Event Schedule and Speakers

Eddie Ahn is the executive director of Brightline Defense, an environmental justice nonprofit that has been engaged in policy and legal advocacy since 2009. He is also the writer and artist of “Advocate,” a graphic memoir published by Penguin Random House in April 2024. In addition to his work for Brightline, Eddie serves on three commissions for local and state government agencies related to environmental policymaking: the SF Commission on the Environment, Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). Prior to being a nonprofit attorney, he was an AmeriCorps member, teaching public speaking and arts workshops in Oakland’s Chinatown. In December 2021, Eddie was inducted into the State of California’s Clean Energy Hall of Fame for his work in equity and clean energy. Eddie has received his J.D. from University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and his B.A. from Brown University. He is also a member of the California State Bar.

Paul Bien is the Vice President of Baseball Analytics for the San Francisco Giants, a role he assumed in 2022. In this position, he oversees the organization's baseball analytics department, utilizing data and technology to support scouting, player development, and the Major League coaching staff. He also provides quantitative research and analysis to aid in evaluating potential player acquisitions at all levels .​ Bien's path to baseball analytics is marked by a diverse background in engineering and consulting. He earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Electrical Engineering from UCLA. His early career included roles as an Operations Intern at SonicWALL and Data Robotics, followed by a position as a Communication Systems Engineer at Northrop Grumman Space Technology. From 2010 to 2012, he worked as a Consulting Analyst at Accenture .​ In 2012, Bien joined the San Francisco Giants, blending his engineering and analytical expertise to his love of baseball.

Patricia Burrows is an educator and school leader who sees teaching as a way to nurture essential human skills. She holds a B.A. in History with a minor in English and a B.Ed. from Queen’s University (Canada), along with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University. Patricia has taught middle and high school English and humanities in both Canada and the U.S. Her leadership roles have included Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Assistant Middle School Division Head at The Harker School. No matter the role, she’s focused on creating learning spaces where students grow in empathy, think critically, and connect deeply with the world around them.

Wesley Chan is a Chinese American filmmaker, creative director, and cofounder of Wong Fu Productions– a digital production company internationally recognized for 20 years of prolific storytelling including short films and original series inspired by the modern Asian American experience. Starting this year [2025], Wesley shifts focus to independently explore his own creative endeavors across various interests like filmmaking, design, and graphic arts.

Andrew Chau is co-founder and CEO of Boba Guys and Tea People USA, a Inc. Magazine 500 award recipient and one of the fastest-growing independent retail chains in America. He has been featured as a notable industry thought leader on CNN, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and NPR. In addition to a career in consumer marketing at Wal-Mart, Clorox, and Target, Andrew started and exited his first startup, Vergence Media, in 2011. In his free time, he loves traveling and is a freelance writer, guest lecturer, and an angel investor for consumer-driven businesses. His best-selling book with Penguin Random House, The Boba Book, came out in April 2020. In 2022, he was recognized as one of Ernst & Young’s prestigious Entrepreneurs of the Year. In 2023, he received ABA’s Visionary of the Year award. He has his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UC Berkeley. His greatest loves are his dog Kuromitsu and the New York Mets.

Natasha Chandel is an Indian-Canadian-American comedian, writer, and host of the hit podcast Kinda Dating. She’s appeared on The Mindy Project, SEAL Team, and voiced characters in Call of Duty, Valorant, and more. A global storyteller and UCB-trained performer, she brings sharp humor, cultural insight, and a passion for breaking stereotypes to every stage. Natasha has toured internationally, showcased for Netflix, and writes character-driven comedies with heart. Born in Dubai and raised across continents, her unique voice reflects a rich, multicultural perspective rooted in resilience, honesty, and laughter.

Jayson Chang is the professional development manager for The Asian American Education Project as well as a decade-long high school social science educator in San Jose, California, with academic interests in thematic teaching, culturally relevant pedagogy, food history, and nationalism studies. He has held leadership roles in the California Teachers Association and National Education Association. He is of Cantonese-Fukien heritage, descended from Chinese Vietnamese refugees. Jayson graduated from Soka University with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Claremont Graduate University with a Master’s degree in Education.

As a product leader, Stephanie has spent over 15 years leading teams to build digital products, whether it's been production tools at Dreamworks Animation and Netflix, or political tools on the Hillary and Biden campaigns. She also started a mobile game company, Kooapps, and loves to build software that changes how different industries operate as well as engage and delight users. Currently, Stephanie coaches and teaches MBAs at Berkeley Haas about product management and pivoting in their careers. She received her MBA from MIT Sloan and BA in Psychology and International Relations from Stanford University.

Zeien Cheung is a Dutch-Chinese business leader, nonprofit co-founder, chair of the San Francisco Red Cross Leadership Council, and board member. Her career spans law and tech, with expertise in negotiation, contract strategy, and building high-performing teams across global markets. Zeien is deeply committed to creating spaces of belonging and empowerment for those navigating identity across borders, whether as immigrants or diaspora, by honoring heritage and building unity. She believes in guiding and amplifying the next generation of changemakers, especially those navigating identity across cultures.

Josh, a fourth-generation resident of San Francisco’s Chinatown, comes from a family of doctors, merchants, teachers, and pastors. With 25+ years of experience as a youth worker, filmmaker, and fundraiser, he co-directed Chinatown Rising with his father, Rev. Harry Chuck. Most recently, he co-directed Making Waves, with Jon Osaki, a powerful film on ethnic studies and Asian American activism. Passionate about community storytelling, Josh shares vital histories to challenge stereotypes and inspire youth through the legacy of Asian American activism in his neighborhood.

Kathy Fang is an award winning chef, cookbook author, and television personality. A first generation Asian American and mother of two, she is known for her modern approach to creating simple, healthy Asian recipes for home cooks, and inspiring others to embrace their heritage through food and entertaining. Kathy makes frequent appearances on national culinary shows and competitions—including starring in the Food Network docuseries “Chef Dynasty: House of Fang”—and has worked with major brands and organizations in the travel, lifestyle and non-profit sectors.

Mina Fedor, a junior at College Preparatory School in Oakland, founded AAPI Youth Rising in 2020 to combat anti-Asian xenophobia. She led a 1,200-person rally and launched an educational lesson now used in 150 chapters across 35 states. Mina’s advocacy has reached over 52,000 schools and earned national recognition and awards, including honors from President Biden and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She continues to champion social justice and equity through working with Act to Change, Free the Pill, and other initiatives and has been featured in major media outlets such as The Washington Post, “GoodMorning America”, and The New York Times.

Dr. Melinda Gonzales is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience, specializing in adolescent mental health. For the past 15 years, she has served in the counseling department at The Harker School in San Jose, advancing mental health and social-emotional learning (SEL) initiatives. A passionate advocate for parent education, Dr. Gonzales leads workshops and community discussions focused on emotional development, stress management, and healthy communication. Her work bridges clinical expertise with practical tools to support connection, resilience, and well-being. Dr. Gonzales holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University.

As Other Bets Director at Alphabet, Steven oversees Alphabet’s investments in operating companies and investment funds such as Waymo, Isomorphic Labs, Calico, Intrinsic, X, Tapestry GV, and CapitalG. Prior to current position, Steven was Director of Operations for Google Cloud AI. Steven served as the COO for Cloud AI leading teams responsible for overall business and engineering operations. Additionally, Steven led Cloud’s Responsible AI and Data Privacy teams, ensuring that Cloud’s AI products met the highest safety and privacy standards. Steven joined Google in 2011 and ran business development for Google Drive, Chrome OS, Google Wifi, Android - products that are used by billions of people around the globe. Before joining Google, Steven was Vice President of Business Operations at Apture (acquired by Google). Prior to Apture, Steven was with venture firms Clearstone and Redpoint, where he helped incubate new companies including the online video technology company Ankeena Networks (acquired by Juniper). Steven began his career in online media at Overture (acquired by Yahoo) where he helped start and grow the contextual advertising business to a $100 million run rate. Steven earned an Applied Physics degree with distinction from Yale and an MBA from UCLA Anderson, where he was a Venture Fellow. Currently, Steven is a member of the Yale Engineering Leadership Council, the Regional Medical Center of San Jose Board of Trustees, and is the Board Chair for the Peninsula Youth Sailing Foundation. He lives in Northern California and can be found sailing the Bay or skiing at Lake Tahoe with his wife and two children.

Eunjee Kang is a passionate educator with seven years of experience teaching 7th-grade World History and 8th-grade U.S. History at Bohannon Middle School in San Lorenzo Unified. Since 2018, she has served as Social Studies Department Chair, leading initiatives with vision and dedication. Eunjee collaborates with respected institutions like UC Berkeley’s History-Social Science Project, ORIAS, the Asian Art Museum, and the Alameda County Office of Education. These partnerships have inspired culturally responsive, innovative lessons that deepen students' understanding of diverse histories and global perspectives, making her curriculum both engaging and transformative.

Dr. Caroline C. Lee, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult mental health. Based in Orange County, California, she has over two decades of experience working with youth and families. With a deep commitment to fostering emotional well-being, Dr. Lee specializes in treating anxiety disorders and employs a range of evidence-based practices. Dr. Lee earned her PhD in Educational Psychology from Stanford University, where she also taught psychoeducational courses on culture and coping. She holds an MA in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Psychology with double minors in Education and Asian American Studies. She is also a credentialed elementary school teacher. Active in the community, Dr. Lee serves on the Community Advisory Committee for The Asian American Foundation’s national study of AANHPI Youth Mental Health and the OC Families in Action’s Advisory Committee at the Center for Asian Americans in Action. She regularly gives psychoeducation presentations and collaborates with local school districts to provide resiliency workshops for parents and teens. You can find Dr. Lee on Instagram @dr.carolinelee for insights on diverse Asian American experiences and parenting strategies.

Ting Liu is a VP and Technical Fellow at Google, leading core AI infrastructure and shaping the strategy to productionize Google DeepMind’s research at global scale. Previously, as VP of Engineering for Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, she transformed the platform into a leading generative AI powerhouse, hosting Google’s Gemini models alongside top open-source and partner models, and launching a rapidly growing agent framework. Earlier, she spent over a decade in Google Ads, co-founding and scaling multiple multi-billion-dollar products. Ting holds a Ph.D. in Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon University.

Jason Muñiz was named the site director of UC Berkeley History Social Science Project in the Fall of 2023. During his time with the project he has led the development of UCBHSSP's programmatic support for implementing Ethnic Studies by leading professional development for administrators and educators, developing interdisciplinary Ethnic Studies curriculum, and spearheading an initiative to bring UC Berkeley's Ethnic Studies institutional resources to High School teachers. Muñiz has also led UCBHSSP's efforts to support the teachers of newcomer students and multilingual learners via History-Social Science instruction. Before coming to UC Berkeley, Jason Muñiz worked as a Social Science educator in South Florida and East Oakland, having piloted and implemented Ethnic Studies curriculum for the Oakland Unified School District.

Sean Niu is a multidisciplinary filmmaker and producer from Los Angeles, California. Sean graduated from UCLA’s Theatre, Film and Television Program with a MFA in Screenwriting. Sean also received his MBA from MIT and Bachelor of Science from the London School of Economics. Before UCLA, Sean built products at MIT and Amazon that created alternate realities and helped computers see — now his stories address his anxieties for a future he helped build

Caroline Pan is a seasoned industry executive with nearly three decades of experience across the high-tech, industrial, and automotive sectors. Most recently, she was the SVP and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Lumentum Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LITE), a market-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative photonics technology, serving global enterprise customers with high-speed optical communications, precision commercial lasers, and advanced depth sensing solutions. Caroline possesses a deep understanding of global manufacturing and supply chain industry dynamics, gained through senior leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies including Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), and Honeywell International (NASDAQ: HON). Prior to joining Lumentum, she was the Chief Marketing Officer for Bright Machines, a venture-backed software and robotics company that provides intelligent automation solutions for discrete manufacturing. A well-traveled executive, Caroline has significant international experience from career assignments in Europe and Asia, including 13 years based as an expatriate in Shanghai, China. She has spent time on the ground in over 40 countries, engaging with employees, customers, government officials, and policy makers, particularly in her roles driving Emerging Markets expansion at Intel, HP, and Honeywell. While in China, Caroline was also an active member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. She led their Entrepreneurship Committee and was one of 14 delegates to Washington, D.C. for their annual “Doorknock visit”, during which she engaged with members of Congress and other stakeholders on critical issues affecting American businesses in China. Caroline received her MBA from Harvard Business School and Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is a frequent public speaker and has been featured in numerous business and trade publications including the Wall Street Journal, World Economic Forum, Industry Week, Protocol Braintrust, and more.

Jenn Pangilinan is Vice President, Head of Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED) Clinical Operations. Genentech is a biotechnology company, a pioneer in the field, known for developing innovative medicines for serious and life-threatening diseases. Jenn is accountable for the strategic direction and delivery of the gRED clinical trial portfolio in various therapeutic areas such as Oncology, Immunology, Neurology and Ophthalmology. Jenn is a senior leader with broad business acumen and deep clinical drug development expertise. Jenn is a natural leader who is passionate about giving hope and improving the lives of patients around the world. Jenn received her Executive Pharmaceutical Marketing MBA from St. Joseph’s University, and Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Biology from the University of California at Berkeley.

Dr. Bernard James Remollino is a 1.5-generation formerly undocumented immigrant from Makati, Philippines. They are an Associate Professor of Asian American & Pacific American History at San Joaquin Delta College on the unceded ancestral land of the Yokuts, Plains Mi-Wuk, Patwin, and Nisenan (Stockton, CA). Their research focuses on Filipinx American popular culture, labor, and migration during the early twentieth century. They write on Filipinx American histories, Asian American popular cultures, and transpacific cultural imaginaries in the Philippine diaspora. They are the author of Pancho Villa: World Champion, 1923, which narrates the history of Filipino migration, culture, and resistance to U.S. empire through the sport of boxing. They are a national trustee for the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and are on the board of the FANHS National Museum. Dr. Remollino is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt and also trains with the Bayanihan Boxing program on unceded Ramaytush Ohlone land (San Francisco, CA), where they collaborate with community organizers committed to global liberation through organizing, advocacy, and the praxis of kuwentuhan.

Enakshi Singh is CFO of Ohmium International, a green hydrogen company specializing in advanced PEM electrolyzer solutions. With over 20 years in strategic finance, capital raising, and M&A, she has held leadership roles at Zymergen, Mubadala Development Company, and in technology investment banking. Singh holds a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from the MIT Sloan School of Management.

Julie Su is a nationally recognized workers rights and civil rights expert who served in President Biden’s cabinet as the Secretary of Labor. Prior to that, she served as the Deputy Secretary and, before that, as the California Labor Secretary appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Secretary Su brought a wealth of experience from 17 years as an attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice in Los Angeles for nearly 2 decades prior to being appointed to government positions. She also served as California Labor Commissioner from 2011-2018 where she was widely credited with a renaissance in enforcement and creative approaches to combating wage theft and protecting immigrant workers. Secretary Su graduated from Stanford University and Harvard Law School and received a MacArthur “Genius” award. She speaks Mandarin and Spanish.

Liana Szeto is the founding principal of Alice Fong Yu (AFY) Alternative K-8 School, the nation’s first Chinese immersion public school. A pioneer of Chinese immersion since 1984, she grew AFY from a small pilot into a National Blue Ribbon School and national model, also recognized as a California Distinguished and Gold Ribbon School. In 2000, she created AFY’s Cultural Exchange Program, giving 8th graders the opportunity to live and study in China while welcoming Chinese students to San Francisco. Szeto is a lifelong advocate for rigorous bilingual, multicultural education in public schools.

Daniel Tam-Claiborne is a multiracial author, multimedia producer, and nonprofit director. He serves as Deputy Director at The Serica Initiative, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness of the Asian diaspora in America, as well as a producer for two public media initiatives at WNET, America’s flagship PBS station. His debut novel, Transplants (Simon & Schuster, 2025), was a finalist for the 2023 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction. Fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Daniel has spent over five years living and working in Greater China and is an outspoken advocate for Asian American issues and increased global understanding through education, cultural exchange, storytelling, and effective philanthropy. He holds degrees from Oberlin College, Yale University, and the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College.

Joanna Tong holds a BS in Chemical Biological Engineering with a minor in Biology from MIT. She started her career at Genentech as a process development intern and progressed into leadership roles in manufacturing and diversity & inclusion, working around the globe to manufacture and bring more medicines to patients. Throughout her career, she has bridged technical excellence with inclusive leadership. She is passionate about creating pathways for underrepresented communities in STEM and providing more equitable access to healthcare for all patients.

Dr. Quach, Ph.D., is the President of Asian Health Services, where she oversees medical, dental and behavioral health services, data, quality and research as well as community services. Asian Health Services, a federally qualified health center in Northern California serving 50,000 patients in English and 14 languages. With a background in epidemiology, she is involved in research and policy efforts to promote health equity, emphasizing the importance of language justice, data disaggregation and culturally responsive mental health. She has conducted ground-breaking research in worker’s health and safety for nail and hair salon workers to inform policy and practice. She has expanded culturally and linguistically responsive mental health services at AHS, including starting up a specialty mental health division. During the pandemic, Dr. Quach assembled an Asian American & Pacific Islander multi-lingual team to provide community testing, contact tracing, and set up the vaccination clinics. She also led some of the critical community-based research on COVID-19 impacts on the AAPI population and launched efforts to collect stories of language and digital barriers faced by the AAPI community during the pandemic. In response to the increased violence, particularly towards Asians, she has been working to establish and promote trauma-informed mental health services to support the impacted families. In partnership with West Oakland Health Council which serves many Black patients, she has been leading research to understand racial trauma among the Asian and Black communities, and ways to promote healing and solidarity work. She is also involved in efforts around data governance that centers patient rights and privacy. Her past research portfolio includes cancer etiology, environmental and occupational health, social determinants of health, and patient risk assessment. Dr. Quach currently serves as the Board Chair of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organization (AAPCHO) and is appointed on the Alameda County Behavioral Health Advisory Board. She has served on the boards and councils of various agencies, including the California Breast Cancer Research Program, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Service (NIOSH) and the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative. She was a co-founding Board member of PIVOT (Progressive Vietnamese American Organization), a national organization mobilizing Vietnamese Americans around civic engagement and policy advocacy. Dr. Quach received her Bachelor of Arts at UC Berkeley, her Masters in Public Health at UCLA and her Ph.D. in Epidemiology at UC Berkeley.

Abigail Hing Wen is an author, film producer, and director, as well as former tech executive. She is the New York Times best selling author of multiple novels for young people, including Loveboat, Taipei, which has been adapted as the movie Love in Taipei, now on Netflix. Abigail served as an executive producer and on set during production. Her novel Kisses, Codes and Conspiracies, a thriller and romantic comedy novel featuring three teens on the run through the Bay Area, is an instant national bestseller, USA Today bestseller and Amazon Editor’s Pick for YA Book of the Month. Abigail is directing her first short film starring Lea Salonga, a prequel to her middle grade debut The Vale, coming September 2025, and featuring an inventor family that builds an AI generated virtual world. She serves on the board of Harvardwood and is a member of Dan Lin’s Rideback Rise Circle. In 2025, she served as a judge for the Golden Trailer Awards, recognizing the industry’s most outstanding film trailers. Abigail is a frequent keynote speaker for young people, including Y’Allfest, US Presidential Scholars, and the Los Altos High Writer's Week, as well as libraries, colleges, high schools and bookstores around the country. She’s also given keynotes and fireside chats for the National Conference of State Legislatures, Meta, Google, Paramount, Paypal and other tech and entertainment companies, and spoken on panels at venues such as SDCC, LACC, LA Times Festival of Books and ALA.