Ascend Pinnacle Asian Corporate Directors Summit

April 28-30 | Four Seasons Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, CA

Ascend Aspiring Directors Academy (ADA)

April 27-28 | Four Seasons Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, CA

We are pleased to host the 7th Annual Asian Corporate Directors Summit during the month of April 2023. This annual Summit is the largest gathering of Pan-Asian corporate board directors from across the nation.

Summit Theme: Embracing the Future

Fortune 1000 and large private company Pan-Asian board directors receive an exclusive invitation to attend the Annual Asian Corporate Director Summit hosted by Ascend Pinnacle. Our mission is to establish and nurture the network of Pan-Asian corporate board members who have a common interest of increasing diversity in boardrooms, mentoring the next generation of senior executives, and elevating awareness of Pan-Asian contributions in governance.

Summit Highlights

Premier programming anchored by the theme of Embracing the Future on hot topics and key priorities for the modern Board.

Networking opportunities with your peers, aspiring directors, and our partner organizations.

Plus more!

Speakers

Preview of Speaker Lineup

(Check Back Often as this List is Update Regularly)

Lara Abrash
Chair & CEO, Deloitte Audit Assurance

Greg Adams
CEO & Chair, Kaiser Permanente 

Vivek Sharma
Board of Directors, Kaiser Permanente
Board of Directors, Jet Blue  

Claudia Fan Munce
Venture Advisor NEA
Board Member @ Best Buy, Arteris.IP, BMO Financial Corp.
Faculty @ Stanford University Graduate School of Business

Mika Nishimura
Global Commercialization Leader | Independent Director | Venture Investor 

Sue Siegel
Corporate Board Director | Advisor | Former: CEO , C-Suite Executive, VC

Thomas J. Kim
Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP

Jackie Liu
Partner, Morrison Foerster

Program Emcee:
Thuy Vu
Journalist

Agenda

TIME ZONE: Pacific Time

Friday, April 28, 2023

REGISTRATION
5pm to 7pm

RECEPTION
6pm to 7pm

MULTICULTURAL GALA DINNER
7pm to 9:30pm

Saturday, April 29, 2023

REGISTRATION
7am to 6pm

NETWORKING BREAKFAST
8:30am to 9:30am

ASCEND WELCOME
9:30am to 10am

OPENING PLENARY: Purpose-Driven Leadership: Embracing Equity, Accountability and Advocacy
10am to 11am

  • Kaiser Permanente's Chair & CEO Greg A. Adams is a nationally recognized leader, a champion of health care transformation, a trailblazer in embracing equity, accountability and advocacy for the greater good.  Join us in a fireside conversation with Greg, facilitated by Vivek Sharma, a Consumer Tech leader serving on the Board of Directors of JetBlue Airways & Kaiser Permanente. We will explore how this healthcare company is revolutionizing access to care, paving the path for culturally responsive, equitable care, and learn about its commitment to community investment in particular, multicultural health. We will also hear about the symbiotic relationship between the CEO and the board in driving more board diversity, moving past the zero-sum mindset, and leading with resilience through disruptions.

PLENARY
11am to 12pm

NETWORKING LUNCH
12pm to 1pm

PLENARY: Future of American Board
1pm to 2pm

  • In partnership with the National Association of Corporate Directors, we will examine the “Future of the American Board” with 3 experienced and accomplished board directors. The panel featuring Mika Nishimura and Sue Siegel and moderated by Claudia Fan Munce, current Board Chair of NACD Northern California, will discuss the highlights of the 2022 NACD commissioned study which outlines a framework for board governance and accountability. They will discuss the 10 key principles for effective governance and how directors must evolve and adapt during these dynamic times of change and uncertainty. The discussion will focus on leading boards into the future and positioning directors to be better stewards of long-term value creation for the company and all stakeholder.

    Speakers
    Moderator: Claudia Fan Munce
    Panelist: Mika Nishimura
    Panelist: Sue Siegel

PLENARY
2pm to 3pm

BREAK
3pm to 3:30pm

CLOSING PLENARY & LOOK AHEAD
3:30pm to 4:30pm

NETWORKING DINNER
7pm to 9:30pm

Sunday, April 30, 2023

NETWORKING BREAKFAST
8am to 9:30am

SUNDAY SHARED EXPERIENCE
Suggested Time: 10am onwards

  • At the end of the Summit, we know our guests appreciate flexibility to catch flights and meet work and personal commitments as well as have a memorable shared experience to network, bond, process the Summit, and enjoy nature.

    Therefore, we will have small-group experiences walking to the Stanford Dish.

    · On a Sunday morning, walking to the Stanford Dish is a refreshing and invigorating experience. As you set out on your walk, you can feel the crisp morning air against your skin. You will hear the sounds of birds singing and the occasional light chatter of other walkers or joggers.

    · The rolling hills around the Dish are adorned with patches of lush green grass, native trees, and seasonal wildflowers, painting a serene scene. The iconic Stanford Dish, a large radio telescope, stands as a focal point in this natural setting, drawing your attention with its impressive size and unique design.

    · The panoramic views from the higher points of the trail are stunning. As you ascend, you can catch glimpses of the Stanford campus and the surrounding Silicon Valley area, with the backdrop of the Santa Cruz Mountains in the distance.

    · The sun bathes the landscape in a soft, golden light that adds a sense of warmth and tranquility to the scene. As you continue your walk, you might also encounter various species of wildlife, such as deer, squirrels, and rabbits.

    The walk is on an eight-foot-wide paved path that is shared by walkers and runners. NO dogs nor bikes are allowed on the path. There are NO restrooms along the trail.

    We recommend:

    · It may be sunny so wear sunscreen and/or sunglasses if needed.

    · It may be windy, so wear a windbreaker or more -- your choice.

    · Take your allergy medicine if needed.

    · Pinnacle members organize in groups of two or three. First Uber leaves at 6:30 AM (no earlier than 6:30 please; sunrise is at 6:10 AM). Cars continue until 8 AM.

    · Each group gets their own Uber from the Four Seasons Palo Alto to the Gerona Gate (586 Junipero Serra Blvd, Stanford CA) Each group pays approx $20 one way.

    · Walk in a counterclockwise direction. Walkers will face a more gradual incline followed by a steeper descent.

    · Walkers leave via the Stanford Gate (2390 Stanford Ave, Stanford, CA). The walk takes approximately 75 to 88 minutes.

    · Groups can return back to the Four Seasons. (The Uber will cost approximately $20 one way.)

    VIEW MAP OF THE STANFORD DISH

    Further Customize Your Experience - Self Guided & Virtual Experiences

    Or a group can further customize their experience by going to the Stanford Shopping Center (Blue Bottle Coffee opens at 7 AM; Starbucks open at 8 AM). Or visit the Stanford campus. Start at The Stanford Oval on Palm Drive, Stanford CA.

Partners

Founding & Lead Partner

Pearl Partners

FAQ

  • It is Ascend Pinnacle's gathering of Asian American experienced board directors held at the Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley in Palo Alto, California during April 28-30, 2023. This premier event is by invitation only. If you are an experienced board director of a Fortune 1000 company, please contact our team at summit@ascendleadership.org for more information.

  • Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto
    2050 University Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303

  • Registration will be located by the Silicon Valley Boardroom at the Four Seasons Hotel.

  • The Asian Corporate Directors Summit on August 28-30 is only for experienced Board Directors and is by invitation only.

    The Aspiring Directors may only attend their dedicated workshop and activities on April 27-28. Please see planned events on the Aspiring Agenda.

  • See the full schedule and agenda here.

  • Ascend has a room block at the host hotel which is available to invited and registered attendees on a first come first serve basis. Please refer to the lodging details on your invitation and registration form.

  • San Francisco Airport - SFO
    Hotel direction: 18.4 miles NW

    The Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley does not provide shuttle service.

    San Jose Airport - SJC
    Hotel direction: 15.1 miles NW

    The Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley does not provide shuttle service.

    Oakland - OAK
    Hotel direction: 26.2 miles S

    The Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley does not provide shuttle service.

    Directions to the hotel can be found here.

  • Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for Ascend.

    Delta Meeting/Discount Code: NY28K

    Please click here to book your flights. You may also call Delta Meeting Network® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (EST) and refer to Meeting Event Code: NY28K

    Eligible airports: SFO, SJC, OAK

    Eligible dates: April 24- May 3, 2023

    *Please note there is no service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.

  • Self-parking is complimentary during the day and $20 overnight; Valet Parking is $25 a day and $40 overnight.

  • Business or business casual for Summit and business traditional or cocktail attire for receptions and dinners.

  • Attendance to the Summit is limited to registered experienced board directors only. Spouses of experienced board directors are invited to attend the Friday and Saturday reception and dinner. Please include your spouse in your registration for headcount and seating purposes.

  • Please email summit@ascendleadership.org for more information.

  • Safety of our guests is paramount to Ascend. If you experience COVID symptoms or test positive, please do not attend the Summit. If you develop COVID symptoms at the Summit, we request that you isolate yourself and inform Ascend by emailing health@ascendleadership.org. Hand sanitizer will be available at the venue. We will continue to monitor the evolving nature of COVID and adjust the guidance accordingly.

  • Hotel check-in: 4 pm PT
    Hotel check-out: 11 am PT

  • This year we’re going paperless with our program guide and content. You can access the agenda via your smartphone by downloading the “Aventri Events” app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play. App log-in information will be shared with registered guests a few days before the Summit. You can also get log-in information at the registration desk when you arrive at the event.

    It is important to note that, in order to prevent problems accessing the app, your mobile phone (specifically Android phones) should be set to automatically update both the date/time and the time zone BEFORE downloading the app. If you run into errors while using the app that say your timezone is incorrect, this is likely the cause. You will need to uninstall the app, activate automatic updates for both time and location and then reinstall the app.

    Click here to view QR codes for the mobile app.

This event is by invitation only. If you are a Pan-Asian public company or large private company board director, please reach out to pinnacle@ascendleadership.org to inquire about a membership and invitation.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. If your company is interested, please contact summit@ascendleadership.org