japan's traditional makers with a global audience, making it easier for people to discover and love authentic Japanese snacks. Born in NYC and raised in NJ, Danny is the son of Cambodian-Chinese refugees. He attended Stanford University, where he earned a dual Bachelors in Psychology and Communication and a Master's in Sociology.

Following that, he worked as a marketing strategist at Google for a year. However, his passion for Japanese food and culture led him to move to Tokyo, where he intensely studied Japanese at Waseda University and later worked at Rakuten as one of their first bilingual foreign employees, focusing on global business development. It was during these four years in Japan that he became business fluent, met his wonderful husband, and developed an even deeper appreciation for Japanese culture and cuisine, which continues to fuel his passion for Bokksu. In his spare time, Danny is an avid rock climber, fierce board game competitor, and anime binge-watcher.

Larry Wu Founder & CEO, Wuju Foods

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 3

HOW ADVOCACY IMPACTS YOUR BUSINESS 2:30PM - 3:15PM

BALLROOM F

Susan Jin Davis Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. Susan Jin Davis has 30 years of experience in the telecommunications, media, entertainment, and technology industries. She currently serves as Social Impact Officer for Al Roker Entertainment, a leading producer of TV, digital, branded programming and entertainment. She is also an advisor for ALO Advisors, a consulting firm specializing in areas of sustainability, diversity, and corporate social responsibility. She also serves as faculty for the Center for Creative Leadership in the areas of organizational leadership, women’s leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Most recently, Ms. Jin Davis was a senior executive at Comcast Corporation, where she held a multitude of roles over a 15-year career at the Company, including becoming the company’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, creating the framework for the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance disclosures, operationalizing its renewable energy and energy efficiency strategy, and contributing to transforming its fleet to low-carbon vehicles. She also has deep experience in the areas of cyber security, privacy, and online safety and security.

Tom Gannon Chief Government Relations Officer, H&R Block Tom Gannon joined H&R Block in 2021. As Chief Government Relations Officer, Gannon leads the company's public policy, regulatory and community relations efforts. This includes managing the legislative and regulatory teams as well as executing H&R Block's strategic engagement on all policy issues of importance to the company.Prior to H&R Block, Gannon worked at Mastercard, leading their Federal and State & Local government relations team and executed a strategic advocacy plan with several key stakeholder groups at the federal and state level. Gannon previously worked in government relations for Credit Union National Association where he focused on electronic payments, student lending, small business financing, cyber security, housing finance and regulatory restructuring.

Linh Hoang Managing Partner, The Outpost Linh Hoang is a Managing Partner at the Outpost with a new approach to business development, technology acceleration, and national security investment. The Outpost has helped companies close more than $400 million in non-dilutive funding. His background includes experience at IBM and Accenture implementing digital transformation projects at federal government agencies. He has 15 years of experience in program management, technology management, business development, joint venture partnerships, and innovation. He serves on the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority helping innovators and entrepreneurs access capital. He is a graduate of Georgetown University.

Joon Kim Associate Vice President of External Affairs, Comcast Joon I. Kim serves as Associate Vice President of External Affairs for Comcast Corporation. In this role he is responsible for strategic partnerships with Asian Pacific Islander American community groups and left of center national policy advocacy organizations. Joon works with these organizations to develop and advance their engagement with programs such as Internet Essentials, Comcast RISE, and digital equity.

His expertise lies in mentorship, organizational development, designing and implementing culturally competent programs that combine targeted outreach and coalition building with digital and grassroots organizing. Prior to joining Comcast in 2021, he spent 21-years working political advocacy advising center left political parties, advocacy campaigns, labor unions and corporations in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the U.S.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 3

THE POWER OF INNER WORK 2:30PM - 3:15PM

BALLROOM G

Andrea Maeng Founder, Coach, Facilitator, In Business & Life Andrea Maeng (she/her) is a trauma informed breathwork facilitator and certified Ontological Life and Leadership coach, whose practice focuses on the breath, the body and mindfulness as a pathway for healing, emotional release and transformation. Her passion lies in supporting humans embody the confidence, courage and clarity to lead a business, life and relationships on their own terms and in a way that honors identity and the full spectrum of their lived experience. She has worked with clients all over the world through her 1:1 and group coaching offerings as well as retreats/events. She specializes on the AAPI community and 1st/2nd generation immigrants through the transformational experiences, conversations and spaces she facilitates. She is proud Korean-American and daughter of immigrants currently residing in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Clayton McClintock, PhD, MTS Neuroscience Researcher and Clinical Psychologist Linh Hoang is a Managing Partner at the Outpost with a new approach to business development, technology acceleration, and national security investment. The Outpost has helped companies close more than $400 million in non-dilutive funding. His background includes experience at IBM and Accenture implementing digital transformation projects at federal government agencies. He has 15 years of experience in program management, technology management, business development, joint venture partnerships, and innovation. He serves on the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority helping innovators and entrepreneurs access capital. He is a graduate of Georgetown University.

Ha Nguyen Owner & Co-founder, 7 Leaves Cafe

Michelle Phan CEO & Founder, Em Cosmetics Esteemed digital and beauty pioneer, Michelle Phan, is one of the most well-known and recognizable stars in the global digital community. She is a powerful businesswoman and one of YouTube's most legendary success stories. Born to Vietnamese refugee parents, she posted her first YouTube video in 2007 and has since amassed over 1 billion lifetime views. Michelle has been an early adopter of many tech innovations, including Bitcoin and AI. She was named in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in 2015.

She also founded Ipsy, a subscription service that mails beauty products to its subscribers and has been valued at 800 million dollars and various investments in Fintech and creator tools like Cashdrop, Thematic and more. Today, seen as a big sister to millions, Michelle owns her own cosmetic brand named EM, which is the Vietnamese word for younger brother and sister. “

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 4

YOU ARE THE BRAND 3:30PM - 4:15PM

BALLROOM E

Mike Kim Consultant, Speaker, Coach, Author Mike Kim is a brand strategist for business thought leaders, coaches, and authors who want to create impact with their ideas and get their message heard. Mike’s refreshing approach has made him a sought-after speaker, online educator, and consultant for top thought leaders.

Mike’s clients include New York Times bestselling authors and other experts featured on PBS, TED, CNN, and Fox. Mike has been featured in and written for Inc., Entrepreneur, and The Huffington Post. Mike is the author of the Wall Street Journal best-selling book, You Are the Brand: The 8-Step Blueprint to Showcase Your Unique Expertise and Build a Highly Profitable, Personally Fulfilling Business. He has spoken at industry leading events including Social Media Marketing World, Tribe Conference, and Podcast Movement. He has been a guest on leading podcasts like Smart Passive Income, Entrepreneurs on Fire, and Read to Lead.

Jerry Won Founder & CEO, Just Like Media Jerry Won is a renowned keynote speaker and creative entrepreneur who speaks on Leadership, Creator Economy, and Storytelling. He is the Founder & CEO of Just Like Media, an Asian American storytelling company home to the award winning Dear Asian Americans Podcast, whose guests include Vice President Kamala Harris. He is also Founder & CEO of Always Be Creating and Asian Creator House, the premier community and events platform for Asian content creators. Business Insider recently named Jerry one of the Top 23 Creator Economy Experts to Follow. His speaking and brand partners include The White House, SXSW, Harvard Business School, Dartmouth Tuck, Google, Pepsi, Meta, Toyota, McDonald’s, and more. He also regularly works with Asian American community organizations such as National Association of Asian American Professionals, Asian American Journalist Association, ACE NextGen, and the Network of Korean American Leaders. Jerry earned his B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and an MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, where he served as President of the Student Government Association. He lives in Southern California with his wife Kyunghwa and children.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG

BREAKOUT 4

CONFERENCE 2023

ACCESS TO CAPITAL AND FUNDING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS 3:30PM - 4:15PM

BALLROOM F

Elmy Bermejo Region IX Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration Ms. Bermejo has a passion for building and strengthening relationships while assisting people and organizations attain their goals. She has been a senior government official with more than 25 years of experience at the executive level and has established a successful record of collaboration with public and private stakeholders on a range of issues including workforce development, disaster relief, and small business. Ms. Bermejo recently served as the Northern California Director for External Affairs for Governor Gavin Newsom; before that, she served as a Senior Adviser and Outreach Director for Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis of California, the first woman ever elected to this position. Ms. Bermejo also served in President Barack Obama’s administration at the U.S. Department of Labor as the Regional Representative to the Secretary and as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. She serves on the San Francisco Commission on the Environment, The Women’s Foundation of CA, and as an Advisory member of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) and the Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Public Good.

Priscilla Lim Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase Priscilla Lim is an Executive Director in the Commercial Bank at JP Morgan Chase. She sits on the board of Ascend Northern California as EVP and acts as Board Advisor to Ace NextGen and Ascend LA. She also recently joined the board of California Asian Chamber of Commerce championing for small businesses in California. Priscilla helped plan a fundraising gala for the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, which awarded AAPI women and non-binary individuals in Media and Entertainment and co-chaired the 2023 Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation’s 40th Anniversary Gala. Born in Brunei Darussalam and immigrated to New Zealand during her teenage years, Priscilla has nearly 20 years of experience in banking and law and have lived in seven different cities across five countries. She is passionate about initiatives which aim to empower Women, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and the LGBT+ community. Priscilla was a recipient of 2023 SHEroes Award given by the USPAACC. She also received the Top 50 Unsung Heroes Award from Asian Hustle Network in April 2023.

Carol Lee Mitchell Senior Vice President, Bank of America Small Business Carol Lee Mitchell is the head of small business, specialty, and consumer vehicle lending strategy at Bank of America. Her responsibilities include building and investing in business growth related initiatives, creating an excellent client experience for business owners and driving innovation and investment into strategic community initiatives for minority and women business owners. Mitchell is passionate about the development of equitable opportunities for women leaders. She is often called upon to share her perspectives on a variety of business owner topics by national and local media outlets. She is also a lecturer at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania committed to working with future business leaders and was recently named one of the 2023 Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business by the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC).

Ben Raju Director of Program Management, U.S. Small Business Administration Ben Raju is the Director of Program Management for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Field Operations. During his career, Mr. Raju has represented the SBA in various capacities throughout the United States and it’s protected territories. Mr. Raju is passionate about utilizing his experience and contributing to the Nation’s diverse business community and engaging the many resources, ideas, industries, and cultures he is surrounded by to create a strong eco-system where communities can continue to thrive locally and have a dynamic influence globally.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 4

ENTREPRENEUR MENTORING CIRCLES 3:30PM - 4:15PM

BALLROOM G

Susan Jin Davis Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. Susan Jin Davis has 30 years of experience in the telecommunications, media, entertainment, and technology industries. She currently serves as Social Impact Officer for Al Roker Entertainment, a leading producer of TV, digital, branded programming and entertainment. She is also an advisor for ALO Advisors, a consulting firm specializing in areas of sustainability, diversity, and corporate social responsibility. She also serves as faculty for the Center for Creative Leadership in the areas of organizational leadership, women’s leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Most recently, Ms. Jin Davis was a senior executive at Comcast Corporation, where she held a multitude of roles over a 15-year career at the Company, including becoming the company’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, creating the framework for the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance disclosures, operationalizing its renewable energy and energy efficiency strategy, and contributing to transforming its fleet to low-carbon vehicles. She also has deep experience in the areas of cyber security, privacy, and online safety and security.

Dr. Karen Eng President & CEO, CSMI Dr. Karen Eng is the President and CEO of CSMI, a privately held engineering firm specializing in the FDA & USDA regulated industries. Karen’s career demonstrates her flexibility to work with small growing organizations to medium privately-owned companies to Fortune 100 corporations. Her close work with the Food Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency, the International Trade Administration, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States has led CSMI to be one of the top engineering consulting services firms in both domestic and foreign markets. Karen is the member of several prominent Boards, including National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (ACE) for which she Serves as the current Foundation Board Chair. She previously chaired the Board of Trustees for Illinois College of Optometry.

Fa’avae Fa’avae Founder and Owner, F2 Manufacturing and Island Avenue Fa’avae J. Fa’avae is the founder and owner of apparel companies, F2 Manufacturing and Island Avenue, co-owner of restaurants, Beleaf Burgers and Bored & Hungry, and founder of F2 Films. F2 Manufacturing clients include, “Fashionova, Darc Sport, Diamond Supply Co, Haus of Jr, and Disney”, and many others. Lifestyle brand Island Avenue has gained notoriety for being featured in retail chains like “Macy’s, Tillys and Nordstroms” with exclusive collabs with icons like “St Regis” resorts. With a passion to always give back, Fa’avae established The T.U.T Foundation, Triumphant Under Tragedy, in honor of his brother who tragically passed in 1992. Fa’avae is a former Division 1 Football Athlete, and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California Berkeley.

Jimmy Ferguson Owner/Operator, McDonald’s Jimmy and his wife, Cindi, have owned and operated 23 McDonald’s restaurants in Austin, and other central Texas cities for the past 27 years. Prior to owning McDonald’s franchises, Jimmy held the position of assistant vice president and dean of students at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR. As a college administrator, Jimmy served the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) as the chairman of the board of directors and held an appointment

by Gov. Bill Clinton to the Arkansas Governor’s Advisory Council on Volunteerism. During his Career with McDonald’s, Jimmy has served as the Chair of McDonald’s Asian Business Vision Team, president of Central Texas McDonald’s Operator’s Association, Chairman of McDonald’s Houston Region Leadership Council, member of West Division Leadership Council, member of National Leadership Council, and chair of the McDonald’s National Asian Consumer’s Marketing Team. Jimmy currently serves as the Chair of the Asian McDonald’s Operators Association (AMOA).

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

BREAKOUT 4

ENTREPRENEUR MENTORING CIRCLES 3:30PM - 4:15PM

BALLROOM G

Garret Gin Senior Vice President, Global Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Bank of America Garrett Gin serves as the Local Market Executive for Bank of America in Los Angeles. In this role, he leads a team of professionals that is responsible for numerous local market initiatives, including local philanthropy; community reinvestment and development; community engagement; and corporate sponsorships in the region. These local marketing strategies and programs help to drive brand visibility, employee engagement, and the integration of the bank’s business divisions throughout Greater Los Angeles. Prior to joining Bank of America in 2009, Garrett served as the Director of Communications & Public Affairs for Merrill Lynch in California. He is active with numerous business and civic organizations, including serving on the boards of the City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board, the Los Angeles Business Council, the Central City Association of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Family Housing, and the National Asian Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. For his civic engagement efforts, Garrett was named by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2023 as a “Leader of Influence” in the banking industry. A strong proponent of diversity & inclusion, Garrett serves as one of the enterprise chairs for the bank’s Asian Leadership Network – and is a member of the bank’s Asian Advisory Council. In addition, he was selected as a recipient of Bank of America’s Global Diversity & Inclusion Award in 2022. Garrett is a native of San Francisco and a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. He and his wife Live in Orange County, California with their two daughters.

Bill Imada Founder, Chairman and Chief Connectivity Officer of IW Group Bill is active in the community and serves on more than seven boards and advisory councils. His board service includes the Advertising Educational Foundation, Asia Society Southern California, California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, Center for Asian American Media, Coalition for Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, LAGRANT Foundation and PBS National. Bill also co-­‐founded the Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) more than ten years ago and established the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (ACE), an organization that is based in Washington, D.C three years ago. His efforts were recognized by The White House and he was invited to meet President Barack Obama with 12 other Asian/Pacific Islander American leaders.

Later, Bill was appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by President Obama.

Norris Liu Founder and CEO, EHLP Corp Norris Liu is the Founder and CEO of EHLP (pronounced “e-help”), a technology-focused company with the goal to eliminate the barrier of access to quality healthcare products and services. Born in Shanghai, China and immigrated to Toronto, Canada at a young age, Norris experienced early exposure to entrepreneurialism through his family small business. After graduating from the University of Toronto, Norris spent 15 years working with large multinational corporations as well as smaller start-ups in the technology space, focused mainly on large enterprise business development and sales management. In 2019, He followed his dream of becoming an entrepreneur and launched his first health-tech start-up. In 2020, he co-founded Zebra Health Solutions during the height of the pandemic to bring transparency and quality products and services into the US healthcare marketplace. Today, EHLP has expanded into accessibility medical equipment, mental-wellness telemedicine for school children, sexual health safety for college students, and discount prescription drug access for the uninsured.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

6:00PM - 7:00PM

SUNTORY COCKTAIL RECEPTION: BALLROOM D, E, F

7:00PM - 9:00PM

AWARDS DINNER: BALLROOM C

AGENDA

AWARDEES

Emcee: Derek Uehara Dance Troupe: SAZAN Color Guard: Clark HS NJROTC National Anthem: Cencira Te’o

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Isabella Casillas Guzman Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration

WELCOMING REMARKS Thear Suzuki National ACE Board Chair

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD Richard Lui News Anchor MSNBC & NBC News

KEYNOTE SPEAKER Isabella Casillas Guzman Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration

CORPORATE CHAMPION AWARD Wells Fargo

NATIONAL ACE REMARKS Chiling Tong President & CEO

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD Nathaniel Ru Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer sweetgreen

KEYNOTE REMARKS Nathaniel Ru Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer sweetgreen PRESENTATION OF AWARDS National ACE ACE NextGen WHITE HOUSE REMARKS Erika Moritsugu Deputy Assistant to the President & AA and NHPI Senior Liaison AAPISTRONG RESTAURANT FUND AWARD Presented by Grubhub

UNICORN AWARD Angela Chang Chief Strategy Officer KCAL Insurance Agency CHAMPION AWARD Ha Nguyen Owner & Co-Founder 7 Leaves Cafe COMMUNITY AWARD Brian Pang Development Director Electronic Arts SMALL BUSINESS AWARD Tristan Nguyen Owner & Chief Financial Officer Tristan CPA

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG

AWARDS DINNER

CONFERENCE 2023

NATIONAL ACE AWARDEES 7:00PM - 9:00PM

BALLROOM C KEYNOTE SPEAKER & DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Isabella Casillas Guzman Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration Isabella Casillas Guzman was sworn in as the 27th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration on March 17, 2021. She serves as the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses and innovative startups in President Joe Biden’s Cabinet.

Administrator Guzman has made supporting small businesses her life’s work. From a very young age, working beside her father in his chain of veterinary hospitals in Southern California, she gained a deep appreciation for the small business owners who define Main Streets in neighborhoods across America, deliver our products and services, and innovate to solve global problems. Administrator Guzman spent her early career in the private sector as a founder, advisor, and consultant. There she learned the crucial role small businesses play in creating paths to the American Dream. She went on to commit herself to public service -- serving as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor at the SBA, and as Small Business Advocate for the state of California to help advance equity and opportunity for all entrepreneurs.

KEYNOTE REMARKS & EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

Nathaniel Ru Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer, sweetgreen Nathaniel Ru is the Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of sweetgreen, leading the brand and their award-winning creative team. He oversees a team of thinkers and marketers who use creativity and storytelling to help redefine what the fast-food industry will look like in the years to come. He has been named as one of the Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company and one of Forbes’ Next 50 CMO’s. His team has collaborated with some of the world’s best chefs, athletes and musicians to amplify their mission. In both 2019 and 2020 sweetgreen was named as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of the Year. His passion for storytelling has led him to work at the unique intersection of food, lifestyle and social impact. Nathaniel and his co-founders started sweetgreen in 2007, opening their first location in Georgetown, DC, just three months out of college. Their vision is to be as ubiquitous as traditional fast-food, but far more transparent and honest. Since inception, sweetgreen has served over 100 million healthy meals. Nathaniel graduated from Georgetown University and lives in Los Angeles.

CORPORATE CHAMPION AWARD

Wells Fargo

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AWARDS DINNER 7:00PM - 9:00PM

BALLROOM C

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Richard Lui News Anchor, MSNBC & NBC News Richard Lui, is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years in media, technology, and business, and has served as news anchor at MSNBC and NBC News since 2010, and previously at CNN Worldwide. Before journalism, Richard spent 15 years in business, launching six brands over three tech cycles, patenting a fintech model in 2003. He has held board seats for a fintech firm, a Silicon Valley AI firm, and various non-profits, including AIISF and Freedom United. He is a fellow at the National Association of Corporate Directors, one of 200 US State Dept Traveling Speakers, a Senior Fellow at think tank GMF, and ambassador for NGOs focusing on gender equality and human trafficking.

WHITE HOUSE REMARKS

Erika Moritsugu Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison With a distinguished career in the federal government, politics, and non-profit advocacy, Erika L. Moritsugu has dedicated her personal and professional life fighting for social justice and the empowerment of underserved and marginalized communities and individuals. She currently serves as Deputy Assistant to the President and the first-ever Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Senior Liaison at the White House, where she supports the Biden-Harris Administration on a wide array policies and outreach to advance the President’s priorities, and engage with a cross-section of communities to promote equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPIs.

SPONSOR REMARKS

Brett Swanson Senior Manager - Community Affairs & Social Impact, Grubhub As Head of Community Affairs & Social Impact at Grubhub, Brett Swanson serves as the company’s lead with business groups and non-governmental organizations in Grubhub’s priority markets. Through hyperlocal relationships and community-first initiatives, Brett champions Grubhub’s philanthropy work focused on supporting independent restaurants, helping to close the hunger gap, and creating opportunities in the hospitality industry with key stakeholders across the country.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG

AWARDS DINNER

CONFERENCE 2023

ACE NEXTGEN AWARDEES 7:00PM - 9:00PM

BALLROOM C

UNICORN AWARD

Angela Chang Chief Strategy Officer, KCAL Insurance Agency

CHAMPION AWARD

Ha Nguyen Owner & Co-Founder, 7 Leaves Cafe

COMMUNITY AWARD

Brian Pang Development Director, Electronic Arts

SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

Tristan Nguyen Owner, Tristan CPA Tristan has over six years of experience in accounting in corporate settings and in a national accounting firm. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from University of Mass, Amherst and a Masters of Business Administration from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. When he is not crunching numbers, Tristan enjoys reading, snowboarding, and traveling.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AWARDS DINNER 7:00PM - 9:00PM

Friday, October 13, 2023 NATIONAL ANTHEM

Cencira Te’o Co-Chair, Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce A PIK2AR program Cencira is a Samoan-American and one of the Co-Founders of Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR), previous Neighborworks Salt Lake Resident Board Member and graduate & alumni committee member of Westside Leadership Institute, former Board member of Sorenson Unity Center, Raise Your Pen CoalitionPacific Island Youth Justice Historian and Co-Founder, Founder of Roots Deep Pacific Island Youth Leadership Conference, Follow Your Dreams Initiative, and Founder of Pacific Island Women in Business. Cencira currently works as PIK2AR’s Program CoChair of the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce as well as the SBA Business Navigator and Salt Lake County Co-Op Business navigator. She left her 12 year run in working in the criminal justice field to pursue her passion in community work for her Pacific Islander community.

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Derek Uehara President, Uehara Financial Group, LLC. Derek Uehara’s professional experience has spanned the corporate, not-for-profit, and entrepreneurial sectors. For the last 22 years, Derek has worked with individuals and organizations to clarify their top priorities and create investment strategies to achieve their goals. In 2010, Derek started Uehara Financial & Longevity Planning, an independent, full-service financial planning firm. Prior to that, he spent 10 years with a major Wall Street Firm. Serving as the President of the Nevada Small Business Council, Derek is an advocate for small businesses, especially in the restaurant industry. He is a champion of Chefs for Kids, a member of the Leadership Las Vegas Class of 2005, a member of Las Vegas Host Lions Club, and a recipient of the International President’s Award for Humanitarian Service from Lions Clubs International.

AAPISTRONG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023

AAPISTRONG RESTAURANT FUND

AAPISTRONG CONFERENCE 2023

GRAND PRIZE FINALISTS 7:00PM - 9:00PM

BALLROOM C

JP Pani Ioelu & Laukau Ioelu Co-Owners, Aloha Island Market Paniani Ioelu (JP Pani) is the owner of Aloha Island Market, AZ where he specializes in providing Traditional Authentic Mom and Pops Polynesian Cooked food for all that wants to savor the flavors of the South Pacific Islands.He is most active on Facebook and Instagram which he publishes weekly changeable menus to share with Arizona’s community. He enjoys sharing his traditional dishes especially with the elderlies, as they delight and enjoy their meals just as if they are at their Ohana’s home. JP Pani’s goal is to be able to help bring the Aloha Spirit through his traditional food. He and his wife created the South Pacific Island Festival and the nonprofit South Pacific Youth Civic Association (SPYCA) to offer Arizona’s youth a space to learn our traditions (even food) and cultural, our way of life, and to help mentor them to have a better tomorrow.

Li Ma Owner, Ranken Noodle House Ranken Noodle House is owned by Li Ma, a scientist and mother of three. She got her Bachelor of Medicine degree in China, Master of Science degree in Japan, and came to the U.S.A. with her family after a few years of working in Japan. After 7 years working at the U.S. FDA, 8 years working at AstraZeneca, she finally followed her heart, starting her American dream of opening an authentic Japanese restaurant, “Ranken Noodle House”. Her goal is to provide a healthy eating choice to young Americans.

Jinah Kim Owner, Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen Jinah Ahn is a Korean American immigrant born in Incheon, South Korea and raised in upstate New York. She graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies, and recently obtained her JD from Albany Law School. She was a case manager and taught English and employment education with Catholic Charities Community Services in New York City, and worked as a Job Developer at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Albany. She then took her experience to start a social venture in the form of a farm-to-table Korean restaurant in Troy, New York. Sunhee's Farm and Kitchen opened in May 2016 and has since provided employment opportunities for immigrants as well as in-house educational services such as English classes and computer literacy programs with plans to add on legal services in the near future. She is also the mother of two children, a 15-month old son and 2month old daughter.

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