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2017 Ascend National Convention & Career Fair
August 19-21, 2017
Marriott Marquis Houston | Houston, TX

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Published by Ascend, 2017-10-06 15:24:20

2017 Ascend National Convention & Career Fair

2017 Ascend National Convention & Career Fair
August 19-21, 2017
Marriott Marquis Houston | Houston, TX

2017 ASCEND

NATIONAL CONVENTION
& CAREER FAIR

MARRIOTT MARQUIS HOUSTON

HOUSTON, TEXAS | AUGUST 19-21, 2017

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

PLATINUM

JADE
PEARL

MEDIA PARTNER HOST

SILVER

BRONZE

SUPPORTER

2 CONNEC T. INSPIRE. ASCEND.

2 Partners TABLE OF CONTENTS

4 Welcome Address from the National 20 Ascend National Team
President 21 Convention Contributors
23 Convention Map
6 Who We Are 24 Career Fair Map
25 Exhibitor Booths
8 Our Program Offerings 27 Agenda & Sessions
28 Agenda at a Glance
11 Pinnacle – The Pan-Asian Corporate Board 31 Friday, August 18th
Initiative / Ascend Pinnacle Corporate 34 Saturday, August 19th
Directors Summit 38 Sunday, August 20th
41 Monday, August 21st
12 Ascend Foundation / Elevate – Millennial 49 Speakers & Mentors
Leadership Program

13 Ascend Charity Golf Outing / Stanford
Advanced Leadership Program (ALP)

14 Convene App / Social Media

16 Lifetime Members

19 Awards & Scholarships

2017 ASCEND NATIONAL CONVENTION 3

WELCOME

Dear Convention Guests,

I am so excited to welcome you to groundbreaking Ascend Foundation research studies, “Hidden in Plain
Ascend’s 2017 National Convention Sight: Asian American Leaders in Silicon Valley” and “Lost in Aggregation:
& Career Fair in Houston, Texas! The Asian Reflection in the Glass Ceiling”. I’m excited to share that we
In line with this year’s theme, have a new research project launching at the convention – more on this
POWER UP, I challenge all of us to soon.
think about ways in which we can
power up our careers and reach When looking at the top 5 criteria for Pan-Asian employees when
new heights. This year’s theme selecting an employer, it’s worth highlighting that “advancement
puts the focus on our leadership opportunities” and “career development” rank higher than “work-life
capabilities, competitive advantage, balance,” “company culture,” and “compensation benefits” among
and continual innovation that help Pan-Asian employees. Also interestingly, Pan-Asian millennials report
accelerate and fuel our personal significantly higher workplace favorability than earlier generations. At
and organizational growth and the convention we will be launching the first live session of our Elevate
performance long into the future. I also want us all to think about what Millennial Leadership Program. Please take part to experience the
it means to be Pan-Asian in the year 2017. The opportunities and program yourself!
challenges, how the world will evolve during our lifetime and how we can
keep helping make change for the good. I want to highlight what an outstanding year we have had. As a lifecycle
organization, we have held events and programming for all of our
We are proud to be in Houston this year with homegrown and Texas- members, from student to executive. Ascend Pinnacle hosted its
based talent and many trailblazing women, such as Duy-Loan Le, Board Inaugural Asian Corporate Directors Summit at the Four Seasons in Palo
Director at National Instruments, Ballard Power Systems, eSilicon and Alto, CA with over 80 experienced Asian corporate board directors
Medigram; Dr. Soyeon Yi, Biotechnologist and Astronaut; Christine Ha, attending; we co-developed and launched the first-of-its-kind program
Celebrity Cook & Author; Yash Semlani, an 11-year-old Entrepreneur; Elevate for millennials working in global corporations; and we also held
and talent from Houston Astros and Chevron. We also have world- a very successful inaugural Ascend Charity Golf Outing and raised over
class leadership and professional programs, including the highly popular 140K for Ascend Foundation. The chapters have held successful Inspiring
Ascend Talks. Hear from thought leaders and industry luminaries, Across Generations (IAG) conferences throughout the country. This has
meet new and like-minded individuals and attend the first-ever Yoga been a truly great year and we'll keep building on it at the convention
& Meditation Session (Monday, August 21 at 10am). I also want to and at all the wonderful events we have planned for the fall.
challenge you all to identify your own superpower.
Finally, I want to extend a BIG thank you to our partners and sponsors.
As has been the case for the past few years, we are well positioned for With their continued support, we have grown Ascend into the largest
the future. Pan-Asians are “the fastest-growing multicultural segment Pan-Asian organization in North America. To the Ascend Executive
in the U.S.” and are “expected to continue its growth trajectory, rising Advisors and leaders, who have generously given their time, shared their
150% between now and 2050.” In the U.S., 49% of Asian Americans insights and worked tirelessly toward accomplishing our mission, I thank
hold a bachelor’s degree, compared with the national average of 28%. you from the bottom of my heart. I am so very proud of what we,
Although Asian Americans only comprise 5.6% of the U.S. population, together, have accomplished. Last, but not least, I would like to thank
they account for over 30% of Presidential Scholars and National Merit our Convention Committees, our dedicated volunteers, the Houston
Scholarships, and in terms of average income, Pan-Asians tend to Chapter and members of our 50+ chapters, and our Headquarters
outperform others. Our current buying power is expected to increase to Team for your year-round support and for all that you have done to
over $1.1 trillion of total U.S. buying power by 2020. If Asian Americans make this Convention a success. Please continue to be involved with
were a country we would have the 17th biggest GDP in the world Ascend and pay it forward and give back on the local level. Follow us on
(!) – just above the Netherlands. Twitter, tag your photos with our hashtags –#ASCENDLEADERSHIP
and #Ascend2017 – friend us on Facebook and become a part of our
According to a recent research study, Pan-Asians have growing growing and influential LinkedIn group.
confidence in their competitiveness in the workplace. I believe this is
the result of our increased visibility and influence in every area of life as Power up Houston! Power up our Pan-Asian communities! Power up
well as in the mainstream media. In addition, the growing influence of Ascend!
Asia enables us to leverage our cultural understandings and our shared
heritage as unique competitive advantages.

But there is work to be done – interestingly, according to the research Jeff Chin
study the top 5 challenges for Pan-Asian employees are: 1. Lack of role National President, Ascend
models 2. Professional growth 3. Career development 4. Reaching senior
level and 5. Glass ceiling. These challenges tie into the findings of our

4 CONNEC T. INSPIRE. ASCEND.

© 2017 Ernst & Young LLP. All Rights Reserved. | 1701-2164686 ASCEND | ED None

Will you wait for the
future to happen, or take
a hand in shaping it?

At EY, inclusiveness is the way we leverage our differences
to achieve better business results, creating an environment
where all of our people know they are valued. We believe
that when differences are celebrated, talented people from
all backgrounds have the chance to develop, advance and
make more meaningful contributions to our culture and
our clients.

We are proud to work with the innovators and game
changers of today to create new legacies for the world.
Through a career at EY, you will become a builder of your
legacy — for our clients, our communities and yourself.

Join our talent community: tinyurl.com/17Ascend or
contact Tonika Hammonds at [email protected]
or Tina Thompkins at [email protected].

WHO WE ARE OBJECTIVES

Ascend is the largest, non-profit Pan-Asian membership organization • Connect Pan-Asian leaders across industries through a
for business professionals in North America. Established in 2005, our network of seasoned professionals and emerging leaders
network includes over 60,000 senior executives, professionals, and
MBA/undergraduate students involved in 17 professional chapters • Enable young professionals and emerging leaders to pursue
and 34 student chapters*. As a career lifecycle organization, we offer their dreams and achieve new professional heights
robust leadership and professional development and networking
programs designed to cultivate Pan-Asian talent by supporting • Assist our partners and sponsors to achieve business growth
our members in reaching their career potential and by supporting through world-class diversity and inclusion practices
our corporate partners to develop a strong, diverse, and inclusive
workforce to achieve business growth.

*Includes AscendNAAMBA chapters

VALUE OF ATTENDING OUR 2017 CONVENTION

FOR OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS FOR OUR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS

1. Experience business growth through newly built 1. Fantastic networking opportunities with Pan-Asian
connections with top industry speakers, panelists, and business leaders and peers
Fortune 500 global executives
2. Actionable insight and latest trends from top
2. Meet top talent from the attending pool of industry experts and speakers
high-potential candidates and emerging leaders
3. Unique career development opportunities through
3. Align diversity and inclusion objectives through one-on-one sessions with executive mentors and
partnerships with attending affinity groups and exposure to decision makers at our Career Fair
Ascend’s networks

6 CONNEC T. INSPIRE. ASCEND.

OUR CHAPTERS

VA N C O U V E R

Univ. of Washington Univ. of Connecticut Univ. of Massachusetts–Amherst
Seattle University Yale University Bentley University
S E AT T L E NEW ENGLAND
Fairfield University Brandeis University
Binghamton State University Suffolk University
CONNECTICUT & WESTCHESTER
Univ. of Rochester–
Darden School of Business

TORONTO
TWIN CITIES

Penn State University

Univeristy of Michigan GREATER NEW YORK METRO
Northern Illinois University PHILADELPHIA Queens College, CUNY
MIDWEST Baruch College
N O RT H E R N DePaul University Ohio State Fordham University
CALIFORNIA University New York University
Purdue University Pace University
Univ. of California–Berkeley St. John's University
San Francisco State University Univ. of Illinois–Urbana Champaign Indiana University Rutgers–Newark
Rutgers–New Brunswick
LOS ANGELES METRO Univ. of Southern California GREATER ATLANTA CHARLOTTE NEW JERSEY
Univ. of California–Los Angeles Drexel University
Univ. of Texas at Dallas Emory University Temple University
Univ. of North Texas NORTH TEXAS Georgia State University Univ. of Maryland–College Park
Arizona State University GREATER WASHINGTON
George Washington University
Univ. of Virginia–
Darden School of Business

Southern Methodist University

Professional HOUSTON

Student

Business School Alliance
/Graduate Affiliate Program

PROFESSIONAL CHAPTERS
Our growing number of professional chapters in North America include a membership base of corporate executives, managers, and professionals
across various industries. In an effort to cultivate and advance Pan-Asian professionals, our chapters organize a variety of local events and social
gatherings, and deliver local programs such as professional development workshops, regional conferences and mentoring programs. They also
encourage and promote civic engagement through community service.

STUDENT CHAPTERS
Our student chapters focus on fostering the next generation of Pan-Asian leaders. Student chapters organize networking events, company visits, and
deliver programs focusing on leadership training and provide resume and interview coaching. These chapters bring unique value to their members by
creating a platform for career development and by helping them build a network of mentors and coaches.

List of our chapter presidents can be found on page 20.
To become a member, please visit www.ascendleadership.org.

2017 ASCEND NATIONAL CONVENTION 7

OUR PROGRAM OFFERINGS

PINNACLE STANFORD CORPORATE
THE ADVANCED EXECUTIVE
PAN-ASIAN LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE
CORPORATE PROGRAM (CEI)
BOARD (ALP)
INITIATIVE EXECUTIVE
PRESENCE
EXECUTIVE EXECUTIVE (EP)
INSIGHT INSIGHT
SERIESTM FOR
(EIS) WOMEN
(EIW)

MYTHS ELEVATE MENTORSHIP
OF ASIAN MILLENNIAL PROGRAMS
LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM

8 CONNEC T. INSPIRE. ASCEND.

OUR PROGRAM OFFERINGS

LEADERSHIP, INSPIRING ASCENDNAAMBA
EMPOWERMENT, ACROSS NATIONAL
ADVANCEMENT, GENERATIONS ASSOCIATION
AND CONFERENCES OF ASIAN MBAS
DEVELOPMENT (IAG)
SERIES
(LEAD)

LIFECYCLE ORGANIZATION

•Ascen•dCurNraetintonTahlouCgohtnvLeeandtierosnhip •Pinnacle Corporate Board Initiative

•Stanford Advanced Leadership Program (ALP)
•Corporate Executive Initiative (CEI)
•Executive Presence, Are You Standing Out?
•Executive Insight SeriesTM (EIS)
•Executive Insight for Women (EIW)
•Elevate Millennial Leadership Program
•Myths of Asian Leadership
•Inspiring Across Generations Conferences (IAG)
•Leadership, Empowerment, Advancement,
Development Series (LEAD)

•AscendNAAMBA
•Ascend Student Chapters

2017 ASCEND NATIONAL CONVENTION 9

BRING YOUR PERSPECTIVE
TO A PLACE WHERE

MATTERS.

Come to a place where your inherent culture, values
and patriotism strengthen our ability to crack the
toughest challenges imaginable. The CIA offers
rewarding careers for a diverse group of men and
women who – like you – possess extraordinary
integrity, exceptional talents and intellectual curiosity.
Join us and utilize your individuality to make
America stronger and safer.

THE WORK OF A NATION. For additional information and to apply, visit:
THE CENTER OF INTELLIGENCE.
cia.gov/careers

Applicants must have US citizenship and the ability to successfully complete medical examinations and security procedures,
including a polygraph interview. An equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workforce.

CHF109419m_Diversity_Ascend Convention and Career Fair Ad Resize_8.5x5.5.indd 1 6/14/17 10:54 AM

Because our people are our business, we invest in them.
Bring your whole self to thrive in our community, both
personally and professionally, as you serve diverse clients
worldwide.

Grant Thornton is proud to sponsor the 2017 Ascend
Convention. Meet members of our Pan-Asians & Allies
Business Resource Group at the career expo – booth 302.

Explore how you can grow your whole self at
Grant Thornton: www.grantthornton.com/careers

PINN ACLE

Pinnacle was launched by Ascend to focus on Asian
American corporate board directors on U.S. company
boards.
VISION
Help corporations enhance their business objectives by
increasing the number of Asian American corporate board
directors.
GOAL
Create a platform to network, leverage and support
current Asian American corporate board directors;
develop aspiring candidates for future board service; and
provide thought leadership regarding corporate board
issues. The goal is that each year, the number of new
Asian Americans on Fortune 500 boards should reflect
the Asian population in the United States (6.8 percent in
2015).

ASIAN CORPORATE DIRECTORS SUMMIT

Ascend Pinnacle hosted its first-ever Asian Corporate
Directors Summit at the Four Seasons in Palo Alto, CA in
April of this year. Over 80 experienced Asian corporate
board directors and 25 senior executives joined the
Summit which ended up being beyond our expectations!
Companies who were represented at the Summit show a
combined Market Cap of over 1 trillion dollars!
Join us next year for the 2018 Asian Corporate Directors
Summit!

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 11

ASCEND FOUNDATION

Ascend Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Pan-Asian organization primarily engaged in research with a mission to
educate, advocate, and enable Pan-Asian business leaders to reach their full potential. Ascend Foundation also focuses on
education and provides scholarships. Through our research and thought leadership activities, the Foundation’s goal is to
help make a difference in the Pan-Asian business community, and help Pan-Asian leaders make greater impacts in business.
The Ascend Foundation engages in both basic and applied research in trying to create applicable ways for the Pan-Asian
community in North America to become better innovators, role models, and catalysts for change.
Donate Now to the Ascend Foundation. Visit www.ascendleadership.org/foundation

Elevate is a new first-of-its-kind leadership program tailored for millennials working in global corporations. Elevate offers
advice on skills and meaningful behaviors needed for success, such as effective communications, situation handling,
influencing team members and decision-making.
Join us at the Elevate sessions at the Ascend National Convention! See agenda for more info.
ELEVATE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
• Unique virtual delivery mechanism – fully accessible and participatory anywhere in the world
• Short, compelling and interactive leadership development sessions – 50-minute “talk show” format and plans to “air”

one episode per quarter
• Leadership topics selected by millennials from around the world
• Leadership scenarios reflect multicultural, multigenerational environments
• Developed with millennials. Taught with millennials. For millennials.
For more information, please visit: www.ascendleadership.org/elevate or contact [email protected].
12 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

ASCEND CHARITY GOLF OUTING

Ascend Charity Golf Outing was conceived to raise funds for the Ascend Foundation. In addition to being a charitable
event, the Charity Golf Outing presents a great opportunity for working professionals across different industries and
companies to enjoy a wonderful round of golf, expand their professional and personal networks, rekindle with long-time
acquaintances, and have fun!

The inaugural 2017 Ascend Charity Golf Outing raised over $140,000 to further Ascend Foundation's mission of
advocacy, thought leadership, education and scholarships. Teams from some of the largest Fortune 500 and other
prominent professional services firms competed for the coveted prizes.

Join us at the 2018 Ascend Charity Golf Outing! More details coming soon.

STANFORD ADVANCED LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM (ALP)

In collaboration with the Stanford Graduate School of ALP WILL PREPARE EXECUTIVES TO:
Business, Ascend created the Advanced Leadership
Program (ALP) to accelerate the development of global • Lead through more effective influence and
business leadership skills of senior executives at North communications
American companies. As a first-of-its-kind executive
program for high-achieving Pan-Asian leaders, ALP strives • Lead in dynamic and uncertain competitive
to address the disparity between the number of Pan- environments
Asians in the corporate workforce and those in executive
positions. • Lead cross-functional teams to compete for global
assignments

ALP IS THE HIGHEST RATED EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
PROGRAM AT STANFORD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.

For more information, please contact Wes Hom, at [email protected], one of the co-developers of 13
the program.

2017 ASCEND NATIONAL CONVENTION

GET CONNECTED WITH CONVENE

THE MOBILE APP FOR THE ASCEND NATIONAL CONVENTION

We are excited to be featuring the Convene mobile app by Thomson Reuters, our Media Partner
at the Ascend National Convention & Career Fair. The easy-to-use app will include helpful event
information, as well as information on the agenda and speakers. Available on iOS and Android
smartphones and tablets, Convene provides you with a one-stop resource to get the most from
the event.
You will receive an email containing your Convene username and temporary password. Once you
have received these, visit any of the following stores to install the app to your mobile device.
Install Convene today to get the latest Ascend National Convention & Career Fair
information at your fingertips!

CONNECT WITH ASCEND!

Share your convention photos using

#ASCENDLEADERSHIP
#ASCEND2017

Group: Ascend

fb.com/ascendleadership

youtube.com/ascendleadership

instagram.com/ascendleader twitter.com/ascendleader
14 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

FREE MAGAZINE
SUBSCRIPTION

Your dream job is
one touch away!

DiversityComm is proud to sponsor Ascend!

Visit

www.DiversityComm.net/Ascend

Join the Conversation!

HSBC is proud to invest in the professional
development of Asians in banking and supports
Ascend’s 2017 National Convention & Career Fair

As an employer, we aim to provide a flexible, open and supportive working
environment where employees feel able to speak up, where everyone is
valued and respected, and where progression is based on merit.

We believe that diversity at HSBC brings benefits for our customers, our
business and our people. The more different perspectives we have, the
better equipped we’ll be to meet the demands of our diverse global
customer base – whether they are starting a business, exporting to new
markets or planning for retirement.

You can learn more about HSBC at http://www.hsbc.com/careers/where-we-hire/united-states-of-america

HSBC is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation,
gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Issued by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. ©2017HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Member FDIC.

LIFETIME MEMBERS

BECOME ONE TODAY! Ascend’s Lifetime Membership Program provides members a way to demonstrate

their dedication to Ascend and the Pan-Asian community.
Thank you to these and other committed Lifetime Members!

“Ascend is the go-to • Minaz Abji • J. Michael Kirkland • Susan Rani
organization to develop • Barbara Adachi • Judy Kopa • Kirthiga Reddy
better and more impactful • Ajay Anand • Patricia Kozu • Punit Renjen
business leaders. I strongly • Kapila Anand • Ashok Krishna • Satish Rishi
believe that Ascend’s vision • Roger G. Arrieux, Jr. • C.G. Kum • Kiran Rudraiah
to enhance the presence • Sam Balaji • Kim Le • Faye Sahai
and influence of current and • Cheemin Bo-Linn • Chris Lee • Amy Shang
future Pan-Asian business • Irene Britt • Jessica Lee • Ashok Shenoy
leaders ultimately helps • Cathy Campbell • Laurie Liu • Porcia Silverberg
individuals, companies, and • Phyllis Campbell • Yanshuai Liu • Ekta Singh-Bushell
our country. I am proud • Paul WS Chan • Hong Xia Liu • Aakash Singhal
to be an active Lifetime • Larry Chang • Helen Loh • Rajendra Sisodia
Member and have really • Michael Chen • Wade Loo • Leo Soong
• Jeff Chin • Andrew Ly • Mark Sue
benefited from the • Julian Chu • Wendy Mai • Rajiv Thadani
business and networking • Jeannette Chu • Kumar Malavalli • Mehul Thakkar
• Jeannie Diefenderfer • Sara Mathew • Lee Ting
opportunities.” • Evelyn Dilsaver • Nitin Mehta • Caroline Tsay
• Loretta Doon • Denny Minami • Emilio Umeoka
– Michael Fung, Former Senior • Erby Foster • Sarita Mohapatra • Jolie Vu
• Earl Fry • Samuel Mok • Parshotam Wadhwani
Vice President and Chief Financial • Michael Fung • Anna W. Mok • Janet Wong
Officer, Wal-Mart US • Marjorie Galban • Susan Mostajo • Dennis Wong
• Hubert Glover • Sri Muthu • Dennis Wu
• S. K. Gupta • Kamesh Nagarajan • Jirong Xiao
• Jim Han • Chitra Nawbatt • Elizabeth Xu
• Hussain Hasan • Arun Nayar • Jana Yamamoto
• Wes Hom • Stuart Ogawa • Christopher Yamashita
• Seong (Samuel) Hong • Lisa Ong • Jan Yanehiro
• Sheila Hooda • Glenn Osaka • Yi Yang
• John Hotta • Steven Pae • Eugene Yano
• Chenming Hu • Carin Pai • Don Yee
• Priya Huskins • Nilesh Patel • Marlon Young
• Bill Imada • Rosalia Patton • Jing Zhang
• Shakti Jauhar • Denise Peck • Chao Zheng
• Ananda Kanapathy • Marissa Peterson
• Tariq Khan • Hoshi Printer (As of 7/13/2017)
• Shane Kim • Chrissa Qiu
• Stacey Kim • Sridhar Ramamoorti

We encourage everyone to join this program to gain exclusive member benefits.

To become a part of this outstanding group of leaders, please visit
www.ascendleadership.org today.

16 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

© 2017 Moody's Corporation and/or its licensors and affiliates. All rights reserved. “The more diverse our backgrounds, the deeper our insights.”

We have impact. Career Opportunities at BDO.
So will you.
There are many world-class accounting and consulting firms. Far fewer that offer a
For over 100 years, Moody’s success has been built culture so rich in professional opportunity, personal fulfillment, and long-term growth.
on diversity of thought and differing perspectives. We At BDO, we understand that exceptional service to our clients begins—and ends—with
foster an inclusive work environment where all views exceptional regard for our people. Because at its core, our business is not about numbers
matter, and proactively promote a culture where all or spreadsheets, dollars or cents, but about people working with, for, and in service of
employees can achieve their career goals. others. In short, because relationships matter.
Accountants and Consultants www.bdo.com/careers
Moody’s strongly supports a diverse and inclusive
workplace. For more information about exciting © 2017 BDO USA, LLP. All rights reserved.
career opportunities at Moody’s, please visit
moodys.com/careers.

Moody’s is proud to sponsor the ASCEND
New York Metro chapter.



AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS

ASCEND 2017 AWARDS ASCEND AFFINITY/ERG LEADERSHIP AWARD
Pan Asian Network (PAN) Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS)
ASCEND INSPIRING ACROSS GENERATIONS (IAG) Global Asian Alliance (GAA) Pfizer, Inc.
INSPIRATIONAL LEADER AWARD
S. Shariq Yosufzai Vice President, Global Diversity, Chevron ASCEND EXCELLENCE IN DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD
Corporation Prudential Financial

ASCEND INSPIRING ACROSS GENERATIONS (IAG) ASCEND PRESIDENT'S PHD AWARD
HIGH-IMPACT LEADER AWARD Warren Kashiwagi Partner (Retired), Crowe Horwath LLP
Anindo Dutta Group Vice President, Oracle Corporation
Ananda Kanapathy Senior Director, Gas Field Operations, North,
Public Service Electric & Gas Co. (PSE&G)

ASCEND INSPIRING ACROSS GENERATIONS (IAG)
RISING STAR AWARD
Vivian Pham Vice President, Community Relations Senior
Consultant, Wells Fargo

ASCEND 2017 CORPORATE SCHOLARSHIPS

Henry Huang Binghamton University Shi Le He Baruch College
Young Joo Cha Georgia State University
Hyun An University of Maryland
Wesley Chan University of California, Davis Xinyi Wu Baruch College
Carmen Guan Baruch College Yan Zhang Indiana University Bloomington
Michelle Kwong Temple University
Ameen Sulaiman Queens College FOUNDATION
Angelo Nepomuceno Ascend

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 19

ASCEND NATIONAL TEAM

ASCEND NATIONAL BOARD Yogesh Bahl Board Member
Sharmila Fowler Board Member
Jeff Chin National President Hussain Hasan Board Member
Anna W. Mok Executive Vice President Steven Pae Board Member
Wes Hom Vice President of External Affairs David Pang Board Member
Jenny Wei Vice President of Internal Affairs Sridhar Ramamoorti Board Member
Tariq Khan Vice President of Student Affairs Ruby Sharma Board Member
Andy Hahn Secretary Lily Tang Board Member
Sandeep Gupta Vice President of Chapter Affairs
Amy Shang Treasurer

ASCEND ADVISORY BOARD Ragu Gurumurthy Chief Innovation Officer, Deloitte

Kenneth Bouyer Americas Director, EY Samuel T. Mok Managing Member, Condor International Advisors
Christine Cadena Vice President, Multicultural Initiatives, The LLC
Walt Disney Company
Dennis Wu Founder, WuHoover & Co
Richard J. Caturano Partner, National Leader of Culture, Diversity
& Inclusion, RSM US LLP Linda Zhang Partner in-Charge, US-China Practice, KPMG

Mike Dillon Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, PwC

ASCEND CHAPTER PRESIDENTS New York Metro Milan Shah & Christine del Rosario
New England Bartholomew Jae
Charlotte Huy H. Dinh Northern California Darcy Lopes
Connecticut & Westchester Henry Hu & Rohit Prabhu North Texas Lana Tran
Greater Atlanta Suraj Amarnai Seattle Daniel Lee
Greater Philadelphia Elaine Cheong Twin Cities Vivian Chow
Greater Washington Johnny Yu Toronto, Canada Kelvin Tran
Houston Julie Ho Vancouver, Canada Conrad Rego
Los Angeles Metro Karen Chung & Thomas Phelps
Midwest Susan Chung
New Jersey Ananda Kanapathy

ASCEND NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ADVISORS Wes Hom Former Vice President & Managing Director, IBM
Wade Loo Retired, KPMG Partner
Larry Chang Retired, Hewlett-Packard Executive Denise Peck Retired, Cisco Executive
Janet Wong Retired, KPMG Partner
Michael Fung Former Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, Wal-Mart US

Buck Gee Retired, Cisco Executive

S. K. Gupta Retired, Lockheed Martin Executive

ASCEND HEADQUARTERS TEAM Emily Lin Multimedia Design Associate
Monique Johnson Data & Marketing Technology Associate
Peyen Fong National Programs & Marketing Advisor Angelo Nepomuceno Finance & Administrative Intern
Tifanny Papish National Convention Director Sarah Wing Yan Chen West Coast Region Intern
Robina Singh National Director of Membership Operations Jacky Cheng West Coast Region Intern
(Chapter Liaison) Daniel Falcones Finance & Administrative Intern
Anna Wei National Director of Business Development Su Jin Lee Accounting, Financial Reporting & Administrative Intern
Livia Ching-Gerring Regional Executive Director, West Coast
Ali Bernardi Programs & Marketing Manager
Sofia Poyhonen Ascend Foundation - Public Relations

20 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

CONVENTION CONTRIBUTORS

ASCEND HOUSTON CHAPTER BOARD Virginia Li Board Member
Farrukh Seyar Board Member
Seenu Akunuri Board Member Jim Stinson Board Member
Talib Dhanji Board Member Tam Vo Board Member
Richard Dyo Board Member Kristin Yoshida Board Member
Julie Ho Board Member
Mark Lee Board Member

ASCEND HOUSTON CHAPTER OFFICERS Feve Hisug Vice President of Internal Affairs (Senior Manager,
PwC)
Julie Ho President (Partner, Deloitte)
Tam Vo Executive Vice President (Director, Grant Thornton LLP) Ryan Roche Vice President of Student Affairs (Manager, KPMG)

Margaret Wong Vice President of Finance (Senior Manager, EY) Kate Yao Vice President of Conference (Tax Manager, Applus
Linda Luong Vice President of Operations (Audit in Charge, RTD)
Deloitte)

Eileen Huang Vice President of External Affairs (Senior Manager,
PwC)

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE RESUME COACHES

Jenny Wei Managing Director, PwC Jenny Guan Manager, Business Risk Advisory, Grant Thornton LLP
Darlene Huff Partner, Grant Thornton LLP Chanson Ho Senior Manager, Grant Thornton LLP
Priscilla Huang Director of Operations, PwC Adnan Islam International Tax Director, RSM US LLP
Richard Cheung Senior Manager, EY Ethelyn McDaniel Tax Director, PwC
Robert Lee Manager, PwC Cecile Publico Audit Manager, Grant Thornton LLP
Ning Tsz Yim Manager, PwC Alek Pulido Tax Manager, Grant Thornton LLP
Michelle Quan President, MTX CPA, PC
Kwan Segal Founder, International Career Advisory Inc.
Lauren Shen Senior Associate, Lead Tax Services, RSM US LLP

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 21

www.att.com/diversity

All
inclusive

Start with a diverse and
inclusive culture, welcome
everyone’s ideas, and
innovation shines through.
That’s why we’re proud to
sponsor the Ascend 2017
National Convention.
At AT&T, every voice matters.

© 2017 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.

Organizations must continuously innovate Smart decisions. Lasting value.™
to grow. Innovation requires…
FW-18006-015A
Diversity of thought
and cultures.

Our commitment to diversity, innovation, and an inclusive work environment are just
some of the reasons human resource organizations and local and national media
have named us one of the best places to work. Crowe Horwath LLP employees enjoy
generous work/life benefits in addition to challenging career opportunities.
To learn more about a career with Crowe, visit gocrowe.com, or contact
Richard Seo at +1 212 572 5541 or [email protected].

Richard Seo, Partner
Firmwide Diversity & Inclusion Advisor

Find career opportunities at gocrowe.com.

Audit / Tax / Advisory / Risk / Performance

In accordance with applicable professional standards, some firm services may not be available to attest clients.
© 2017 Crowe Horwath LLP, an independent member of Crowe Horwath International crowehorwath.com/disclosure

CONVENTION MAP

LEVEL 2 GALVESTON REGISTRATION BRAZORIA
LEVEL 3 ELEVATORS SKYWALK
LEVEL 4 SALON VII SALON I FORT BEND ELEVATORS
SALON VI SALON II CHAMBERS
HOUSTON LIBERTY
BALLROOM

SALON IV

MONTGOMERY

SALON V SALON III

HOUSTON FOYER

VESTIBULE

HARRIS

SPORTS BAR (MEZZANINE)

SUGARLAND CLEAR LAKE

TANGLEWOOD MEMORIAL ELEVATORS
ELEVATORS

MONTROSE

PREFUNCTION HUNTERS CREEK
BRIARGROVE
MEYERLAND KINGWOOD RIVER OAKS PARKER GALLERIA
BOARDROOM BOARDROOM
WESTCHASE VESTIBULE

SALON H TEXAS BALLROOM SALON A ELEVATORS
SALON G SALON B ELEVATORS
SALON F SALON E SALON D
SALON C

TEXAS FOYER DAVID MITZNER

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 23

CAREER FAIR MAP

24 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

416 Allstate EXHIBITOR BOOTHS
219 Amazon
201 AT&T 305 Hilton
420 BDO 200 Houlihan Lokey
110 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) 111 HSBC
303 Boeing 318 JPMorgan Chase & Co.
203 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) 419 KPMG
104 Charter Communications (Spectrum) 306 Liberty Mutual Insurance
320 Cigna 510 Marriott
102 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau 512 Medtronic
205 National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
(CFPB)
207 Crowe Horwath LLP (NGA)
508 Deloitte 402 Prudential
221 Dixon Hughes Goodman (DHG) 403 PwC
103 EY 319 Robert Half
321 Fannie Mae 119 RSM US LLP
317 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 304 Texas CPA
404 United Airlines
(FDIC) 400 UPS
307 Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) 418 United States Postal Service (USPS)
316 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority 217 US Office of the Comptroller of the

(FINRA) Currency (OCC)
106 The Government Accountability Office 406 Vanderbilt University
300 The Walt Disney Company
(GAO) 409 Wells Fargo
302 Grant Thornton LLP

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 25

Your perspectives
shape ours.

Everyone who works at RSM has an interesting and unique
outlook that helps power our understanding of the middle
market. That’s just one of the many reasons we support
diversity, inclusion and everything that makes you, uniquely
you. Different perspectives enhance how we develop global
leadership and exceed the expectations of our clients. Your
talents and experiences make you one of a kind and a true value
to the RSM team. Because when your insights combine with
ours, there’s no limit to what we can achieve together.
Experience the power of being understood.
Apply today at rsmus.com/careers.

RSM US LLP is the U.S. member firm of RSM International, a global network of independent audit, tax and consulting firms. Visit rsmus.com /aboutus for more information regarding RSM US LLP and RSM International.

AGENDA & SESSIONS AGENDA & SESSIONS

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 27

AGENDA AT A GLANCE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18 pages 31 – 34

8:30AM – 5:00PM Executive Insight SeriesTM (EIS) (Separate Registration Required) [Montgomery - Level 2]

8:30AM – 5:00PM Executive Insight for Women (EIW) (Separate Registration Required) [Fort Bend - Level 2]

12:30PM – 5:00PM STUDENT ORIENTATION [Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4]
Program & Networking

Making a Successful Transition from College to a Career

Getting Real with RSM

PwC Overview: International Programs

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19 pages 34 – 38

8:00AM – 12:30PM CEI (Corporate Executive Initiative) and Pinnacle (Corporate Board Initiative) Session –
Sponsored by KPMG (Executives - Invite Only)

8:00AM – 2:00PM Career Fair [Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4]

AGENDA & SESSIONS 8:00AM – 11:00AM Resume Coaching – Session 1 [Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4]

11:00AM – 2:00PM Resume Coaching – Sesson II [Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4]

9:00AM – 10:00AM Employer Showcase: Build Your Career at Allstate [David Mitzner Room - Level 4]

10:30AM – 11:30AM Employer Showcase: Liberty Mutual Insurance: Navigate Your Career - Accelerate Across the
Corporate Lattice [David Mitzner Room - Level 4]

1:00PM – 2:00PM Welcome Remarks & Opening Keynote: Defining Values - Who We Are and What We Do
[Houston Ballroom - Level 2]

2:30PM – 3:15PM Setting Yourself Apart: Tools and Practices For Your Authentic Best Self
[River Oaks - Level 3]

2:30PM – 3:30PM Employer Showcase: United Airlines: Connecting people. Uniting the world.
[David Mitzner Room - Level 4]

2:30PM – 3:30PM Ascend Talks 3.0 - Saturday Edition [Houston Ballroom - Level 2]

3:30PM – 4:15PM CIA Student and Career Opportunities Information Session [River Oaks - Level 3]

4:00PM – 5:00PM Employer Showcase: Medtronic [David Mitzner Room - Level 4]

4:00PM – 5:00PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS
4:30PM – 5:30PM View from the C-Suite: Demystifying the Unwritten Rules of Executive Success to Accelerate
Career Progress [Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4]

Prudential Study: The Asian American Financial Experience [Texas Ballroom Salon C - Level 4]

Sounds of Success [River Oaks - Level 3]

6:00PM – 8:00PM Opening Reception [Texas Ballroom Foyer - Level 4]

SESSION TYPES

Student

CPE: CPE: CPE: CPE: All CPE eligible sessions are at basic level.
Personal Communications & Business Information CPE eligible sessions from Saturday to
Development Marketing Management & Technology Sunday offer 1 credit.
Organization
Additional CPE information is available on
the Convene App.

28 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

AGENDA AT A GLANCE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 pages 38 – 41

8:30AM – 10:00AM Networking Breakfast & Keynote: The Power of Being You – Presented by RSM
[Houston Ballroom - Level 2]

10:00AM – 11:00AM How to Rebound from Difficult Situations and Still be Successful [Houston Ballroom - Level 2]

11:30AM – 12:30PM Ascend Elevate Millennial Leadership Program - PART 1: Securing Credit and Recognition—LIVE!
[Houston Ballroom - Level 2]

11:30AM – 12:30PM Doctors’ Offices (Separate Registration Required) [please see pg. 39]

1:00PM – 2:30PM Scholarship Luncheon – Hosted by EY [Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4]

2:45PM – 3:45PM Doctors’ Offices (Separate Registration Required) [please see pg. 40]

2:45PM – 3:45PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS
4:15PM – 5:05PM Leadership and Dexterity: Using Culture to Drive Success [Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4]
Innovation & Technology: Challenges in IT Auditing Today [Texas Ballroom Salon B - Level 4]
Cybersecurity [Texas Ballroom Salon C - Level 4]

The Best Career Advice: Journey to C-Suite [Houston Ballroom - Level 2]

MONDAY, AUGUST 21 pages 41 – 47 AGENDA & SESSIONS

8:00AM – 9:30AM Networking Breakfast & Keynote: Turbocharge Your Career
[Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4]

9:45AM – 10:45AM Doctors’ Offices (Separate Registration Required) [please see pg. 42]

9:45AM – 12:15PM 3rd Annual Ascend ERG/BRG Leaders' Forum (Invite Only)

10:00AM – 10:50AM BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Ascend Gives Back to the Houston Community in Partnership with United Way
[Texas Ballroom Salon B - Level 4]

11:00AM – 12:00PM Inclusive Listening: Tuning Your Ears to Accents [Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4]
Real Yoga & Meditation [Montrose A - Level 3]
Unleashing Your Superpower [Houston Ballroom - Level 2]

12:30PM – 2:00PM Leadership & Awards Luncheon [Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4]

2:30PM – 3:30PM BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Ascend Elevate Millennial Leadership Program - PART 2: Securing Credit and Recognition
[Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4]

Value of Sports: How Sports Inspire Life & Leadership Lessons [Texas Ballroom Salon B - Level 4]
Why Do People Spy? [Texas Ballroom Salon C - Level 4]

2:30PM – 3:30PM Doctors’ Offices (Separate Registration Required) [please see pg. 45]

2:30PM – 5:30PM Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) Forum (Invite Only; Must be CDO)

4:00PM – 5:00PM Ascend Talks 3.0 - Monday Edition [Houston Ballroom - Level 2]

6:00PM – 7:00PM Networking Reception [Texas Ballroom Foyer - Level 4]

6:00PM – 7:00PM President’s Reception (Invite Only)

7:00PM – 9:30PM Ascend Awards Dinner [Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4]

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 29

TURN YOUR Hilton has more than 4,900
RESUME hotels in 103 countries and
territories, which means a
PassportINTOYOUR world of possibilities for our
Team Members.

Learn more about how your experience and
passion can lead to a successful career with
Hilton by visiting hilton.com/careers, or visit our
Facebook page at fb.com/hiltoncareers.
Hilton is a proud Silver Sponsor for the 2017
Ascend National Convention & Career Fair .

Where will a Hilton career take you? Follow us to find out:

Ascend National Convention Ad01.indd 1 6/30/2017 11:47:07 AM

Extraordinary together

Our inclusion vision is to promote a
brand that enables us to connect with
world-class talent, foster a culture
of inclusion where all of our people
feel like they belong, and provide
opportunities for our people to grow
personally and professionally.

www.deloitte.com/us/inclusion

Copyright © 2017 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT SERIESTM (EIS) (Separate Registration Required)

Montgomery - Level 2
8:30AM – 5:00PM

CPE: Personal Development

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT FOR WOMEN (EIW) (Separate Registration Required)

Fort Bend - Level 2
8:30AM – 5:00PM

CPE: Personal Development

STUDENT ORIENTATION Join fellow students, young professionals and Ascend Leaders for a networking AGENDA & SESSIONS
opportunity before we kick off the Student Orientation Program.
Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4
Student Whether you are new to Ascend or have been part of the family, this is a must-
Program & Networking attend session for you to learn about what Ascend has to offer to help you grow
and realize your potential. In this portion of the Orientation Program, you will learn
12:30PM – 2:30PM about Ascend's membership value, its program offerings for students and young
professionals, and how to best navigate the convention & the career fair. You will also
Value of Ascend & Testimonials hear testimonials from two young professionals on how Ascend has helped them in
their journey.

Making a Successful Transition from Moderator Tariq Khan, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Global Diversity Marketing;
College to a Career Adjunct Professor, Marketing, New York University
Panelist Dr. Florence Holland, Lead Manager, Pipeline Initiatives, Association of
International Certified Professional Accountants
Panelist Judy Le, President, TakeRoot Leadership Training and Coaching
Panelist Jim Wen, Manager, Strategic Federal Tax Services, Grant Thornton LLP

Are you ready for the big jump? Are you ready to enter the working world? How can
you prepare for a successful transition? In this panel discussion you will hear from
professionals who will help answer these important questions by sharing nuggets of
wisdom from experience on how to make a successful transition from school to the
business world.

Getting Real with RSM Moderator Kate Seitz, Partner, RSM US LLP
2:45PM – 3:45PM Panelist Michael Alberto, Senior Associate, RSM US LLP
Panelist Laura Frank, Project Manager, RSM US LLP
Panelist Adnan Islam, International Tax Director, RSM US LLP
Panelist Karen Jong, Tax Partner, RSM US LLP

(Student Sessions Continue on Page 34) Honest and open dialogue on topics that concern and affect you. We will discuss how 31
to effectively transition into a professional work environment, manage workplace
conflict, appropriate attire for your company holiday social, personal and professional
ethics, social media activity, internet usage at work and so much more. This session
will be driven by you and is your opportunity to seek guidance on standard and/or
unconventional topics from RSM professionals. Join RSM for this unique opportunity
to engage professionals at all different levels of their career for diverse leadership
perspectives.

2017 ASCEND NATIONAL CONVENTION

AGENDA & SESSIONS RESUME WRITING BEST PRACTICES

1. SHOWCASE YOUR VALUE PROPOSITION
Why are you the best candidate for this job? What makes you stand out? Why should the company hire you and not someone
else? These are the questions that you should be ready to answer not only during the interview, but should also be able to
showcase in your resume.

2. USE YOUR RESUME AS A BRANDING TOOL
Your resume is your story, it represents your achievements and it presents your aspirations – use it to its full potential as a
branding tool to leave a lasting impression even before you meet with the hiring managers in person for that coveted interview.

3. INCLUDE CRITICAL KEYWORDS & IMPROVE YOUR RESUME’S “SKIMMABILITY”
Hiring managers search for resumes using keywords pertaining to the job description. Be sure to read the job description closely
and incorporate keywords from it into your resume. It will not only increase the probability of your resume popping up in their
candidate searches but will also increase hiring managers’ ability to peruse through your resume at a faster pace!

4. SHOW THE COMPETITION
Congratulations on the accolades and the awards you have won in your academic/work life, or perhaps in sports! Now let’s put
them to work for you. If you decide to include these in your resume, be sure to also mention the competition.

5. MAKE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION POP UP
Busy hiring managers appreciate when they can easily find the information they need, so place your contact information up-top
and make it stand out. This small gesture goes a long way in showing that you value their time.

6. BE SELECTIVE IN WHAT INFORMATION YOU INCLUDE
While it is enticing to want to include as much information as possible in our resumes, one of the most recommended best
practices is that one should be selective in the information they choose to include. It is advised that you do not list every job
you’ve held, especially if they were short term in nature. Include work experience which is most relevant to the position you are
applying for. List internship(s) especially if you have limited work experience. Include your GPA only if your industry calls for it.
Last but not least, do not include profile photo(s) in your resume.

7. WHAT ABOUT REFERENCES?
It is implied that in this day and age, you have some form of references that are available upon request, so unless and until
requested by the hiring manager, plan to hold off on sharing the references.

8. CUSTOMIZE THE RESUME TEMPLATE DESIGN, BUT DO SO CAUTIOUSLY
What matters the most in a resume is the content. Unless you are applying for a job in graphic design and want to showcase your
skills through your resume, it is advised that you choose a simple and professional template design which does not overshadow
the information it contains.

9. BE AUTHENTIC!
During an interview you should be able to “live up to” every accomplishment you note in the resume. Write your resume with the
expectation that you will be called for an interview and will be asked to further elaborate upon your noted accomplishments. That
way you will present the information accurately and truthfully.

10. DON’T FORGET A CUSTOMIZED COVER LETTER
This tip also answers a question you may have “Do I need a cover letter?” The answer is, “yes!” A cover letter is a great way to
tell your full story. Studies have found that hiring managers spend six seconds perusing through a resume.

Source: www.forbes.com

32 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

BUILD Kristina Kassem
SOMETHING Manufacturing Engineer
AMAZING

That’s What We Do, Every Day.

Join a diverse team that is united in
pushing the boundaries of imagination
and excellence. Come shape the
future with us.

www.boeing.com/careers/ascend

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
national origin, disability, veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

When success is
driven by
exceptional
and diverse talent

We are pleased to support
Ascend’s National Convention

When it really matters. alixpartners.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18

(Student Sessions Continued) Speaker Christine Cui, Recruiting Leader, China Sourcing Initiative (CSI), PwC
Speaker Katie Patel, Diversity Talent Acquisition Recruiter, PwC
PwC Overview: International Speaker Emerald Yang, Talent Acquisition Manager, PwC
Programs
Come and join us to learn more about the PwC programs and opportunities available
4:00PM – 5:00PM to you, including the recruiting timeline, the China Sourcing Initiative Program and the
YouPlus program.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

AGENDA & SESSIONS CEI (CORPORATE EXECUTIVE INITIATIVE) AND PINNACLE (CORPORATE BOARD INITIATIVE)
SESSION (Executives - Invite Only)
Sponsored by KPMG

8:00AM – 12:30PM This session will discuss the subtle skills essential for powering up in the executive
ranks and joining your first public company Board. Experienced Board members and
corporate executives will share their personal experiences and journeys.

CAREER FAIR 8:00AM – 2:00PM

Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4

RESUME COACHING

Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4 Resume coaching takes place in parallel to the Career Fair, offering an invaluable
opportunity for job seekers to have their resumes reviewed by coaches who provide
Student constructive tips for improving one’s resume for optimal results.

Session I

8:00AM – 11:00AM
Session II

11:00AM – 2:00PM

EMPLOYER SHOWCASE To help others protect what they care about, we lead the way—not only with
Build Your Career at Allstate policies and programs, but with the knowledge we share. We've got a great history
behind us, but there's always good to be done. Allstate believes that loving your job
9:00AM – 10:00AM is an important step in helping customers and living a good life. That’s why creating
David Mitzner Room - Level 4 a unique and inclusive environment that supports our employees is a top priority.
It is our goal to provide innovative resources and opportunities to all of our team
members. So, whether you’re a lawyer, accountant, project manager or engineer—
we want you to learn and grow while doing impactful, meaningful work that helps
customers every day.

34 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

EMPLOYER SHOWCASE
Liberty Mutual Insurance: Navigate Your Career: Accelerate Across the Corporate Lattice

10:30AM – 11:30AM Leading & Empowering Asian American Professionals (LEAAP@Liberty), a Liberty
David Mitzner Room - Level 4 Mutual Insurance employee resource group (ERG), invite you to a LEAAP Talk,
“Navigate Your Career: Accelerate Across the Corporate Lattice.” In the past, the
concept of “climbing the corporate ladder” has been used to define career success.
In today’s workplace, a new concept of “moving across the corporate lattice” is more
apt. Changes in technology, demographics, and the economy require a new, adaptive
way of looking at success in the workplace, one that reflects the multiple directions
and roles people may move in navigating their careers. Hear leaders across Liberty
Mutual and LEAAP@Liberty share their stories on identity, culture and the impact the
lattice has had on their careers, goals, and aspirations. Attendees will also have the
opportunity to interact and connect with representatives of LEAAP@Liberty. LEAAP
Talks is a regularly occurring forum for Liberty Mutual employees to share career
development insights and influential stories.

WELCOME REMARKS & OPENING KEYNOTE: DEFINING VALUES - WHO WE ARE AND WHAT AGENDA & SESSIONS
WE DO

1:00PM – 2:00PM Convention Welcome Remarks Jeff Chin, National President, Ascend
Houston Ballroom - Level 2 Keynote Speaker Kalpana Ramakrishnan, Principal, KPMG

Kalpana Ramakrishnan is a Global Lead Partner currently serving on the KPMG LLP
US and Americas Boards. With more than 20 years of consulting experience, Kalpana
has advised some of the firm’s largest clients on aligning information technology
transformation with their business strategy, to specifically optimize technology
innovation and embrace disruptive marketplace trends. Kalpana will share the values
that have shaped her as an individual, a successful professional, and a firm leader.

SETTING YOURSELF APART: TOOLS AND PRACTICES FOR YOUR AUTHENTIC BEST SELF

2:30PM – 3:15PM Speaker Judy Le, President, TakeRoot Leadership Training and Coaching

Student River Oaks - Level 3 Now that you've met the recruiters at the Career Fair, now what? Join us to learn

how to set yourself apart during the recruitment and interview process. You will also

learn practical tools to increase self-awareness for authentic leadership development

as you build your career.

EMPLOYER SHOWCASE
United Airlines: Connecting people. Uniting the world.

2:30PM – 3:30PM Want to take your career further? At United Airlines, you can. We believe that our
David Mitzner Room - Level 4 greatest resource is our people, and that hiring talented employees and empowering
them is essential to the success of the airline. We rely on our high-performing
employees to drive our business forward by modeling character, fostering teamwork,
thinking strategically and delivering results.

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 35

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

ASCEND TALKS 3.0 - SATURDAY EDITION

2:30PM – 3:30PM We are proud to present the wildly popular “Ascend Talks” where inspirational
Houston Ballroom - Level 2 senior business executives and thought leaders share personal perspectives on the
CPE: Personal Development key themes of the convention and explore how they power up their careers and
reach new professional and personal heights in their own lives. Come prepared to be
inspired!

Resilient Leadership Speaker Duy-Loan Le, Board Director, National Instruments, Ballard Power Systems,
eSilicon, Medigram

AGENDA & SESSIONS Resilience is defined as the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt well to change and
keep moving forward in the face of adversity. Being resilient in personal or business
life may very well be what sets one apart from others.

Join us for this powerful installment of the Ascend Talks on the topic of Resilient
Leadership. You will hear from Duy-Loan, an engineer and the only female and first
Asian American elected to the highest rank TI Senior Fellow in Texas Instrument’s
history. She will share lessons of resiliency from a life that began in South Vietnam,
and a heroic journey that brought her to Houston, Texas in 1975, along with life
lessons she has learned as a successful business and civic leader.

Finding Your Voice – Knowing How Speaker Deepa Purushothaman, Principal, Deloitte
Your Authentic Voice Fits
Many people have culture-based character traits or behaviors that are sometimes
seen as not fitting the conventional corporate leadership mold. In this Ascend Talk,
Deepa Purushothaman, Principal at Deloitte, will talk about how to stay true to those
valued characteristics, that rising in leadership doesn’t mean having to abandon the
self we are most comfortable with. Rather that it is seeing and using our character
traits as strengths by applying them in the right places, with the right people, at the
right time.

Adaptive Leadership: How to Roll Speaker Christine Ha, Celebrity Cook & Author
with Life’s Punches
Christine Ha is the winner of “MasterChef ” season 3 on FOX with Gordon Ramsay.
She is also a New York Times best-selling author and holds a Master of Fine Arts
from the nationally acclaimed Creative Writing Program at University of Houston.

In her talk, Christine will tell the story of how she began cooking and how vision loss
and the diagnosis of a rare autoimmune condition challenged her to rethink her life’s
purpose. Christine’s inspiring journey shows how resilience, like cooking, can be self-
taught, and that adaptability and attitude are the impetuses for achievement.

CIA STUDENT AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES INFORMATION SESSION

3:30PM – 4:15PM Work with the best. Become a part of America’s premier intelligence. To learn
River Oaks - Level 3 more about how you could best serve your nation and attain your career goals
at the Central Intelligence Agency, a CIA recruiter will discuss student and career
Student opportunities and explain the Agency’s application and clearance processes. To meet
these national security challenges, we employ people from different backgrounds
and with a variety of experiences and skill sets. That’s because our strength and
effectiveness as an agency depends upon our ability to employ a workforce as diverse
as the nation we serve.

The CIA is the premier US intelligence agency responsible for providing national
security intelligence to senior policymakers. We are the nation’s first line of defense.
We accomplish what others cannot accomplish and go where others cannot go.

36 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

EMPLOYER SHOWCASE As a global leader in medical technology, services and solutions, Medtronic improves
Medtronic the lives and health of millions of people each year. We use our deep clinical,
therapeutic and economic expertise to address the complex challenges faced by
4:00PM – 5:00PM healthcare systems today. Founded in 1949 as a medical repair company, we're now
David Mitzner Room - Level 4 among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies,
employing more than 85,000 people worldwide, serving physicians, hospitals
and patients in more than 155 countries. If you want a career that is challenging,
energizing, and rewarding, then join us to learn more about career opportunities at
Medtronic.

BREAKOUT SESSIONS Moderator Jean Waldrip, Managing Director, BNY Mellon AGENDA & SESSIONS
View from the C-Suite: Demystifying
Speaker Samir Pandiri, Executive Vice President, BNY Mellon
the Unwritten Rules of Executive
Success to Accelerate Career BNY Mellon invites you to a fireside chat with Samir Pandiri, Executive VP and CEO
Progress of Global Asset Servicing and IMPACT Global Chair. Jean Waldrip, Managing Director
and Chief Administrative Officer of the Corporate Trust US Region, will moderate
4:00PM – 5:00PM an insightful conversation about the unwritten rules aspiring executives should know
about to best position themselves to accelerate their careers. Samir will be sharing
Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4 his professional experiences, thoughts and advice on skills and behaviors that C-Suite
executives expect from senior leaders to help you create a professional development
plan to achieve your leadership goals. This will be an interactive fireside chat so come
prepared for a unique opportunity to have your career questions answered by a
successful C-Suite executive.

Prudential Study: The Asian Speaker Priya Pandit, Director, Segment Marketing, Prudential
American Financial Experience
Prudential executives discuss findings from one of the largest surveys of the financial
4:00PM – 5:00PM experience and behaviors among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Prudential’s
Texas Ballroom Salon C - Level 4 2016 Asian American Financial Experience study reveals that although members
of the Asian American/Pacific Islander community originate from more than 40
countries and speak dozens of languages, they are united by a shared focus on the
financial progress, stability and security of the extended family. At the same time,
Asian Americans face many of the same financial challenges as the U.S. general
population, such as saving for retirement and managing household budgets.

SOUNDS OF SUCCESS Speaker Judy Ravin, President and Founder, Accents International, LLC

4:30PM – 5:30PM All too often our global economy is divided by a common language: English. While
River Oaks - Level 3 our diverse accents add richness to our workforce, the complexities of English
Student pronunciation can also make communicating professional expertise somewhat
challenging. Designed for both native and non-native English speakers, the focus of
this session is on removing language barriers while maintaining each person’s unique
cultural identity. The takeaways are twofold: attendees will learn key speaking
techniques to make communicating in a global workforce more effective, and they
will acquire pronunciation techniques for at least three of the most challenging
sounds in American English. Each person will walk away with strategies to help
convey their professional expertise with greater impact, influence, and ease.

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 37

SATURDAY AUGUST 19

OPENING RECEPTION Join fellow attendees at the Opening Reception. The reception is a great way to meet
and network with colleagues and peers while getting the convention off to a terrific
6:00PM – 8:00PM start!
Texas Ballroom Foyer - Level 4

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20

NETWORKING BREAKFAST & KEYNOTE: THE POWER OF BEING YOU
Presented by RSM

8:30AM – 10:00AM Welcome Remarks Kate Seitz, Partner, RSM US LLP
Houston Ballroom - Level 2 Keynote Speaker Joe Adams, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, RSM US
LLP

AGENDA & SESSIONS Why blend in when you can stand out? Your unique personality, skills and knowledge
are what will enable your career success and help you advance as a leader. Hear
from RSM US LLP (RSM) Managing Partner & CEO Joe Adams about how he and
his leadership team are fostering an environment of inclusion that enables people to
bring their authentic selves to work and celebrates the great outcomes that result
from diverse teams and perspectives. We understand that strong leaders come from
all backgrounds—that’s why there’s room for all at the RSM leadership table.

HOW TO REBOUND FROM DIFFICULT SITUATIONS AND STILL BE SUCCESSFUL

10:00AM – 11:00AM Moderator Shern-Min Chow, Anchor, KHOU-TV
Houston Ballroom - Level 2 Panelist Christine Ha, Celebrity Cook & Author
CPE: Personal Development Panelist John Sparger, Senior Vice President, Targa Resources

Panelist Dr. Soyeon Yi, Astronaut

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

-Nelson Mandela

Have you been through challenging times and struggled to get past them? Feel like
you have reached a road block in your career? Want to learn how to turn difficulty
into success? During this session, we will hear from a diverse panel of successful
professionals and entrepreneurs on how they overcame adversity to become
inspirations to others. Our speakers will share with the audience on how to embrace
and leverage difficult challenges and uncertainties, while discovering new horizons
and opportunities. Our panelists will enlighten us with some of their own personal
experiences of defeats and triumphs. Ready? Let’s rebound, refresh and reset!

38 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20

ASCEND ELEVATE MILLENNIAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM – PART 1: SECURING CREDIT AND
RECOGNITION – LIVE!

11:30AM – 12:30PM Welcome Remarks Wes Hom, Vice President of External Affairs and National Board
Houston Ballroom - Level 2 Member, Ascend; Former Vice President & Managing Director, IBM
CPE: Personal Development Host Denise Peck, Executive Advisor, Ascend
Panelist Norma Gonzalez, Industrial Engineer, General Motors

Panelist Alfred Ko, Consulting Director, RSM US LLP

Join us at our live session of Elevate, Ascend’s new state-of-the-art program AGENDA & SESSIONS
for millennials working in global corporations. Elevate offers advice on skills and
meaningful behaviors needed for continued career success. These leadership topics
are selected by millennials from around the world from some of the most iconic,
sought-after companies. This session’s topic is Securing Credit and Recognition: Do
you feel that you are not getting credit and recognition from your bosses or peers at
work: a promotion, a raise, a public recognition or some other reward that you’ve
worked hard to get and deserve? How do you deal with these unfair outcomes when
you feel powerless to control the situation? Come hear our expert panel of successful
millennials discuss how to overcome these types of situations and offer helpful
takeaways through the story of one millennial, Sammy.

DOCTORS’ OFFICES (Separate Registration Required)

11:30AM – 12:30PM Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be mentored by our ‘Doctors of Leadership’,
seasoned executives who have risen to the top, on topics that affect us all in the
workplace. In a small intimate group setting, hear first-hand how they navigated their
careers, used their strengths and seized opportunities as well as faced and overcame
challenges throughout their professional lives culminating in an executive position and
powerful networks. Create connections and learn lessons that could impact the future
of your career.

Montgomery A - Level 2 DEALING WITH WORKPLACE CHALLENGES – Darcy Lopes, Assurance Partner,
EY

Montgomery B - Level 2 EMBRACING SUCCESS & LEARNING FROM MISTAKES – Ray Cheung, Risk
Executive, Crowe Horwath LLP

Fort Bend A - Level 2 NAVIGATING OFFICE POLITICS – Thomas Phelps, Vice President of Corporate
Strategy and Chief Information Officer, Laserfiche

Fort Bend B - Level 2 STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD – Manoj Varughese, Senior Area Director,
Medtronic

Galveston A - Level 2 PROJECTING CONFIDENCE WITHOUT BEING ARROGANT – Susan Chung,
Head of Global Strategy, Allstate Investments

SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON Keynote Speaker Thear Suzuki, Advisory Leader, Southwest Region, EY
Hosted by EY
Ascend, along with EY and other partners, will honor university students who
1:00PM – 2:30PM demonstrate scholastic excellence, leadership, and commendable community service.
Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4 Come join us and hear from the Scholarship Luncheon keynote speaker Thear Suzuki,
Advisory Leader, Southwest Region at EY.

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 39

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20

DOCTORS’ OFFICES (Separate Registration Required)

2:45PM – 3:45PM Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be mentored by our ‘Doctors of Leadership’,
seasoned executives who have risen to the top, on topics that affect us all in the
workplace. In a small intimate group setting, hear first-hand how they navigated their
careers, used their strengths and seized opportunities as well as faced and overcame
challenges throughout their professional lives culminating in an executive position and
powerful networks. Create connections and learn lessons that could impact the future
of your career.

Montgomery A - Level 2 BUILDING A MEANINGFUL MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP – Cecilia Tse,
Director, PwC

Montgomery B - Level 2 OVERCOMING PUBLIC SPEAKING JITTERS – Julie Ho, Partner, Deloitte

Fort Bend A - Level 2 WHEN & HOW TO ESCALATE – Richard Seo, Partner, Crowe Horwath LLP
Fort Bend B - Level 2
WHEN STAYING THE SAME ISN'T CUTTING IT - MIXING THINGS UP! – Jacynda
Galveston A - Level 2 Marbury, Vice President, BNY Mellon

AGENDA & SESSIONS WORKING FROM HOME: STAYING RELEVANT FROM AFAR – Elaina Rodgers,
Vice President, BNY Mellon

BREAKOUT SESSIONS Speaker Tracey Walker, National Senior Director of Government Affairs; Culture
Leadership and Dexterity: Using Diversity and Inclusion, RSM US LLP
Culture to Drive Success
What do all successful leaders and high performers know? How do some navigate all
2:45PM – 3:45PM people and different levels within their organizations to gain advantage? Join us for a
Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4 compelling conversation about leadership in the workplace and how you can leverage
culture and dexterity for your own advantage and advancement. How is credibility
CPE: Business Management & Organization and respect earned? How do you win the trust of key individuals? Learn new technical
methods to begin to understand the flow and attributes of others and how to get the
best of them for you and your work teams.

Innovation & Technology: Challenges Moderator Binita Pradhan, Partner, BDO USA, LLP
in IT Auditing Today
Speaker Randy Tanaka, Managing Director, ISA West, BDO USA, LLP
2:45PM – 3:45PM
Texas Ballroom Salon B - Level 4 A study projects worldwide information technology (IT) spending estimates to total
CPE: Information Technology $3.5 trillion in 2017 and another study notes that the Chief Marketing Officers’
technology spend in 2017 could exceed that of the Chief Information/Technology
Officers. Given the level of prominence of IT in today’s world we live in, IT auditing
has its own challenges. While we are all aware that IT auditing will need to evolve
alongside the technological advancements, we are not quite there yet. In our
presentation we will discuss some of the common pitfalls in IT auditing.

Cybersecurity Moderator Chris Wilkinson, Principal, Crowe Horwath LLP

2:45PM – 3:45PM Panelist Jake Lee, Vice President – Information Security Manager, Wells Fargo
Texas Ballroom Salon C - Level 4
CPE: Business Management & Organization Panelist Jason Wu, Managing Director, Cybersecurity & Privacy Practice, PwC

In this session we will walk you through real world examples of how you can secure
yourself, both personally and professionally, in today’s world of Cybersecurity. We
will discuss the latest threats in the area of Cybersecurity such as Ransomware and
the recent high profile cyber attack WannaCry. We will talk about phishing and
what hackers are doing to target you, and what you can do to ensure you are not a
victim. Don’t miss this session if you want to know what steps you need to take to
effectively prevent and detect these threats.

40 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 20

THE BEST CAREER ADVICE: JOURNEY TO C-SUITE

4:15PM – 5:05PM Moderator Tariq Khan, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Global Diversity Marketing;
Houston Ballroom - Level 2 Adjunct Professor, Marketing, New York University
CPE: Personal Development Panelist Anna W. Mok, Co-Founder, Ascend Pinnacle; National Executive Vice
President, Ascend; Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP

Panelist Mammen Verghis, Vice President, Multicultural Marketing, Prudential
Financial

We all work in a competitive work environment where the best candidate may not
always get the job or promotion he/she deserves. Whether you are looking to excel
at your first job or trying to make a transition from middle management to senior
management, this session will help you prepare for solid career planning. You will hear
from diverse accomplished business leaders who have moved to senior management
roles and entrepreneurship through a planned strategic approach. Attendees will also
learn about do's and don'ts in corporate environment as well for entrepreneurial
path. Come join us for career secrets that leaders usually don't share. This is a must-
attend session for anyone looking for career advice at any level.

MONDAY, AUGUST 21 AGENDA & SESSIONS

NETWORKING BREAKFAST & KEYNOTE: TURBOCHARGE YOUR CAREER

8:00AM – 9:30AM Keynote Speaker Farhad Zaman, Partner, PwC

Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4 Farhad Zaman, PwC Deals Partner and HeForShe Champion, has worked in seven
CPE: Personal Development countries on five continents and served many clients while caring for his family,
including three daughters. As he continues to build a strong reputation as a successful
leader by running towards complex challenges around the globe, he stays consistently
true to his core values and beliefs. Join us to hear his practical advice to supercharge
your career by failing forward fearlessly, teaming with others and paying it forward.

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 41

MONDAY, AUGUST 21

DOCTORS’ OFFICES (Separate Registration Required)

9:45AM – 10:45AM Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be mentored by our ‘Doctors of Leadership’,
seasoned executives who have risen to the top, on topics that affect us all in the
workplace. In a small intimate group setting, hear first-hand how they navigated their
careers, used their strengths and seized opportunities as well as faced and overcame
challenges throughout their professional lives culminating in an executive position and
powerful networks. Create connections and learn lessons that could impact the future
of your career.

Montgomery A - Level 2 PERCEPTION AWARENESS: BEING AWARE OF HOW YOU ARE PERCEIVED IN

Montgomery B - Level 2 THE WORKPLACE – Ananda Kanapathy, Senior Director, Gas Field Operations,
Fort Bend A - Level 2 North, Public Service Electric & Gas Co. (PSE&G)
Fort Bend B - Level 2
GIVING YOUR 100% WITHOUT BURNING OUT – Virginia Li, Tax Partner, Private
AGENDA & SESSIONS Client Services, RSM US LLP

DEALING WITH WORKPLACE CHALLENGES – Larry Chang, Executive Advisor,
Ascend

WHEN STAYING THE SAME ISN'T CUTTING IT - MIXING THINGS UP! – Andrew
Vo, Managing Director, Accenture

Galveston A - Level 2 TIPS FOR MENTEES: PREPARING TO BE MENTORED! – Daphne Gulcu, Financial
Planning Director, Praxair

Galveston B - Level 2 BUILDING A MEANINGFUL MENTOR-MENTEE RELATIONSHIP – Michael Guo,
Assurance Partner, RSM US LLP

3RD ANNUAL ASCEND ERG/BRG LEADERS' FORUM (Invite Only)
Presented by Ascend in Collaboration with EY

9:45AM – 12:15PM Welcome Remarks Ajay Anand, Global Client Partner, EY
Moderator Derek Leung, Manager, Fraud Investigation & Dispute Services, EY
Panelist AJ Desai, Partner, EY
Panelist William Guo, Vice President, Asian Employee Network (AEN); Production
Engineer, Mid-Continent BU, Chevron

Panelist Ann Nanda, Vice President, Prudential Financial

Ascend's vision for this interactive forum is to showcase the unique value that ERG/
BRGs bring to businesses and their members as well as how Ascend can continue to
play an integral role in facilitating this conversation.
EY’s vision for this forum is to support and enhance the dialogue around the value
of ERG/BRGs to a business, its members and building a better working world. We
aim to publish a forum recap which will be shared with attendees and potentially
formatted into EY/Ascend thought leadership publication with the goal of engaging
more companies to join our dialogue at the Ascend National Convention in the
future.

Measuring Your Success In:

1. Aligning your ERG/BRG strategies to 3. Providing access to leaders for
align with your company’s business members of ERG/BRG to develop
strategy and values leadership skills and relationships

2. Engaging executive sponsors and 4. Collaborating with other ERG/BRGs
allies for an ERG/BRG to strengthen to amplify your impact
inclusive leadership

42 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

MONDAY, AUGUST 21

BREAKOUT SESSIONS For full details and to sign up, please see the Convene App.
Ascend Gives Back to the Houston
Community in Partnership with
United Way

10:00AM – 10:50AM

Texas Ballroom Salon B - Level 4

Inclusive Listening: Tuning Your Ears Speaker Judy Ravin, President and Founder, Accents International, LLC
to Accents
“Inclusive Listening” focuses on the listening side of communication. It systematically,
10:00AM – 10:50AM and rapidly, ‘tunes the ear’ to unfamiliar accents. It minimizes the need for colleagues
Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4 and clients to ask, or hear, the questions, “What did you say? Can you repeat that?”
Mentors and coaches will also learn how to teach the pronunciation techniques
CPE: Communications & Marketing for the 7-10 sounds that non-native English speakers find most difficult, and the
ten most effective speaking techniques to use in multicultural, linguistically diverse
organizations. Attendees will acquire the tools needed to remove barriers to AGENDA & SESSIONS
participation, collaboration, and seamless knowledge transfer. “Inclusive Listening”
enables every constituent of a multinational organization, native and non-native
English speakers alike, to communicate their expertise with clarity, confidence, and
ease.

Real Yoga & Meditation Instructor Cecilia Tse, Director, PwC

10:00AM – 10:50AM Yoga isn't all about balancing on your head and twisting your limbs into all sorts
Montrose A - Level 3 of what appears to be unnatural positions (although that can be a lot of fun, and
simultaneously strengthening and relaxing!) Similarly, meditation isn't just about sitting
cross-legged chanting with your eyes closed. If you haven't tried yoga or meditation
before, take this opportunity to give it a go with some business attire in this desk and
airplane-lounge friendly session led by PwC Deals director, EVP of Operations for the
Ascend New York Metro (NYM) Chapter and yoga instructor, Cecilia Tse. No prior
experience is necessary.

UNLEASHING YOUR SUPERPOWER

11:00AM – 12:00PM Moderator Christine Cadena, Vice President, Multicultural Initiatives, The Walt
Houston Ballroom - Level 2 Disney Company
CPE: Personal Development Panelist Alex C. Chen, Principal Counsel, The Walt Disney Company

Panelist Michael Huang, Deputy Editor, ESPN

Panelist Michael Wong, Associate Principal Counsel, ESPN

Four leaders from across the Walt Disney Company family of businesses share their
SUPERPOWER and how it has informed and enabled their career. This session will
inspire and challenge you to find your own unique superpower and the best version
of yourself.

LEADERSHIP & AWARDS LUNCHEON

12:30PM – 2:00PM Come join us at the Leadership & Awards Luncheon to celebrate individuals who
Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4 have dedicated themselves to promoting Pan-Asian leadership in business and within
the community.

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 43

MONDAY, AUGUST 21

BREAKOUT SESSIONS Welcome Remarks Wes Hom, Vice President of External Affairs and National Board
Ascend Elevate Millennial Leadership Member, Ascend; Former Vice President & Managing Director, IBM

Program - PART 2: Securing Credit Moderator Larry Chang, Executive Advisor, Ascend
and Recognition
Panelist Norma Gonzalez, Industrial Engineer, General Motors
2:30PM – 3:30PM
Texas Ballroom Salon A - Level 4 Panelist Alfred Ko, Consulting Director, RSM US LLP

CPE: Personal Development Panelist Ken Yoon, Vice President, Finance, Synchrony Financial

The story continues - learn where our hard-working young millennial Sammy ends
up. Hear what happened to our young associate and whether his hard work made
a difference. Was he able to secure the credit he deserved and if so, what were the
tools and tactics he used? Did his manager provide the right guidance, explanation,
and support? Join our panel of successful millennials and GEN-Xers, and take the
learnings with you as you rise in your career.

AGENDA & SESSIONS Value of Sports: How Sports Inspire Moderator Bill Brown, Community Outreach Executive, Houston Astros
Life & Leadership Lessons
Panelist Michael Huang, Deputy Editor, ESPN
2:30PM – 3:30PM
Texas Ballroom Salon B - Level 4 Panelist Anita Sehgal, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Houston
Astros

Research shows a strong link between athleticism and leadership. Sports instill
dedication, perseverance, team work, and discipline. Sports teach athletes how to
think strategically, how to compete and how to graciously accept loss. These skills are
invaluable in the business world and in one’s personal life. To get ahead in your career,
you are bound to come across business scenarios that test your ability to strategically
navigate a particular situation, put your best foot forward and get that coveted
promotion, or accept that one of your colleagues is better suited for that next big
project.

Join us for a conversation that explores the links between sports, life and leadership,
and how sports inspires behaviors that are important on and off the field.

Why Do People Spy? Why would someone risk their job, their reputation, and even their life to commit
espionage? How do spies see themselves and what psychological factors would cause
2:30PM – 3:30PM someone to make this choice? This discussion uses a series of case studies that are
Texas Ballroom Salon C - Level 4 generally known to highlight the psychology behind spying and remove some of the
mystery of espionage. The author shows how our decision-making processes can
sometimes result in choices that can have significant consequences for ourselves and
the world.

44 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

MONDAY, AUGUST 21

DOCTORS’ OFFICES (Separate Registration Required)

2:30PM – 3:30PM Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be mentored by our ‘Doctors of Leadership’,
seasoned executives who have risen to the top, on topics that affect us all in the
workplace. In a small intimate group setting, hear first-hand how they navigated their
careers, used their strengths and seized opportunities as well as faced and overcame
challenges throughout their professional lives culminating in an executive position and
powerful networks. Create connections and learn lessons that could impact the future
of your career.

Montgomery A - Level 2 EMBRACING SUCCESS AND LEARNING FROM MISTAKES – Sudhir Kondisetty,
Principal, RSM US LLP

Montgomery B - Level 2 PROJECTING CONFIDENCE WITHOUT BEING ARROGANT – Guoxing Chai,
Global Head, Retail Banking Analytics, HSBC; National Chair, Asian/Pacific Islander
Committee, HSBC USA

Fort Bend A - Level 2 ADDRESSING PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS – Vince Mercader, Director,
Transaction Services, Grant Thornton LLP

Fort Bend B - Level 2 GIVING YOUR 100% WITHOUT BURNING OUT – Fred Tan, Managing Director, AGENDA & SESSIONS
Grant Thornton LLP

Galveston A - Level 2 STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD – David L. Gonzales, Head of Global
Diversity and Inclusion, Bristol-Myers Squibb

CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER (CDO) FORUM (Invite Only)
Hosted by Jeff Chin, National President, Ascend & Anna W. Mok, Executive Vice President, Ascend

2:30PM – 5:30PM Ascend’s Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) Forum consists of business thought
leaders and executives who are highly committed to advancing diversity and
inclusion in the workplace. As diversity champions and advocates in their respective
businesses, these thought leaders provide valuable insight on topics important to
the advancement of Ascend and our mission. The Forum members also serve as
advocates within their organizations and communities for the advancement
and development of Pan-Asian professionals.

This session will bring collaborative, results-oriented leaders together to connect,
engage and work through topics most important in the D&I space, while sharing
research findings and inspiring action through thought leadership.

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 45

MONDAY, AUGUST 21

ASCEND TALKS 3.0 - MONDAY EDITION

4:00PM – 5:00PM We are proud to present the wildly popular “Ascend Talks” where inspirational
Houston Ballroom - Level 2 senior business executives and thought leaders share personal perspectives on the
CPE: Personal Development key themes of the convention and explore how they power up their careers and
reach new professional and personal heights in their own lives. Come prepared to be
inspired!

The Power of “Wishing Out Loud” Speaker Lisa Ong, National Director, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, PwC

How many of us have ever received feedback that we needed to be more assertive
or bold to be seen as a great leader? But how do you get comfortable being bold
when culturally you may have been raised that hard work speaks for itself, be grateful
for what you have and to not “rock the boat?”

In this Ascend Talk, Lisa M. Ong, CPA, Executive Coach and PwC Director, Office of
Diversity & Inclusion and Ascend Lifetime member, will share her secrets learned to
becoming bolder through her career through harnessing the power of “wishing out
loud.”

AGENDA & SESSIONS Leadership With a Purpose Speaker David Ono, News Anchor, ABC7 Los Angeles

Making a name for yourself in an industry historically filled with courageous, brilliant,
and adored leaders could seem beyond reach. But television news is like any other
competitive industry. It's less about comparing yourself to others, and more about
doing it your own way. I’ve never wavered on my desire to tell a good story. When
I immerse myself in the process, I simply focus on why the story moves me, and
how I can deliver it so it moves you, too. The way someone else will tell the story
never enters my mind. There’s a beautiful quote by author Bob Goff: “We won’t be
distracted with comparison if we are captivated with purpose”. People don’t want
imitation or perfection. They want passion … and if you make them feel yours, then
you’ve given them something special. You’ve found your purpose.

NETWORKING RECEPTION Come join us and unwind after three days of career and leadership development.

6:00PM – 7:00PM
Texas Ballroom Foyer - Level 4

PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION (Invite Only)

6:00PM – 7:00PM

46 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.

MONDAY, AUGUST 21

ASCEND AWARDS DINNER Keynote Speaker S. Shariq Yosufzai, Vice President, Global Diversity, Chevron
Corporation
7:00PM – 9:30PM
Texas Ballroom Salon D-H - Level 4 Master of Ceremonies David Ono, News Anchor, ABC7 Los Angeles

Join us in celebrating our leaders! We are proud to announce S. Shariq Yosufzai, Vice
President, Global Diversity, Chevron Corporation, as our Dinner Keynote Speaker
who will deliver the keynote, The Power of Innovative Leadership: Lessons from a 42-
year Career. In 1975, Shariq Yosufzai was hired as a process engineer out of Texas
A&M working at a refinery in Port Arthur, Texas. Over the next 42 years he would
embark on a career journey at Chevron that would take him to executive- and c-suite
level positions all over the world in successfully leading operations with tens of
thousands of employees. His commitment in seeking new and innovative ways to lead
in a constantly shifting global environment has served as the foundation for his own
career success. In this deeply personal address, Shariq Yosufzai will provide insights
and lessons he’s learned to help other Asian Americans in their quest to reach the
c-suite including: The Six Hallmark Traits of Innovative Leaders, The Obstacles that
Can Derail Your Career Vision and The Three-Stage Process to Help Accelerate the
Path to Leadership.

We will continue the tradition of honoring individuals who have made significant
contributions to the Pan-Asian community. The celebration will include inspirational
speeches, recognition of exceptional leaders, and much more!

PEOPLE The Walt Disney Company is
STORIES built on the magic of storytelling.
Our people are at the heart of
everything we do, and ensure
that the stories we tell are as
vibrant and varied as the world
around us.

Disney is proud to support the
ASCEND National Convention.

POSSIBILITIES © Disney

See You in ARE YOU PRESENT
San Francisco!
and ACCOUNTED FOR?
2018 Ascend National Convention & Career Fair
August 25-27, 2018 You are the future of the
Marriott Marquis San Francisco accounting profession —
the best and the brightest.
• Become a CPA and join

a highly respected profession
• Succeed in a career that

is in high demand
• Define your career and enjoy

its limitless opportunities

Let’s get to work.
Visit aicpa.org/diversity

© 2017 American Institute of CPAs. 21932-333

21932-333 D&I Prof Dec Res ALPFA HalfAd-vertical.indd 1 4/4/17

Supporting great causes:
a commitment that’s
as much a part of UPS
as our brown trucks.

UPS is proud to support the Ascend
National Convention.

ups.com

© 2016 United Parcel Service of America, Inc. UPS, the UPS logo, and the color brown are
trademarks of United Parcel Service of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SPEAKERS & MENTORS

2 017 A S C E N D N AT I O N A L C O N V E N T I O N 49

SPEAKERS & MENTORS

JOE ADAMS LARRY CHANG CHRISTINE CUI
Managing Partner and Executive Advisor, Ascend Recruiting Leader, China
Chief Executive Officer, Sourcing Initiative (CSI),
RSM US LLP PwC

MICHAEL ALBERTO ALEX C. CHEN AJ DESAI
Senior Associate, RSM US Principal Counsel, The Walt Partner, EY
LLP Disney Company
LAURA FRANK
AJAY ANAND RAY CHEUNG Project Manager, RSM US
Global Client Partner, EY Risk Executive, Crowe LLP
Horwath LLP
BUCK GEE
BILL BROWN JEFF CHIN Executive Advisor, Ascend
Community Outreach National President, Ascend
Executive, Houston Astros DAVID L. GONZALES
Head of Global Diversity
CHRISTINE CADENA SHERN-MIN CHOW and Inclusion, Bristol-Myers
Vice President, Anchor, KHOU-TV Squibb
Multicultural Initiatives,
The Walt Disney Company SUSAN CHUNG NORMA GONZALEZ
Head of Global Strategy, Industrial Engineer, General
GUOXING CHAI Allstate Investments Motors
Global Head, Retail
Banking Analytics, HSBC;
National Chair, Asian/
Pacific Islander Committee,
HSBC USA

50 C O N N E C T. I N S P I R E . A S C E N D.


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