AAEA 2025 SUMMIT
JOIN OUR JOURNEY
The 2025 National Summit of the Asian American Entrepreneur Association (AAEA) will take place on Saturday, June 21, at the VEC Building, Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. This year's theme, "Join Our Journey," reflects our shared aspirations and collective progress.
VEC Building, Columbia University Medical School
Event Details
Venue
VEC Building, Columbia University Medical School
104 Haven Ave, New York, NY 10032
Date & Time
Saturday, June 21, 2025
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Dress Code
Business Casual
Registration
Online registration only
Due to local security protocols, onsite registration will not be available
About the Summit
The 2025 National Summit of the Asian American Entrepreneur Association (AAEA) will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers including Dr. Jeannette Wing, Executive Vice President of Columbia University, and Dr. Sheena Iyengar, renowned professor at Columbia Business School.
The program will feature four themed panel discussions, charting the entrepreneurial journey—from startup planning and fundraising to growth strategy and pre- & post-IPO governance—offering a dynamic exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices.
In today's ever-evolving landscape, we hope this summit fosters a deeper sense of honor, achievement, and engagement within the Asian American entrepreneurial community. We aim to provide practical solutions, spark new perspectives, and, most importantly, amplify the mission and vision of AAEA to a wider audience.
HONORABLE SPEAKERS
Dr. Jeannette Wing
Executive Vice President, Columbia University
Dr. Jeannette Wing is a renowned computer scientist and former Director of Columbia University’s Data Science Institute. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work in trustworthy AI and for popularizing the concept of “computational thinking.” Dr. Wing has held leadership positions at Microsoft Research and Carnegie Mellon University, and is a Fellow of several prestigious academies. She holds three degrees from MIT.
Dr. Anil K. Lalwani
President, CUAFA; Professor, Columbia University
Dr. Anil K. Lalwani is a leading otolaryngologist specializing in neurotology and cochlear implantation. Based at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, he is known for his surgical expertise in treating both pediatric and adult ear disorders. Dr. Lalwani’s distinguished career includes leadership roles at UCSF, NYU School of Medicine, and Columbia, with significant contributions to clinical research and patient care.
Dr. Ian Y. Pan
President, AAEA
Dr. Ian Y. Pan is a distinguished medicinal chemist and pharmaceutical executive with over two decades of experience in oncology and antiviral drug discovery. He has founded and led two international CDMO companies specializing in pre-clinical R&D. Currently, Dr. Pan focuses on investments in biotech and AI applications, leveraging his expertise in health product innovation and executive leadership.
Dr. Sheena S. Iyengar
S.T. Lee Professor, Columbia Business School
Dr. Sheena Iyengar is a globally acclaimed expert on choice and decision-making. Her bestselling book, The Art of Choosing, received the Financial Times and Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year Award. A blind Indian American scholar, Dr. Iyengar earned her Ph.D. from Stanford University and advises leading global organizations. She teaches the groundbreaking course “Think Bigger” at Columbia.
Mr. Lei Huang
CEO, TradeUP Securities
Lei Huang is a seasoned financial executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across global financial institutions and fintech ventures. As CEO of US Tiger Securities and TradeUP Securities, he has played a key role in advancing digital finance and regulatory strategy. Huang’s prior roles include senior leadership positions at Morgan Stanley, Barclays, CICC US Securities, and Haitong Securities USA.
Jianping Schoolman
Chief of Staff, Office of the AAEA President | Event Host
Jianping Schoolman is an educator committed to advancing Asian American culture, art, and business. She previously directed the Wharton/Lauder MBA/MA China Immersion Program. Schoolman plays a leading role in shaping AAEA’s signature programs by curating its annual summits and producing the Entrepreneur Forum and Branding & Marketing Forum.
HOSTS AND PANELISTS
Dr. Shaorui Li
Founder and CEO, Lismikro Inc.
Dr. Shaorui Li is a visionary in integrated circuit design, with over 20 years of experience in consumer electronics, medical imaging, and quantum computing. She holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University and leads ASIC innovations at Lismikro, supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and NASA.
Dr. Zhou (Jo) Yu
Professor of Computer Science, Columbia University; Founder, Arklex.ai
Dr. Zhou Yu is a leading expert in conversational AI, with a Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University. Named to Forbes 30 Under 30, she has received multiple best paper awards. Dr. Yu’s AI systems— including an Amazon Alexa Prize-winning project—have had significant real-world impact. At Arklex.ai, she leads the development of advanced AI agents.
Jie Li
VC & Accelerator, Lair East Labs
Jie Li is a startup ecosystem builder with over 8 years of experience in venture investment and business development. He has advised more than 60 startups, led international expansion strategies, and mentored entrepreneurs at top innovation hubs. Li’s research background includes quantum optics and fluorescent hydrogel technologies.
Dr. Rein Wu
Cofounder of ClearEye
Dr. Rein Wu is an AI researcher and fintech innovator with a background as a research scientist at VISA. He has authored over 30 papers and patents in artificial intelligence and has founded multiple fintech startups. At ClearEye, Dr. Wu develops real-time risk detection systems for stablecoin ecosystems using advanced AI techniques.
Dr. Honghai Song
Founder and CEO, Canyon Magnet Energy
Dr. Honghai Song is an expert in high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets, focused on scalable applications for fusion energy and medical technologies. He holds a Ph.D. from Florida State University and has worked at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Stony Brook University, and SuperPower Inc.
Dr. Ran He
Founder, THC Lawyers
Dr. Ran He is a U.S. and Canadian-licensed attorney specializing in commercial law, finance, and intellectual property. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and advises biomedical, IT, and AI companies. Dr. He has represented global pharmaceutical firms and NASDAQ-listed companies in complex cross-border legal matters.
Raya Arbiol
Partner, New York Life; Founder, Thrive Consulting
Raya Arbiol is a U.S. Navy veteran and financial services leader at New York Life, where she helps professionals build independent practices supported by a Fortune 100 firm. She is the founder of Thrive Consulting, an advocate for inclusion and civic engagement, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Management at Walden University.
Nannan Natalie Zhang
Chief Compliance Officer at CICC US
Nannan Natalie Zhang is a financial services executive specializing in cross-border payments and regulatory compliance. Formerly President and CEO of XTransfer Inc. (U.S. and Canada), she successfully scaled the company’s U.S. operations. Zhang holds a J.D. from Washington University and an LL.M. from the University of Amsterdam.
Dr. Aurora Maher
Founder & CEO, AMFA Capital Management
Dr. Aurora Maher is a financial executive with expertise in asset management and quantitative strategy. She began her career at Merrill Lynch, later worked at the McKinsey Investment Office, and co-founded Hedera Capital. She now leads AMFA Capital. Dr. Maher holds a Ph.D. in Statistics from Carnegie Mellon University.
Naveen Rikhy
Managing Director, Deal Advisory, KPMG
Naveen Rikhy is a capital markets specialist focused on SEC reporting, IPO advisory, and cross-border transactions. He advises senior executives on public offerings, M&A deals, and complex financial transformations.
Bill Wang
Chief Executive Officer, Amergy Solar
Bill Wang is a clean energy executive with more than 15 years of experience in commercial and industrial solar solutions. As CEO of Amergy Solar, he has overseen more than 200 MW of projects, driving innovation and sustainability in the solar energy sector.
Richard Yang
President, Sonablate Corporation
Richard Yang is President of Sonablate Corporation, a global leader in AI-driven HIFU technology for prostate treatment, with products in 60+ countries and a planned NYSE IPO in 2026. He also leads Golden Coast Real Estate and advises North Carolina on China affairs.
Henny Sender
Consultant and Advisor to Laurence Fink, CEO of BlackRock
Henny Sender is a strategic advisor focused on Asian investment opportunities, with deep expertise in private equity, venture capital, and sustainability. Formerly a managing director at BlackRock, she has shaped regional investment strategies through strong relationships with sovereign wealth funds, central banks, and pension institutions.
Emma Carroll
Co-CEO of Snail, Inc.
Emma Carroll is a capital markets advisor with expertise in financial reporting, SEC compliance, and business combinations. She supports IPO and M&A transactions for clients in the technology, media, and telecommunications sectors.
Violet Byun
Senior Foreign Fixed Income Portfolio Manager, Samsung Asset Management
Violet Byun is a portfolio manager overseeing an $8 billion portfolio of U.S. investment-grade bonds. Previously, she managed a $16 billion global portfolio of high-grade SSAs and corporate bonds in Seoul, ranking among Korea’s top three portfolio managers. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Yonsei University.
Kewa Luo
Vice President and Head of Public Relations, Kandi Technologies Group (Nasdaq: KNDI)
Kewa Luo is a corporate communications and investor relations strategist in the electric vehicle sector. At Kandi Technologies, she has secured major media exposure and led engagements with top financial institutions. Luo holds degrees from Duquesne University and previously served as President of the Asian Financial Society.
Join Us at the AAEA 2025 Summit
The success of this summit depends on the active participation and wholehearted support of entrepreneurs like you. Let's join hands to make this journey truly extraordinary—TOGETHER!
Register Now