API Futures

Recorded live in San Francisco’s Chinatown, this special episode of the API Futures Podcast captures the energy of the Big Game Block Party held on February 4, 2026.We’re joined by API sports legends for a powerful conversation on career-defining moments, resilience, and what it takes to break barriers at the highest levels of sport. Our guests share their journeys, the challenges they faced as trailblazers, and how they’ve helped shape the future of athletics and leadership.Featuring:Kristi Yamaguchi, Olympic Gold MedalistStephanie Hsiao, VP, International Business Operations, NFLNatalie Nakase, Head Coach, Golden State ValkyriesJesse Sapolu, 4-Time Super Bowl Champion

Hali Lee—Time100 Philanthropy 2025 honoree, founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle, and author of The Big We—joins award-winning journalist and 6abc anchor Nydia Han to explore the power giving back and igniting community-driven change. Hali shares how shared purpose, generosity, and coming together at the “kitchen table” can shape a more hopeful and impactful future.

As Asian Americans become one of the fastest-growing electorates in 2025, civic engagement and nonpartisan action are key to navigating today’s challenges. Join Hannah Locop of APIAVote and Sunayana Dumala of AAPI’s Coming Together (FL) as they unpack the key issues facing our communities and share practical resources to strengthen representation and collective voice.

Jennifer Tsay and Jennifer Yeh, the dynamic duo behind Shoott, are redefining how clients experience professional shoots through their standout photography platform–with over 750 freelance photographers in more than 60 U.S. cities. The Jennifers open up about what makes their partnership work, how diverse backgrounds (from investment banking to acting) shape their leadership, and what it really takes to scale a values-driven business. Whether you’re building with a co-founder or dreaming solo, their journey offers smart lessons and inspiration for any entrepreneur navigating growth, collaboration, and creative impact.

In a world defined by constant disruption, what does it take to lead with clarity, conviction, and purpose? Anne Chow—Founder & CEO of The Rewired CEO and author of Lead Bigger: The Transformative Power of Inclusion—sits down with David Liu, CEO of The Kinjo Group, for a thought-provoking conversation on what leadership looks like today and where it’s headed. Together, they explore the evolving demands of the C-suite, the leadership skills that matter most now, and how inclusion, adaptability, and values shape everything from team building to legacy.

AI is rapidly reshaping how we work. In this episode, Li Fan, CTO & CAO of Circle, explores how AI tools, predictive analytics, and automation are transforming talent management, decision-making, and corporate strategy. Moderated by Atlas CEO Jim McCoy, this conversation offers practical insights for leaders on adopting AI responsibly, balancing human and machine capabilities, and preparing for a more equitable, tech-driven future.

Fareed Zakaria, CNN GPS host and author of Age of Revolutions, joins Selina Wang, ABC News Senior White House Correspondent, at the 2025 Ascend A-List Awards to discuss today’s complex geopolitical landscape and share insights for global business leaders navigating unprecedented challenges.

Basketball’s impact goes beyond the court—it’s about community, culture, and connection. Christopher Helfrich, CEO of Eat. Learn. Play. (Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s foundation) joins Golden State Valkyries' head coach Natalie Nakase and CEO Jess Smith to explore leadership and social impact in sports. From Natalie’s groundbreaking coaching career to Jess’s role in building the Valkyries franchise, this conversation dives into the future of basketball and its power to drive change.

Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi—who made history as the first Asian American to win the achievement—joins Golden State Warriors hype man Franco Finn for a conversation about resilience, legacy, and giving back. Kristi shares the dedication behind becoming an Olympian, what it felt like to win gold, and the surprising first meal she had after. She also dives into life after the Olympics, from founding Always Dream, a nonprofit dedicated to children's literacy, to winning "Dancing with the Stars."

Join Jyoti Chopra, Chief People, Inclusion & Sustainability Officer at MGM Resorts International, and Lisa Chang, EVP & Global Chief People Officer at The Coca-Cola Company, for an insightful conversation about what it means to be a “people person.” Together, they explore the characteristics and strengths that foster success, growth, and inclusion in the workplace. Don’t miss this inspiring episode celebrating the power of people and unique perspectives on shaping the future.

Misa Chien, Founder & CEO of The Authentic Asian, is joined by Vanessa Dew, Co-founder of Health-Ade. Together they share candid stories of missteps, tough lessons, and pivotal moments that redefined their paths. Navigating the entrepreneurial rollercoaster is one that requires resilience, learning from failure, and ultimately building a strong support network–which they agree has been their greatest asset. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or simply looking for motivation to tackle challenges head-on, this conversation unlocks invaluable insights and inspiration to help find strength in setbacks.

To mark the release of Ascend’s final report in a 3-part series on API mental health and well-being, Dr. Jenny Wang, clinical psychologist and founder of Asians for Mental Health, joins David Doan, Senior Manager at EY Nexus for Health Solution Architect, for a discussion on workplace mental health challenges for API professionals. Ascend’s mental health series provides crucial data on the unique experiences and cultural stressors faced by APIs, ensuring their voices and are understood and represented. Dr. Wang, known for her social justice and trauma-informed approach, explores with David how companies can better support API professionals beyond performative measures.

Maulik Pancholy, actor, author, and activist, faced cancellation by a Pennsylvania school board after being scheduled to speak to students about anti-bullying. Following community backlash, the decision was reversed, and his speech, supporting LGBTQIA+ students, was reinstated. Meanwhile, Dr. Saju Mathew, physician and CNN medical analyst, came out to his family and broke off an arranged marriage. Both Maulik and Saju share their experiences as LGBTQIA+ South Asians, discussing their personal journeys in career, family, culture, and coming out to the public.

How do we answer to the call of intentional leadership? Join Jerry Won, Founder and CEO of Just Like Media in conversation with Marissa Pagnani McGowan, Chief Sustainability Officer of L’Oréal Groupe, North America, as they discuss building sustainable communities that can impact business and society. Both Jerry and Melissa share their experiences of how they show up for others inside and outside of the workplace and how recognizing Asian American success should not be overlooked.

Award-winning journalist, author, and activist Helen Zia speaks with journalist and author Jeff Yang about the importance of journalism and how our voices can advocate for justice and our communities. Helen is considered a key figure in the Asian American movement and helped found American Citizens for Justice after Vincent Chin's racially motivated murder. It's been 42 years since Vincent's death, how much has changed?

Dr. Connie Wun, Co-Founder, Executive Director of AAPI Women Lead, speaks with Ai-jen Poo, Executive Director of Caring Across Generations and nationally-recognized expert on elder and family care, the future of work, and gender equality. Both will share their personal journeys about how the core value of "caring" has been their compass in leading an entire country to shift the discussion around aging, disabilities, and the care economy. By the power of caring, we are able to form coalitions to work together for a better future in the workplace, in our families and homes, and in our communities.New boost

Culture enthusiast, writer, and author Jeff Yang speaks with artist, expressionist M Chow of HBO’s documentary film aka Mr. Chow and founder of Mr. Chow’s restaurants where famous artists, celebrities, and politicians flocked for upscale real Chinese food. M recounts the tragedies of his life that have shaped who he is today, from his resilience through anti-Chinese racism when he left Shanghai for the UK in the 50's, to his creation of the iconic Mr. Chow brand. Now, at nearly 85 years old, M Chow reemerges as an artist – his true passion and calling.

Anthony Soohoo, a recognized leader in AI technology and innovation, speaks with his good friend, mentor, and fellow powerhouse Jenny Ming, CEO of Rothy’s, as part of our “Leading Together” series. In this episode, Anthony and Jenny demonstrate how their close bond has uplifted them as leaders, parents, and community members. When one of us leads, the impact can be widespread and invite many others into our network.

WNBA team the Las Vegas Aces have won championships in both 2022 and 2023. What makes a championship team? Assistant coaches Natalie Nakase and Tyler Marsh discuss the importance of teamwork and each coach reflects on their own personal journeys in both the NBA and WNBA. In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate the impact Natalie has made as the first Asian American coach to win a WNBA championship title.

Maneet Ahuja, Editor-at-Large for Forbes Media, Founder of ICONOCLAST, and host of Spotify’s “Megatrends” podcast speaks with Suneera Madhani, Founder of billion dollar unicorn Stax and Founder and CEO of “The CEO School,” about navigating stressful work challenges in the Fintech and Media industries and how leaning on a support system can impact your overall outlook. Both women have achieved major success in their careers, and felt compelled to acknowledge the state of API mental health at work and how it compares to the mental health of other groups, according to Ascend’s latest report. In this conversation, both Maneet and Suneera demonstrate the power of API allyship and sisterhood.

Uncertainty and challenging times continued in 2023 as did inflation hikes, volatility in the market, and growing concerns of the impact of climate change and geopolitical issues. What will the future economy look like in 2024, 2028, or even 2030? Who will be the majority stakeholders? Martina Cheung, President of S&P Global Ratings discusses her predictions with Pat Ratulangi, VP of Global Communications, Diversity & Inclusion/Corporate Social Responsibility at Nielsen, as we close out the year.

Award-winning news anchor of ABC and voice of API Futures Dion Lim sits down with Ascend’s President, Anna Mok, to discuss the inequities women face in the workplace and parenthood. Dion is a new mom who just returned to work after maternity leave and Anna is a proud mom of a young adult who just started her career journey. These female powerhouses talk about the decision to have children while maintaining a successful career, sharing their personal experiences and navigating challenges.

Our guest speaker Mark Tatum is Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the NBA joined by arena host and hype man for the Golden State Warriors, Franco Finn. Our first API Futures episode touches on the experiences of being biracial and how our upbringing shapes who we become as leaders. We also discuss Ascend’s research paper on The Diversity-Equity Gap in the Fortune 500 where we discovered that Fortune 500 companies with a diverse workforce doesn’t always translate to equitable executive leadership roles.