Agenda

Naeem Hussain

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
CirrusLabs

Jonathan Brady

Lead Business Development Specialist
Export - Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)

Jonathan Brady is a Business Development Specialist with the Minority and Women-Owned Business (MWOB) Outreach Group at the Export- Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). Based in Washington, DC, his business development role with the MWOB Outreach Group is to serve as the primary liaison for Hispanic business organizations and Veteran business organizations at the national, state, and local levels.

Jonathan possesses a strong background in international relations and economics from having worked for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the U.S. Treasury Department (International Banking Office), and ten years with the Ohio Department of Development’s International Trade Division.

Before joining EXIM, Jonathan worked at ExportDC, a division of the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD). Promoted to Program Manager in 2015, his primary responsibilities consisted of administering business support grants for DC-based exporters, organizing trade missions, providing export counseling services, conducting international business seminars, and coordinating special projects with the foreign embassies located in the District of Columbia.

Jonathan holds a B.A. and Master of Financial Economics (MFE) from Ohio University, and is a 2009 graduate of Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, with a Master of International Public Policy (MIPP).

Bruno Ceccarelli

Senior Managing Director Regional Executive
Lendistry

Arun Venkataraman

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets, and Director General
U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service Global Markets

Arun Venkataraman is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. He was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 7, 2022, to lead the federal government’s efforts to promote exports abroad and attract inward investment. He was officially sworn in on April 25, 2022.

Venkataraman has over 20 years of experience advising companies, international organizations and the U.S. government on international trade issues. Most recently, he served as Counselor to the Secretary of Commerce, advising the Department of Commerce on trade and other international economic matters. Before joining the Biden-Harris Administration, Arun was a Senior Director at Visa, leading global government engagement strategy on a range of international policy issues including digital economy, trade, tax and sanctions. He also served as Trade & Investment Policy Advisor at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he counseled multinational firms and other organizations on e-commerce, intellectual property rights and U.S. and foreign trade policies.

During the Obama Administration, Venkataraman served as ITA’s first-ever Director of Policy, where he helped shape the U.S. government’s responses to critical challenges faced by firms in the U.S. and in markets around the world, including China and India. He also served in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) where he led the development and implementation of U.S.-India trade policy, for which he received the agency’s Kelly Award for outstanding performance and extraordinary leadership. He also served as USTR’s Associate General Counsel, representing the United States in litigation before the World Trade Organization and in negotiations on international trade agreements. Prior to USTR, Arun was a Legal Officer at the World Trade Organization, and served as Law Clerk for Judge Jane A. Restani at the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Born in Coimbatore, India, and raised in Houston, Venkataraman holds a juris doctorate from Columbia Law School, a Master of Arts in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and a Bachelor of Arts from Tufts University.

Nyamusi Igambi

Regional Director, Southern Network, ITA
U.S. Department of Commerce

Rhonda Sinkfield

Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, ITA
U.S. Department of Commerce

Gabriela Zelaya

Global Diversity Export Initiative Director
U.S. Department of Commerce

Susan Au Allen

CEO
USPAACC

Nina Patnala

Director of Technology
Amazon

Nina Patnala is a technology leader with an impressive 20 years of experience in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of technology. Currently serving as a Technology Director at Amazon Operations, where she drives procurement digital transformation and leads engineering, product and science teams.

Nina has played a pivotal role in shaping the Amazon’s procurement technical strategies, focusing on efficiency, scalability, and customer satisfaction. Known for her hands-on approach and collaborative spirit, Nina has fostered a culture of creativity and teamwork within her teams. Her leadership style empowers individuals to think outside the box, fostering an environment where groundbreaking ideas flourish.

Beyond her professional achievements, Nina is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. She actively mentors aspiring professionals, especially women, encouraging them to pursue careers in technology and break through gender barriers. Nina is active in raising awareness and promote the welfare of animals through advocacy, and education.

Nina embarked on her academic journey at the renowned University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a dual Bachelor's degree in Computer Sciences and Biology. With an insatiable curiosity and passion for innovation, Nina continued to hone her skills by pursuing an MBA at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). This advanced degree equipped her with the strategic mindset needed to navigate the complex intersection of business and technology.

Ann Anjali Ramakumaran

Founder & CEO
Ampcus, Inc.

Ann Ramakumaran is the Founder and CEO of Ampcus Inc a technology savvy entrepreneur with more than 10 years of contribution towards the design and development of software services and delivery of Information Technology services. Under her leadership, she has grown Ampcus Inc into a fast-growing consulting and professional services firm.

She has been awarded as the top Asian American owned businesses by USPAACC for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 and 50 fastest growing women owned businesses in the CONUS by the Women Presidents Organization for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Ampcus Inc made the Inc 500/5000 list for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Ampcus Inc has also been recognized as the Top diversity business for the years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Ann has helped fortune 2000 companies with their enterprise-wide customized solutions. She reports to the board and drives the company to attain its vision of being one of the largest Professional services companies globally. She has been involved in executing a consultative methodology to define, qualify, and quantify the clients’ targeted and strategic IT and business objectives and from this, develop solutions to proactively address current and evolving needs and projects.

Ann holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business and commercial management from India. She has also completed an executive management program from the Robins School of Management, University of Richmond.

Jessica MedeiRosman

SVP of Technology & Product Transformation
Caesars Entertainment

Carolynn Vogt

Vice President of Global Procurement Services
Cisco

Jenny Zhu

Founder & CEO
Chairwoman of the Board, Lush Decor Home & Impact Investor

Jenny Jing Zhu is an award-winning entrepreneur, business pioneer and motivator-in-chief who inspires a diverse, powerhouse team to create, produce, market and deliver unique home decor that customers love.

As Founder and CEO of Triangle Home Fashions (THF) and its signature brand, Lush Décor, Jenny’s visionary perspective earned her opportunities a less keen eye would have missed. Armed with a degree in textile and surface design from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and a few years’ experience in the home textile category, Jenny envisioned a better way of doing business – one where the company delivered more than what was expected.

In 2008, driven by her love of design and passion to create affordable luxury home décor. Jenny founded THF determined to be a game-changer in what was then a still fledgling e-commerce market. Jenny invented a company culture of leadership and innovation that not only originates impeccably detailed, accessible home decor for every room, every lifestyle and every life stage, but one that also manages global production, comprehensive warehousing and a direct distribution network for fast delivery.

Vibrant e-commerce growth and the expansion into brick-and-mortar stores led Jenny to launch Lush Décor in 2013. As the company’s signature brand, Lush Décor is crafted in a range of aesthetics and styles, inspiring consumers to create a home that is unique and personalized to their space, lifestyle and life stage. In 2023, with plans to expand the Lush Décor platform, THF began operating as Lush Décor Home.

An innovator with a heart, Jenny not only wants to do good work but do good work that matters. This led to a first-ever licensing partnership with Make-A-Wish America where 5% of all net sales from the Make-A-Wish Collection by Lush Décor are donated to the organization to help fulfill the wishes of children with critical illnesses.

Jenny attributes her success and the success of the company to the strength and shared vision of her team – or family as she calls them. The THF family is more than 60% female, hails from 8 different countries and collectively speaks 11 languages.

In 2019, Jenny’s hard work and focus earned her EY’s New Jersey Entrepreneur of the Year Award and a national nomination in the consumer category. And, in 2021, Jenny was named an Enterprising Woman by Enterprising Women media. In 2021 and 2022, the company was named one of the Women Presidents Organization’s 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned/Led Companies. Inc. Magazine named Triangle Home Fashions | Lush Décor a 2022 Top 500 Fastest Growing Company.

According to Jenny, “Clear vision, top performing teams and nimble execution are what motivates us and what drives success through today’s complex business terrain.”

Sangeeta Sharma

Co-Founder
Eduley

Camellia Chan

CEO & Founder
Flexxon

Ms Camellia Chan is Flexxon’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Ms Chan oversees the company’s business development and growth, research and development, industry partnerships, and expansion to regional and global markets.

Since its inception in 2007, Ms Chan has grown Flexxon into an international business with a presence in over 50 cities. Headquartered in Singapore, the well-known innovation hub serves as the home base for Flexxon’s research and development lab, manufacturing centre and corporate headquarters. Flexxon continues to expand its reach through the establishment of satellite offices, while growing its network of commercial partners worldwide.

With a passion for innovation and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Ms Chan established the critical building blocks of Flexxon’s brand and business in its early years and continues to guide the company forward by constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation. Ms Chan is driven by the desire to use technology for good, and strives to create a safer space for citizens of the digital economy. Through the company’s work in the cybersecurity space, Flexxon is charting a path forward that will not only help combat cybercrime more incisively, but deliver inclusive solutions. To achieve this, the company’s solutions are designed to be cost-effective, user-friendly and easily accessible.

Beyond just committing to Flexxon’s corporate growth and product innovation, Ms Chan is also a firm advocate of building a workplace culture anchored on three main pillars – integrity, transparency and innovation. She works closely with every member of her team to drive innovation and excellence in the products and services they bring to the market. As a testament to her strength as a leader, Flexxon’s team has grown from just three employees to more than 80 members within its Singapore office.

Highly passionate about the industry and mentoring the next generation of tech talent, Ms Chan is an active contributor and speaker at technology and entrepreneurship events. In recent years, she was a speaker at Singapore’s SheLeadsTech 2022 forum as well as a recipient of Singapore’s Top 100 Women in Tech award – a platform for tech leaders to give back and provide guidance to the country’s budding female tech sector.

In recognition of Ms Chan’s spirit of innovation and contributions to the cybersecurity industry, Flexxon has been the recipient of various industry awards and endorsements over the past few years.

Vivian Young

Global Head of Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs
JPMorgan Chase

Vivian Young has over 15 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry. In her current role as global head of Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs for JPMorgan Chase, Vivian is responsible for developing a leading a global, unified strategy to advance equity and inclusion for the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community. Key focus areas include driving opportunity and progress through increased cultural understanding and collaboration; raising awareness about cultural identity and the challenges faced by underserved individuals and communities; supporting API communities globally through public advocacy, economic inclusion and community development.

Prior to joining JPMorgan Chase, Vivian spent 7 years at Charles Schwab Advisor Services, where she was responsible for strategy, execution and management of the Family Office and Investment Consultant client segment. She also served as business lead on new product initiatives for trust products, ETFs, mutual funds and separately managed accounts. Previous to Charles Schwab, Vivian was a relationship manager and team lead at U.S. Trust Company of New York providing financial planning services to high net worth individuals and families in the Wealth Management division.

Vivian Joined JPMorgan Chase in 2012 leading strategic initiatives for the Product and Platform team in the Private Bank and J.P.Morgan Wealth Management. She was responsible for product management, development and expansion of Trusts & Estates services, donor advised fund, and financial planning tools. She most recently was global head of Bank Product Marketing in Asset & Wealth Management, developing strategies to deepen client relationships and drive business growth. Working in partnership with Product leadership in banking, lending, mortgage, annuities, trusts and estates, and cyber and fraud, Vivian lead the content development and implementation of strategic marketing programs.

Vivian received a BA in Political Science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

She resides in New York City with her husband and two children.

Learn more about Vivian:

⦁ Office of Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs at JPMorgan Chase https://www.jpmorganchase.com/...

⦁ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vi...

⦁ Bringing a cultural lens to her community: Women on the Move podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episo...

Terry Hsiao

Adjunct Professor
Marymount University

Terry Hsiao is an entrepreneur, advisor, and investor with extensive experience in mobile messaging, payment, and fintech. He has founded multiple companies in mobile that got acquired by Sybase, Verifone, and Kaleyra where he helped its recent public listing on NYSE:KLR in November 2019.

Mr. Hsiao served on the board of Virginia’s Center of Innovation and Technology, a state-funded economic development and investment agency. Terry is a current adjunct professor at Marymount University. He also serves as the President of Monte Jade DC, representing Asian American business leaders and entrepreneurs for 25 years. He also founded and leads the DC MIT Alum Angel Group.

Terry received a BSEE Honors degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Rutgers University and a Master’s degree in Management of Technology from MIT Sloan.

Doris Li Yeh

CEO & Co-Founder
Mirapath

Doris Li Yeh is the CEO and Founder of Mirapath, a Datacenter Critical Infrastructure Total Solution Provider. . In her role, Doris drives growth strategy for the company using Mirapath’s four core values: relationships matter, commitment to excellence, results driven, and strive for innovation and excellence – while having fun and enjoying the journey together. She is passionate about leadership development, women empowerment and cutting-edge technology related to platform development in the data center and IoT space paired with AI and Automation.

Mirapath ‘s was #54 fastest-growing women-owned business. In 2017, the company was on the Fast 100 Asian American Business by USPAACC, the CRN Fast Growth 150, and the CRN Solution Provider 500, as well as the #6 Biggest Minority-Owned Business by Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Doris holds a BSEE from the University of São Paulo and graduated in 2018 from the prestigious Harvard Business School Owner President Management (OPM52) program. She was nominated Silicon Valley Women of Influence in 2018 by Silicon Valley Business Journal, 2018 Enterprising Women Award, 100 Fast USPAAC Company and Infrastrastructure Mason IM100 2020 Recipient . She is a proud Platinum member of Women President Organization, Co-Chair USPAAC WISE ( Women Initiative for Strategic Empowerment) and advisory boartd of USPAAC-West. Doris is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Portuguese.

Jess Liu

Partner
Nationwide

Jess Liu is a Partner at Nationwide Ventures, where she invests in early-stage companies in sectors such as fintech, insurtech and AI/ML.

Prior to that, she invested in both early stage and growth stage companies as Senior Principal at Blue Ivy Ventures and Vice President at Cathay Capital. Jess started her career as an investment banker at JPMorgan in New York.

She also worked in microfinance in Ghana, leading the strategy department at Women’s World Banking-Ghana. Jess has an MBA degree from Yale University and a B.A. in economics from Mount Holyoke College.

Mag Boron

Founder/CEO
Pangian

Christine Meddela

Managing Partner/Owner
Storyville Road

Carolyn Joshua

President & CEO
Trilyon, Inc.

Carolyn Joshua is the President and CEO of Trilyon, Inc., a leading content management, documentation, and technology services provider for Fortune 500 companies. Under Carolyn's exceptional leadership, Trilyon has earned notable recognition, including the esteemed 2023 Fast 100 Asian American Business Award from USPAACC. Her outstanding achievements have also been acknowledged through the prestigious Enterprising Women of the Year Award in 2023. Furthermore, she has been honored as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of San Francisco for 2023 by Women We Admire, highlighting her significant contributions to the business community.

In addition to her role at Trilyon, Carolyn holds a board position at the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC West), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering economic growth and promoting diversity through leadership, education, and business networking. Carolyn also plays a pivotal role as the Co-Chair of USPAACC WISE (Women Initiative for Strategic Empowerment), spearheading initiatives that empower and advance women professionals in the business world.

Carolyn serves as a General Partner at Early Equity Capital Advisors, specializing in late-stage technology startups. Additionally, she contributes to How Women Invest as an LP, a venture capital firm focused on promoting women-led companies and advancing women leaders within the venture capital ecosystem. Carolyn's commitment to diversity and inclusivity is further exemplified through her role as a global advisor for the Women Leaders for the World Fellowship Program. This transformative leadership training program empowers social change innovators and industry disruptors to create positive impacts on society.

Sheena Yap Chan

Author
Wiley

Kirk Gimenez

Founder
Xizzle TV