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keynote speakers |
 SuChin
Pak
MTV News, Correspondent
SuChin
Pak joined MTV News as a correspondent in
May 2001. As a correspondent for MTV Daily News, she has
interviewed Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, P. Diddy, and
George Lucas, just to name a few. SuChin also nabbed an
exclusive sit-down interview with pop queen Britney Spears
in fall 2003. Beyond the world of entertainment, SuChin
was an integral part of MTV's 2004 Choose or Lose campaign.
She covered the September 11th aftermath for MTV News, contributing
segments on young people volunteering and Muslim-American
women. SuChin's recent MTV News series "My Life (Translated)"
examined her experiences as a Korean-American, in addition
to the lives of other "all-American kids" trying
to balance their American lifestyles with the customs derived
from their family's origins.
SuChin
never planned on a career in television. During high school,
while volunteering for an organization aimed at involving
young people in the political process, SuChin was interviewed
for the news. The director for the station happened to see
the piece and approached her to host "Straight Talk
'N Teens," a new magazine-format teen show. This "after-school
job" became SuChin's introduction to the entertainment
world. Her first big interview for the show was Ice-T. While
in college, SuChin was once again discovered when the producer
of a PBS science program saw a tape of her and called her
in for an audition. She landed the job, became the youngest
of five hosts on the show and spent her college years lugging
her textbooks on shoots to locations as remote as Tahiti.
Following graduation she was approached by ZDTV (now called
Tech TV), a 24-hour national cable network devoted to technology,
for which she was hired as a reporter. After a year with
ZDTV, she was recruited to be a correspondent on another
teen show called "First Cut" on the NBC affiliate
in San Francisco. It had become increasingly clear that
television was her calling, so SuChin sent in a tape to
the start-up cable network Oxygen. After a year-long audition
process, she was hired as a host for "Trackers"
and moved to New York. From there, MTV spotted her and came
calling.
Born
in Korea, SuChin and her family moved to the Bay Area when
she was 5 years old. She graduated with a degree in political
science from the University of California, Berkeley.
 Kyung
H. Yoon
Heidrick & Struggles, Vice Chairman
Kyung
H. Yoon, Vice Chairman specializes in top
level cross-border executive and board search, as well as
CEO coaching. Since joining the firm in 1994, Kyung has
served as a bridge between the United States and Asia. Kyung
was one of the key drivers in Heidrick & Struggles'
Asia Pacific expansion, with previous management responsibility
for the Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong,
Taipei and Seoul offices. Prior to joining Heidrick &
Struggles, Kyung was President of Benten Investments, Inc.
Previously, she was President of Pacific Union Asset Management
and Vice President of Dillingham Development Company. Kyung
started her career with Banque Nationale de Paris.
Kyung
serves on the board of directors of SVB Financial Group
(Nasdaq: SIVB) and is an advisor to Sierra Asia Partners,
a cross-border merchant bank and advisory firm. She is President
of the Asia America MultiTechnology Association (AAMA).
She also serves on the Advisory Boards of Asia Society;
Stanford Project on Regions of Innovation & Entrepreneurship’s
(SPRIE) Greater China Networks Project; Affinity Circles;
Tertia, Inc. and The Commonwealth Club of California.
Kyung
obtained a bachelor's degree in economics and French from
Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, and holds an MBA
in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago.
|
panel speakers |
 Rose
Lee Askin
Citizens Financial Group, Senior Vice President
Rose
Lee Askin is the VP of Commercial Banking
in Citizens Bank. Her clients are companies with revenue
from $5-50 million. In addition to commercial lending, Rose
provides private and international banking services. She
is also well versed in government financing programs. Rose
started her career in the early 1980’s with Bank of Boston
where she completed their “Loan Officer Development Program”.
After returning from a stint in their Hong Kong headquarters,
she joined Chase Manhattan in Chicago specializing in the
agriculture and heavy equipment industries. Rose has also
worked in Tokyo, Bangkok and Los Angeles. Born in Shanghai,
China, she is fluent in several Chinese dialects. Rose lives
with her husband and two teenage children in Dover, Massachusetts.
Panel: Personal and Professional - The Balancing
Act
 Yvonne
Chao
Citi Community Capital, Vice President
Yvonne
Chao is a Vice President with Citi Community
Capital, the community development lending and investing
unit of Citigroup. In this role, she underwrites and structures
financing for affordable housing, charter schools and community
facilities across the U.S. She has also worked on real estate
and facilities with the NYC Center for Charter School Excellence,
a nonprofit that aims to stimulate the supply of high quality
charter schools and support ongoing student excellence in
all NYC charter schools. She previously worked in Corporate
Strategy for Capital One and in healthcare investment banking
at Canaccord Adams, a boutique investment bank in Boston,
MA. She recently contributed her business experience as
a volunteer with a nonprofit organization based in the Kham
region of Tibet. Yvonne holds a BA in Economics from Stanford
University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management
at Northwestern University. Panel: Asian American
Female Executives and Leadership Styles
 Lena
Chen
Blogger and Freelance Writer
Lena
Chen is a blogger and freelance writer best
known for the sex and dating blog SexandtheIvy.com, which
chronicles her undergraduate experience at Harvard University.
Her first-person accounts of sex, depression, and the true
state of student life at the world's premier academic institution
has spurred campus discussion, prompted media attention,
and garnered a loyal following. A controversial figure,
she has been criticized by some as "morally reprehensible"
and praised by others for encouraging frank sexual dialogue.
With a daily readership of over 1,200, Lena has been featured
in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Sports Illustrated,
mtvU, Playboy Radio, and numerous college publications.
Lena plans to pursue a career in writing and is currently
working on a memoir based on her blog. Her work has appeared
in columns for The Boston Globe, Hustler, Beauty Launchpad,
CollegeHumor.com, TheFrisky.com, and thePEEQ.com. She is
also the founding editor of CollegeOTR.com, a network of
news and entertainment blogs for college students. Currently
a third-year sociology major, Lena chaired the Harvard chapter
of 85 Broads and served on the board of the Women's Leadership
Network and BGLTSA. A first generation Chinese-American,
Lena was born in San Francisco and raised in Los Angeles.
Panel: Family, Cultural and Community Influences
 Jennifer
Chow
Health Care For All, Manager of Outreach and Enrollment
Jennifer
Chow serves as the Manager of Outreach and
Enrollment at Health Care For All, where she oversees program-related
projects and initiatives that seek to enroll individuals
into health coverage programs that they are eligible for,
and provide resources to increase access to the health care
system. Prior to this, she served in the positions of Children’s
Health Initiatives Team Lead and Program Associate in the
Children’s Division, where she coordinated the Covering
Kids and Families Initiative, a statewide coalition that
designs innovative programs to serve children and their
families in getting health care coverage. She served for
a year as an AmeriCorps volunteer in the Massachusetts Promise
Fellowship program at Northeastern, where she created Teens
Leading the Way, a statewide group of twenty-four teenagers
who were interested in improving the mental health system
for their peers. Jennifer serves on the Board of Directors
for the Massachusetts Community Health Workers (MACHW) Network
as their Chair. She received her Bachelor of Science degree
in Biology, with a concentration in Asian Studies from Boston
College, and is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health
at Tufts University’s School of Medicine. Panel:
Family, Cultural and Community Influences
 Dr.
Shirley Chung
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr.
Shirley Chung is a Board Certified OB/GYN
with over 12 years of clinical patient experience across
several leading teaching hospitals including Beth Israel
Medical Center in New York, Boston University and Brigham
and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Dr. Chung currently practices
at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Downtown Boston
and performs her surgeries at The Brigham. Dr. Chung remains
active outside of the office, both as a mentor to residents
during their four years of residency, and as an instructor
at Harvard University Medical School. During her free time
she enjoys traveling, exercise and spending time with her
one year old son. Dr. Chung holds a BA in Biology from University
of Chicago and an MD from University of Illinois.
Panel: Building a Stronger Leadership Foundation
Sonia Chung
Digitas, VP, Group Director of Strategy and Analysis
Sonia
Chung joined Digitas in 1996 to help launch
the Measurement and Analysis practice across the agency.
During her 12 year tenure at Digitas, Sonia has worked across
numerous account teams: AT&T, American Express, Delta
Airlines, Federal Express, Gillette, Johnson and Johnson,
Pfizer, Bank of America, Sony, and InterContinential Hotel
Group. Sonia has managed both online (Web Advertising and
Site Analysis) and offline (Direct Mail, Outbound Telemarketing,
Catalog, Print and Radio) marketing programs. She has helped
lead new methodologies for growth in new and emerging channels.
She has also developed and conducted several learning workshops
for senior clients teams. Prior to Digitas, Sonia has had
experience at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Healthcare
Investment Analysts (HCIA) and Talbots. Sonia holds a BS
in Mathematics from the University of Illinois and an MBA
from the University of Chicago. Panel: Personal
and Professional - The Balancing Act
 Ying
Ying Fok
Harvard College, Student
Ying
Ying Fok is a junior from Harvard majoring
in History. She is an active member of the Phillips Brooks
House Association and currently the director of Chinatown
Afterschool, with past experience as a teacher for the program's
summer counterpart, Chinatown Adventure. Her past extracurriculars
on campus include the Freshman Musical and the Asian American
Association. She graduated from the Boston Latin School
in 2005. This past summer, she was in Beijing studying modern
Chinese. She intends to pursue a career in finance after
graduation. Panel: Building a Stronger Leadership
Foundation
Shinhee Han, Ph.D.
Psychotherapist
Shinhee
Han, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist in private
practice in New York City. Her specializations include working
with Asian American clients (adolescents and adults), international
adoption, LGBT issues and academic issues. Previously, she
was on the staff of the counseling services at the University
of Chicago, Northwestern University, Barnard College and
Columbia University. Dr. Han is also a founding member of
the Asian Women Giving Circle that funds Asian American
women artists whose work involves social justice. Panel:
Mental Health Awareness within the Asian American Women
Community
 Xiaolu
Hsi
Clinical Psychologist
Xiaolu
Hsi is a clinical psychologist working at
MIT Medical and in private practice in Cambridge/Brookline.
She is on faculty at Harvard Medical School supervising
psychology doctoral interns and post-doctoral fellows at
MIT Medical, the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) and Massachusetts
Mental Health Center. Dr. Hsi is also a neuropsychologist
specializing in ADHD and learning disability. Dr. Hsi is
originally from China and has worked in university settings
in both countries for the past twenty-four years since joining
the faculty at the Central South Medical University in China
at age 18. She has since worked at Tufts, BU, Harvard and
MIT. She co-founded the Asian Mental Health Clinic at CHA,
a local public health network serving the chronically mentally
ill population. Dr. Hsi’s work focuses on adolescent development,
issues of resilience, parent-child relations, separation/individuation,
and self determination of identity and path in life, through
educational, professional choices as well as relationships.
A Chinese and an American, Dr. Hsi draws inspiration from
her experiences on both sides of the ocean with a belief
that healthy development and meaningful life are defined
not only by the productivity of achievements, but also the
capacity to form and sustain meaningful, satisfying relationships
as well as contributing to the community. Panel:
Mental Health Awareness within the Asian American Women
Community
 Thelma
Kailiwai
Raytheon, Integrated Defense Systems Engineering, Staff
Director of Strategic Development
Thelma
Kailiwai is Staff Director of Strategic Development
in Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems Engineering Department
in Tewksbury, MA. In this capacity, Ms. Kailiwai is responsible
for generating, implementing, and deploying strategies on
professional growth and development, such as career development
and mentoring, and supporting the organization’s integrated
learning and development. For her work in this area she
received the Raytheon Asian Pacific Association, Northeast
2006 Outstanding Supporter Award and the Women’s Initiative
Network 2005 Game Changer Award. Ms. Kailiwai successfully
rotated out of her previous position as Corporate Director
of Global Diversity at Raytheon’s Executive Offices in Lexington,
MA. In this capacity, she delivered a Diversity Plan that
supported Raytheon’s Diversity Vision aligned with Company
systems, policies and practices to create business results
and linked to other organizational change initiatives. For
Ms. Kailiwai’s work in Raytheon’s diversity initiatives,
Ms. Kailiwai received the National 2003 Women of Color Emerald
Award for Corporate Responsibility for Exceptional Achievement
in Research, Science, and Technology. She has served on
the boards of directors for Leadership America, a premier
national women’s leadership organization, the Women’s Center
of Dallas and the Dallas Metropolitan YWCA. Panel:
Family, Cultural and Community Influences
 Komal
Kirtikar
Harvard Business School, Student
Komal
Kirtikar is a first year student at Harvard
Business School. Previously she worked at GE Aviation for
three and a half years (including going through GE’s Operations
Management Leadership Program). Komal spent her rotations
working in various roles including management on the aircraft
engine manufacturing floor, supply chain Lean manufacturing
strategy, international sourcing (procurement), and quality.
She has a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from the University
of Florida. Komal also enjoys dance, cooking, volunteering
and Gator (UF) sports! Panel: Focusing on the Career
Path that's Right for You
 Josephine
Kim
Harvard Graduate School of Education, Lecturer
Josephine
Kim earned a Ph.D. in counselor education
and supervision from the University of Virginia in May of
2005 and is a Lecturer on Education at Harvard Graduate
School of Education. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
in the state of Massachusetts and a National Certified Counselor.
Her clinical skills and experiences span many contexts including
residential facilities, agencies, and schools. She has worked
with varying multicultural populations through individual,
group, and family counseling/therapy. One of her areas of
special interest and focus has been on providing education
on mental health related issues to Asian and Asian American
populations. As a bilingual and bicultural Korean-American
counselor, she has been the keynote speaker at numerous
parent, teacher, and youth conferences in Korea and in the
U.S. Panel: Mental Health Awareness within the Asian
American Women Community
 Jiyoung
Koo
Koo New York, Founder
Jiyoung
Koo is recognized worldwide as a leading specialist
and private dealer of Korean Art in the United States, started
KooNewYork in 2001. Prior, Ms. Koo joined Sotheby’s in 1991,
quickly rising to Director of the Korean Art Department
in 1996. As one of the youngest Vice Presidents in the company,
she oversaw a banner 1997 year of auctions totaling US$5
million. In 1999, she was appointed Managing Director of
Sotheby’s Korea. Ms. Koo is in high demand as a frequent
guest lecturer on Korean and Chinese Art at museums and
universities. She lectures regularly at the School of Visual
Arts in NYC. Born in Seoul, Korea, she immigrated to United
States in 1977. She is a graduate of Vassar College with
a B.A. in Art History. Panel: Asian American Female
Executives and Leadership Styles
 Becky
Lee
Attorney, Founder of Becky Lee Women's Support Fund, and
Cast Member of Survivor (Season 13)
Rebekah
(Becky) Lee has been working on issues concerning
domestic violence survivors over the last eight years as
an advocate, a policy associate and an attorney. She is
also passionate about creating awareness of the specific
needs of battered immigrant women, such as language access
and cultural competency. Additionally, she has worked as
a kickboxing instructor for over 6 years and has focused
on helping battered women regain their confidence and self-esteem
through her classes. When she was given the opportunity
to try out for Survivor this past summer of 2006, Ms. Lee
decided to try out to break media stereotypes of Asian Americans
and bring more awareness to the prevalence of domestic violence.
Now that the show is over, she continues to dedicate much
of her time to these causes. Ms. Lee founded and leads a
new nonprofit organization, the Becky
Lee Women's Support Fund, to raise money to
help battered women leave their abusers and become more
financially secure. She has donated much of her earnings
from the show to this fund and continues to fundraise for
this cause. While managing this nonprofit on the side, Ms.
Lee is still working in D.C. as an attorney advocating for
battered women's rights. In her free time, Ms. Lee is active
in the Korean community. She volunteers for the Asian Pacific
Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project, is a member
of the Korean Americans Against Family Abuse Committee and
on the Board of Directors for the the DC Chapter of the
Korean American Coalition. She believes strongly in giving
back to the community and helping the younger generation
excel, and has set up several scholarships through her high
school, the University of Pittburgh Law School, her local
church, and the Korean Association of the Greater Pittsburgh.
Ms. Lee received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in women's
studies from the University of Michigan and then continued
on to receive her Juris Doctorate Degree from the University
of Pittsburgh School of Law. Panel: Family, Cultural
and Community Influences
 Jennifer
8 Lee
The New York Times, Reporter
Jennifer
8. Lee is a metropolitan reporter at The New
York Times, where she has worked for many years. She harbors
a deep obsession for Chinese food, the product of which
is The Fortune Cookie Chronicles (Twelve, 2008),
which explores how Chinese food is all-American. She was
born and raised in New York City, attending Hunter College
Elementary School and Hunter College High School for a total
of 14 years. She majored in applied math and economics at
Harvard, where she also angsted a lot about The Harvard
Crimson, a fabulous start-up magazine called Diversity &
Distinction, and the Asian American Association. After college,
she fled to China and spent a year at Beijing University
studying international relations. Panel: Focusing
on the Right Career Path for You
Rosie Lim-Williams
Thinking Heads Global, Director
Rosie
Lim was born in Singapore but has lived and
worked in many countries. She is the Administrative Director
of Thinking Heads Global, a company that specializes in
leadership development, based on the adaptive leadership
framework developed at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Rosie obtained both her Bachelors degree and Masters degree
in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University.
She has worked in program administration and leadership
development at the University of Queensland in Australia,
and at Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE). At HGSE’s
Office of School Partnerships, Rosie worked with the Harvard-Boston
Leadership Development Initiative for 5 years, planning
and organizing leadership training seminars, professional
development programs, forums and summer institutes for teachers,
public school leaders and superintendents. Recently, Rosie
returned from Madagascar with her husband, on a 2-year assignment
for leadership development with the government of Madagascar.
Rosie’s contribution focused specifically on women's issues
and the empowerment of females. During that time, she also
supported local women in addressing public education needs.
Panel: Building a Stronger Leadership Foundation
 Austin
Lin
Brookline High School, Social Worker
In
his second career as a social worker, Austin
Lin works with adolescents and their families
using narrative, solution-focused, and cognitive behavioral
approaches. Born in Michigan to Taiwanese parents, Austin
grew up in Louisiana and received his A.B. from Harvard
College. Eighteen years later, he earned an MSW from Simmons
College School of Social Work. Before changing careers,
Austin worked as a live-in cook, photographer, copywriter,
college admissions interviewer, and on the '92 and '04 presidential
campaigns. His first career included time at such companies
as VideoGuide, Firefly Network, MathWorks, D. E. Shaw, Yahoo!,
Millennium Pharmaceuticals, and Harvard University. Austin
has served on panels addressing issues of race, gender,
and social justice and has been featured in The Boston Globe,
The Boston Globe Magazine, The Boston Herald, and WCVB's
Chronicle. He has served on the boards of Green Street Studios,
Rebecca Stenn Company, and the Massachusetts NOW Foundation
and is currently serving his second term on the national
board of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Austin
resides in Cambridge, MA, and spends his free time practicing
yoga, spinning, cooking, reading, writing, and inventing.
Panel: Mental Health Awareness within the Asian
American Women Community
 Cynthia
Lin
Singer/Songwriter
Cynthia
Lin is a jazz and folk singer/songwriter who
has released two albums independently and toured nationally
since she began her music career in 2003. Born in Chicago
and raised in New Jersey, Cynthia entered Princeton University
with the intention of becoming a doctor, graduated with
a degree in economics, and left school still feeling confused
about her future path. After almost three years of a regular
9-to-5 job in the DC software industry and a lot of soul-searching,
Cynthia took the plunge and returned to her childhood aspirations
of performing on stage. Cynthia's debut album Blue and Borderlined
received recognition by the WashingtonPost.com and was featured
on NPR's Open Mic series. Her new album Doppelganger was
named Top 5 of 2007 by AsiaXpress.com. Cynthia is also a
trained actress with stage, film, and tv credits. Now a
New Yorker, Cynthia looks forward to exploring where her
performing arts career might lead her next. Panel:
Building a Stronger Leadership Foundation
 Sheila
Lirio Marcelo
Care.com, Founder and CEO
Sheila
Marcelo has always been passionate about business
and family. After frequent struggles to find quality care
providers not only for her two boys, but also following
her father’s quadruple bypass surgery in 2001, Sheila recognized
the lack of resources available to help families address
their constantly changing care needs. Thus, the idea for
Care.com was born. Sheila is a leading expert on providing
families with care planning advice, having appeared on NBC’s
“Today Show” and “ABC News Now.” Additionally, she has been
featured in news outlets across the country, including The
Boston Globe and Redbook. In 2007, Care.com was recognized
by the Stevie Awards for Women in Business as Best New Company
of the Year. Care.com is a continuation of Sheila's interests
in community involvement and helping people through successful
internet businesses. Prior to Care.com, Sheila served as
an executive at several successful internet companies including:
Upromise.com, an online service helping families save money
for college; and TheLadders.com, an online service helping
people find jobs. Sheila graduated magna cum laude from
Mount Holyoke College while juggling an Economics major
and raising her oldest son. She went on to pursue dual degrees
from Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School, graduating
with honors and receiving two prestigious awards: the Dean's
Award for overall leadership and contributions to Harvard
Business School; and the Fitzie Foundation Award, given
by the Margaret Fitzgerald Grogan Petersmeyer Foundation,
which honors the most outstanding female students. Panel:
Personal and Professional - The Balancing Act
 Reny
Mathew
KPMG, Advisory Services Director
Reny
Matthew is a Director in KPMG’s Advisory Services
practice based in New York. She has over 13 years of experience
in international and cross-divisional roles within Fortune
50 companies. She brings a wealth of experience in the Media
& Entertainment and Consumer Products industries in
functional areas such as Licensing, Royalties, Marketing,
Promotions and Vendor/Manufacturer compliance. Her current
focus is on contract compliance services related to the
distribution of digital content, as well as traditional
licensing and royalty reviews. Reny is a founding member
of KPMG’s Digital Services Framework which enables clients
to identify and manage risk in the creation and distribution
of digital content. Reny’s knowledge and experience in licensing
and contract compliance helps clients understand the challenges
involved in migrating from a traditional licensing model
to a digital one. Prior to KPMG, Reny worked for The Walt
Disney Company based in Los Angeles in areas such as Corporate
Social Responsibility and Licensing Compliance. She headed
the Global Audit division for Disney Consumer Products and
led teams based in the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America
conducting approximately 300 audits a year. Reny holds a
B.S. degree in Biochemistry from the University of California
at Riverside, as well as a MBA from the University of California.
Reny has been married for 10 years and has a one year old
son named Ryan. Panel: Personal and Professional
- The Balancing Act
Dr. Kim T. Nghiem
Cambridge Health Alliance, Staff Psychologist
Harvard Medical School, Director of the Asian Mental Health
Program and Instructor in Psychology
Kim
Nghiem is a child refugee of the Vietnam War.
She grew up in Rochester, NY and has been fortunate to have
had the opportunity to live/work in some of the most diverse
and beautiful places in the United States. Dr. Nghiem received
her B.A. in Psychology from S.U.N.Y. Geneseo. She did her
clinical graduate training at C.U.N.Y. City College and
Argosy University-Honolulu Campus. Dr. Nghiem did her internship
at the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology/Boston
Medical Center and postdoctoral research fellowship at the
Center for Multicultural Mental Health/Boston Medical School.
Dr. Nghiem is a staff psychologist at the Cambridge Health
Alliance (CHA), Director of the Asian Mental Health Program
and Instructor in Psychology, Harvard Medical School, MA.
Additionally, Dr. Nghiem works part-time at Neponset Health
Center (Dorchester), MA. Her clinical/research interests
include: attachment, women's issues, trauma, chronic pain,
Buddhist perspectives in health, using reflection in training,
diversity issues, and qualitative methodology. In her leisure
time, Dr. Nghiem enjoys spending time with friends, visiting
with her 15 nieces/nephews, exercising, dancing, cooking-eating
and traveling. This Spring, Dr. Nghiem will be learning
how to belly dance and oil paint. She lives in the greater
Boston area with her two boys-Oliver and Finn and has found
her aloha on the Cape. Panel: Mental Health Awareness
within the Asian American Women Community
 Grace
Niwa
Niwa Public Relations, Founder and CEO
Grace
Niwa is Founder and CEO of Niwa Public Relations.
An expert in industry and government affairs, fundraising,
community relations, and events marketing for the Asian
Market. Grace currently oversees PR activities for Anheuser-Busch,
Inc, Asia Society, Asian Chefs Association, White House
Asian American Pacific Islanders President's Advisory Commission
among others. Most recently, Grace was a consultant for
the Asia Society on their historic first collaboration with
the NBA for the NBA China Games. A classically trained pianist,
Grace went to New York City in 1991 to attend the Juilliard
School where she received her Master’s degree and gave her
debut at Carnegie Hall in 1996. In 1998, she founded Korean
American for Global Action (KAFGA) with Mercy Corps International
and raised over $100,000 for the children of North Korea.
Grace was also honored by WNBC-TV during the Asian American
Heritage Month Festival in 1998 for her philanthropic work
in the arts. Grace is very active on boards for numerous
Asian American committees, including serving as Chairman
of ASPIRE. Panel: Personal and Professional - The
Balancing Act
 Tracy
Pun Palandjian
Parthenon, Managing Director of Philanthropic Programs
Tracy
Pun Palandjian leads Parthenon’s Non Profit
Practice and chairs the Charitable Contributions Committee.
Tracy’s broad range of consulting experiences includes clients
in both the private and non-profit sectors. Her work has
focused on strategy development, mission definition, and
growth strategy. Tracy began her career at McKinsey &
Co. and prior to joining Parthenon, was with Wellington
Management Co., where she managed mutual fund accounts and
advised clients in product development and portfolio strategies.
A native of Hong Kong, Tracy is fluent in Cantonese and
Mandarin. Tracy chairs the New England Advisory Board of
Facing History and Ourselves, and serves on the Boards of
Milton Academy, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and
Facing History and Ourselves. Tracy is also a Director of
the Hong Kong Association of Massachusetts. Tracy graduated
magna cum laude from Harvard College, with a B.A. in Economics,
and holds an M.B.A with high distinction from Harvard Business
School where she was a Baker Scholar. Panel: Personal
and Professional - The Balancing Act
 Bishnu
Maya Pariyar
Founder of‘Empower Dalit Women of Nepal (EDWON)
Neponset Health Center, Family Advocate
Bishnu Pariyar is a Dalit leader
and social activist fighting for the human rights of women
and Dalits (considered the lowest caste or "untouchables"
in Nepal). As a Dalit woman, Bishnu has overcome tremendous
challenges involving gender, caste and poverty. Bishnu realized
earlier in her life that low caste women have no advocates
and are underserved by established aid organizations. In
1996, at age 20, she founded the Empower Dalit Women of
Nepal (EDWON) in order to help better serve this marginalized
group. Ms. Pariyar has a degree in social work from Tribhuvan
University in Kathmandu, Nepal. She has lived in the US
since 2000, and graduated a Master's degree in International
Development from Clark University in Worcester. Miss Pariyar
has spoken on several occasions at the 2002 International
Dalit Conference in Vancouver, the 2004 UNIFEM Conference
(United Nations Development Fund for Women) at Simon's Rock
College, and the 2004 Northeast Regional Amnesty International
Conference at Boston University. She has also previously
lectured at Harvard University. Ms. Pariyar received several
prestigious awards from the United Nations, and the Harvard
University Dalit international conference in Vancouver in
2006, where she was awarded Woman of the Year. Panel:
Building a Strong Leadership Foundation
 Thuy
Vi Quach-Braig
Anheuser-Busch, Innovations / New Products Manager
Thuy
Vi Quach-Braig joined the Anheuser-Busch brand
management team in 2006 to market Harbin Lager and Tiger
Beer in the United States. She is now on their Innovations
Team to explore, develop, and launch new beers for the U.S.
Prior to connecting with Anheuser-Busch, Thuy Vi wore several
different hats during her time at 3M, including innovations,
marketing, strategic planning and mergers & acquisitions.
Before meeting her husband at Washington University in St.
Louis and earning her M.B.A. in finance and strategy, Thuy
Vi worked in the power generation industry, traveling across
Asia to learn about and deliver solutions to each country’s
various power needs. She holds an undergraduate degree in
marketing and international business from Georgetown University.
Thuy Vi resides in St. Louis, with her husband Chris and
their 2-year old daughter, Regan, along with their slightly
senile 12-year old yellow lab, Bailey. Panel: Asian
American Female Executives and Leadership Styles
 Jamie
Ramola
Massachusetts Office of Victims Assistance, Outreach and
Training Coordinator
Jamie
Ramola was born in Seoul, Korea. After receiving
her Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead,
MN, she returned to Korea, to teach ESL to youth and adults.
Following her work abroad she joined the Sexual Violence
Center, coordinating and eventually managing a comprehensive
sexual violence education program providing prevention education
and training to youth and professionals. Jamie volunteered
her time as a board member at Asian Women United, the only
Asian specific domestic violence shelter in MN. She later
moved to Boston, MA, and directed the LINCS program, a community
organizing and ESOL program for immigrants. During a brief
stint in San Diego, CA, she worked for San Diego State University
Research Foundation. She coordinated statewide events for
the CA Department of Health. For the past year and a half,
Jamie was the Director of Education and Outreach at the
Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence. She was responsible
for the overall direction and operations of her department
and provided youth and adult trainings on domestic violence
and cultural competency. Starting on April 1, 2008, Jamie
joined MOVA as the Outreach and Training Coordinator assessing
needs and trends in victim service provision across the
state. Panel: Focusing on the Career Path that’s
Right for You
 Jenney
Szeto
Babson College, Student
Jenney
Szeto is a sophomore at Babson College, contemplating
a dual concentration in Strategic Management and Marketing.
She is the Intercollegiate Liaison and Co-VP of Babson Asian
Pacific Students Association and was the 2006 Student President
of the Boston Latin School Asian Students in Action. She
has dedicated much time towards spreading cultural awareness
about Asian nations through coordinating frequent events,
shows, and festivals. She is also a Presidential Scholar
and part of the Honors Program at Babson. Whenever she has
time, Jenney enjoys playing volleyball, snowboarding, doing
community service, and working on jigsaw puzzles.
Panel: Focusing on the Career Path that's Right for You
 Heidi
Shyu
Raytheon, VP of Technology & Research
Heidi
Shyu is currently the corporate vice president
of Technology & Research for Raytheon Company. Prior
to her current position, Ms. Shyu was the vice president
& technical director for Raytheon’s Space & Airborne
Systems. She has held senior leadership positions as vice
president of Unmanned & Reconnaissance Systems, senior
director of Unmanned Combat Vehicles, senior director of
Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), director of JSF Integrated Radar/Electronic
Warfare Sensors, director of JSF Antenna Technologies. She
was responsible for the development of lightweight, low-cost,
Tile Active Electronically Scanned Antenna technologies.
Prior to that, she served as the laboratory manager for
Electromagnetic Systems. Previously, Ms. Shyu was a project
manager at Litton Industries and was the principal engineer
for Joint STARS Self Defense Study at Grumman. Ms. Shyu
began her career at Hughes Aircraft Company. Ms. Shyu is
currently the Chairman of the Air Force Scientific Advisory
Board, reporting to the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
and the Secretary of the Air Force. Ms. Shyu received a
bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of
New Brunswick, a master’s degree in mathematics from the
University of Toronto, and a second master’s degree in electrical
engineering from UCLA. She then received the engineers degree
from UCLA. She has completed the UCLA Executive Management
course and the University of Chicago Business Leadership
Program. Panel: Asian American Female Executives
and Leadership Styles
 Amy
Tsai-Chae
University of Michigan, Candidate for Ph.D in Psychology
Amy
Tsai-Chae researches and publishes in the
area of Asian American families and mental health issues,
such as intergenerational family conflict and work-family
role stress. As an international student who has lived in
the US for over ten years, she received a fellowship to
coordinate social events, mentoring programs, and cross-cultural
adjustment workshops with international graduate students.
In the past, she developed and facilitated a support group
to provide psycho-education to international and immigrant
mothers with young children. She also taught introductory
psychology courses, and provided CBT and psychodynamic therapy
at the Psychological Clinic and the University Center for
the Child and the Family. Born in Taiwan, Amy has lived
in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. She is fluent in Mandarin.
She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cornell
University and her master’s degree in psychology from the
University of Michigan. She now lives in Michigan with her
husband. Panel: Family, Cultural and Community Influences
 Akila
Viswanathan
Brigham and Women's Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,
Chief of Gynecologic Radiation Oncology
Harvard Medical School, Assistant Professor
Dr.
Akila Viswanathan directs the Gynecologic
Radiation Oncology service and joined the staff of the Brigham
and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in
2002. Her large clinical practice entails regular interactions
and contact with colleagues in medical oncology and gynecologic
oncology. In addition to treating patients, Dr. Viswanathan
completed a Master’s in Public Health at the Harvard School
of Public Health during her residency, and conducts research
identifying risk factors for endometrial cancer. She also
works in the development of minimally-invasive novel imaging
technology to guide patient treatment. Panel: Focusing
on the Career Path that's Right for You
 Kyung
B. Yoon
KBY Productions, LLC, Founder and President
Kyung
B. Yoon is an award-winning television journalist,
video documentary producer and expert in the field of global
communications and media. She is founder and president of
KBY Productions, LLC, a company specializing in documentaries
and videos with an emphasis on international issues. Formerly
a correspondent for WNYW Fox Channel 5 News, Kyung was the
first Korean-American broadcast reporter in New York history.
She went on to create and host Global Links Television,
an international television documentary series on economic
and social development issues, sponsored by the World Bank,
that is broadcasted in more than 60 countries around the
world and won the Best Documentary prize at the 2001 Worldfest
Houston International Film Festival. Kyung is a recognized
leader in New York’s Asian American community. As the former
Chair of the New York Asian Women's Center, she worked to
raise awareness and support for the fight against domestic
violence in the Asian American community. The New York Asian
Women’s Center honored Kyung with the 2006 Phoenix Award
for Service. In 2003, Kyung helped to found the Korean American
Community Foundation to provide assistance to organizations
serving the Korean immigrant community of greater New York.
In May 2006, Kyung received an award from the City of New
York for leadership and distinguished service. Kyung has
a BA in English and Political Science from Wellesley College
and an MA in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins
School of Advanced International Studies. Born in South
Korea to a diplomatic family, she grew up in Seoul, Washington,
DC and Paris. She is fluent in Korean, French and English.
She holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and has designed and
taught a program of self-defense for women. She lives in
New York City with her husband, attorney George Wang, and
their two children. Panel: Asian American Female
Executives and Leadership Styles
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