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The University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business recently hosted the Asian/Pacific Islander Initiative API Summit 2025, bringing together distinguished professionals, students, and thought leaders to discuss leadership, networking, and representation within the Asian and Pacific Islander community. The event highlighted the power of authenticity, mentorship, and proactive leadership in breaking stereotypes and fostering professional growth.

Opening Remarks: Setting the Stage for Empowerment

Dr. Zheng Sun, faculty member at the Merage School of Business and co-chair of the Asian/Pacific Islander Initiative, opened the summit by emphasizing the three core missions of the initiative: Champion, Connection, and Cultivation. “We want to change that mindset and cultivate our API students to become future leaders of our society,” Sun said. “That’s why the theme of our summit is ‘Empowering and Leading While Asian’.” Her message set the tone for a day of insightful discussions on redefining leadership for API professionals.

Merage School Dean Ian O. Williamson reinforced the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.  “Innovation requires inclusion,” Williamson said. “Diverse perspectives drive better problem-solving and creativity. This summit, and its theme, are a big part of who we are as a school.”

Williamson also urged attendees to embrace their unique cultural perspectives rather than feeling pressured to conform. “Don’t waste your time acting like somebody else,” he said. “Spend all your time taking your unique perspective based on your background, your culture, your experiences, whatever that might be, and apply it towards solving complex problems that make life better for everyone.”

Networking Workshop: The Art of Building Meaningful Connections

Claire Li, strategy lead at Google and former consultant at BCG and Deloitte, also delivered a compelling workshop titled How to Be a Top 1% Networker. Drawing from her extensive career, she provided attendees with a three-step process to networking success: ask for advice, act on advice, and share results.

“Cold outreach is not dead—but generic outreach is,” she emphasized, illustrating how thoughtful, personalized engagement can create opportunities. She also introduced the “magic line” to lower the barrier for responses: ‘I completely understand if you’re too busy…’—a phrase that acknowledges the recipient’s time while increasing the likelihood of a response.

Attendees engaged in discussions on overcoming networking fears, with Claire highlighting that sincerity and follow-through matter more than an elite resume. “Fewer than 1% of people follow up after receiving advice,” she said. “But doing so leaves a lasting impression.”

Panel Discussion: Overcoming Barriers and Leading with Confidence

Moderated by UC Irvine alumna and Disney manager Holly Jade Sy, the panel featured Anu Mathur, development lead at Amazon Business, David Oh, executive vice president of institutional business development at PIMCO, and DerekPowell, chief growth officer at Edisen. They shared their journeys of navigating leadership as API professionals and overcoming cultural stereotypes that often position Asians as “doers” rather than leaders.

Panelists discussed the importance of self-advocacy, with David noting, “Many of us were raised to believe that hard work alone will get us noticed. But in the corporate world, if you don’t articulate your ambitions, others won’t assume them for you.”

The panel conversation also delved into the differences between mentorship and sponsorship. “A mentor gives you advice. A sponsor uses their influence to open doors for you,” Anu explained. The panelists encouraged attendees to proactively seek mentors and sponsors while also cultivating their own ‘Personal Board of Directors’—a group of trusted advisors who provide guidance and advocacy.

Key Takeaways: A Roadmap for Future Leaders

The summit’s key themes centered around authenticity, networking, mentorship, and embracing challenges:

• Authenticity as a Leadership Strength: As Dean Williamson noted, embracing one’s cultural background is not a weakness but a competitive advantage.
• Strategic Networking: Claire Li’s workshop underscored the power of meaningful connections built on genuine engagement and follow-through.
• Mentorship and Sponsorship: The panel reinforced that seeking guidance and fostering relationships with sponsors can accelerate career growth.
• Stepping Outside Comfort Zones: Leadership requires taking risks, speaking up, and pushing past self-doubt. “As a leader, there are going to be times when you need to be outspoken,” a panelist emphasized.

Championing Diversity and Leadership

The API Summit 2025 concluded with a networking dinner, allowing attendees to put their newfound insights into practice.

As the Merage School of Business continues to champion diversity and leadership development, the summit’s message remains clear: Leading while Asian is not just possible—it is essential for fostering innovation and driving meaningful change in today’s professional landscape.