Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) 2025
Leading for Our Future
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Event Details
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM PT
Venue: Bob Hope Hall, 1816 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Admission: Members: $150 I Non-Members (IAG Only): $175 I Non-Members (IAG + 1-year Professional Membership): $325 |
Students: $75
​Attire: Business Casual
Description
Join the Ascend Los Angeles Metro Chapter’s Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) conference as we explore how leadership today shapes the opportunities of tomorrow. Grounded in the national Ascend Engage 2025 theme, “Leading for Our Future” invites students, professionals, and executives to engage in bold conversations about innovation, community, and purpose.
Through dynamic keynotes, interactive workshops, and intergenerational panels, we will examine how emerging technologies, cultural shifts, and diverse perspectives are reimagining industries and redefining leadership. Whether you’re building your foundation, advancing your career, or leading organizations and communities, this year’s IAG will inspire you to lead with vision, resilience, and impact. Together, we’re not only navigating a changing workforce—we’re shaping the future.
Agenda
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Check In & Breakfast
10:00 AM - 10:10 AM
Opening Remarks
10:10 AM - 11:10 AM
11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Lunch & Networking
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Breakout Session Report Out and Closing
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Happy Hour
Keynote Speakers
CHRISTINA COLLINS
SVP, Synergy, Integrated Planning, and
Affiliate Marketing
Disney
Christina began her journey at Disney 11 years ago as a digital marketing intern at ABC Family. Since then, she has advanced through a variety of roles spanning film, music, digital, television, and streaming divisions. Currently, she leads Synergy, Integrated Planning, and Distribution Marketing for Disney Entertainment Television, where she drives planning alignment and strategic internal partnerships across the company. Recognized for her leadership and influence, Collins was named one of Variety and Gold House’s Inaugural 8 APIs Up Next in Entertainment List for 2024. Beyond her professional achievements, she is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders, serving on the advisory board for Asia Society’s Asian Women Empowered group and co-leading the Television Academy’s AAPI Affinity group.
JENNIFER OH
Deputy Director
Korean American Family Services (KFAM)
Jennifer Oh is the Deputy Director of Korean American Family Services (KFAM), overseeing organizational operations, program development, and strategic initiatives across Mental Health, Gender-Based Violence, Adoption & Foster Care, and Child & Adult Wellness services. Since rejoining KFAM in 2020, she has strengthened infrastructure, secured new funding, and expanded KFAM’s reach to serve over 10,000 AAPI community members annually. Jennifer’s journey with KFAM began in 2012 as Domestic Violence Program Manager, where she transformed a single grant into a robust multi-service program. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of clinical and supervisory experience, she is deeply committed to building culturally responsive systems of care and advocating for immigrant families to ensure every child and family can heal, thrive, and belong.
SHAREY WANG
Managing Principal
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA)
Sharey Wang is the Managing Principal of the Connection Team at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA), where she champions inclusive leadership and fosters cross-generational collaboration. With over 30 years of experience in assurance and advisory services, Sharey holds CPA and CITP certifications and is known for driving strategic impact among nonprofit clients. At CLA, she advocates for a succession mindset, focused on cultivating tomorrow’s leaders. A proud member of the CLA Foundation and contributor to its board initiatives, Sharey brings a unique perspective that bridges cultural heritage, generational wisdom, and professional excellence.
Mental Health Exercise - Be Well, End Well: Leading with Humanity in a High-Stress World
In today’s fast-paced and high-pressure environments, burnout has become more than an individual issue—it’s a cultural one. This interactive workshop invites participants to reflect on how organizational norms, leadership styles, and personal habits shape our collective well-being. Through guided reflection, discussion, and practical tools, we’ll explore how to foster a culture of care, model sustainable self-care, and lead with authenticity and humanity.
Facilitators
Learn more about them here!
KEVIN NGUYEN
Founding Secretary
International Vietnamese Mental Health Association (IVMHA)
ANNIE PHAM
Newsletter Editor
International Vietnamese Mental Health Association (IVMHA)
Community Corner: Meet Our Community Organizations
Hear from some of local API community organizations, including Korean American Family Services (KFAM), International Vietnamese Mental Health Association (IVMHA), and Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC). Attendees will have the opportunity to visit their information booths on-site as well as participate in assemblying hygiene kits for the Little Tokyo Service Center to distribute.
KEVIN NGUYEN
Founding Secretary
International Vietnamese Mental Health Association (IVMHA)
JENNIFER OH
Deputy Director
Korean American Family Services (KFAM)
Afternoon Plenary - Reframing What’s Possible: From Idea to Impact
Many of us think bold ideas require massive risks - but often, they start with skills we already use everyday. This conversation brings together the creative minds behind the Belly Laughs Comedy and Food Festival to explore how professional experience, community and collaboration can turn spark into something real.
We’ll unpack what it means to reframe ambition, not as a leap into the unknown, but as a series of intentional steps built on what we already know.
Speakers
Learn more about them here!
CINDY HUANG
Senior Director of Booking
Nederlander Concerts
MICHELLE SUGIHARA
Executive Director & CEO
Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE)
VIVIAN WANG
Creator & Producer
Belly Laughs
Concurrent Breakout Session #1: (Early Career) The Future of Work is Now: Making AI Part of Your Day
We've all heard about AI tools in the workplace by now, but what about maximizing their impact? This session dives into practical, high-value ways to boost productivity by using AI tools with intention and precision. Learn how to prompt effectively, better manage meetings from prep to follow-up, and apply AI across key functions like project management, business analysis, sales, and process design. This session will make sure you leave with actionable techniques to make AI your productivity partner.
Speaker
Linda Truong
AI Strategy Manager
Accenture
Concurrent Breakout Session #2: (Mid Career) AI in Action: Putting into Practice an AI-Forward Strategy
Artificial intelligence offers enormous potential, but its real power depends on how well it's applied and managed.
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This interactive, cross-industry session demystifies AI for middle managers and explores how to lead responsibly, ethically, and inclusively. Participants will identify relevant use cases, practice framing AI adoption with both executives and employees, and gain insights into leadership skills needed to guide their teams with confidence in an era of rapid transformation.
Speaker
David Doan
Director, Consult Partner
Kyndryl
Concurrent Breakout Session #3: (Executives) Leading for our Future: Achieving Success with the Modern Workforce
Unlock your potential at IAG by embarking on a journey to lead the workforce of tomorrow. How business leaders respond to the demands of the modern workforce coupled with changes in technology and administration will impact talent acquisition and retention. Through inspiring personal stories and engaging discussions, we will explore how our cultural heritage and shared experiences can help build trust across organizations and pave the way for a better labor force tomorrow.
Speakers
Shai Dayan
Director, Immigration Attorney Vialto Law (US)
Sharey Wang
Assurance Principal
CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA)
Program Partners
Safety of our guests is paramount to Ascend. Attendees are responsible for monitoring their own condition and agree to comply with the safety, hygiene and CDC identified pandemic level communicable illnesses (including COVID-19) guidelines established by relevant health authorities. We request that attendees not attend an event should they test positive or if they experience COVID symptoms prior to the event.