2024 Inspiring Across Generations
Lead Together from Any Seat
Event Details
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM CT / 11:00 AM ET
Venue: Our main event will be at the West Monroe offices in Chicago. An In-Person Networking and viewing sessions will be held in Columbus as well.
-
Main In-Person: West Monroe Building: 311 W Monroe St 15th Floor Chicago, IL 60606
-
In-Person Networking and Viewing in Columbus: One Nationwide Plaza, W. Nationwide Blvd, Columbus OH 43215
-
Virtual
Admission: Chicago (In-Person): Member: $125 I Non-Member: $175
Columbus (In-Person Networking and Viewing Party): Member: $75 I Non-Member: $125
Virtual: Member: $50 I Non-Member: $100
Description
Join us for Ascend Midwest's 2024 Inspiring Across Generations event, "Lead Together from Any Seat," focusing on inclusive leadership, skill development, and collective purpose-driven strategies. Engage with industry leaders and expand your professional network!
Agenda
10:00 AM CT / 11:00 AM ET:
Morning Registration and Networking
10:30 AM CT / 11:30 AM ET:
10:45 AM ET / 11:45 AM ET:
11:45 AM CT / 12:45 PM ET:
Break
12:00 PM CT / 1:00 PM ET:
1:00 PM CT / 2:00 PM ET:
Lunch Break / Networking Break
2:00 PM CT - 3:00 PM ET:
​3:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM ET:
4:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM ET:
5:15 PM CT / 6:15 PM ET:
Networking Hour / Happy Hour
Opening Remarks & Introduction
Opening Remarks & Introduction
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM CT
Speaker:
Aaron Fung
Co-President
Speaker:
Vanessa Obrochta
Co-President
Speaker​
James Pan
EVP
Fireside Chat with Susan Patel
A Fireside Chat with Susan Patel on Empowering Growth
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM CT
Join us for an engaging fireside chat with Susan Patel, a dynamic community leader, seasoned entrepreneur, and dedicated advocate for positive change. As the daughter of one of the co-founders of Patel Brothers, the largest Indian grocery chain in America, Susan has been instilled with a strong work ethic from an early age. Now, as a respected board member and influential figure in the South Asian community, Susan will share her insights on driving innovation and empowerment through dedication. This conversation promises to inspire and offer valuable perspectives on making a meaningful impact in both personal and professional spheres.
Featured Speaker:
Susan Patel
​Founder and Owner
Suuprah
Interviewer:
Sharmila Fowler
VP of Programs, Midwest
DEI Consultant & Leadership Coach
Fireside Chat with Lorena Ritchey
A Fireside Chat with Lorena Ritchey on Innovative Leadership and Transformation
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT
Join us for a compelling fireside chat with Lorena Ritchey, VP of Technology Insourcing at Nationwide. Lorena, an expert in driving organizational change through transformational delivery and operational excellence, will discuss her approach to innovation and leadership. With a track record of achieving over $50M in efficiencies and $500M in investments towards modernization, Lorena’s insights are invaluable for anyone looking to lead and inspire in today’s dynamic environment. Facilitated by Jerry Won, a distinguished keynote speaker and creative entrepreneur, this conversation will explore Lorena’s strategies for driving effective change, developing leadership talent, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Jerry, Founder & CEO of Just Like Media and World Class Speakers, brings his expertise in storytelling and personal branding to guide this insightful discussion.
Featured Speaker:
Lorena Ritchey
Vice President, Technology Insourcing
Nationwide
Interviewer:
Jerry Won
Founder and CEO
Just Like Media​​
Redemption and Resilience
Tuan Huynh on Community, Resilience, and Impact
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM CT
Join us for an engaging session with Tuan Huynh, an award-winning Creative Director and founder of VietFive, LLC. Tuan’s journey from a refugee escaping Vietnam to a celebrated advocate for diversity and inclusion is a testament to his resilience and dedication to creating positive change. Tuan will share his inspiring story and discuss how VietFive Coffee goes beyond serving Vietnamese coffee to offer career opportunities, industry networking, and support for marginalized communities. Learn about his initiatives, including the youth program at Leo Burnett and The Pencil Project, which have opened doors for hundreds of students and empowered individuals to achieve their own success stories.
Panelist:
Tuan Huynh
Founder
Vietfive Coffee
Empowering Communities Civic Panel
Empowering Communities, Shaping Futures
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM CT
Join us for an engaging session where three esteemed civic leaders will share their insights on how collective action and professional networks drive societal progress. This dialogue will explore the crucial role of community engagement and leadership in shaping a brighter future. Our panelists will discuss their experiences in empowering communities, highlighting how their leadership and collaborative efforts have made a tangible impact. This session aims to provide valuable perspectives on the intersection of community involvement, leadership, and collective action, offering inspiration and strategies for driving positive change in your own sphere of influence.
Panelist:
Maria Racho
Founding & Managing Partner
Kapwa Capital
Panelist:
Anne Shaw
Founding Officer and President
Shaw Legal Services, Ltd.
Panelist:
Lisa Wong
Director of Strategy
BMO Wealth Management
Facilitator:
George Mui
Founder
Asian American Executive Network
Influencing from Every Seat Panel
Influence from Every Seat: Leadership Journeys Across Career Stages
4:00 PM - 4:45 PM CT
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion featuring leaders at different career stages—junior, mid-career, and executive—who will share their unique insights on leadership and influence. This session will explore how leaders at every level can make a significant impact within their fields and communities. Panelists will discuss their personal leadership journeys, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the pivotal role of mentorship in their professional development. Learn how each stage of their career has shaped their approach to leadership and how they harness their influence to drive positive change.
Panelist:
Mitchell Ji
SVP, Corporate Finance
UL Solutions
Panelist:
Yanchun Liu
Senior Global Marketing Manager
Mars
Panelist:
Abiman Rajadurai
Legal Advisor
​McDonald’s Corporation
Panelist:
Anshu Tirumali
Manager, Sales Strategy
West Monroe
Facilitator:
Linda Cai
Talent Advisor, Leadership Author and Coach
Speakers
Linda Cai
Talent Advisor
Leadership Author and Coach
Sharmila Fowler
VP of Programs, ​Midwest
DEI Consultant & Leadership Coach
Tuan Huynh
Founder
Vietfive Coffee
Mitchell Ji
SVP, Corporate Finance
UL Solutions
Yanchun Liu
Senior Global Marketing Manager
Mars
George Mui
Founder
Asian American Executive Network
Susan Patel
​Founder and Owner
Suuprah
Abiman Rajadurai
Legal Advisor
McDonald’s Corporation
Lorena Ritchey
Vice President, Technology Insourcing
Nationwide
Maria Racho
Founding & Managing Partner
Kapwa Capital
Anne Shaw
Founding Officer and President
Shaw Legal Services, Ltd.
Anshu Tirumali
Manager, Sales Strategy
West Monroe
Lisa Wong
Director of Strategy
BMO Wealth Management
Jerry Won
Founder and CEO
Just Like Media
Our Program Sponsors
Platinum
Silver
Bronze
Safety of our guests is paramount to Ascend. Attendees are responsible for monitoring their own condition and agree to comply with the safety, hygiene and CDC identified pandemic level communicable illnesses (including COVID-19) guidelines established by relevant health authorities. We request that attendees not attend an event should they test positive or if they experience COVID symptoms prior to the event.