Ascend Executive Network

Challenge

Research shows that it is 3.7Xs more difficult for Pan-Asians to become Corporate Executives in U.S. | Ascend Foundation Research: “Hidden in Plain Sight: Asian American Leaders in Silicon Valley”

Actions

Ascend, a career lifecycle non-profit organization for Pan-Asian business professionals and executives, established the Ascend Executive Network (AEN) to build a broader, aligned executive community in the U.S. and Canada. The vision of the Ascend Executive Network is to connect, inspire, and prepare Pan-Asian executives for executive leadership and board positions while advocating for the Pan-Asian community.

Outcomes

Ascend Executive Network (AEN) increased its focus on advancing the visibility and influence of Pan-Asians in the C-suite and public company boards. AEN includes specific diversity groups such as executive sponsors for corporate Employee Resource Groups (ERG) and Business Resource Groups (BRG), Pan-Asian women, and experienced corporate board directors (Ascend Pinnacle). Regional AEN chapters were formed in New York, Washington, D.C., and the San Francisco Bay Area, with more chapters planned to engage additional Pan-Asian senior executives and address regional market needs. As part of AEN, an increasing series of national and regional programs and events including the CXO Masterclass, CEO Breakfast, Corporate Executive Leadership Program, Corporate Executive Initiative (CEI), and Asian American Executive Program, in collaboration with the Stanford Graduate School of Business, are currently offered throughout the year in New York, Washington, D.C. and the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Contact

Peyen Fong

Quote

Our efforts to advocate for advancement and increase the pipeline of Pan-Asian senior executives were accelerated by the fact that Pan-Asians are underrepresented in leadership positions and we are focused on making positive change.

Jeff Chin
Co-Founder & President Emeritus Ascend & Ascend Foundation
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