Women in NAAAP (WIN)! at the 2010 Convention

WIN! IBC on the Macy's Reception Red Carpet. (l to r) Natalie Fong-Yee (Toronto), Natalie Victoria (Atlanta),  Diane Nguyen (Orange County), Sarah Hawk (Atlanta), Judi Rhee Alloway (New York), Sheila Sun (New York) and Gil Gido (Seattle) (Not pictured: Parita Patel (Chicago) and Eric Kalinka (Seattle))

The International Board Committee (IBC) of Women in NAAAP makes due on its promise with a new framework at the 2010 NAAAP Convention and Diversity Career Fair presented by Macy's.  For the first time appearing at the Convention, a WIN! track was delivered. It was a full day track aimed at serving and educating attendees on women's issues in the workplace: work/life balance (integration), enhanced communication, and business strategies.

Session                  Speaker
09:00 - 10:20 am    The Power of the Word - Part 1 with Mable Yee
                              (Engage Her, Inc)
10:30 - 12:00 pm    Public Speaking: The Power of the Word -Part 2
                              with Angela Oh
12:00 - 01:30 pm   Saturday Lunch & Keynote - Highlighting Women
                              In NAAAP! with Betty Lo (Coca-cola Company)
01:40 - 03:00 pm    Work/Life Balance Panel (Sponsored by Macy's)
03:10 - 04:30 pm    Luminaries in Business and Journalism (Sponsored
                               by Wells Fargo)

Women in NAAAP (aka WIN!) is a special program created and developed to build competent and confident women leaders within NAAAP and within the Asian Pacific community.

WIN!’s overall objectives include:

1. Equip Asian women with skills, confidence, and resources to effectively lead in a multicultural environment.
2. Connect Asian leaders to role models and create a mentoring network.
3. Empower Asian women and educate about challenging perceptions.
4. Engage with the community at large and represent Asian women across the world.
5. Inspire Asian women to a make meaningful difference in government, education, business, and society.

Stay connected with the IBC and other followers at:

• Facebook - Group http://bit.ly/WINFBGroup1
• Facebook - Fan http://bit.ly/WINFBFan1
• LinkedIn http://bit.ly/WINLinkedIn 
• Twitter http://www.twitter.com/WomeninNAAAP
• NING http://social.womeninnaaap.org/
• Website http://www.naaap.org/Programs/WomenInNAAAP.aspx

Please send your questions or ideas to ibc@womeninnaaap.org. We'd love to hear from you.

Mable Yee (CEO, Engage Her) with the WIN! IBC kicking off the WIN! Convention Track.

Angela Oh receiving her speaking gift from WIN! Social Media Director and NAAAP Seattle President, Gil Gido

NAAAP100: Dr. Qi Lu, President Microsoft's Online Services Division

Dr. Qi Lu: Leading Through Inspiration

by Tammy K. Dang

Dr. Qi Lu once thought that he would go work for a radio factory after studying computer science. That plan didn't work out the way he thought it would because today, he serves as President of Microsoft's Online Services Division, leading the company's search and online advertising efforts.

Dr. Lu's path to leading a division of one of America's most storied companies reads like a Horatio Alger novel ---with this one spanning two continents and a chance encounter with a Carnegie Mellon professor that would eventually lead him to Microsoft Corporation. During China's cultural Revolution, Dr. Lu's parents sent him away from Shanghai to live with his grandfather in a tiny province in Jiangsu to escape persecution. He lived 5 hours away from them with no plumbing or electricity.

"In retrospect, it was a blessing in disguise," Dr. Lu said regarding the circumstances in which he spent his youth. "It taught you to work hard to earn everything." During difficult times, the government rationed food. Families in the village had to figure out a way to eat for three months out of the year.

Village life also taught Dr. Lu about learning and cultural values. "Village life carries thousands of years of Confucianism," he said. Usually, there was only one teacher in a village who had the respect of everyone. If the teacher came to your house to eat, you would treat him like a king.

Dr. Lu grew up idolizing Ludwig van Beethovan, the German composer and pianist, who despite losing his hearing, continued to compose music. "He symbolizes spiritual adversity as life is about overcoming obstacles," Dr. Lu said. When he was old enough, Dr. Lu passed an exam to attend college. Due to his physical limitations of being too small and light, he had a choice of studying mathematics or computer science. With a mathematics degree, he was told he could become a middle school teacher. With a computer science degree, he was told he could work at a radio factory, which sounded much more interesting.

His chance encounter came when he reluctantly attended the lecture of a computer science professor named Dr. Edmund Clark. By this time, Dr. Lu had earned a master's of science in the computer science field from Fudan University. He asked some impressive questions, which prompted Dr. Clark to offer him a scholarship to earn his doctorate at Carnegie Mellon.

Dr. Lu then worked as a research staff member at IBM's Almaden Research Center and Carnegie Mellon. He also served as a faculty member at Fudan University. He then went on to spend 10 years as a Yahoo! senior executive and finally on to Microsoft. He also holds 20 U.S. patents.

According to Dr. Lu, the Chinese tradition of being humble and respectful has been helpful in helping him get to where he is today. Other factors were also involved, but he points out one key element. "Chances favor the prepared mind," he said. A prepared mind helps you see the right bus so that you can jump on it.

In terms of leadership, a distinguishing factor between a great leader versus a good leader is the ability to inspire. Dr. Lu tries to inspire those who follow him. "When you have hope, you can move mountains," he said. "When a leaders inspires, people perform differently."

Dr. Lu feels blessed to work in the computer industry. "Computing is a general purpose enabler," he said. "It makes anything better."

###

Check out all of the 2010 NAAAP100 Recipients:
http://seattle.naaap.org/News.do?id=1796

View the NAAAP100 Award Ceremony sponsored by the Coca-cola Company
http://vimeo.com/14162327

Highlights from the 2010 Convention and Diversity Career Fair presented by Macy's

If you missed the 2010 NAAAP Convention and Diversity Career Fair presented by Macy's, or just want to experience the excitement again, you can watch keynote addresses and session recordings. See for yourself how NAAAP is delivering on its core mission about building leaders and understand about NAAAP's core benefits. Thanks to the convention team and host chapter, NAAAP San Francisco for a great event and we look forward to the 25th Annual Convention being held in Boston, MA.

Congratulations to the Toronto Chapter led by Ben Hum for being named Chapter of the Year, the Connecticut Chapter led by Heang Tan for being named Venture of the Year, Erika Sanchez of Seattle University for being named as a recipient of a $3000 Verizon Scholarship and lastly, we're also excited to have two local leaders exemplifying our vision and mission be recognized with the NAAAP 100 Program: Martha Choe (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) and Dr. Qi Lu (Microsoft Corporation). And for the first time at a NAAAP Convention, there was a Women in NAAAP! track featuring Mable Yee (Engage Her, Inc) and Angela Oh (Western Justice Center Foundation).

Most importantly, Brad Baldia was re-elected as NAAAP National President for another 2-year commitment. Congratulations, Brad!

Keynote(s):

A. Leon Edward Panetta
19th Director of Central Intelligence Agency

2010 NAAAP Convention Keynote - Leon Panetta, CIA Director from John 8Asians on Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/14160597

B. John Chen, NAAAP Keynote 2010
CEO and President of Sybase


8Asians.com: John Chen, NAAAP Keynote 2010 from John 8Asians on Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/14134411

Event(s):


A. NAAAP 100 Recipients for 2010

NAAAP is a leadership development organization that provides a broad range of professional and education services. It is only fitting then, that NAAAP recognizes leaders who exemplify our vision and mission. NAAAP is paying tribute to these leaders with the NAAAP 100 Program.


2010 NAAAP 100 Award Winners from John 8Asians on Vimeo.
http://vimeo.com/14162327

B. 2010 NAAAP Ever Made Image Fashion Show


2010 NAAAP Ever Made Image Fashion Show from John 8Asians on Vimeo.


http://vimeo.com/14161848

C. John Ki, Korean Canadian Comedian


8Asians.com: 2010 NAAAP - John Ki, Comedian from John 8Asians on Vimeo.



http://vimeo.com/14134815  
Videos courtesy of 8Asians: http://www.8asians.com/about-us/

Join us for the 24th Annual National Leadership Convention and Diversity Career Fair presented by Macy's

The National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) cordially invites you to attend the 24th Annual National Leadership Convention and Diversity Career Fair in San Francisco on August 12-15th. In the spirit of our vision "We make leaders!", the conference will address your present needs to prepare you for the realities of the future. You will also have an opportunity to participate in innovative workshops, listen to inspirational speakers, network with a diverse group of accomplished professionals, and find that dream job at our Diversity Career Fair.







Register now at http://www.naaapconvention.org/

NAAAP Seattle Board of Directors