

API WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2021
June 11 • 11 AM to 6 PM ET • VIRTUAL
API women face a double-paned glass ceiling when it comes to career advancement.
To help address these issues, SASE Pro is hosting a one-day virtual leadership conference for API women professionals on Friday, June 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (ET). This exciting new event has been developed with input from more than 100 API women professionals and 30 API employee resource groups.
Join more than 250 attendees from more than 50 companies for 3 keynote speakers and 9 workshops in 3 different tracks, spanning a broad range of topics from authentic leadership to negotiation to corporate agility. In addition, virtual breakout rooms will feature Focus Circles in a safe, open environment that makes API female role models more visible and accessible.
- Less likely to have supervisory responsibilities or reach executive levels than other women of color?
- Less likely to be viewed as leaders in professional settings?
- More likely to find their cultural and familial values at odds with successfully navigating American corporate culture?
KEYNOTES

Vice President
Product Strategy & Operations, Verizon
Sanyogita leads an impressive technology portfolio that has encompassed augmented reality, computer vision, location, quantum, and other security technology projects. She manages a diverse team of engineers, technologists, product managers and a triple digit $M budget. She also actively mentors and advocates for women in technology, participating in Grace Hopper Celebration, Tech Up for Women, Women in XR, SWE and multiple other women in technology conferences. Sanyogita received her MBA from the Wharton School and Ph.D in electrical engineering and math from the University of Virginia.

President and CEO
MR, GE Healthcare
Jie leads the global team that is responsible for product innovation, commercial growth and customer collaboration to bring new and innovative solutions to the market while providing a better experience for healthcare providers and their patients. Prior to this role, Jie was the President & CEO of GE Healthcare’s X-ray business. Jie holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, China and a master’s degree in computer engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She lives in Delafield, WI with her husband and two sons.

Vice President of Engineering
Strategic Space Systems, Northrop Grumman
Gefferie leads engineering execution across all space programs and new business activities within the Space Systems sector, a premier provider of space and launch systems serving national security, civil and commercial customers. Her responsibilities include engineering strategy, training and career development, processes and procedures for engineering excellence and implementation and effectiveness measurement. She joined Northrop Grumman in 1988 as a digital design engineer. She holds six U.S. patents relating to electronic payloads that perform on-board processing in satellites.
SCHEDULE
10:30am
Pre-Event Meditation (optional)
11:00am
Welcome Event
API Women stats/research - Corine Kodama (Women Employed)
Opening Keynote - Sanyogita Shamsunder (Verizon)
11:45am
1:00pm
Focus Circles
small group sessions that create a supportive space for
conversations and open discussion enabling the creation of
authentic connections among participants
1:50pm
Mid-Day Keynote - Jie Xue (GE Healthcare)
2:20pm
How to Pitch the Big Picture, Captivate Listeners and Turn Interactions into “Tell Me More” Moments
2:20 - 3:30 Track: 2 Read MoreI'm not a Dragon Lady or a Geisha! How to Disprove Stereotypes and Assert Yourself Authentically
2:20 - 3:30 Track: 3 Read More3:35pm
Focus Circles
small group sessions that create a supportive space for
conversations and open discussion enabling the creation of
authentic connections among participants
4:15pm
Embracing Cultural Confidence™ in the Workplace: Authentic and Impactful Leadership
4:15 - 5:25 Track: 1 Read MoreBuilding an Authentic Approach to Managing Biased Relationships Against Asian Women
4:15 - 5:25 Track: 3 Read More5:30pm
Closing and Keynote - Gefferie Yee-Madera (Northrop Grumman)
6:00pm
Optional Happy Hour and Networking
PLATINUM SPONSORS
PREMIUM SPONSOR
Embracing Cultural Confidence™ in the Workplace: Authentic and Impactful Leadership
XMost likely, you’ve heard or been told to “bring your authentic self to work.” However, what does it mean and how does it look in the workplace? Through embracing cultural confidence™, realize the powerful correlation between your mental health and leadership identity. Appreciate the meaning of engaging for change and its effect on promoting good mental health. In essence, it’s about leading by living into your core values to make your own impact in the workplace, community or beyond. It begins first with acknowledging that leadership can be learned and developed.
Trainer: Jeanie Chang, YourChangeProvider
XJeanie Chang is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Founder of Your Change Provider, PLLC, an interdisciplinary practice founded on solutions and cultural confidence in promoting good mental health and wellness. Jeanie’s clinical expertise extends well outside the therapy room. She is an accomplished national speaker for corporate, community, and colleges on topics such as burnout, resilience, mindfulness, stress, workplace wellness, and mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Jeanie is also a corporate wellness and DEI consultant, executive leadership advisor, and family/parenting coach. In addition, she provides support groups for leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
I'm not a Dragon Lady or a Geisha! How to Disprove Stereotypes and Assert Yourself Authentically
XIn Corporate America, perception often becomes a reality. To master what we can control, we need to be intentional about our interactions. Your behavior becomes evidence for stories people tell themselves. This webinar will explore a) the intersection of gender and racial stereotypes for Asian-American women and the danger of confirmation bias in the workplace, b) actionable steps to focus your interactions on driving business performance, and c) an opportunity to practice asserting yourself authentically.
Trainer: Hung Nguyen, Outlast Consulting
XHung is a principal at OUTLAST Consulting, a purpose-driven professional development + strategy firm focused on fueling innovation and empowering diverse talent. She has 15+ years of strategy experience at McKinsey, bp, and General Mills. She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Economics from Harvard College and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Her interest in diversity extends into a love for travel. You can watch her globetrotting antics on Season 32 of CBS’s reality TV show, The Amazing Race.
Corporate Agility: Mastering Organizational Dynamics & Politics
XCan professionals succeed and thrive amidst what many term “office politics?” How can we shift these difficult group dynamics toward positive organizations powered by positive people? Despite these social struggles, this session supports you in this journey toward success in navigating these challenges. Corporate Agility transforms the view of office politics toward broader, more gracious perspectives that benefit most, if not all, parties involved. Learn the key organizational “rules” and tools that will build your social capital and strengthen collegial relationships.
Trainer: Stephanie Piimauna, AsianUpward by Elevate
XA veteran of the hospitality industry for over 25 years, Stephanie Piimauna is currently serving as an executive at one of the largest international Entertainment, Gaming, and Hospitality companies in the world. She has thrived in the area of Learning and Development for most of those years and continues to follow her passion for developing leaders. In addition, she provides cutting-edge diversity training and oversight of the company’s many employee resource groups through her leadership in Diversity and Inclusion. Stephanie also manages company groups that are involved in various environmental, philanthropic, and volunteer initiatives.
Value-Based Leadership for Asian Women
XThrough generations of global migration, our communities have internalized and let go of cultural values at a rapid pace. It is in fact our values, specifically our Asian values, that harness our authenticity and leadership in life and in work. Women, especially, have an innate access to values and authenticity. Now more than ever, we need that conscious leadership to ensure the well-being of our teams, our organizations, our communities. This highly interactive experience with facilitate
- - your ability to identify your own cultural values
- - assess their impact on self and those around you
- - your capacity to lead with your cultural values thereby enhancing your effectiveness and deepening your followership
Trainer: Farah Bala, LEAP
XFarah Bala is an Intercultural Leadership and Communications Specialist, Coach, and Speaker. As founder and CEO of FARSIGHT, she consults, facilitates and leads individual and group programs globally on an across all tiers of leadership, from Fortune 500 companies to non-profit organizations. Her clients include C-suites, emerging leaders, creatives and entrepreneurs in wide-ranging sectors, including finance, law, technology, media and entertainment among others. She is also a faculty coach at multiple learning and development institutions. Farah believes equity and inclusion are the foundational pillars for effective leadership and communication. Farah’s speaking engagements have included Yale University, the Ford Foundation, Voice America, NY Travel Festival, Travel Unity, Adirondack Diversity Initiative Travel Summit, among others.
Walking the Tightrope of Work and Life Pressures
XHeroic accomplishments and discoveries are born in the face of extraordinary challenges. Today, many female leaders are faced with extraordinary challenges—an overnight move to virtual office environments at home, juggling more roles than ever before, an indistinguishable line between personal and work life…and unpredictable global events. Female leaders today face unprecedented uncertainty while balancing even more responsibility. Learning to trust and lean on yourself is requisite at times like this. One of the key ingredients to do this is through self-mastery.
In this workshop, we will explore how you can develop this for leadership and personal effectiveness.
Trainer: Rita Devassy, Devaseed
XRita Devassy, the founder and CEO of Deva Seed, combines her science background, leadership experience and contemplative practice to help leaders conquer their work pressures without sacrificing well-being or performance. Rita has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Indiana University, a bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Science from Purdue University and a certificate in Authentic Leadership from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado.
5 Truths Most People Overlook About Negotiating
XMany of us often shy away from asking for more and what we want. It could be more money, more responsibilities, or better working arrangements. Some of us are reluctant to ask. Some of us do ask but stop short of asking for what we really want. Whatever your reason is you’re missing out on more than just money. You’re putting your future opportunities and earning potential at stake. In this interactive session, Nozomi will share the truths that most people overlook when it comes to negotiating for what they want. You will take away practical strategies and tools to successfully negotiate every single time without resentment and regrets.
Trainer: Nozomi Morgan, Michiki Morgan
XNozomi Morgan is the CEO of Michiki Morgan Worldwide. Her passion is to develop global leaders who can lead beyond cultural differences and boundaries and do good in this world. She is known as the bridge-builder helping global leaders, teams, and corporations to overcome the tension and frustration that arise from cultural differences. She leads a team of world-class experts who help international organizations when they have a critical need to improve quality, performance, and profitability through building a culture of excellence.
Earlier in her career, she was appointed to open the Japan office for a U.S. firm and she continued to lead international teams and projects for industry-leading global companies through complex situations such as merger and acquisitions. Her diverse international background — having lived and worked in Asia, Europe and North America — gives her a wealth of experience and knowledge as a trusted partner to international organizations. Born and raised in Japan, she values integrity, professionalism, and respect, all of which are core tenets of her deeply ingrained heritage.
She is a regular contributor to Forbes.com and Huffington Post. She holds an MBA from Yale School of Management.
How to Pitch the Big Picture, Captivate Listeners and Turn Interactions into “Tell Me More” Moments
XIt’s your big moment. Your chance to present your big idea.
The catch? You’re on the clock and you only have a minute to hook your listener.
Uh oh. There’s no time to be detailed or give long explanations. You have to pitch the big picture.
No worries. Even if you have sophisticated research, a pioneering product, or a new-to-the-world approach, you can create a clear, compelling pitch in just a few sentences.
In this interactive workshop you’ll walk through a step-by-step process to pitch any idea successfully, with or without slides, in whatever time frame you’re given.
This is what you’ll learn:
• Learn the framework for a captivating pitch
• Learn technique to keep your pitch focused, compelling and up to 40% more memorable.
• Discover how to pitch any topic in 15, 30 or 60 seconds (and a shortcut to pitch in as few as 10 seconds)
Trainer: Rebecca Okamoto, Evoke
XRebecca Okamoto is a communication and personal brand consultant, and the founder of Evoke Strategy Group. Rebecca helps professionals master clear, concise communications so they become better recognized for their ideas, potential, and strengths. She’s an expert at helping people introduce themselves in 20 words or less, and showing them how to pitch the big picture in under 60 seconds. Rebecca also teaches strategic communications and executive presence where leaders learn how to capture the room, and project confidence, expertise and insight. Rebecca is a former P&G executive and first Asian American woman to reach the top 1% of the Supply Chain Function. She was also P&G’s first Asian woman to run a supply chain in Japan. Today she is on a mission to develop Asian leaders who will develop Asians, everywhere. Rebecca is a popular blogger and speaker, and she consults with corporations, associations and entrepreneurs on career and communication success. Her clients include Procter & Gamble, Medtronic, Asian Business League San Francisco, and Network of Executive Women.
Get Gravitas: How to Project Excellence Without Saying A Word
XWhat matters more: What you say or how you say it? In this interactive online workshop, we will explore the power of non-verbal communication and how to use it for your strategic advantage in the workplace. You will learn key body language techniques to look, sound, and feel more confident. You’ll also discover the “Three Voices” everyone has but only polished speakers use and how to better harness the true power of your voice to strengthen your professional presence.
Trainer: Beena Kavalam, Beena Kavalam
X Beena Kavalam is a leadership consultant, located in the Metro New York area, and CEO of Personal Revolution Consulting, an executive coaching and training consultancy.
Beena received an M.B.A. from NYU Stern School of Business and a B.A. in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University. She also has her Executive Coaching certifications from the International Coaching Federation (PCC) and the Co-Active Training Institute (CPCC).
Beena started her career as a management consultant for Accenture and later worked as a brand manager on the Bayer Aspirin®, Flintstones™ Vitamins and International Delight® brands. Today, she coaches over 600 top millennial leaders and C-level executives around the country on the topics of mindset, communication and leadership.
Building an Authentic Approach to Managing Biased Relationships Against Asian Women
XThere are workplace stereotypes that affect the effectiveness of our leadership skills as Asian women. We are seen as either passive or aggressive leaders that keep us below an Asian glass ceiling.
• How do we contribute to unconscious biases that impact our professional advancement? • How can we calibrate our leadership approach to elevate our credibility while creating harmonious engagement with our stakeholders?
In this workshop, we will help you see your natural leadership style more objectively and provide you with the tool to bring the proper support/challenge for effective interaction.
Trainer: Krys Doctor, B-Spoke
X Krys Doctor is a Senior Certified Professional with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP). She has been an active pro bono consultant with Taproot Foundation since 2013 and a volunteer with the Downtown Women’s Center of Los Angeles. She continues to support the homeless population as a staff development consultant with the LA County Housing for Health program.
Krys is a mom to a daughter and a son. She is also a grandmother to three beautiful girls – two human and one canine. She is a bookworm and a foodie who advocates for non-traditional educational and career paths, and equal access to education, housing, and healthcare. As a human resources and leadership consultant with 25 years’ experience working in Fortune 500 companies, Krys has learned that leadership development is a critical need to many who do not have access to the right resources. The professional results she is most proud of include coaching numerous individuals discover their career passions and promote to leadership roles; and helping non-profit organizations and small businesses gain greater effectiveness through talent management, learning and development, and coaching. Her mission is to cultivate leadership growth and help people exceed their potential.
Trainer: Joanne Giang, B-Spoke
XJoanne Giang is the CEO & Founder of Braindom LLC, a HR Consulting company focused on Training & Development. Founded on her strong belief that companies can grow when they focus on people, Joanne is here to build authentic leaders in the workplace. She brings 10+years of experience in organizational development and management experience to create harmony and collaboration in the workplace. During her 8 years at IKEA, Joanne developed and implemented sustainable and effective team communication and management systems throughout multiple departments in the company. She strongly believes in developing and empowering her teams to bring their unique contribution to the organization. Her leadership and accomplishments were recognized on a National level: Top 3 in the US for Sales Index, #1 in US for IKEA FOOD Customer Satisfaction, and Top 5 Departments for Employee Satisfaction in her store. In her volunteer-time, she serves on the board of the non-profit, National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), Los Angeles Chapter and also acts as the liaison between the business community and local Chamber of Commerce.