Program Guide

Our mission is to empower all Asian Americans by ensuring their voices are heard through their votes and by holding elected officials accountable.
-Association for the Advancement of Asians

Advancing Asian Pacific Islander Communities Through Increased Leadership and Civic Engagement
-Asian Pacific American Public Affairs

 Event Schedule
    6:00–6:45 PM — Reception (11th Floor)

    Cocktails + Silent Auction
  
    6:45–7:00 PM — Transition

    Close cocktails and move to the main ballroom (10th Floor)
  
    7:00–7:15 PM — Opening Performance
  
    7:15–7:25 PM — Opening Remarks

    Chairman Christopher Do & Keynote Mayor Daniel Lurie
  
    7:25–8:00 PM — Dinner Service
  
    8:00–8:10 PM — A Bit of Inspiration

    Featuring Aniche & Howard
  
    8:10–8:30 PM — Honorees Presentation

    Paul Yep, Chris Larsen, Ned Segal, Dr. Maria Su, & Liana Szeto
  
    8:30–8:45 PM — Intermission & Silent Auction Reminder
  
    8:45–9:05 PM — K-Pop Performance by Gia
  
    9:05–9:10 PM — Formal Program Close
  
    9:10–11:00 PM — DJ, Networking, & Cocktails

Our Keynote Speaker

Mayor Daniel Lurie

Elected the 46th and current mayor of San Francisco.
In 2005, Daniel founded Tipping Point Community – a pioneer in anti-poverty initiatives across the Bay Area. Under his direction as CEO, Tipping Point raised over $500 million to house, employ, educate, and support hundreds of thousands of Bay Area families.
Former Mayor Ed Lee selected Daniel in 2013 to lead the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee, an effort that brought over $240 million in economic impact to the region.

Honorees

Public Safety

Chief Paul Yep

Appointed Chief of Public Safety (Jan 2025) and Interim Chief of Police (June 2025) under Mayor Daniel Lurie, leading citywide safety initiatives.
Over 28 years with SFPD, serving as Commander and leading divisions including Risk Management, Central/Northern/Richmond Stations, and Police Academy Training.
Recognized community leader, honored for building trust and engagement across San Francisco’s neighborhoods.
San Francisco native and proud Lowell High & SFSU alumnus; passionate about family, sports, golf, martial arts, and travel.

Chris Larson

Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Ripple — a global blockchain payments company revolutionizing cross-border transactions.
Pioneering FinTech Leader — previously co-founded and led Prosper and E-LOAN, making E-LOAN the first company to provide consumers open access to their FICO scores.
Climate & Social Impact Advocate — through the Larsen Lam Climate Change Foundation, supports global climate initiatives and sustainable innovation.
Community Champion — drives local partnerships such as Avenue Greenlight (400+ neighborhood projects) and the SF Community Police Foundation, while advising civic and state initiatives to strengthen communities and governance.

Public Education

Dr. Maria Su

Superintendent of SFUSD, leading 49,000 students, 9,000 employees, and a $1.2B budget with a focus on excellence, equity, and fiscal stability.
25+ years of leadership in public service, education, and youth advocacy across the San Francisco Bay Area.
Former Executive Director of DCYF, managing a $350M budget and creating nationally recognized programs advancing equity and youth well-being.
Community-rooted leader, SF resident, and former SFUSD parent dedicated to building inclusive, student-centered partnerships.

Principal Liana Szeto

Founding Principal of Alice Fong Yu (AFY) K–8 School, the nation’s first Chinese immersion public school.
Pioneer of bilingual education since 1984, expanding AFY into a National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School.
Recipient of the Terrel H. Bell Award for outstanding national leadership in education.
Champion of multicultural learning, creator of AFY’s Cultural Exchange Program connecting San Francisco and China.

Economic Development

Ned Segal

Dedicated San Franciscan – Lifelong resident committed to the city’s growth and community.
Public & Private Leader – SF Chief of Housing & Economic Development; former Twitter CFO.
Strategic Innovator – Led finance and partnerships at Twitter, Intuit, and Goldman Sachs.
Civic Advocate – Active nonprofit leader supporting equity, education, and the arts.

Our Sponsors

Diamond Sponsors

APAPA

Turning Potential Into Powerful Leadership.

INSPIRE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER.

APAPA is shaping the future of America by investing in its most powerful resource, the next generation of leaders. Since 2001, we have built one of the nation’s premier pipelines for civic and educational leadership, preparing thousands of students to step into roles that shape policy, business, and community life.

Sapphire Sponsors

Christopher Do

Senior Vice President - Investments

Wells Fargo

Tiffany Deng

Sumir Chadha

Emerald Sponsors

Dr. Maria Su and Tri Tran

Terri Lin

Probate and Real Estate Strategist

Stephanie Lin

Emcees

Bay Area native Stephanie Lin is an award-winning TV news anchor at KRON 4 in San Francisco.

Stephanie sits on the board of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) San Francisco Chapter. Fun fact: She was crowned Miss Asian America in 2015 and is a proud UC Berkeley graduate. Find her on social media @stephanielintv.

Kelly Nguyen

Kelly was Miss Vietnam 2019 and is a dedicated community advocate with a passion for addressing the needs of children, seniors, the Asian community, and promoting cultural heritage.

Kelly holds degrees in Law and American Studies from the University of Sussex, England, and the University of California, Berkeley.

Evening Entertainment

A’niche

A'niche is an Indian-American musician from Denver, Colorado, and known by many as the MIT Class President turned Hip-Hop Artist!

A'niche has headlined his own tour across the US, and opened for the likes of Grammy-Nominated R&B artist Jeremih, and Hip-Hop legends Kool G Rap and Slum Village.

HX the Poet

HX the Poet is an Asian American writer, award-winning speaker, California state champion in public speaking, and nationally recognized creative voice raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.

HX engages thousands of followers as @hxthepoet across Instagram and other social channels, sharing words that heal, uplift, and unite.

Gia

Gia (지아) is an American singer and lyricist under MUMW Entertainment. She made her debut as a soloist on November 19, 2024 with the collaboration single with HOOD GIRLS, "Stick With It".

Program Guide

Our mission is to empower all Asian Americans by ensuring their voices are heard through their votes and by holding elected officials accountable.

Advancing Asian Pacific Islander Communities Through Increased Leadership and Civic Engagement

Event Schedule

Our Keynote Speaker

Mayor Daniel Lurie

Elected the 46th and current mayor of San Francisco.

In 2005, Daniel founded Tipping Point Community – a pioneer in anti-poverty initiatives across the Bay Area. Under his direction as CEO, Tipping Point raised over $500 million to house, employ, educate, and support hundreds of thousands of Bay Area families.

Former Mayor Ed Lee selected Daniel in 2013 to lead the San Francisco Bay Area Super Bowl 50 Host Committee, an effort that brought over $240 million in economic impact to the region.

Honorees

Public Safety

Chief Paul Yep

Appointed Chief of Public Safety (Jan 2025) and Interim Chief of Police (June 2025) under Mayor Daniel Lurie, leading citywide safety initiatives.

Over 28 years with SFPD, serving as Commander and leading divisions including Risk Management, Central/Northern/Richmond Stations, and Police Academy Training.

Recognized community leader, honored for building trust and engagement across San Francisco’s neighborhoods.

San Francisco native and proud Lowell High & SFSU alumnus; passionate about family, sports, golf, martial arts, and travel.

Chris Larson

Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Ripple — a global blockchain payments company revolutionizing cross-border transactions.

Pioneering FinTech Leader — previously co-founded and led Prosper and E-LOAN, making E-LOAN the first company to provide consumers open access to their FICO scores.

Climate & Social Impact Advocate — through the Larsen Lam Climate Change Foundation, supports global climate initiatives and sustainable innovation.

Community Champion — drives local partnerships such as Avenue Greenlight (400+ neighborhood projects) and the SF Community Police Foundation, while advising civic and state initiatives to strengthen communities and governance.

Public Education

Dr. Maria Su

Superintendent of SFUSD, leading 49,000 students, 9,000 employees, and a $1.2B budget with a focus on excellence, equity, and fiscal stability.

25+ years of leadership in public service, education, and youth advocacy across the San Francisco Bay Area.

Former Executive Director of DCYF, managing a $350M budget and creating nationally recognized programs advancing equity and youth well-being.

Community-rooted leader, SF resident, and former SFUSD parent dedicated to building inclusive, student-centered partnerships.

Principal Liana Szeto

Founding Principal of Alice Fong Yu (AFY) K–8 School, the nation’s first Chinese immersion public school.

Pioneer of bilingual education since 1984, expanding AFY into a National Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School.

Recipient of the Terrel H. Bell Award for outstanding national leadership in education.

Champion of multicultural learning, creator of AFY’s Cultural Exchange Program connecting San Francisco and China.

Economic Development

Ned Segal

Dedicated San Franciscan – Lifelong resident committed to the city’s growth and community.

Public & Private Leader – SF Chief of Housing & Economic Development; former Twitter CFO.

Strategic Innovator – Led finance and partnerships at Twitter, Intuit, and Goldman Sachs.

Civic Advocate – Active nonprofit leader supporting equity, education, and the arts.

Our Sponsors

Diamond Sponsors

APAPA

Turning Potential Into Powerful Leadership.

INSPIRE. ENGAGE. EMPOWER.

Sapphire Sponsors

Christopher Do

Senior Vice President - Investments

Wells Fargo

Tiffany Deng

Sumir Chadha

Emerald Sponsors

Dr. Maria Su and Tri Tran

Terri Lin

Probate and Real Estate Strategist

Stephanie Lin

Emcees

Bay Area native Stephanie Lin is an award-winning TV news anchor at KRON 4 in San Francisco.

Stephanie sits on the board of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) San Francisco Chapter. Fun fact: She was crowned Miss Asian America in 2015 and is a proud UC Berkeley graduate. Find her on social media @stephanielintv.

Kelly Nguyen

Kelly was Miss Vietnam 2019 and is a dedicated community advocate with a passion for addressing the needs of children, seniors, the Asian community, and promoting cultural heritage.

Kelly holds degrees in Law and American Studies from the University of Sussex, England, and the University of California, Berkeley.

Evening Entertainment

A’niche

A'niche is an Indian-American musician from Denver, Colorado, and known by many as the MIT Class President turned Hip-Hop Artist!

A'niche has headlined his own tour across the US, and opened for the likes of Grammy-Nominated R&B artist Jeremih, and Hip-Hop legends Kool G Rap and Slum Village.

HX the Poet

HX the Poet is an Asian American writer, award-winning speaker, California state champion in public speaking, and nationally recognized creative voice raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.

HX engages thousands of followers as @hxthepoet across Instagram and other social channels, sharing words that heal, uplift, and unite.

Gia

Gia (지아) is an American singer and lyricist under MUMW Entertainment. She made her debut as a soloist on November 19, 2024 with the collaboration single with HOOD GIRLS, "Stick With It".

In-kind Sponsors

Gavin Honig

Ivonne Zhu

Burlingame Branch

Bruce Agid

Chris Chang

Thank you to our support staff!

Miss Asia Global

Photographers

Philip Vy

vyphotographer.pixieset.com/