Los Angeles, CA — December 16, 2025 — Asia Society Southern California (ASSC) proudly hosted its fourth annual Asian Women Empowered (AWE) Luncheon at the Skirball Cultural Center, bringing together more than 130 leaders, creators, executives, founders, and community advocates. The sold-out gathering served as a powerful celebration of Asian women’s leadership, influence, and impact across Southern California and beyond.
The AWE Luncheon had become a signature program of ASSC’s Asian Women Empowered initiative, which focused on uplifting and advancing Asian women through public programming, cross-sector convenings, mentorship opportunities, and storytelling. The 2025 luncheon reflected the continued growth and momentum of the initiative, creating a meaningful space for connection, recognition, and shared purpose.
Guests represented a wide range of industries, including entertainment, business, technology, education, philanthropy, and the public sector. Throughout the afternoon, attendees engaged in thoughtful conversations, celebrated achievements, and strengthened networks that supported leadership and collaboration. The atmosphere was both inspiring and intimate, allowing participants to connect authentically while reflecting on shared experiences and aspirations.
“Through AWE, we aimed to build a community where Asian women could lead with visibility, confidence, and collective strength,” said Katie Soo, Chair of Asia Society Southern California and Global Trustee of Asia Society. She noted that the luncheon reinforced the power of gathering and the importance of creating spaces where stories were shared, networks were strengthened, and opportunities expanded.
The 2025 AWE Luncheon featured a dynamic program that highlighted leadership journeys and personal insights from this year’s AWE Champions. Keynote and spotlight conversations included Ellen Chen, Co-Founder of Mendocino Farms; Kakul Srivastava, CEO at Splice; and Vicky Tsai, Founder of Tatcha. Each honoree shared reflections on their professional paths, discussing the challenges they faced, the values that guided them, and the importance of authenticity and resilience in leadership.
These conversations resonated deeply with attendees, offering candid perspectives on navigating complex industries while remaining true to one’s identity. Discussions explored themes such as representation, purpose-driven leadership, and the responsibility of leaders to open doors for others. The speakers emphasized that success was not achieved in isolation, but through community support, mentorship, and perseverance.
In addition to keynote conversations, the program included community recognitions that celebrated individuals and organizations championing inclusion and inspiring progress. These acknowledgments highlighted the collective effort required to advance equity and representation, reinforcing the luncheon’s broader message that leadership thrived when communities invested in one another.
The luncheon environment encouraged mentorship, dialogue, and shared learning. Emerging leaders had opportunities to engage with established executives, founders, and changemakers, fostering intergenerational connections aligned with AWE’s mission. Conversations extended beyond professional accomplishments, touching on personal growth, cultural identity, and the evolving definition of leadership.
Founded in 2021, the Asian Women Empowered initiative reflected ASSC’s long-term commitment to elevating Asian women’s voices and experiences. AWE programming explored leadership development, creative empowerment, entrepreneurship, workplace equity, and global perspectives. Through year-round events and storytelling, the initiative created a platform where Asian women could be seen, heard, and supported.
“AWE was centered on community,” said Janet Yang, Chair of AWE and Advisory Council Member of Asia Society Southern California. She shared that the energy in the room demonstrated how essential it was to create spaces where Asian women felt supported and empowered to lead with confidence. The luncheon, she noted, was not only a celebration, but also a reminder of the collective responsibility to continue building inclusive leadership pathways.
The success of the 2025 AWE Luncheon was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, donors, and partners who believed in the power of Asian women’s leadership. Contributions raised during the event directly supported AWE’s ongoing programming and its mission to uplift Asian women leaders across generations and industries.
As the luncheon concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of connection and inspiration. The event reaffirmed the importance of visibility, storytelling, and community in shaping leadership that was inclusive, impactful, and forward-looking. Asia Society Southern California continued to position AWE as a vital platform for advancing dialogue, collaboration, and empowerment within the Asian women’s community.
Asia Society Southern California, part of the global Asia Society founded in 1956, served as a regional hub for arts, culture, education, business, and public dialogue at the intersection of the United States and Asia. Through programs like AWE, ASSC fostered mutual understanding, connection, and collaboration across borders while amplifying voices that shaped the future of leadership.
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