FEATURED Panelists
WOMEN AT THE TOP
Asian Women Executives Share Their Journey to the C-Suite.
MODERATOR: MICHELLE HU - The Wharton School
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.
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.
SOPHIA PARK MULLEN
PRESIDENT, ENTRUST
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Sophia Mullen is President of EnTrust Global and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and Management Committee. Sophia works closely with firm executives, key external relationships, and investors to shape EnTrust’s overall corporate strategy and growth, including by creating strategic partnerships and launching investment opportunities across a range of asset classes and industries. She is also responsible for the firm’s business operations and team development. Prior to serving as President, a role she has held since December 2022, Sophia headed the firm’s Opportunistic Investments, where she led a team exclusively dedicated to such strategy to target opportunities across the capital structure in both private and public markets, ranging from thematic investments to individual targets.
In line with her interest in causes related to education, Sophia also leads the firm’s internship/apprenticeship program, pursuant to which EnTrust seeks to introduce a diverse range of candidates to the financial industry. In addition to her efforts within the firm, Sophia is an active alumnus with respect to each of her alma maters. Specifically, she is a member of the Women’s Leadership Circle of Phillips Exeter Academy, and the Law Dean’s Circle of University of Notre Dame Law School. In addition, she is a member of the President’s Council for the Children’s Scholarship Fund, an organization committed to ensuring that all children have
access to a quality education, and a member of the Young New Yorkers for the Philharmonic, a group which seeks to support the life and future of the New York Philharmonic for a broader audience.
Prior to joining the firm in 2013, Sophia was an attorney in the Corporate Reorganization practice at Sidley Austin LLP. Sophia holds a BS from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School. She is a frequent guest speaker at events and conferences regarding alternative investments.
ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDERS
Scaling Innovation & Building Identity-Driven Brands.
MODERATOR: DAVID HSU - Prof. of Management, The Wharton School
HEATHER CHAN
CO-FOUNDER & 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.
HARMAN SINGH NARULA
CO-FOUNDER & CEO, CANARY TECHNOLOGIES
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Harman Singh Narula is the Co-Founder and CEO of Canary Technologies, the hotel industry’s leading guest technology company. Serving over 20,000 hotels globally, Canary offers award winning guest management solutions, including Canary AI, Mobile Check-In, Guest Messaging, Dynamic Upsells, Digital Tipping and others. Canary works with the world’s largest hotel companies, including Four Seasons, Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham. Canary is one of the top-funded venture-backed hotel technology companies globally and has raised nearly $178M.
Prior to founding Canary, Harman was a management consultant at Bain & Company, where he advised senior executives in hospitality, technology and private equity. Earlier, he was a part of the Global Sales Strategy Group at Starwood Hotels and Resorts, focusing on strategic initiatives to streamline operations and enhance the guest experience. Harman began his career at Citigroup in the office of the CEO, focused on corporate M&A and strategy.
Harman holds an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a BS from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.
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, NBCUNIVERSAL
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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
SR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, 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)
REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
Kick off the summit by checking in, enjoying a catered breakfast, and connecting with fellow attendees.
09:00 AM
WELCOME REMARKS
WELCOME REMARKS
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
OPENING KEYNOTE: IDA LIU
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
PANEL: WOMEN AT THE TOP
Inspirational discussion on experiences, unique challenges, and strategies for success facing Asian women C-Suite leaders across different industries.
- Sophia Park Mullen - President, EnTrust Global
- Amy Wei - COO, OpenTable
- Judy Kang - CFO, Healthfirst
- Moderator: Michelle Hu - The Wharton School
11:15 AM
PANEL: ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDERS
PANEL: ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDERS
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 Chan - Founder, Moonbow Skin
- Joyce Meng - Founder, FACT Capital
- Harman Singh Narula - Co-founder & CEO, Canary Technologies
- Moderator: David Hsu - Professor of Management, The Wharton School
NETWORKING LUNCH
Open networking session and full catered lunch.
02:00 PM
PANEL: ASIANS IN THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
PANEL: ASIANS IN THE CREATIVE ECONOMY
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 - The Wharton School
03:15 PM
WORKSHOP: FROM MODEL MINORITY TO MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY
WORKSHOP: FROM MODEL MINORITY TO MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY
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 FIRESIDE CHAT
CLOSING FIRESIDE CHAT
ELLEN YIN (Founder & Co-Owner of High Street Hospitality Group )
Closing the summit with a conversation on leadership, impact, and the future of the Asian American community.
CLOSING RECEPTION
Celebrate insights from the day and join us for a post-conference non-alcoholic reception.
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.
CLOSING FIRESIDE CHAT
ELLEN YIN
FOUNDER & CO-OWNER
HIGH STREET HOSPITALITY GROUP
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Ellen Yin is the founder and co-owner of High Street Hospitality Group (HSHG), a prominent hospitality group in Philadelphia's culinary scene. Since its inception, HSHG has been instrumental in operating several acclaimed dining establishments, including its flagship Fork, High Street Restaurant, a.kitchen+bar, a.kitchen+bar DC, The Wonton Project, and The Bread Room. A graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and veteran of the hospitality industry, Yin was awarded “Outstanding Restaurateur” by the James Beard Foundation in 2023 and recognized as one of the “150 Most Influential People in Philly” by Philadelphia Magazine in 2024 and 2025. In 2025, Yin was the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia's Paradigm Award and was named to Cherry Bombe’s Power List.
Yin’s restaurant group has also amassed long-standing critical acclaim over the past two decades. Her flagship restaurant, Fork, was named one of the most influential restaurants of the past decade by the Inquirer and appeared in Esquire’s list of “Top 100 Restaurants America Can’t Afford to Lose” in 2020. That year, the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce honored the group with the “Inspiring Excellence Award” for serving front-line workers, hospitality workers and the food insecure during the COVID-19 pandemic and fundraising for restaurant industry mental health programs. a.kitchen+bar has been recognized by The New York Times in their list of the “25 Best Restaurants in Philadelphia” in 2024 and 2025, and in the Inquirer’s “The 76: The most vital restaurants in the Philly area” list. In 2025, High Street was included in Michelin’s inaugural 2025 Philadelphia selection, earning a “Michelin Recommended” designation in the Northeast Cities Guide; additionally, it was included in the Inquirer’s “The 76: The most vital restaurants in the Philly area” list.
Proudly dedicated to the flourishing of Philadelphia, Ellen is a co-chair of Sisterly Love Collective and a board member of the Philadelphia Award, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, and the Arden Theatre Company. She is on the Community Advisory Board of the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Kimmel Cancer Center. Nationally, she sits on the US Restaurant Advisory Board of OpenTable.
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
MARCH 20, 2026 | THE STUDY AT UNIVERSITY CITY
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?
- 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