API Futures

How do leaders honor where a company comes from while preparing it for where it’s going? In this episode of API Futures, recorded live at Ascend Engage 2026, Ascend President Anna Mok sits down with Board Director Jenny Ming and Chief Financial and Growth Officer at Levi Strauss & Co. Harmit Singh to unpack the connection between heritage, identity, and purposeful leadership.

Building on a conversation that began in The Living Room, they share perspectives on staying true to a company’s roots while responding to changing consumers, markets, and expectations. The conversation explores how corporate directors and executives can build inclusive cultures, lead with empathy and authenticity, and empower the next generation to shape what comes next.

Your career is a portfolio, and your talent is the asset. In this episode of API Futures, host Franco Finn sits down with investor and community leader Evan Louie to unpack what it really takes to build lasting value in yourself—not just in your job title.

Evan reflects on his path from personal challenges to becoming a respected voice in investing and community leadership, sharing the risks, relationships, and reputation that compounded along the way. The conversation explores what separates a real win from a lucky one, how to build “equity” in yourself, and why showing up for your community is crucial to lasting success.

For Ascend NorCal’s AANHPI Heritage Month program, journalist and TV anchor Dion Lim joins marketing leader Eric Toda for a candid conversation moderated by Richard Leong of Google. Together, they explore how identity shapes leadership, why representation matters, and what it means to use your platform with purpose.

Through personal stories and honest reflections, Dion and Eric share lessons on visibility, community, and creating opportunities for others. Their insights are a powerful reminder that your story isn’t something to overcome—it’s one of your greatest strengths

Moderated by CNBC Technology Correspondent Seema Mody, this conversation with Professor Linda Hill of Harvard Business School connects big-picture leadership frameworks to the realities executives face now: navigating uncertainty, unlocking diverse perspectives, and creating the conditions where innovation can drive impact.

Drawing from her latest book, Genius at Scale, Professor Hill redefines today's leadership—highlighting how the most effective leaders operate not as solo visionaries, but as enablers of collective genius.

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 Medalist
• Stephanie Hsiao, VP, International Business Operations, NFL
• Natalie Nakase, Head Coach, Golden State Valkyries
• Jesse 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.