*Subject to change.

Sessions that do not have career level or Invitation Only designation, are open to all career levels.

★ CPE-Credit Eligible Sessions: Codes will be shared during each session which attendees must record and provide through the post-session CPE evaluation survey in order to successfully complete the evaluation process and receive certificate of completion from Ascend. Please note that CPE evaluation survey will be sent to those attendees who are in-session for the full duration.

Time Zone: ET

Friday, August 20 | Pre-Convention Day

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Ascend Impact Challenge Kick-Off

This year’s Convention and Impact Challenge theme - Resilience in Action - asks competing teams to present their best solutions for how small businesses can apply lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic to increase their resilience to withstand, adapt and thrive in the face of future shocks. At the Kick Off event Impact Challenge registrants will hear details about the competition, mentoring, judging criteria, and submission guidelines. Although a recording will be made available, competing teams should try their best to attend this live event.

Time Zone: ET

Monday, August 23 | Opening Day I Open to All Ascend Members

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Ascend Impact & Resilience in Action

We kick off the 2021 National Convention with a welcome message from Anna Mok, Ascend President & Executive Board Chair. She will share reflections on the exceptionally challenging past year including examples of longstanding Ascend resilience and impact in action, all made possible by you, our resilient community of members, partners and allies.

Breaking Through Invisible Barriers by Sharing Our Stories

There are two sides to being Asian in the workplace. We represent as much as 40% of the workforce in certain companies and are expected to account for $1.3 trillion of consumer buying power.  On the surface, a success story driven by hard work and the other side, a story of perseverance that explains why the model minority narrative is truly just a myth. 30% of AAPI Professionals report workplace discrimination. Yet the vast majority of people of other races say discrimination against Asians in and outside of the workplace is non-existent. It truly is time to break through the invisible barriers to demonstrate resilience in action.

We’ll be joined by 3 Ascend Storytellers, moderated by Soon Yu, to discuss the AAPI experience in the workplace, and how together, we can inspire action. By sharing our stories of #theOtherSide, we’ll bring awareness to what the AAPI community faces in the workplace to lay the foundation for systemic and individual changes.

Other Side Storyteller Booth

Post convention, Ascend will be shining a light on the other side of the AAPI experience in the workplace through our Other Side campaign. These story booth sessions are a chance for attendees to share their candid personal stories in a safe space, either in video or audio format, as a first step to bring to light the full spectrum of the AAPI professional experience, not just the parts that people want to see. Our goal is to be able to use these stories and perspectives to encourage others to stop and think about the unconscious biases that might be in play in today’s workplace.

Other Side Storyteller Booth will be set up on following dates:
(all times ET)

The zoom booth link will be available on the convention platform

Image & Video Waiver

By participating in this initiative, you are granting Ascend the permission to use your image, likeness and video for the purposes of inclusion in Ascend promotional materials and publications.

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Breakout Sessions

[Executive] Ascend Executive Network (AEN) Talks: New Risks in a New World

As countries start to re-open their economies and their borders, organizations are grappling with a host of challenges and risks in this new world. How are work dynamics shifting with the pandemic restrictions easing and remote work becoming more mainstream? With the recent major disruptions from cyber-attacks, what are companies doing to prevent and manage these risks? How are organizations navigating the top regulatory, economic and geopolitical risks going forward?

Please join us for what promises to be a riveting hour with Chief Risk Officers who will share their insights on how to build resilience and manage these risks.

[Early Career] Thriving Through Change – Advice for Early Career Professionals

★ 1 CPE-Credit Eligible | Field of Study: Professional Development - Non Technical

One thing constant in life is change. If we have learned anything in the past year, it is that change comes abruptly and unexpectedly. How you handle change and its far reaching impact early in your career can make a big difference in the trajectory of your career in the long term. 

Learning Objectives:

• Learn 2-3 techniques on how to adjust quickly and easily to day-to-day professional disruptions and minimize long term negative implications 

• Understand the impact of change on mental health and how to manage it

• Learn how to build resilience through change and not only survive, but thrive in face of adversity

[Mid-Career] Developing Career Resilience & Agility

★ 1 CPE-Credit Eligible | Field of Study: Professional Development - Non Technical

In a world experiencing an ever-increasing speed of change, resilience and agility are becoming more important for a successful career. New technologies and new concepts push us to continually learn and adapt to be successful. Individuals new to the workforce as well as established leaders alike all need to stay ahead of change. Join this session to hear from individuals who have repeatedly navigated change and how they have adapted and what lessons they have learned.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn what it means to be resilient and agile as it relates to your career 

• Learn 2-3 ways that individuals have upskilled and reskilled to address evolving business needs 

• Understand how to identify whether an employer supports career resiliency

• Learn about which pitfalls to avoid and how to make it work for you

[Student] Future Ready Skills for Students

Future ready skills are those skills that all students will need in the future to be successful in their careers no matter what career they choose. Do you have these skills to future proof yourself and reach your career potential? 

Learning Objectives:

• Learn what it means to be future-ready and why it matters to you

• Learn about which future-ready skills are in demand 

• Learn practical steps you can take to develop in-demand future ready skills

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Plenary: #AscendTogether Allyship Forum Presented by Ascend Foundation’s Impact Fund 

Ascend Foundation’s bold step towards the development and launch of the Impact Fund is a testament to our commitment to foster workplace equality and equity for all through advocacy, allyship, education, thought leadership, and mobilization of resources. 

Join Ascend as we continue the allyship journey through this two-part Allyship Forum:

Part I: Turning Intention into Action as an Executive Ally for Women, People of Color and LGBTQ+ Communities

An ally is any person who actively promotes and aspires to advance a culture of inclusion through intentional, positive and conscious efforts that benefit people as a whole. Intentional allyship is the key to unlocking the true power of diversity. Join us as we feature executive leaders from a cross section of industries who will share their perspectives on:

• The importance of allyship in the workplace and how they are practicing allyship for diverse communities

• Why intentionality is critical in being a better ally

• How leaders can turn their intentions into action to support women, people of color and LGBTQ+ communities in the workplace 
  

Part II: Elevating Asian & Black Relations in America 

The global pandemic has once again brought to the surface the complexities of race relations in America, especially between Black and Asian Americans. The data shows that both communities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID19.  And, as the recent Ascend Foundation research paper Model Minority Myth & The Double-Edged Sword indicates, historically, blacks and Asians have suffered gravely as a direct result of racism, hate and segregation, and the model minority myth. 

While the mistreatment they have and continue to endure are their shared experiences that bring them closer together, both groups also find themselves at consequential crossroads of differences which impact community life and workplace environment. In this panel discussion, building on the learnings from the highly acclaimed documentary, “Far East Deep South,” which follows the journey of one Chinese American family as they trace their roots and end up in the Deep South and Mississippi Delta, we will:

• Shed light on the historical plight of Asians and Blacks in this country 

• Explore what makes this a symbiotic relationship and why it’s critical to preserve and further this unity, especially in the workplace 

• Recognize the often overlooked visibility and contributions of Asian Americans in the overall American narrative

• Discuss how we can work past our differences for a path towards building holistic leaders who are empowered to drive workplace and societal impact for all

Special thanks to Citi for supporting the Allyship Forum as a Lead Sponsor.

A private screening of “Far East Deep South '' will take place August 1-20 for the Ascend community in anticipation of this Allyship Forum. Private screening space is limited and is on a first come, first serve basis. Ascend community will receive a communication with registration instructions. You must be on Ascend mailing list to receive this.

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Evening Program - Power of Music

Co-Hosted with Ascend Connecticut & Westchester (CTW) Chapter 

Celebrate with Ascend as the first day of the convention concludes. Unwind with the convention community and enjoy musical performances by Luciano Antonio, a force in the Brazilian music scene as he takes us on a musical journey and shares musical knowledge along the way. And, that’s not all! Last year, Ascend Hosted Mick Ebeling, CEO of Not Impossible Labs who took us on an inspirational journey around the world to showcase how technology can be used for social good. This year we will be joined by Daniel Belquer Chief Technology Officer and inventor of Music Not Impossible who will share the history and evolution of the technology, it’s broad application across media and live experiences, it being a future consumer at home use product, and the leading vehicle creating “Music Equality for All''. Bring your curiosity and questions for this engaging program. 

Please note: space is limited for this program due to platform capacity. Access is on first come, first serve basis.

8/23 is open to all Ascend Members. A separate communication will be sent to members with instructions on how to register.

Time Zone: ET

Tuesday, August 24 | Day II

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM: Ascend Talk: Strategies for Boosting Brain Resilience to Tackle Challenges 

We all face challenges in life. Sometimes these are related to our relationships, other times work. Issues come up in our health, our finances, or unexpected life changes. Learning to deal with these difficulties often involves a fair amount of stress. But they can also lead to exceptional personal and professional growth. And it’s in the growth where we generate the capacity for resilience. We open day 2 of the convention with Jim Kwik, high-energy, renowned Brain Coach who helps people enhance brain performance through world-class proven methods for brain fitness and he hopes to do the same for you!

Learning Objectives:

• Learn why resilience is important especially when it comes to career success 

• Understand how stress affects our brain 

• Learn how to make the brain, already the most resilient organ, even more resilient to tackle life challenges

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM: Ascend Talk Re-Imagined: Building Resilience through Selflessness in Life & Leadership

Concerning oneself more with the needs and wishes of others than with one’s own is defined as selflessness. Acts of selflessness yield benefits for both the recipient and the giver, and help build resilience in life and leadership. We are  proud to present this unique Ascend Talk featuring Richard Lui and Michelle Wu, who will share their selfless professional and personal journeys and inspire you to consider selflessness not as a compromise, but instead as a way to a more resilient and satisfying life.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn why selflessness is important and why we need to embrace it in our personal and professional lives 

• Understand how selflessness helps build resilience 

• Learn how you can practice selflessness in your daily life and inspire others to do the same

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Breakout Sessions

[Early Career] Virtual Mentorship: Its Value & How to Make it Work for You

★ 1 CPE-Credit Eligible | Field of Study: Professional Development - Non Technical

If there is such a thing as a silver lining to the year that was 2020, it is that the pandemic taught us how to live online, connect with each other in meaningful ways and be productive. Businesses and professionals alike pivoted operations and work to virtual environments. With location no longer a factor, virtual mentorship and professional online networking is gaining traction, and rightly so!  Join Ascend as we partner with Ten Thousand Coffees which powers career development through professional network and mentoring, to bring this timely session to our early career professional attendees.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about the value  of mentorship early in your career and 2-3 ways mentorship can help you

• Understand why virtual mentorship is effective for professionals and businesses 

• Learn about which pitfalls to avoid and how to make it work for you

[Mid-Career] Workforce 2025: Transforming and Adapting to Drive Change

★ 1 CPE-Credit Eligible | Field of Study: Professional Development - Non Technical

Reimagine a business environment where more employees want to work from home, where a hybrid model reigns supreme and skilled professionals call the shots. This session co-hosted by talent solutions firm Robert Half and risk and compliance consulting company Protiviti will address everything from the war on talent to retention tactics for managers and why diversity matters in the hiring process.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess how prepared we are for the future of work

• Learn 2-3 approaches to ensure flexibility so that employees stay engaged in their careers

• Discuss 2-3 ways to broaden our networks to find diverse job seekers

[Student] Are You LinkedIn or LinkedOut?

LinkedIn, with 750+ million members in over 200 countries and territories,  is the world’s largest professional network. If you are “LinkedIn”, you are part of an expansive global network of peers, professionals and employers. If you are “LinkedOut”, you are missing out on a world of connections and opportunities. Do not miss this must-attend session for all students!

Learning Objectives:

• Learn why LinkedIn must be an integral part of your professional presence online 

• Understand the steps for creating a perfect LinkedIn profile that will get you noticed 

• Learn how to grow your professional network through the platform

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: [Executive] Ascend Executive Network (AEN) Forum: What does it take to be successful in M&A?

Mergers and acquisitions are at a ten year high, but surveys often tell us that 70% of all mergers fail to deliver the strategic and financial benefits that were expected.  There is a path to success, and it runs from the deal process through integrating operations, technology, talent and culture to realizing both synergies and the intangibles. Experienced panelists will share M&A success stories and a few cautionary tales.

This signature event is an invitation only event for executives and is set up for guests to engage with panelists while gaining practical tips on M&A. As with previous forums, the last half hour will be allotted for networking in breakout rooms.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Plenary: Light at the End of the Tunnel – Recovering and Thriving in the Workplace After the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most pressing challenges of our lifetime. And now, looms a bigger challenge for businesses and professionals alike - recovering from a once-in-a-lifetime global health crisis with far reaching implications for generations to come. While the pandemic sent us into a survival mode, in a post-pandemic world, businesses must focus on strategies that enable leaders and employees to thrive and accelerate recovery.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn strategies that leaders must implement for speedy business recovery

• Understand why people centric-approach is critical to ensure retention and well-being of employees in a post-pandemic world 

• Learn about the critical role of technology in recovery

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Mental Fitness Workshop: Develop Mastery Over Your Own Mind

​Do you believe you are in command of your own mind? Do you still live and respond from a place of anxiety, frustration, restlessness, guilt, shame, anger, even though you know it doesn't serve you? If so, then you are NOT in command of your own mind. All of your stress and negative emotions are not things you would CHOOSE for yourself. So if you aren’t choosing it then why is it happening? It’s because you aren’t running the show. You are not running your mind, your mind is running the show. And too often from saboteur mode. Mental Fitness is the X Factor! Your level of Mental Fitness is the best predictor of how happy you are and how well you perform relative to your potential. It’s the key to unlocking your ability to evolve, change and adapt.

During this interactive workshop, we will unpack: 

• How you tend to self-sabotage with Saboteurs like the Judge, the Hyper-Rational, the Controller, the Hyper-Achiever, the Pleaser and 5 others

• The 3 core muscles at the root of mental fitness

• Practices to build your mental muscles

Please note: space is limited for this program due to platform capacity. Access is on first come, first serve basis.

Time Zone: ET

Wednesday, August 25 | Day III

11:30 AM - 12:15 PM: Ascend Talk: Diversity as a Driver for Growth and Innovation 

Organizations are increasingly recognizing the need for a diverse set of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives in order to grow. In addition, leaders have a responsibility to create a company culture in which employees feel safe and empowered to share ideas, encourage creative, ‘out of the box’ thinking and foster innovation.

For more than two decades, PwC has focused on maintaining a culture of belonging that remains central to our strategy and influencing our inclusive culture for more diversity throughout corporate America. For example, PwC released its first annual Diversity & Inclusion Transparency report in August 2020 that highlights its diversity and inclusion strategy, and co-founded CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Join this session to hear PwC Principal, Gurpreet Singh in discussion with PwC Director, Greta Hardware on the role diversity has played in stimulating creativity, innovation and growth at PwC and throughout their careers. How has PwC’s focus on diversity and inclusion shaped or shifted PwC professionals’ mindsets to stimulate growth and innovation? What are some examples of how the ‘power of diversity’ has come to life? What are leading practices and lessons learned from PwC’s diversity and inclusion journey?

 
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM: Ascend Talk: Taking Career Risks & Building Resilience

Resiliency, the ability to weather change and bounce back from failure, is an essential mindset for professionals. And, just as important is the ability to take risks because risks foster resilience and strengthen one’s ability to bounce back from setbacks and thrive in unpredictable environments. Join us as we present this special Ascend Talk featuring Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, one of the most highly regarded and well-respected female tech executives in Silicon Valley, who made many wrong choices in her career, but learned how to turn those down moments into successes.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn why risk taking is important for career success 

• Learn how risk taking helps build professional resilience 

• Understand what to do when a carefully considered choice turns out poorly and how to trust your instinctive decision-making skills and make the next right choice

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Breakout Session

Leading from the Middle: Skills Middle Managers Need for Career Advancement - The Importance of Self Awareness

★ 1 CPE-Credit Eligible | Field of Study: Personal Development - Non Technical 

Becoming an exceptional leader requires intentionality, self-awareness, self-reflection and action. Join us, in an interactive discussion designed to help you become more aware of behaviors and scenarios that could be impeding your success. We will take a look at overcoming workplace labels, and managing our strengths so that they don’t become weaknesses as we move up the ranks.

Learning Objectives: 

•  Identify 2-3 contributing factors and potential barriers to your success

•  Recognize areas for growth and develop 2-3 action steps to address them

• Determine ways self-awareness can improve collaboration with others

• Leverage self-awareness skills, tools, and knowledge to develop as a leader

[Student] Job Search Strategies for Students

Searching for a job can be hard work but it is not impossible! There are tools and resources available that can help students put their best foot forward as they venture into searching for the job of their dreams. We invite all students to join and hear practical job search tips from seasoned professionals.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how to create a job search strategy and which critical elements must be included

• Understand the job landscape especially in a virtual environment and how to prepare for it

• Learn about the common mistakes to avoid as you look for your first job

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM: [Executive] Ascend Pinnacle Roundtable – By Invitation

Roundtable discussion will include hot topics on the SEC agenda and proxy voting.

3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Plenary Session – Ascend Scholarship Program & Ceremony

Ascend Foundation is proud to partner with EY, Synchrony Financial, Robert Half and PwC to present the 2021 Scholarship Program and Ceremony. Join us as we celebrate Pan-Asian academic excellence and leadership potential.

Program will also feature an Ascend Talk by Jay Persaud and Monica Lin-Meyer.

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Mental Fitness Workshop: Physical Fitness & Fun - Bhangra Class

Back by popular demand, join us for a high-energy dance lesson by Bay Area Bhangra Empire.

There is no one way to do Bhangra, but there is no doubt that you’ll get a good cardio workout from this style of dance. Besides getting your heart pumping, Bhangra finds a way to target parts of your body that you might not even realize it can. Great way to unwind, get active and have some fun along the way.

Please note: space is limited for this program due to platform capacity. Access is on first come, first serve basis.

Time Zone: ET

Thursday, August 26 | Day IV

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM: [Executive] Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officers (CDEIO) Forum - By Invitation

#AscendTogether Series: Elevating Asian & Black Relations in America

With the dramatic rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, this forum will cover a timely and highly complex topic that explores the current state of Asian-Black race relations in the U.S. There are many who believe that the perpetrators of anti-Asian acts are Blacks. Whether or not this actually holds true, it feeds into the animosity narrative between these two communities. This topic falls under one focus area of the Ascend Impact Fund, which was launched last month as a way to promote greater understanding and collaboration among different communities. 

We will host a moderated panel for select CDEI officers to discuss the status of Asian-Black race relations in the workplace and society and share strategies and approaches they have used at their respective companies to address allyship between these two groups.

In addition to examining best practices around Asian-Black allyship in the workplace, the discussion will cover the historical challenges that these two communities face and answer the question: How can the positive experiences of Asian-Black allyship in the corporate realm be leveraged to support the wider community and help Asian-Black Americans move beyond historical animosity in the interest of shared goals? What does this mean for other minority groups in America’s corporate landscape? This event will explore, harness, and highlight the collaborative efforts required for these various groups to unite around a common cause of advancement and community harmony.

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM: #AscendTogether ERG Forum: Resilient ERGs Leading the Way - Navigating the Pandemic & Combating Anti-Asian Hate - By Invitation

Building on Ascend’s history of bringing ERGs together through this national platform, we are once again proud to host ERGs from across industries at the National Convention. Join us for a robust dialogue on the critical role ERGs are playing in helping companies and employees continue to navigate pandemic challenges including how they are contributing to return to office strategies, and combating anti-Asian hate.

We encourage the attendees to come prepared to share your reflections and best practices as this is meant to be an engaging Forum!

Time Zone: ET

Friday, August 27 | Closing Day V

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Plenary: Impact Challenge - Demo Day 

Impact Challenge teams will showcase their solutions before a panel of judges who will evaluate submissions and select the winners. Teams will be competing for a grand prize of $5,000, Apple watches, and other great prizes. This year’s Convention and Impact Challenge theme - Resilience in Action - asks competing teams to present their best solutions for how small businesses can apply lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Attend the live event to support and vote for your favorite team!

4:30 PM - 6:00 PM: Plenary - Closing Program

Ascend Executive Women Leadership Forum: Leveraging Asian Values to Build Resilience & Lead Through Uncertainty

Leadership is only really tested in times of uncertainty. Once in a lifetime global pandemic that gave rise to anti-Asian violence and hate, adversely impacted businesses, and uprooted the way we live and work, continues to challenge leaders in unimaginable ways. Join us for an enlightening conversation with pan-Asian executive women who lean on their Asian heritage and values to build resilience and lead by example through change and uncertainty.

Ascend Impact & Resilience Celebration

Join us as we celebrate exemplary Ascend leaders and their invaluable contributions to Ascend, and the broader pan-Asian community. They will reflect on their Ascend journey, impact and aspirations for the future.