In today’s corporate landscape, there’s a noticeable shift towards embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. One aspect of this evolution is the increasing demand for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) speakers. These individuals offer unique perspectives, expertise, and cultural insights that enrich discussions on leadership, innovation, and societal progress. In this blog post, we’ll explore the most sought-after AAPI speakers who are captivating audiences with their engaging stories and thought-provoking insights. From groundbreaking innovators to esteemed thought leaders, these speakers reflect the vibrant diversity driving meaningful conversations and inspiring change in the corporate world.
Kristen Kish: Korean-born American Chef
Kristen Kish discovered her love for cooking at a young age, a passion that was further cultivated as she attended Le Cordon Bleu at her mother’s suggestion. Since graduating in 2006, Kish has worked in many restaurants before joining the Stir team in 2011. She draws inspiration and fulfillment from the energy and the camaraderie of the industry, and most recently has won critical acclaim for her success on Bravo’s Top Chef Season Ten: Seattle, becoming the second woman to win the coveted title of Top Chef. She is currently the Chef de Cuisine of Boston’s only Relais & Chateaux property and Chef Barbara Lynch’s newest restaurant, Menton.
Lisa Lee: VP of Global Culture and Belonging at DoorDash | Board of Directors for AACRE + GLAAD | Consultant
Lisa Lee is at the helm of Global Culture and Belonging at DoorDash, where she spearheads initiatives that bridge customers with businesses across the globe. With a fervent dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Lisa is a driving force behind fostering inclusive workplaces and communities. Her contributions to discussions on culture, DEI, and the future of work have garnered recognition at notable events such as LinkedIn Talent Connect, SXSW, and on NPR.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Lisa is deeply committed to uplifting the Asian American community. She has served as the Publisher of Hyphen magazine, co-founded the empowering body image platform ThickDumplingSkin.com, and holds positions on the boards of Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE) and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Through her multifaceted efforts, Lisa continues to make a profound impact on both corporate culture and societal equity.
Saroo Brierly: Author, Storyteller, Inspiration for World-Renowned Film “Lion”
Saroo Brierley is an Indian-born Australian businessman and author who, at the age of five, was accidentally separated from his biological family. He was adopted out of India by an Australian couple but was reunited with his original family 25 years later after finding his hometown via Google Earth. His story generated significant international media attention, especially in Australia and India.
An autobiographical account of his experiences, A Long Way Home, was published in 2013 in Australia, released internationally in 2014, and adapted into the 2016 Oscar-nominated film Lion, starring Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel as Saroo, David Wenham as his adoptive father, John Brierley, and Nicole Kidman as his adoptive mother, Sue Brierley.
Aasif Mandvi: American Actor and Comedian
Aasif Hakim Mandviwala, known professionally as Aasif Mandvi ,is a British-American actor, comedian and author. He was a correspondent on The Daily Show from 2006 to 2017 Mandvi’s other television work includes the HBO comedy series The Brink and the CBS/Paramount+ psychological drama Evil. His film roles include playing Mr. Aziz in Spider-Man 2 and Commander Zhao in The Last Airbender. His stage work includes appearing on Broadway as Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! and in productions of Disgraced (2012), which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013.
Laila Ireland: Transgender Veteran & Activist
Veteran Laila Ireland courageously came out as a transgender service member by sharing her story in the Emmy-nominated short film “Transgender, at War and in Love.” Today, Laila advocates for LGBTQIA equity by speaking across the country and establishing safe spaces for this critical conversation.
Eddie Huang: CELEBRITY CHEF | BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF FRESH OFF THE BOAT | HOST FOR VICE AND MTV
Celebrity chef. Charismatic host of Huang’s World on VICE. Bestselling author of Fresh Off the Boat—adapted into the groundbreaking hit ABC sitcom—as well as Double Cup Love. Yes, entrepreneur EDDIE HUANG is many things, but beneath each incarnation is an irresistible story of entrepreneurship and self-made success. He speaks on how embracing cultural diversity—your own story—is vital if we want to grow as people, and as a society.
Marisa Hamamoto: Disability Inclusion Changemaker, Speaker, Dancer | Founder, Infinite Flow Dance |
Marisa Hamamoto is the first professional dancer named People Magazine “Women Changing the World.” A leading authority on disability inclusion and building a culture of belonging, Marisa was recently named LinkedIn Top Voice, and has been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Today, Forbes, Fast Company, amongst other media outlets. As a sought-after international speaker and performing artist, Marisa has shared the stage with Tim Cook at Apple HQ’s Steve Jobs Theater, and her clients and partners include Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Red Bull, Deloitte, adidas, PayPal, Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permenente, among other forward-thinking brands. Marisa is a stroke survivor, a late-diagnosed Autistic, and a proud fourth-generation Japanese American. She is the founder of Infinite Flow, an award-winning dance company and nonprofit that employs disabled and nondisabled dancers with a mission to create a more inclusive world, one dance at a time.
Jerry Won: Keynote Speaker on Authentic Storytelling, Creator Economy, and the Asian American Experience
Jerry Won is a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator and host who has worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands in corporate and higher education. He speaks on a variety of topics including authentic storytelling, personal branding, creator economy, and the Asian American experience in the workplace.
He is the founder & CEO of Just Like Media, an Asian American storytelling company whose award-winning podcast brands Dear Asian Americans, MBAsians, The Janchi Show and Asian Podcast Network have partnered with McDonald’s, Focus Features and the US Census.
In today’s corporate landscape, there’s a noticeable shift towards embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. One aspect of this evolution is the increasing demand for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) speakers. These individuals offer unique perspectives, expertise, and cultural insights that enrich discussions on leadership, innovation, and societal progress. In this blog post, we’ll explore the most sought-after AAPI speakers who are captivating audiences with their engaging stories and thought-provoking insights. From groundbreaking innovators to esteemed thought leaders, these speakers reflect the vibrant diversity driving meaningful conversations and inspiring change in the corporate world.
Kristen Kish: Korean-born American Chef
Kristen Kish discovered her love for cooking at a young age, a passion that was further cultivated as she attended Le Cordon Bleu at her mother’s suggestion. Since graduating in 2006, Kish has worked in many restaurants before joining the Stir team in 2011. She draws inspiration and fulfillment from the energy and the camaraderie of the industry, and most recently has won critical acclaim for her success on Bravo’s Top Chef Season Ten: Seattle, becoming the second woman to win the coveted title of Top Chef. She is currently the Chef de Cuisine of Boston’s only Relais & Chateaux property and Chef Barbara Lynch’s newest restaurant, Menton.
Lisa Lee: VP of Global Culture and Belonging at DoorDash | Board of Directors for AACRE + GLAAD | Consultant
Lisa Lee is at the helm of Global Culture and Belonging at DoorDash, where she spearheads initiatives that bridge customers with businesses across the globe. With a fervent dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Lisa is a driving force behind fostering inclusive workplaces and communities. Her contributions to discussions on culture, DEI, and the future of work have garnered recognition at notable events such as LinkedIn Talent Connect, SXSW, and on NPR.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Lisa is deeply committed to uplifting the Asian American community. She has served as the Publisher of Hyphen magazine, co-founded the empowering body image platform ThickDumplingSkin.com, and holds positions on the boards of Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE) and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). Through her multifaceted efforts, Lisa continues to make a profound impact on both corporate culture and societal equity.
Saroo Brierly: Author, Storyteller, Inspiration for World-Renowned Film “Lion”
Saroo Brierley is an Indian-born Australian businessman and author who, at the age of five, was accidentally separated from his biological family. He was adopted out of India by an Australian couple but was reunited with his original family 25 years later after finding his hometown via Google Earth. His story generated significant international media attention, especially in Australia and India.
An autobiographical account of his experiences, A Long Way Home, was published in 2013 in Australia, released internationally in 2014, and adapted into the 2016 Oscar-nominated film Lion, starring Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel as Saroo, David Wenham as his adoptive father, John Brierley, and Nicole Kidman as his adoptive mother, Sue Brierley.
Aasif Mandvi: American Actor and Comedian
Aasif Hakim Mandviwala, known professionally as Aasif Mandvi ,is a British-American actor, comedian and author. He was a correspondent on The Daily Show from 2006 to 2017 Mandvi’s other television work includes the HBO comedy series The Brink and the CBS/Paramount+ psychological drama Evil. His film roles include playing Mr. Aziz in Spider-Man 2 and Commander Zhao in The Last Airbender. His stage work includes appearing on Broadway as Ali Hakim in Oklahoma! and in productions of Disgraced (2012), which won the Pulitzer Prize in 2013.
Laila Ireland: Transgender Veteran & Activist
Veteran Laila Ireland courageously came out as a transgender service member by sharing her story in the Emmy-nominated short film “Transgender, at War and in Love.” Today, Laila advocates for LGBTQIA equity by speaking across the country and establishing safe spaces for this critical conversation.
Eddie Huang: CELEBRITY CHEF | BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF FRESH OFF THE BOAT | HOST FOR VICE AND MTV
Celebrity chef. Charismatic host of Huang’s World on VICE. Bestselling author of Fresh Off the Boat—adapted into the groundbreaking hit ABC sitcom—as well as Double Cup Love. Yes, entrepreneur EDDIE HUANG is many things, but beneath each incarnation is an irresistible story of entrepreneurship and self-made success. He speaks on how embracing cultural diversity—your own story—is vital if we want to grow as people, and as a society.
Marisa Hamamoto: Disability Inclusion Changemaker, Speaker, Dancer | Founder, Infinite Flow Dance |
Marisa Hamamoto is the first professional dancer named People Magazine “Women Changing the World.” A leading authority on disability inclusion and building a culture of belonging, Marisa was recently named LinkedIn Top Voice, and has been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Today, Forbes, Fast Company, amongst other media outlets. As a sought-after international speaker and performing artist, Marisa has shared the stage with Tim Cook at Apple HQ’s Steve Jobs Theater, and her clients and partners include Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Red Bull, Deloitte, adidas, PayPal, Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permenente, among other forward-thinking brands. Marisa is a stroke survivor, a late-diagnosed Autistic, and a proud fourth-generation Japanese American. She is the founder of Infinite Flow, an award-winning dance company and nonprofit that employs disabled and nondisabled dancers with a mission to create a more inclusive world, one dance at a time.
Jerry Won: Keynote Speaker on Authentic Storytelling, Creator Economy, and the Asian American Experience
Jerry Won is a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator and host who has worked with some of the world’s most recognized brands in corporate and higher education. He speaks on a variety of topics including authentic storytelling, personal branding, creator economy, and the Asian American experience in the workplace.
He is the founder & CEO of Just Like Media, an Asian American storytelling company whose award-winning podcast brands Dear Asian Americans, MBAsians, The Janchi Show and Asian Podcast Network have partnered with McDonald’s, Focus Features and the US Census.
