Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) Annual Conference
Transforming Tomorrow: Leading for Our Future
Event Details
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM CT
Venue: Amegy Bank Event Center, Walter Johnson Conference Center (9th Floor), 1717 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77027
Admission: Single Member: $150 I Single Non-Member: $175
Description
Ascend Houston Chapter invites you to join us for our annual Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) conference. Our theme for this year’s IAG is Transforming Tomorrow: Leading For Our Future and is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2025 (Friday) at Amegy Bank Event Center. Ascend IAG Conference reflects on our commitment to empowering our community as leaders. In a rapidly evolving world, it is crucial to equip emerging leaders with the skills, knowledge, and inspiration they need to drive innovation and positive change.
Agenda
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM:
​Registration/Networking/Breakfast (Grab and Go)
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM:
President's Opening Remarks
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM:
Keynote Speaker - TBD
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM:
​Break/Headshots/Lunch
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM:
Connecting Circles Session/ERG Session - Filled with Sponsors
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM:
"Ascend Talks - ""Developing Future Leaders""​
Speakers:
-
Pauline Le
-
Anne Chao
-
Sunny Zhang
-
Tung ""Eric"" Nguyen"
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM:
Break
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM:
Fireside Chat - "Driving the AAPI into the Future"
​
Moderator:
-
Wendy Nguyen​
Panel/Speakers:
-
Catharina “Dd” Budiharto
-
Bala Baithyalingam
-
Erika Vela
3:45PM - 4:00 PM:
Closing Remarks and Thank You
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM:
Networking Reception
Speakers
Ascend Talks - ""Developing Future Leaders""
Dr. Anne S. Chao
Adjunct Lecturer in the Humanities at Rice University
Manager
Houston Asian American Archive
Sunny Zhang, Ph.D.
Founder
TrueLeap Inc.
Tung “Eric” Nguyen
CEO & Founder
Amazin Choices
Pauline Le
CPA, CGMA, CITP, CFE, MBA
Founder & CEO
Athena Financial Alliance, Inc
Fireside Chat - "Driving the AAPI into the Future"
Bala Vaithyalingam
Worldwide Leader for Data & AI
IBM Technology Expert Labs
Catharina “Dd” Budiharto
CEO & Founder
Cyber Point Advisory, LLC
Erika Vela
Technology Transactions Attorney
BakerHostetler
Speakers
Wendy Nguyen
Founder
NCTP CPAS PLLC
Moderator
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.