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The Serica Initiative and its legacy partners have a rich legacy of celebrating AAPI pioneers and leaders in the U.S.-Asia business community. From honoring visionary women at our Women’s Conferences & Galas, to honoring trailblazers with our Serica Galas, our events are a celebration of excellence and empowerment. Over the past 8 years, we have recognized the achievements of over 40 distinguished honorees, 18 Rising Stars and showcased the expertise of over 120 speakers.

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Women’s Trailblazer Conferences & Galas

(2017 - Present)

In 2017, Anla Cheng set out to achieve a great feat in bringing together outstanding women who work in China and Asia-related finance, business, culture, and politics to the stage to talk about their experiences. 

 

The China business and policy world, especially when it comes to speakers in public forums, is dominated by men, but there are innumerable remarkable women whose voices need to be heard. This conference was dedicated to providing a platform for those voices. Originally launched as the SupChina Women’s Conference & Gala, the event has since evolved into the Trailblazers Conference & Gala, hosted by The Serica Initiative. Anla set out to not only honor remarkable women with established careers, but also recognize upcoming talents with the Rising Star award. These women are nominated by the community and then voted on by an established panel of judges. 

 

This yearly flagship event brings together powerful AAPI women in business, politics, culture, and more. It continues to celebrate inspiring Asian women leaders that are making astounding waves in business and society, some who have been staples in their communities for decades, and some of who are just getting started making their mark on the world, and helping it evolve into a fruitful place for all.

 

Read more below about each year’s event and the powerful impact it had in the community. To get involved please contact us: events@sericainitiative.org

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"Many thanks for an incredible evening celebrating so many remarkable women, and the valuable impact they are creating. Each one was just as inspiring as the next!"

Christine Goppel, Cartier

Dr. James S. C. Chao & Ruth Mulan Chu Chao & Family

2025

Dr. James S. C. Chao & Ruth Mulan Chu Chao & Family

Multigenerational family with a legacy of leadership, philanthropy, and public service.

Kathy Hirata Chin

2025

Kathy Hirata Chin

AAPI Rights Advocate, Distinguished Attorney

Fei-Fei Li

2025

Fei-Fei Li

Sequoia Capital Professor of Computer Science, Stanford & Creator of ImageNet - AI Dataset

Maria Ressa

2025

Maria Ressa

Nobel Peace Prize Winner & CEO, Rappler Media

Woraphanit Ruayrungruang

2025

Woraphanit Ruayrungruang

CEO, Reignwood Group, Owner of Voss Water, VitaCoco, & RedBull China

Anita Bhatia

2024

Anita Bhatia

Founder of Impact Commons, Former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women 


Barbara Bouza

2024

Barbara Bouza

Former President, Walt Disney Imagineering, Asia/Global Experiences & Theme Parks

Shinta Kamdani

2024

Shinta Kamdani

Owner and CEO of Sintesa Group 


Loida Lewis

2024

Loida Lewis

Former CEO of Beatrice Foods, Chair of the Reginal F. Lewis Foundation, Attorney, Philanthropist, and Best-selling Author

Roberta Lipson

2024

Roberta Lipson

CEO of New Frontier Health and founder of United Family Healthcare 


Chen Man

2024

Chen Man

Top Fashion Photographer, Cinematographer, and Digital Artist

Sheila Lirio Marcelo

2024

Sheila Lirio Marcelo

Co-founder & CEO of Ohai.ai, Founder & Former CEO of Care.com

Ng Gim Choo

2024

Ng Gim Choo

Founder and Chairwoman EtonHouse International Education Group 


Sheryl WuDunn

2024

Sheryl WuDunn

Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist and Author 


Amy Chua

2023

Amy Chua

Yale Professor and International best-selling author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Dora Fugh Lee

2023

Dora Fugh Lee

Renowned Chinese-American Painter & Artist 


Stella Li

2023

Stella Li

President, BYD Americas

Yuja Wang

2023

Yuja Wang

Globally Acclaimed Concert Pianist

Joyce Chang

2022

Joyce Chang

Global Head of Research and a member of the management committee for J.P.Morgan

Merit Janow

2022

Merit Janow

Dean of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Katherine Tai

2022

Katherine Tai

U.S. Trade Representative and Ambassador

Wei Sun Christianson

2021

Wei Sun Christianson

Managing Director and co-CEO of Asia-Pacific, Morgan Stanley 


Yue-Sai Kan

2021

Yue-Sai Kan

Emmy-winning TV host and producer, entrepreneur, fashion icon, best-selling author and humanitarian

Yang Lan

2020

Yang Lan

Award-winning TV Host known as "The Chinese Oprah", and Chairperson of Sun Media Group

Janet Yang

2020

Janet Yang

Award-winning producer and President of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Trailblazer Honorees

Each year, we honor the trailblazing women & families who are shaping the future of business, arts, and society. These leaders are recognized for their visionary leadership, impact, and commitment to empowering others.

Serica Galas

(2021 - 2023)

Our Serica Galas spotlight the changemakers who are shaping the future of the AAPI community. From virtual events to in-person galas, these celebrations are a platform for honoring influential figures across business, culture, and philanthropy.

Click the link to learn more about each event: 


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Patricia Chin

2023

Patricia Chin

Co-founder of VP Records

Wendy O'Neill

2023

Wendy O'Neill

Life Trustee of the Rockefeller-funded Asian Cultural Council

George Takei

2023

George Takei

Star Trek Actor, Civil Rights Activist

Frank Wu

2023

Frank Wu

President of Queens College, Former Committee of 100 Chairman, Author of “Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black & White”

Andy Kim

2022

Andy Kim

Former US State Rep, and now first Korean American US Senator of New Jersey

Annie Liang-Zhou

2022

Annie Liang-Zhou

CINGS Co-Founder and President Emeritus, Philanthropist & Activist

Jennifer Wu

2022

Jennifer Wu

Founding Partner, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone Law

Yong Zhao

2022

Yong Zhao

Current CINGS President, Founder Junzi Kitchen & Nice Day Chinese

Sharon Chan

2021

Sharon Chan

VP, JLABS Asia Pacific

Richard Park

2021

Richard Park

Partner, Ascend Partners, CEO, Rendr, Co-Founder & Former CEO, CityMD

Susan Rockefeller

2021

Susan Rockefeller

Filmmaker, Philanthropist and Global Advocate for a Sustainable Future

David Jr. Rockefeller

2021

David Jr. Rockefeller

Chairman Emeritus, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Philanthropist and Climate Activist

Jane Sun

2021

Jane Sun

CEO, Trip.com

Serica Award Honorees

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Get Involved

Whether you’re interested in attending our events, nominating a Rising Star, or supporting our mission through sponsorships and donations, The Serica Initiative welcomes you to be part of this legacy. Here’s how you can contribute:

Nominate a Rising Star

Help us identify the next generation of AAPI trailblazers.

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2025

Yanyi Li

CEO & Founder, Nuwa Marketing

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2025

Ngoc-Tran Vu

Lead Artist & Project Director, 1975: A Vietnamese Diaspora Commemoration Initiative

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2025

Tiffany Zhou

Creative Director & Founder, Oleada

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2024

Eden Cai

Co-founder and Managing Director, Garden Star Group 


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2024

Karen Mu

Managing Director, Investment Banking Global Head, Asia Banking at Alliance Global Partners

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2024

Gia Vang

Journalist + Non-Profit Co-Founder | The Very Asian Foundation, Daughter of Hmong refugees

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2023

Zinan Crysti

Co-founder & Managing Partner, Uniwill Ventures

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2023

Rebecca F.

Best-selling author, Poppy War trilogy & Babel: An Arcane History

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2023

Victoria Lee

Co-founder of Welcome to Chinatown

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2023

Sisi Sung

Academic researcher & author of The Economics of Gender in China

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2023

Ruby Wang

Medical Doctor; Managing Director, Lintris Consulting; Digital Health Council, UK Royal Society of Medicinex

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2022

Di Cai

Partner, Sanders Capital, LLC

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2022

Nika Soon-Shiong

Founder, Fund for Guaranteed Income, PhD Candidate at Oxford University, Social Activist

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2021

Jiayan “Jenny” Shi

Documentary Filmmaker 


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2020

Virginia Tan

Founding Partner, Teja Ventures 


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2020

Emma Yang

CEO and Founder, Timeless

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2019

Rui Ma

Creator and Host, TechBuzz China 


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2019

Carrie Yu

CEO and Founder, The Bulk House

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2018

Cindy Mi

CEO, VIPKid

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2018

Ingrid Yin

Co-founder, MayTech Global Investments 


Rising Star Honorees

The Rising Star Awards recognize young, dynamic leaders under 40 who are blazing trails in their industries. These women represent the next generation of changemakers, innovators, and leaders.

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