Featured Speakers

OPENING KEYNOTE

IDA LIU

CEO, HSBC PRIVATE BANK

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Ida Liu was appointed CEO of HSBC Private Bank in January 2026. In this role, she oversees one of the world’s most global and sophisticated wealth management franchises serving ultra high net worth (UHNW) and high net worth (HNW) individuals and families. She brings more than 25 years of global experience across wealth management, strategic advisory and business transformation.

Prior to joining HSBC, Ida served as Global Head of Citi Private Bank, where she led a global business spanning key wealth corridors and advised UHNW clients on their complex investment, liquidity and legacy needs. Ida began her career in investment banking, advising Fortune 500 companies on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets strategies, with more than half of her investment banking career spent in Asia.

Ida has received many industry accolades including Barron’s 10 Most Influential Women in Wealth Management, Barron’s 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance, Crain’s Notable Women on Wall Street and American Banker’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance. She is also a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

She is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and the Committee of 100, and was previously named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Ida holds a Bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College, and serves on numerous non-profit and advisory boards, including the Asia Society.

AMPLIFYING THE
ASIAN AMERICAN LEADER.

Hosted by the Wharton Asian American Association of MBAs (WAAAM), VANTAGE 2026 is the inaugural MBA conference dedicated to AAPI identities. This one-day event brings together students, professionals, and leaders to address the critical opportunities facing our community.

From overcoming the "Bamboo Ceiling" to embracing cultural authenticity, we are here to amplify the voices of Asian American women, entrepreneurs, and storytellers. Join us for meaningful dialogue and actionable strategies to build community and lead with impact.

The Wharton MBA Conference on Asian American Leadership

VANTAGE

2026

MARCH 20, 2026  |  THE STUDY AT UNIVERSITY CITY

FEATURED Panelists

WOMEN AT THE TOP

Asian Women Executives Share Their Journey to the C-Suite.

MODERATOR: TIANTIAN YANG - Asst. Prof. of Management, The Wharton School

JINSOOK HAN

STRATEGIC PROJECTS LEADER, GENPACT

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Jinsook Han is the Strategic Projects Leader at Genpact. In this role, she leads organization-wide, business-critical initiatives that accelerate the execution of Genpact’s strategic priorities and innovation agenda. Jinsook laid the foundation for Genpact’s Agentic AI organization and, in less than a year, has helped move Genpact’s agentic solutions from concept to commercialization. She brings together advanced technology, deep domain expertise, and ecosystem partnerships to rapidly operationalize new capabilities and solutions that redefine how enterprises operate.

Prior to joining Genpact in 2024, Jinsook was a Cloud, Engineering, Data & AI partner at PwC. She was instrumental in shaping and advising large transformations for clients. Before PwC, she was the Chief Strategy Officer of the Applied Intelligence Business at Accenture. In this role, she refreshed growth strategies, incubated new businesses, managed R&D funding, expanded strategic partnerships and increased acquisitions. Jinsook also held executive strategy and technology roles at AIG and McKinsey & Company.

Jinsook holds a Bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management. She is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School, as well as the CHRO program at The Wharton School of Business. She is a Certified Public Accountant.

AMY WEI

COO, OPENTABLE

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Amy Wei WG’11 is Chief Operating Officer for OpenTable, leading the Global Restaurant Sales & Services, Global Data and Analytics, and Go-To-Market teams.

Prior to joining OpenTable, Amy worked at its sister brand KAYAK as Chief Commercial Officer and played an instrumental role launching then scaling business in the APAC region before overseeing all revenue generating activities globally. Before KAYAK, Amy led the China market launch and expansion of Jo Malone, an Esteé Lauder portfolio brand and prior, worked in consulting and venture capital.

She holds a B.S. from UC Berkeley, an MBA from the Wharton School and a M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.

NILOFER VAHORA

CMO, AMIKA

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Nilofer Vahora W’01 is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of amika. With over 20 years of experience, Vahora’s expertise spans a diverse portfolio of beauty and fashion brands, with a special focus on digital-first strategies and consumer-centric growth.

Most recently, she was Chief Marketing Officer at Milk Makeup, where her innovative brand-building initiatives helped the brand achieve global recognition as a clean beauty pioneer. Her leadership was instrumental in transforming Milk Makeup into a digital-first, cult-favorite brand, leveraging disruptive campaigns and a bold, creative marketing approach.

Prior to her role at Milk Makeup, Vahora held senior leadership positions at Shiseido and Rebecca Minkoff, where she successfully launched category-defining products and implemented creative marketing strategies that elevated brand equity and expanded market share.

JUDY KANG

CFO, HEALTHFIRST

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Judy Kang WG’11 is the Chief Financial Officer at Healthfirst, Inc., the largest non-profit health plan in New York State. In her role, Judy is responsible for the overall financial management of the company, including the strategic planning and management of Healthfirst’s unique, hospital-sponsored value-based model to improve access, quality, and outcomes for Healthfirst’s over 2 million members.

Judy has served in numerous leadership roles within Healthfirst, including Senior Vice President of Delivery System Engagement overseeing the network of Hospital Systems and Providers in the Healthfirst network, Vice President New Markets and Ventures, as well as in the role of Assistant Vice President of Product Management and Strategy responsible for strategic planning for the Medicare Advantage portfolio.

Prior to joining Healthfirst, Judy served as an actuarial consultant for Towers Watson and Hewitt Associates where she led Fortune 100 clients manage their healthcare programs and strategies. Judy holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BS with honors from New York University.

ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDERS

Scaling Innovation & Building Identity-Driven Brands.

MODERATOR: DAVID HSU - Prof. of Management, The Wharton School

HEATHER CHAN

CEO, MOONBOW

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Heather Chan is the co-founder and CEO of Moonbow, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) inspired skincare brand to calm stressed skin. Raised in Hong Kong, Heather grew up immersed in Asia’s rich beauty traditions, where skincare was a daily ritual shaped by TCM principles.

With a strong foundation in operations, Heather spent seven years in private equity before launching Moonbow in 2025. Her private equity career specialized in mid-market buyouts and institutional fundraising, giving her deep expertise in market analysis, brand development, and strategic growth. Known for her entrepreneurial drive, Heather also championed startups across fashion, wellness, and CPG, gaining hands-on experience in scaling emerging brands.

After moving to the U.S. for school and encountering gut health challenges, she sought solutions that reconnected her to her roots in TCM. Today, alongside her twin sister, Dr. Felice Chan, a Chinese medicine doctor, Heather is on a mission to share TCM’s wellness benefits with the Western skincare market, blending cultural heritage with a modern, innovative approach to beauty.

JOYCE MENG

FOUNDER, FACT CAPITAL

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Joyce Meng W’08 is the Founder of FACT Capital (FACT stands for Fairness, Alignment, Compounding, and Transparency), which innovates on the hedge fund model and applies 'first principles' thinking to investment framework, portfolio/research transparency, technology use, and incentive alignment for long-term compounding.

Prior to FACT, Joyce was Partner at Vernier Capital and Research Analyst at MSD Capital and Goldman Sachs Investment Partners. Joyce graduated summa cum laude from the Huntsman Program of the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a BA in International Studies and a BS in Economics from the Wharton School.

Joyce received the Rhodes Scholarship and graduated with distinction from Oxford University with an MSc in Financial Economics and an MSc in Economics for Development. Joyce was also recognized as Forbes 30 under 30 (2014), Wharton 40 under 40 (2015), and Presidential Leadership Scholar (2024). She speaks Mandarin and Spanish fluently. As hobbies, she volunteers with Givology - a 100% volunteer-driven non-profit she co-founded in 2008, enjoys reading, and plays ice hockey.

CREATIVE ECONOMY

Redefining Success in Digital & Traditional Media.

MODERATOR: MARK KIM

DYLAN HUYNH

CONTENT CREATOR, HYPER STUDIOS

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Dylan Huynh is a digital creator and storyteller known for his engaging content at the intersection of food, travel, and culture. Dylan (@dylan on YouTube) has built a community of over one million subscribers through videos that explore both local and distant restaurants, culinary traditions, and creatively challenging the roots and history of why food matters.

His work blends curiosity and storytelling to make everyday experiences surrounding food equally entertaining and meaningful, often highlighting the significance behind the places and food he features. Through his content, Dylan demonstrates how digital platforms can be used to connect audiences, spark curiosity, and shape modern conversations around culture and exploration.

EDWARD POKROPSKI

SENIOR WRITER/PRODUCER, NBC UNIVERSAL

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Edward Pokropski is a two-time Emmy-nominated Senior Writer/Producer for Brand Creative at NBCUniversal and Peacock. He is the Co-Founder of The Asian Comedy Fest. The largest, longest-running Asian-led comedy fest in the U.S.

He is also a comedian and storyteller. He has been touring his solo show about adoption around the U.S. and Canada for the past three years.

WORKSHOP

Cultivating Authentic Influence & Communication.

FROM MODEL MINORITY TO "MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY"

NATHINEE CHEN

WHARTON COMMUNICATION PROGRAM

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Nathinee Chen is the Senior Associate Director at Wharton Communication Program and the current course head for WHCP 6160: Management Communication. She also serves as the chair of the WHCP Fellows Program and has delivered workshops for AXA Equitable, GSK, PwC, ArcelorMittal and partners within the Penn system.

Prior to Wharton, Nathinee worked for over a decade as a development editor, helping authors shape contributions to their fields into digital and print titles exploring topics in business leadership, nonprofit management, executive coaching, and other disciplines.

She is a first-generation, Thai-Chinese immigrant who grew up in Wyoming. She has also lived in Canada, California, Georgia, Thailand, and South Africa, but it’s Philly that captured her heart for good. She is passionate about parenthood, teaching, travel, cross-cultural understanding, and helping leaders hone their voice and shape their story.

AGENDA

(Click any session below to view full details)

08:15 AM

REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

Kick off the summit by checking in, enjoying a catered breakfast, and connecting with fellow attendees.

09:00 AM

WELCOME REMARKS

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SPEAKER: WAAAM CONFERENCE CHAIR

Setting the tone and objectives for the day. Leadership will outline the vision for Vantage 2026 and the future of the WAAAM community.

09:15 AM

OPENING KEYNOTE: IDA LIU

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IDA LIU (CEO, HSBC PRIVATE BANK)

Discussing the challenges Asian Americans face reaching executive roles and strategies to overcome these barriers. A deep dive into global wealth management leadership and breaking the bamboo ceiling at the highest levels of finance.

10:00 AM

PANEL: WOMEN AT THE TOP

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Inspirational discussion on experiences, unique challenges, and strategies for success facing Asian women C-Suite leaders across different industries.

  • Jinsook Han - Strategic Projects Leader, Genpact
  • Nilofer Vahora - CMO, amika
  • Amy Wei - COO, OpenTable
  • Judy Kang - CFO, HealthFirst
  • Moderator: Tiantian Yang - Asst. Professor of Management, The Wharton School
11:15 AM

PANEL: ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDERS

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Discussion from Asian founders on challenges building 0 to 1 ventures, the intersection between identity and entrepreneurship, and scaling a successful business in today's market.

  • Heather Chen - Founder, Moonbow Skin
  • Joyce Meng - Founder, FACT Capital
  • Moderator: David Hsu - Professor of Management, The Wharton School
12:30 PM

NETWORKING LUNCH

Open networking session and full catered lunch.

02:15 PM

PANEL: ASIANS IN THE CREATIVE ECONOMY

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Discussion from successful Asian-American creators in both traditional media (NBCU) and new media (YouTube), covering cultural authenticity in storytelling and the creative process.

  • Edward Pokropski - Senior Writer/Producer, NBCUniversal
  • Dylan Huynh - YouTuber & Creator
  • Moderator: Mark Kim
03:30 PM

WORKSHOP: FROM MODEL MINORITY TO MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY

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LED BY: NATHINEE CHEN

"From Model Minority to Main Character Energy." An interactive session on taking up space, owning your narrative, and effective communication strategies.

04:30 PM

CLOSING KEYNOTE

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Closing the summit with a powerful address on leadership, global impact, and the future of the Asian American community.

05:00 PM

CLOSING RECEPTION

Celebrate insights from the day and join us for a post-conference Happy Hour.

Our Sponsors

FAQ & Logistics

Where and when is VANTAGE 2026?

The conference is on Friday, March 20, 2026 at The Study at University City (20 S 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104).

Who is the conference open to?
The conference is open to all interested students and professionals!
  • Wharton Students: Please purchase tickets via CampusGroups.
  • General Public & Alumni: Please purchase tickets via EventBrite.
What is the refund policy?

All ticket sales are final. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds.

What is the dress code?

The dress code is Business Casual.

Are meals included?

Yes! Your ticket includes a networking breakfast, catered lunch, and the closing networking reception.

I have dietary restrictions?

We will do our best to accommodate dietary needs (Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free). You will be asked to indicate any restrictions during the ticket checkout process.

Is there parking or public transit?

The Study is located conveniently near 30th Street Station (Amtrak/SEPTA). There is limited street parking available, as well as nearby parking garages in University City. We strongly recommend public transit or rideshare.

Organizing Committee

MIKI TAKESHITA

CONFERENCE CHAIR

MARK KIM

VP OF EMPOWERMENT

DEE DEE THAO

EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE

JIOO LEE

EMPOWERMENT COMMITTEE