Find Your Community Find Your Light

It's back! Asians in Advertising’ Breaking Barriers summit is back. This is the only event geared towards the Asian professional community and their allies in advertising, comms, and media, which will take place May 4, 2023, from 9 am - 4 pm PDT/12 pm to 7 pm EDT.

As Asian Americans, we face unique challenges in our home and workplace environments stemming from growing up with implicit bias, imposter syndrome, third culture, and more. By sharing our commonalities as we try to advance in the country we call home, we set ourselves and the next generation up for success.

Whether you want to break in, breakthrough, or break out, taking control of your career requires breaking critical barriers in the process, which we, Asian Americans, struggle with. But we're here to tell you it's time to take charge. Let's do this together.

Students are free: Click Here for Form

  • Opening remarks from AIA co-founders Bernice Chao & Jessalin Lam

  • Eric Toda, Head of Meta Prosper & Global Head of Social Marketing at Meta and Board Director at Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center will be kicking off our day.

  • You deserve to be paid what you’re worth! Learn from industry leaders Gordon Ho, Syma Mian, Caroline Gomez Grann, and Jody Octavio Thomas on how to get that promotion you’ve always wanted, negotiate your salary and benefits or contracts, and interview with confidence!

    Moderated by Joy Zhu.

  • Let’s talk about how to get more API stories made. Hear from Mimi Munoz, JJ Augustavo, and Xavier Teo as they talk about getting internal buy-ins on passion projects, telling authentic stories, and casting - both in front of and behind the camera. Moderated by Liz Kim.

    Moderated by Liz Kim.

  • It wouldn't be an Asians in Advertising event without a networking hour. Moderated by our very own, Charles Hsu and Suzie Bao.

  • Talking about issues is only the beginning! In this session, you'll hear from Bhavik Shah, Genie Lara, Brian Pang, and Kerou Chang on how to move from talk to action through optimizing ERGs and year-long programming, finding funding, and developing effective ally support.

    Moderated by Senna Bayasgalan

  • It's time for you to believe it: you are awesome. Listen and learn with speakers Cathy Butler, Denny Tu, Chris Lin, and Ji Bowlus how to tackle imposter syndrome by gaining confidence and recognizing your strengths.

    Moderated by Sean Choi.

  • Want to be seen? Hear from Bonnie Wan, Lily Zheng, Mars Nevada, and Komal Kapoor about visibility. Master LinkedIn optimization, advocating for yourself, creating thought leadership, leveraging a mentorship relationship, networking, and more. You and your work are important. Let's make sure you're being seen.

    Moderated by Ariba Jahan.

  • 7pm ET | 4pm PT Final remarks from AIA co-founders Bernice Chao & Jessalin Lam

THE SCHEDULE

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

ERIC TODA - is the Global Head of Social Marketing at Meta and the Head of Meta Prosper, a new program from Meta to support the Asian and Pacific Islander community of small businesses, creators, and nonprofits. He has held other marketing executive positions at other companies like Gap Inc, Stitch Fix, Airbnb, Snapchat, and Nike. Eric's work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, Webbys, Clios, and many others for creativity, diversity, and innovative business accelerating campaigns.

Eric Toda

WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS

Great news—AIA has 501(c)3 status, another huge step in our vision to create positive and lasting change for AAPI media professionals at every level. Get on board as an official sponsor and grow with us—your contributions will go toward program development, scholarships, and supporting AIA advocacy partners

EVENT SPEAKERS

  • Lily Zheng

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion speaker, strategist, and consultant at Zheng Consulting

  • Bhavik Shah

    Owner & CEO - Bhavik R. Shah LLC

  • Mimi Munoz

    Global Culture + Operations Manager W+K

  • Denny Tu

    CMO @ IMAX

  • Cathy Chan Butler

    CEO at Organic

  • Chris Lin

    Group Marketing Manager @ Google

  • JJ Augustavo

    Director @ M SS NG P ECES

  • Bonnie Wan

    Partner, Head of Brand Strategy Goodby Silverstein & Partners

  • Syma Mian

    US Agency Lead @ TikTok

  • Xavier Teo

    Former Executive Creative Director at R/GA

  • Gordon Ho

    President Xpertainment, Former CMO Princess Cruises & EVP Disney Studios

  • Ariba Jahan

    VP, Product Experience and Innovation @ Ad Council

  • Brian Pang

    Product Director @ Electronic Arts

  • Charles Hsu

    Media & Partnerships; Co-founder @ Anti Agency Group

  • Kerou Chang

    Director, Groupe Media Solutions, Publicis Groupe

  • Joy Zhu

    Data & Tech Partnerships @ Google

  • Komal Kapoor

    CEO, SpeakerPost

  • Mars Nevada

    Art Director, Arnold New York

  • Genie Lara

    Associate Director of Project Management at MullenLowe

  • Elizabeth Kim

    Sr Art Director @ M Booth

  • Senna Bayasgalan

    Managing Director, Marketing and Communications at GPCA

  • Ji Bowlus

    Sales Director

  • Sean Choi

    Senior Strategist @ Martin Agency

  • Suzie Bao

    Group Account Director

  • Jessalin Lam

    Co-Founder of Asians in Advertising and VP of DEI at Digitas Health

  • Bernice Chao

    Co-Founder Asians in Advertising

SWAG

SWAG

2023 AIA Breaking Barriers Mug - $14