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Past Legislative Leadership Summits

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2022 Legislative Leadership Summit Overview

 

During Asian American & Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, APAICS is pleased to bring back our Legislative Leadership Summit in-person! Over the course of two days, tune in as subject matter experts, AA & NH/PI elected officials, community/corporate leaders, and more discuss various issues affecting our AA & NH/PIs and the nation at large. 

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Welcome Remarks

  • Hon. Mazie K. Hirono, U.S. Senator from Hawaii and Legislative Leadership Summit Co-chair

  • Hon. Ted Lieu, Congressman from California's 33rd Congressional District and Legislative Leadership Summit Co-chair

  • Hon. Judy Chu, Congresswoman from California's 27th Congressional District & Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus

  • Madalene Xuan-Trang Mielke, President & CEO, APAICS

  • Glenda Beach, Vice President, State Farm & APAICS Board Member

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Coming to America: How Immigration Policies & Reforms Will Impact Our Communities

Immigration is a cornerstone of American society. Unfortunately, an outdated, hostile immigration system has created barriers for immigrants who seek a better life for themselves and their families. How can we counteract the harmful narrative against immigrants? Are there changes to our system that can be made to ensure America is a welcoming country, living up to the ideals that so many risked life and limb to defend?

  • Moderator - Irene Bueno, Partner, NVG

  • Kenzi Laceste, Product Manager, FWD.US

  • Kham Moua, National Policy Director, SEARAC

  • Jiny Kim, Vice President of Policy and Programs, Advancing Justice | AAJC

  • Megha Lama, Senior Immigration Organizer, Adihkar

Increasing AA & NH/PI Ranks in the Halls of Congress

Last year, APAICS announced the "Racial Equity Fellowship" with eleven participants in its inaugural class. This program places young people in congressional offices and empowers them to focus on issues of economic opportunity, structural racism and health equity. Working alongside with community-based groups and congressional staff, the Fellows bring a social justice perspective to day-to-day work in these offices. We are excited to feature the Fellows and look forward to hearing about the advocacy and impact they've made on behalf of the AA & NH/PI community. 

  • Madalene Xuan-Trang Mielke, President & CEO, APAICS

  • Noel Perez, Director, Federal Affairs, General Motors

Access to the Ballot Box for Every AA & NH/PI Individual

AA & NH/PI were part of the deciding voting block in key states like Georgia in 2020. However, in 2021 and 2022, there has been an unprecedented effort to restrict access to voting with initiatives like voter ID and reduced translated materials for ballots. What are organizations doing to ensure that AA & NH/PI voters have equal access to the voting booth and to ensure every American, regardless of race, can exercise their right to vote?

  • Moderator - Gregg Orton, Executive Director, NCAPA

  • Niyati Shah, Director of Litigation, Advancing Justice | AAJC

  • Christine Chen, President and Executive Director, APIAVote

  • Jerry Vattamala, Director, Democracy Program, AALDEF

Achieving Diverse Representation: The New Faces of Asian American Leadership

The 2021 local elections saw big cities electing Asian American leaders. These Mayors are as diverse as the cities they represent: coming from different backgrounds and bringing unique skills to the job. But they do share one thing in common: they are a new face of their hometowns. Their stories are our stories – APAICS is honored to welcome Mayor Harrell and Mayor Pureval.

  • Moderator - Dylan Wells, USA Today, Congress, Campaigns, and Politics Reporter

  • Hon. Bruce Harrell, Mayor, City of Seattle

  • Hon. Aftab Pureval, Mayor, City of Cincinnati​

Courage to Lead: A Discussion with Connecticut Attorney General William Tong

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is amongst a handful of statewide elected leaders in the United States. As the first Asian American to be elected statewide after serving in the Connecticut General Assembly as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and his priority to address national issues such as the opioid crisis and consumer protection.

  • Moderator - Katie Phang, MSNBC, Anchor & Host

  • Hon. William Tong, Attorney General, State of Connecticut

Together for Our Planet: What We Are Doing Now to Preserve a Livable Climate

Wildfires, heatwaves, and rising sea levels have a devastating impact on all communities – particularly underserved communities. It is clear these threats require new solutions to our everyday lives. What can we do to help address our changing world? How do these changes affect AA & NH/PIs? We look to experts and industry to help make sense of our evolving world.

  • Moderator - Rachel Ramirez, Climate Reporter, CNN

  • Angela Manso, National Outreach Director, Center for Policy Advocacy, NRDC

  • Jayant Kairam, Director of Government and Public Affairs, Walmart

  • The Hon. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Senator, State of Vermont

  • Oliver Campbell, Director and Distinguished Engineer, Dell

  • Violet Wulf-Saena, Founder & Executive Director, Climate Resilent Communities

From College to CEO: Adopting a DEI Growth Mindset

Statistics show that a culturally diverse workforce generates new perspectives, ideas, and ultimately returns. Hear from companies embracing the challenge to diversify their workforce across all levels and how that has impacted their success.

  • Moderator - Judi Rhee Alloway, NAAAP

  • Christine Cadena, Vice President, DEI Market, The Walt Disney Company

  • Cathy Council, Vice President, DE&I Center for Awareness and Advocacy, NY Life

  • Sarah Abiusi, Managing Director, Accenture Federal Services

How the Pandemic Changed the Way We Think About Healthcare

COVID-19 disrupted many aspects of our day-to-day lives. For the health industry, it forced shifts in products and services for those in need of care. Hear from health industry leaders about how they are ensuring their treatments are reaching AA & NH/PI communities and what initiatives are underway to promote greater health in our community.

  • Moderator - Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum

  • Meha Chiraya, Global Director for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Amgen

  • Charley John, Director, Healthcare Policy & Strategy, Walgreens

  • John Kung, Head of Legal, U.S. Oncology, Novartis

  • Taunu’u Ve’e, Co-Chair, Regional Pacific Islander Task Force

How the Pandemic Changed the Way We Think About Healthcare

The AA & NH/PI community often is looked upon with increased suspicion by both the government and general public. We have seen racist attacks on the AA & NH/PI community during the COVID-19 pandemic fueled by misinformation and stereotypes. Additionally, the growing tensions in US-China relations has placed Chinese Americans under suspicion, recalling the WWII experience of Japanese internment camps. How does the AA & NH/PI community protect itself and guard against these attacks? What legal and cultural shifts need to occur—how do they intersect?

  • Moderator - Vikrum Aiyer, Deputy Director, ACLU

  • Vanessa Chen, Special Assistant to the President for Criminal Justice and Guns Policy

  • Cynthia Choi, Co-Executive Director, Chinese for Affirmative Action | Co-Founder, Stop AAPI Hate

  • Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Assistant Director, Anti-Racial Profiling Project, Advancing Justice | AAJC

  • Jessica Lee, Senior Research Fellow, The Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft

Veterans Leading the Way

Over the last few years, corporate America has prioritized the recruitment, hiring and training of Veterans. Organizations have seen the value and skills Veterans bring to the table. Hear from companies who employ and serve Veterans, and the unique opportunities and dynamic impact Veterans bring to the business community.

  • Moderator - Maj. General Sharon Dunbar, USAF (Ret.), Vice President, General Dynamics

  • Jennifer Rasing, Head of Pan Asian Network (PAN) People & Business Resource Group, Bristol Myers Squibb

  • Won Palisoul, Chair of Veterans Roundtable, CFA Society New York

  • Lourdes Tiglao, Director, VA Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Ensuring Connectivity: Society's Commitment to Keep Educating in Uncertain Times

Over the last few years, corporate America has prioritized the recruitment, hiring and training of Veterans. Organizations have seen the value and skills Veterans bring to the table. Hear from companies who employ and serve Veterans, and the unique opportunities and dynamic impact Veterans bring to the business community.

  • Moderator - Maj. General Sharon Dunbar, USAF (Ret.), Vice President, General Dynamics

  • Jennifer Rasing, Head of Pan Asian Network (PAN) People & Business Resource Group, Bristol Myers Squibb

  • Won Palisoul, Chair of Veterans Roundtable, CFA Society New York

  • Lourdes Tiglao, Director, VA Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Elder Care in the 21st Century: An Evolving Landscape

Whether its technological advancements, development of new therapeutics, or the growth of food & delivery services, there are more options than ever toward care for our nation's elders. Those entering retirement have opportunities to live longer, more vibrant lives. How are companies supporting the elders of our community as they transition and live in their retirement? 

  • Moderator - Richard Lui, Anchor, MSNBC

  • Daphne Kwok, Vice President, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Asian American & Pacific Islander Audience Strategy, AARP

  • David L. Kim, President & CEO, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging

An Urban Renaissance: The Evolution of Cities

The urban landscape has dramatically changed over the last decade. The growth of cities has stretched existing infrastructure, including transportation, housing and public spaces. Elected officials and business leaders have had to work to meet these demands with innovative policies and investments. Hear from leaders on how they are finding ways to build cities for the future through integrated, interconnected solutions.

  • Moderator - David Kim, Senior Vice President and Principal, WSP USA 

  • Mariah Sheriff Ray, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Innovation Policy, DoorDash 

  • Tanya Skilton, Head of Procurement and Supply Chain, BrightDrop

Impact Investing & Innovation: Achieving Change Through Enterprise

Impact investing aims to generate positive, measurable social or environmental results through financial asset allocation decisions. Social innovators are driving change in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environment, Social, Governance (ESG), and Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). Join us for a conversation with corporate and non-profit innovators who are striving to make tangible policy changes to address the world's biggest challenges.

  • Moderator - Sonal Shah, Executive Vice President, United Way

  • Audrey Choi, Senior Advisor, Morgan Stanley

  • Saumya Narechania, Program Director, National Basketball Social Justice Coalition

Legislative Leadership Summit Honored Speakers

Past Legislative Leadership Summits

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