PRESENTED BY

Sponsor
ships
NOW AVAILABLE

Sponsorship Recognition Deadline is July 1st, 2025.
Contact Celine Hoang (choang@leap.org) for more information.

2025 LEAP Leadership Experience and Celebration

Every year, LEAP holds its annual Leadership Experience and Celebration to highlight the impact of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) leadership and honor members of our community who continue to preserve API culture, and ensure that our stories are being authentically told.

July 16-17, 2025

Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
555 Universal Hollywood Dr
North Hollywood, CA 91608

event schedule

July 16, 2025

1:00 PM - 2:10 PM 

Opening Session

Echoes of Resilience: Transforming Tomorrow Together Honorees

2:20 PM - 3:10 PM 

Leadership Experience Workshops

  • Cultivating Authentic Executive Presence

  • Resilience in Action: AAPI Leadership in Challenging Times

  • Put Yourself on the List: Mindfulness for Asian Leaders 

3:20 PM - 4:10 PM 

Leadership Experience Workshops

  • Thriving Beyond Imposter Syndrome: Building Confidence and Authenticity

  • Conflict Management: A Pathway to Success

  • Repairing the Lineage: How Family Work Shapes Asian Leadership

    4:20 PM - 5:20 PM 

Table Talk

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 

Celebration Awards
Gala Reception

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 

Celebration Awards
Gala Dinner

July 17, 2025

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast 

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 

Leadership Experience Workshops

  • Effective Negotiation: Skills to Advocate and Achieve Your Goals

  • The Sustainable Leader: Breaking Free from Toxic Productivity to Build Lasting Impact 

10:10 AM - 11:10 AM 

Table Talk 

11:20 AM - 12:30 PM 

Panel

  • The Journey to Transform Tomorrow

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM 

Lunch

1:30 PM - 3:50 PM 

LEAP Simulation

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM 

Closing 

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

WORKSHOPS

 Echoes of Resilience is a two-day immersive leadership development experience that brings together Asian and Pacific Islander (API) leaders across sectors to inspire, connect, and lead with intention. In a time marked by disruption and transformation, this series offers a brave and inclusive space for participants to reflect deeply, lead authentically,
and cultivate lasting impact.

Through dynamic workshops rooted in cultural identity, emotional intelligence, and community wisdom, participants will sharpen their leadership practices, build resilience, and drive meaningful change across their organizations and communities.

1

WHERE RESILIENCE MEETS TOMORROW

  • Jess (Ayden) Li is a nonprofit strategist, consultant, and certified diversity coach dedicated to creating cultures of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in nonprofits and philanthropy. As the co-founder and Principal Consultant of Healing Equity United, she helps organizations move beyond performative DEIB efforts to create meaningful, lasting change. With 20 years of experience, Jess has worked extensively in the anti-violence movement, supporting refugees, immigrants, and communities of color. She served as Executive Director of San Francisco SafeHouse, providing transitional housing and support to sex trafficking survivors, and led the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project in Washington, D.C., assisting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. She has also worked in humanitarian aid, focusing on internally displaced communities, refugees, and civic engagement with the United Nations Mission in Sudan and the International Rescue Committee. Jess is a leader in nonprofit turnarounds, stepping in when organizations face financial crises, leadership transitions, or staff burnout. She is known for asking the hard questions, navigating tough conversations, and helping organizations stabilize, rebuild trust, and emerge stronger. A proud first-generation immigrant, Jess was raised on Munsee Lenape land (New York City) and is now based in Oakland, California (Muwekma Ohlone land). She co-founded the API Giving Project, serves on the boards of the Asian Women‚Äôs Shelter and Pawsitive Alliance, and is on the Advisory Council for the API Institute on Gender-Based Violence. Jess holds a BA from Syracuse University‚Äôs Maxwell School, an MPA from Cornell, and an Executive MBA from Brown University.

Resilience in Action:
AAPI Leadership in Challenging Times

As DEIB efforts face growing resistance, this session explores how AAPI leaders can remain grounded in purpose while navigating today’s political climate. Participants will gain tools to address backlash, connect AAPI experiences to broader equity goals, and lead with clarity and courage. This session offers practical strategies for advancing DEIB in ways that are resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the moment.

  • Kan Yan is an executive coach, group facilitator, and leadership consultant who supports purpose-driven leaders in integrating cultural identity, personal healing, and professional vision. A Harvard-educated former lawyer and McKinsey consultant, Kan brings two decades of experience in mindfulness, family systems, and somatic leadership into his work. He has coached C-suite leaders, startup founders, and nonprofit executives, and is the creator of Parents Reimagined, a project helping adult children repair and transform their relationships with their parents. Kan leads Chinese heritage men‚Äôs groups and BIPOC healing circles focused on identity, emotion, and power. His approach is grounded in the belief that reclaiming our stories is a form of liberation‚and that Pan-Asian leaders have a unique contribution to make when they lead from the wisdom of their lineage, not in spite of it.

Repairing the Lineage:
How Family Work Shapes Asian Leadership

Many Pan-Asian leaders carry family and cultural legacies that shape their leadership—sometimes in empowering ways, sometimes in constraining ones. This reflective, interactive workshop explores how intergenerational patterns and cultural narratives impact leadership identity. Participants will identify one inherited belief they’re ready to transform and create a new leadership intention rooted in cultural pride, authenticity, and personal agency.

  • Alexander Cena is the Chief Programs Officer at LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics), overseeing leadership development programs, workshops, and events that serve both community and corporate partners. With over 11 years dedicated to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community, he specializes in leadership development, diversity, and community organizing.
    In 2009, as Programs Manager at Asian American LEAD, he co-created the first Asian American youth summit in the Washington DC area. From 2013 to 2016, he served as Director of Asian Pacific Islander American Affairs at the University of Florida, where he established the first APIA student center in the southeastern U.S. He later worked with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities and led Higher Achievement as Center Director.
    Mr. Cena has also served as Vice President and founder of the Asian American Association at Virginia Commonwealth University and contributed to Virginia’s Asian Advisory Board. He currently volunteers as Board Treasurer for the Asian American Justice + Innovation Lab (AAJIL), a community racial justice incubator promoting education, radical love, and systemic change.

Thriving Beyond Imposter Syndrome: Building Confidence and Authenticity

Experiencing self-doubt and feeling like you don’t belong is common—especially when systemic barriers and “-isms” reinforce the idea that you shouldn’t have a seat at the table. This workshop invites participants to explore how imposter syndrome has historically been used to marginalize voices and limit potential. Together, we will examine what imposter syndrome is, where it comes from, and how to recognize its signs. More importantly, participants will reflect on their unique purpose and role in driving social change both within and beyond the workplace. By building strategies to navigate discomfort and self-doubt, each person will clarify the legacy and positive impact they aspire to leave behind as a confident, authentic leader committed to transforming communities.

2

AMPLIFY. RESONATE. TRANSFORM.

  • Deepa Pulipati is a Board-certified and licensed clinician with over 20 years of experience in resolving complex child custody disputes at the SF Superior Court. Specializing in conflict management for leaders and teams, Deepa‚Äôs expertise lies in guiding leaders through conflict negotiation and promoting a culture of open & real conversations with the goal to transform conflict into collaboration. She has worked extensively with diverse teams, focusing on mediation, communication, negotiation, emotional intelligence (EQ), team awareness, and proactive conflict prevention. Her unique approach blends her traditional Indian roots with two decades of experience in modern Western culture, creating a rich and effective method for conflict transformation. Deepa holds a master‚Äôs in Clinical Psychology, a board certified licensed clinician as well as certified as an Executive Coach from the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute. Since 2020, she has been a faculty member at Antioch University, teaching Multicultural Awareness and Ethics & the Law to graduate students in the MS Clinical Psychology program. Beyond her professional roles, Deepa is a passionate advocate for women founders and entrepreneurs. She is actively involved in TiE SoCal and Global Women's Executive Team, supporting initiatives that empower women in the startup ecosystem. Outside of her work, she enjoys being a mother to a college freshman, volunteering, reading, cooking, and building community connections.

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT:
A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

Conflict is inevitable in the workplace, but how we respond can make all the difference. This workshop equips you with essential language and strategies to manage and resolve conflicts, fostering a more harmonious work environment. You’ll gain insights into the psychology of conflict, learn de-escalation techniques, and apply mediation and negotiation methods. Through real-life examples and interactive discussions, you’ll also discover tools to reduce tension, shift from emotional dysregulation to regulation, and use emotional intelligence to turn conflict into collaboration.

  • Operating from an equity-minded framework, Chingcha took his passion for Asian American History to the classrooms of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As a High School social studies teacher at the Hmong American Peace Academy, Chingcha received the Excellence in Teaching Award during his first year as a teacher and was then promoted to Social Studies Department Chair where he led successful efforts in crafting culturally responsive learning experiences for students. While working as a full-time educator and at the administrative level, Chingcha received his Master's Degree in Educational Policy and Leadership from Marquette University. Chingcha shifted his energies to supporting Teach For America with a variety of roles which included recruitment, leadership development, and teacher coaching. In 2021, Chingcha’s two passions of developing leaders and centering Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities at the forefront of his work led him to LEAP. He currently serves as the Senior Program Manager where he leads efforts in designing, crafting, and facilitating leadership programming specifically tailored to API within the corporate, higher ed, public service, and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, Chingcha began leadership coaching through Messy Roots Coaching Academy with an intentional focus on coaching and developing young professionals and early to mid career APIs. On his free time, Chingcha spends his time serving other nonprofits in various roles from Vice President of the Board for Our Scholarship Inc., mentoring for APIA Scholars, and Board Member and Program Task Force Lead for Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL).

Cultivating Authentic
Executive Presence

In today’s fast-paced business environment, the ability to project executive presence is crucial for effective leadership. It is even more critical for under-represented groups like Asian and Pacific Islanders because of the cultural nuances that exist like emphasizing humility and group harmony over self-promotion. Cultivating authentic executive presence will better position leaders to assert their capabilities and challenge stereotypes, promoting greater representation and inclusivity at decision-making levels. This engaging workshop, is designed to help professionals at all levels develop and enhance their authentic presence, enabling them to lead with confidence and influence.

3

Impact that lasts

  • Israa Nasir is a psychotherapist, author, and speaker dedicated to helping people break free from toxic productivity and redefine success on their own terms. As the founder of Well.Guide, she has built a community focused on emotional well-being, self-awareness, and sustainable achievement. Her debut book, Toxic Productivity: Reclaim Your Time and Energy in a World That Always Demands More, explores the intersection of mental health, cultural expectations, and the modern obsession with overwork. Since its release, the book has resonated widely, selling nearly 10,000 copies and earning recognition from Forbes, Time, and the Harvard Business Review. With a background in clinical psychology and extensive experience in corporate well-being and leadership development, Israa brings a unique, research-backed perspective to her work. She has spoken at major conferences, executive leadership programs, and organizations such as Major League Soccer and the Asia Society, where she provides actionable strategies for building resilience, emotional intelligence, and sustainable leadership. Israa's expertise lies in helping high achievers untangle their self-worth from productivity, navigate burnout, and cultivate healthier, purpose-driven lives. Her thought leadership has positioned her as a mid-tier expert in mental health and workplace well-being, bridging the gap between emerging voices and top-tier figures like Adam Grant. Through her writing, speaking, and digital content, Israa continues to challenge societal norms around work and achievement, empowering individuals to create meaningful impact without sacrificing their well-being. Whether through her Well.Guide platform, her podcast The Well Guide, or her workshops, she remains committed to fostering conversations that inspire change.

The Sustainable Leader:
Breaking Free from Toxic Productivity to Build Lasting Impact

Leadership isn’t about doing more—it’s about leading with purpose, resilience, and emotional intelligence. This workshop dismantles the toxic productivity myth and explores how over-functioning erodes long-term influence. Participants will learn to recognize burnout warning signs, cultivate self-awareness and emotional regulation, and implement sustainable leadership practices that foster impact without exhaustion. Through interactive exercises, leaders will develop persnalized strategies for boundary-setting, delegation, and authentic leadership. Centering inclusion, this session addresses systemic pressures on marginalized leaders and offers tools for creating workplaces where success is measured by meaningful influence, not just relentless output. Leave with a Leadership Sustainability Plan.

  • Elaine Chiu is an experienced educator and community leader. She holds master's degrees in Early Childhood Special Education and Intercultural Studies, with a focus on Asian American contexts. With 16 years of classroom experience spanning China, Taiwan, New York City, and Los Angeles, Elaine Chiu brings a wealth of educational expertise. She currently serves as a Program Manager at LEAP and is a co-director and board member at Asian American Justice and Innovation Lab (AAJIL), a volunteer-run, community-driven racial justice organization.

Effective Negotiation:
Skills to Advocate and Achieve Your Goals

While definitely one of the most challenging skills to develop, we negotiate all of the time in our personal and professional lives, and even with ourselves. In this workshop, participants will get to the heart of negotiation and remember the person on the other side of the negotiation table. By learning about what motivates individuals and taking the space to think creatively about what we want and how to get there, participants will feel equipped to tackle challenging conversations around negotiation, whether it be for a promotion or to motivate a team.

  • Jean Trujillo (she/her) is a professional coach dedicated to helping individuals reduce stress, develop a sustainable healthful lifestyle, and create a life they love. As a Wellcoaches Certified Health and Well-being Coach and a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Qualified Teacher Level One, she empowers clients to cultivate mindfulness, enhance self-care, and navigate life's challenges with clarity and confidence. With a background in engineering, Jean blends analytical thinking with a deep understanding of behavior change. She delivers dynamic workshops on mindset, well-being, stress management, leadership, and financial skills, using an "edu-tainment" approach inspired by improv to make learning engaging and actionable. Beyond coaching, Jean serves her community as a local school board member and education foundation trustee.

Put Yourself on the List: Mindfulness for Asian Leaders

Are we human doings or human beings? As Asian leaders, we often prioritize responsibility over rest, believing self-care can wait—until it’s too late. This workshop redefines self-care as essential, not selfish. Through the lens of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), participants will explore mindfulness beyond the buzzwords, experience a guided practice, and learn how intentional pauses can enhance clarity, resilience, and overall well-being. By disrupting automatic reactions and fostering conscious decision-making, this session offers practical strategies to integrate mindfulness into daily life—so you can lead and live with greater presence and balance.

LEAP Leadership Experience Workshops are subject to change without notice.

2025 HONOREES

INDIVIDUAL AWARD

SHANNON LEE

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, BRUCE LEE FOUNDATION

Shannon Lee is the Founder and President of the Bruce Lee Foundation (BLF), the CEO and Owner of Bruce Lee Enterprises, an Author, Producer and Speaker, and the daughter of martial artist and cultural icon Bruce Lee. Through the BLF she is the creator of programs and community initiatives that focus on youth mental wellness and building community through the teachings of Bruce Lee.

  • Shannon also hosts the Bruce Lee Podcast and Executive Produced the series Warrior now streaming on Max and Netflix. Shannon also has several more film and tv projects in development. Her first book, Be Water, My Friend, offers insight into how to use her father’s philosophies toward a more fluid life and has been an editor’s pick and popular choice for teaching curriculums in both high schools and universities. Shannon released the first in a series of fantasy YA novels called Breath of the Dragon (a NYT bestseller), which she co-authored with the talented Fonda Lee. She recently launched a short form podcast called A Little Leeway available where most podcasts are found. Shannon and her team are also ideating and developing projects in the experiential space, the videogame space, and the live event space. To connect more with Shannon subscribe to her website at www.leewaymedia.com or follow her on IG and FB @therealshannonlee and on www.brucelee.com and @brucelee (on most social platforms) as well as www.bruceleefoundation.org and @bruceleefoundation to support her public charity initiatives!

Credits to Manfred Baumann for photograph.

COMMUNITY AWARD

COUNCIL FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN ADVANCEMENT
(CNHA)

Kūhiō Lewis serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting the economic, cultural, political, and community well-being of Native Hawaiians. Since taking on the role in 2018, Kūhiō has transformed CNHA into a statewide leader and national advocate for Native Hawaiian advancement.

  • Under his leadership, CNHA has launched impactful programs such as the Hawaiian Trades Academy, which provides workforce development training across the islands; Pop-Up Mākeke, an online marketplace showcasing local entrepreneurs; and emergency housing and rental assistance programs that have served thousands of residents. CNHA also manages a $20 million loan fund to increase access to capital for underserved communities.

    Kūhiō has positioned CNHA at the forefront of policy and systems change, organizing the annual Native Hawaiian Convention, the largest gathering of its kind, and spearheading a multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract to transition Hawaiʻi’s tourism industry toward a more regenerative, culturally grounded model.

    At the heart of his leadership is a commitment to the idea of “Hawaiians advancing Hawaiʻi”—ensuring that Native Hawaiian voices, values, and leadership shape the future of our islands.

DAVID R. BARCLAY ALUMNI AWARD

JENNIFER “jaE” PI’ILANI REQUIRO

VICE PRESIDENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, AEG

Jennifer “Jae” Pi’ilani Requiro is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for AEG Worldwide.  In this role, she is responsible for developing, implementing, and driving the DEI strategy for AEG. In 2016, Jae also wrote the Foreword to a best-selling business book on diversity and inclusion by Jennifer Brown, “Inclusion:  Diversity, The New Workplace, and The Will to Change”.

  • Jae currently volunteers on the national non-profit board of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF). . Jae is Chair for the Development Commitment and Co-Chair for the APIAHF Business Leadership which works toward positively addressing the unique and complex challenges facing AAs and NHPIs, while simultaneously creating value for our partners’ brands and businesses. 

    She started her DEI career at Toyota, building and implementing their diversity and inclusion strategy. Her responsibilities included D&I education, executive accountability, mentoring and ERGs. Jae also developed strategies to enhance Toyota’s reputation around D&I and increase partnerships with certified diverse suppliers. 

    Living her passion project, Jae served as a Sensei at an Okinawan karate studio in Southern California.  The dojo’s teaching philosophy focused on the principles of respect, discipline, and self-defense.  The dojo earned a reputation as a nurturing and safe space for students with special abilities to thrive.  Jae also encouraged her students to find their “ikigai”.  

    Jae received recognition as a DEIA Visionary in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility Magazine produced by L.A. Times in September 2024. She served as an Expert Panelist with the Global Diversity and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDIB) through The Centre for Global Inclusion. In May 2014, Jae was awarded a “California Multicultural Leadership” Award from the National Diversity Council. Jae earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a specialization in stratification, race, and ethnicity and an emphasis in business administration from UCLA.  In her spare time, Jae studies traditional Hawaiian language and  hula; paddles outrigger canoes; and is a single mother to a college-aged daughter, her source of inspiration and perspiration.

    LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/ in/pjrequiro

MARGARET ASHIDA LEADERSHIP AWARD

CHELSIE EVANS ENOS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY ASSETS

Chelsie Evans Enos has served as the Executive Director of Hawaiian Community Assets since 2021. As a Native Hawaiian leader, Chelsie has worked with a variety of Hawai‘i nonprofit organizations, serving survivors of domestic violence, keiki displaced from their homes, and youth with barriers to their educational and career goals.

  • She previously served as the Executive Director of Maui Hui Malama, an organization that focuses on eliminating barriers for at-risk youth. She also worked with the Pana‘ewa Hawaiian Homestead community in advocacy for community development with Lili‘uokalani Trust. She founded Wrapped in Wings, an organization that supports critically ill children and their families, and the Live Like Tre’ Foundation, which honors the life of her late son Tre’ Evans-Dumaran, a dedicated firefighter, by helping those in need. Chelsie serves as Vice President on the board of Ma‘o Farms, the Treasurer of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, and as the only Native Hawaiian member of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's (CFPB) Consumer Advisory Board. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in human services.

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING
FOR MAKING THE lEADERSHIP eXPERIENCE & CELEBRATION POSSIBLE

THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR

ADVOCATE SPONSOR

ALLY SPONSORS

FRIEND SPONSORS

IN-KIND DONATIONS