Download Detailed Agenda (PDF)

| friday, april 28 - fundraiser |

| saturday, april 29 - conference |

| panel session I |

High School Panel IA: “Identifying Leadership Opportunities Early”
Everybody says that leadership is important for getting into college, for building confidence…but what does it mean exactly, and how do you become a great leader? Our panelists will help you explore some tactical ways to become a leader, regardless of your age. We’ll discuss ways to gain leadership experience through activities in your high school and in your community.
Panelists include: Sangita Chandra, Grace Huang, Erica Lee, Phitsamay Sychitkokhong Uy, and Hang Tran

College Panel IB: “Branding Yourself as a Leader”
Sure, you may feel like a leader already. But do others view you in the same way? Our panel of experts will discuss ways to position and brand yourself as a leader as you prepare for leadership positions on campus, during your internships, etc. We’ll discuss tips for networking and making that first impression to ensure others view you as a strong leader.
Panelists include: Diane Danielson, Anuradha Desai, Grace Talusan, and Connie Wong

Professional Panel IC: “Leadership at the Top”
Less than 1% of Fortune 500 CEOs are female. Only one of these female CEOs is Asian American. Our distinguished panel of Asian American female CEOs and leaders will discuss how they got to the top, and more importantly, what does it mean to be a leader of an organization and an Asian American woman? The will discuss their greatest challenges and greatest rewards with us.
Panelists include: Jiyoung Koo, Anita Lai, Xiaochun Luo, Millie Tan and Vivian Tseng

| panel session II |

High School Panel IIA: “Presenting Yourself as a Young Leader”
Being a leader in the forefront can be challenging and even intimidating to many at times. This panel will focus on presenting yourself as a strong leader – through your voice, actions and presentation style. We will discuss tips to help you communicate confidence as you develop your own leadership style.
Workshop led by Gary Berman

College Panel IIB: “Gearing up for Leadership in the ‘Real World’”
For many, college is an environment where you can find your voice, discover your interests and really begin to flex your leadership skills. What can you do to prepare yourself to continue to be a great leader in your first job out of school as well? Our panelists will comprise of recent college and graduate school grads that will share their experiences in the “real world” and how they continued their leadership journey beyond the academic world.
Panelists include: Arar Han, Kaberi Banerjee Murthy, Emily Tsiang, and Sandra Wu

Professional Panel IIC: “Evolving as a Leader”
Leadership begins to mean different things as we progress in our careers. It could mean getting promoted to that next position or leading organization. It could also mean being a great mom, being active in your community or simply being happy with who you have become. We will explore the different ways that our panelists continue to evolve and excel as leaders throughout their lives.
Panelists include: Renee Inomata, Vivien Li, Beverly Stern, and Judy Tso

| career strategies panel |

All Tracks: “Being a Leader on a Non-Traditional Career Path”
It’s not easy breaking the mold. For many Asian Americans, we sometimes feel pressured to take on traditional or “safer” career paths such as medicine, law or engineering. Our panelists will share their courageous stories of taking the road less traveled and sometimes less accepted by their families and peers. We will learn how they maneuvered into their current professions and how they came to excel at what they love.
Panelists include: Christina Chan, Joanne Chang, Greer Tan Swiston, Tia Wou

ASPIRE, a Boston-based non-profit for high school and college AA girls, is proud to host the Boston Premiere of Georgia Lee's Red Doors as part of its 2006 Asian American Women in Leadership Conference.

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Red Doors tells the story of the Wongs, a bizarrely dysfunctional Chinese- American family living in the New York suburbs.

Ed Wong (Tzi Ma) has just retired and plots to escape his mundane life. However, the tumultuous, madcap lives of his three rebellious daughters change his plans.

The eldest daughter, Samantha (Jacqueline Kim), is an ambitious businesswoman in Manhattan who suddenly gets cold feet about her upcoming marriage when she runs into an old high school flame.

Julie (Elaine Kao), the shy middle sister, finds her life as a studious medical student turned upside down when she falls for a movie starlet (Mia Riverton) visiting the hospital.

Katie (Kathy Shao-Lin Lee), the youngest sister, is a disaffected high school senior who engages in a continually escalating and dangerous prank war with her longtime neighbor and nemesis.

Ultimately, Ed's disappearance compels each daughter to examine her own understanding of the role and connection she has to the family. At the same time, the Wongs learn to live their own lives outside the invisible fences of their home.

Click here for additional tickets to this General Admission event (one ticket included in each conference registration)

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