Inspiring Across Generations
Engage Forward
20 Years of Ascend Impact and Building the Next 20+ Years of Leadership
Event Details
Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM ET
Venue: TIAA Charlotte Corporate Campus, 8500 Andrew Carnegie Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28262
​Admission: Member: $100 | Non-Member: $125 | Student: $50
Attire: Business Casual
Description
Ascend Charlotte Metro proudly presents the 2025 Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) Conference, celebrating 20 years of Ascend’s national impact and charting the path for the next 20+ years of leadership. This year’s theme, Engage Forward, reflects on our legacy while equipping today’s professionals to lead into the future with purpose, influence, and innovation.
Agenda
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM ET:
Sign-In and Networking​​​​
9:30 AM - 9:40 AM ET:
10:55 AM - 11:05 AM ET:
BREAK
11:05 AM - 12:00 PM ET:
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET:
Lunch & Networking
​1:05 PM - 1:45 PM ET:
1:45 PM - 1:55 PM ET:
BREAK
​2:00 PM - 2:55 PM ET:
2:55 PM - 3:00 PM ET:
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET:
Speakers
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Linda Yang
President
Ascend Charlotte
Fireside Chat: The Power of Purpose: Shaping Tomorrow's Legacy Today
Jon Dimalanta
Chief Human Resources Officer
Corporate Functions
​TIAA
Speaker
Bee Thao
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
​Whole Loan Trading
​Note - Pros, LLC
Moderator
Panel Discussion (CPE Session)
Navigating Career Disruption: Preparing for AI, Economic Shifts, and the Future of Work
Naras Eechambadi
Chief Global Data & Analytics Officer
Universal Music Group
​
Panelist
Ann Gonzales
President
Carolinas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce
Panelist
Daniel Wang
Assistant Controller
Barings LLC
Moderator
Speaker: Steady is the New Smart: Staying Grounded in a World Speeding Up
Vidya Raman
Career Growth & Communication Coach
Ex-Fortune 500 Leader
Introduction to Individual Tax (CPE Session)
Yanyong He
Tax Managing Director
BDO USA, P.C.
Presenter
Celine Zou, CPA
Senior Associate
PwC
Presenter
Program Partner
Safety of our guests is paramount to Ascend. Attendees are responsible for monitoring their own condition and agree to comply with the safety, hygiene and CDC identified pandemic level communicable illnesses (including COVID-19) guidelines established by relevant health authorities. We request that attendees not attend an event should they test positive or if they experience COVID symptoms prior to the event.