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Serica Supper Celebration

This spring, the Serica Initiative will host a festive convening of world-renowned businesspeople, investors, philanthropists, foundations, nonprofits, and others who are furthering the cause of AAPI inclusion and advancing positive social impact in U.S.-China relations.

Thursday, March 16, 2023

We hosted our Serica Supper Celebration and Fundraiser on March 16, 2023, at China Institute. Please see our photo gallery for the evening's festivities.

The Serica Supper Celebration is a joyous gathering to support Serica's ongoing mission: to galvanize a global community of changemakers to advance positive social impact between the U.S., China, and the rest of the world, through dialogue, storytelling, and our convening power.

 

The event will include a cocktail reception, keynote address, casual supper, networking, and an award ceremony for our honorees.

With your participation and support, Serica will be raising funds to support our latest Asian American digital film series. After the success of "be/longing: Asian Americans Now," our next collaboration with WNET, PBS's flagship station in New York, will examine the opportunities for allyship — as well as the prejudices and challenges — that exist between the Asian American community and other communities of color in the U.S. We plan to launch this series in May 2023 during AAPI Heritage Month.

To further support Serica's mission beyond the price of your ticket, please consider donating to our Annual Giving Campaign.

The Serica Initiative Supper Celebration & Fundraiser
The Serica Initiative Supper Celebration & Fundraiser
Mar 16, 2023, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
New York,
40 Rector St, New York, NY 10006, USA

Speakers & Honorees

These outstanding individuals will receive the 

The Serica Initiative 2023 Next Gen Leader in Social Impact Award. 

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Honoree

Congressman Andy Kim - U.S. Congressman, Third Congressional District of New Jersey

​Congressman Andy Kim represents the Third Congressional District of New Jersey. Congressman Kim has dedicated his life to serving the country. He worked as a career public servant under both Democrats and Republicans, having served at USAID, the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House National Security Council, and in Afghanistan as an advisor to Generals Petraeus and Allen. In the House of Representatives, Congressman Kim is working on an agenda to bring this country together and strengthen its national and economic security. Congressman Kim supports strong measures that boost our economy by investing in small businesses and innovation, creating fairness and opportunities for working families, and honoring America's promises to military families and veterans. ​ Congressman Kim and his wife are currently raising two little boys down the street from where he grew up.

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Honoree

Jennifer H. Wu - Founding Partner, Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP

Jennifer H. Wu is Founding Partner of Groombridge, Wu, Baughman & Stone LLP. She also has an active pro bono practice, and represents a number of Asian-American victims of racially motivated violence and their families. She received the New York Law Journal’s Diversity Initiative Award in 2022 in recognition of her pro bono work.  Jennifer is a co-chair of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s Women’s Committee, an Advisory Committee Member of the NYU Law Alumni of Color Association (LACA), and an Executive Board and Board member of USA for the UN Population Fund. ​ Jennifer earned her A.B. from Harvard University and her J.D. from New York University School of Law, where she received the Vanderbilt Medal for Service to the Law School Community and the President’s Service Award for Leadership. She clerked for the Hon. Alan D. Lourie of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

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Honoree

Yong Zhao - Founder, junzi kitchen

Yong Zhao is the Founder and CEO of junzi kitchen, a modern fast-casual concept that makes homestyle and everyday Chinese food accessible. ​ Yong was born and raised in Liaoning, northeast of China. He received a Bachelor degree in Life Science from Yuanpei School at Peking University, and then received a MESc and attended the doctoral program in environmental science at Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. In 2014, Yong founded junzi kitchen and has been leading the team as CEO ever since. Being the mastermind and visionary of junzi kitchen, Yong Zhao is harnessing the tide of quick-service Chinese food with his quickly expanding restaurant concept and leading the omnichannel shift in eating with innovative solutions such as ghost kitchen.

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Keynote Speaker

Lili Zheng - Partner, Deloitte Tax LLP, Asia Pacific Cross-Border Services Leader

Ms. Zheng is a senior partner with substantial experience in cross-border investments. She was the first female partner from mainland China accepted in the partnership. As the Asia Pacific cross-border services leader, she is responsible for Deloitte's services to multinational companies investing Asia as well as Chinese & Asian clients investing in the US. Leveraging on her extensive experience in Deloitte offices in San Francisco, Tokyo, Beijing, San Jose and Hong Kong, Lili provides practical and implementable solutions to MNCs on their cross-border investment structuring, IP planning, JV planning, M&A, entry and exit strategies. Fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese, Lili has a deep understanding of the unique considerations of companies from Asia Pacific. She is a licensed CPA in California and New York. Ms. Zheng is a frequent speaker at the Asia Financial Forum, Financial Executives International (FEI), SelectUSA events, etc. She was voted by International Tax Review as one of the top US tax advisors numerous times. Euromoney Legal Media Group named her one of the Leading Woman in Business Law every year since 2012. Asian Women in Business recognized her with the AWIB Leadership award. She received the Women of Influence Award from the Silicon Valley Business Journal and was saluted as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Silicon Valley. Outside Deloitte, Lili is a member of Committee of 100, a long-term board member of Huayuan Science and Technology Association in Silicon Valley, Co-chair of SelectUSA Committee in Hong Kong and China, a life-time member of BayHelix. She is the founder of WIL (Women in Leadership) charter in Hong Kong. Lili is a champion in DEI efforts and is an advisor to the New Breath Foundation founded by Eddy Zheng. The New Breath Foundation offers hope, healing, and new beginnings for Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) recent immigrants and refugees, people impacted by incarceration and deportation, and survivors of violence. It supports AAPI communities by promoting cross-racial solidarity, long-term sustainable power, and effective alternatives to criminalization.

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Honoree

Annie Liang-Zhou - Co-Founder, Liang Capital Partners

Annie Liang Zhou is Co-Founder of Liang Capital Partners, a private multi-family office focused on wealth succession and social/environmental impact for next-gen families. She is also Managing Partner of Universal Pacific Advisors, a cross-border advisory firm for sustainable businesses. She currently serves as President of the Huamei Green Foundation which engages in environmental education and action. Previously, she was part of the founding team of Asia Green Fund, the first private equity fund in China investing in cleantech and energy, as well as worked for the World Policy Institute, Neuberger Berman, and MetLife Investments. ​ Annie earned her MBA from University of Oxford, MPA from Columbia University, and bachelor’s from George Washington University. She also serves on the young advisory boards of several non-profit organizations including World Monuments Fund, China Institute/Serica, and Teach for China. She is a member of the National Committee on US-China Relations and Committee of 100's Next Gen Leaders.

The Serica Initiative

Contact

FAQ

Is this the first Serica gathering?

No, we have held the Serica Gala annually since 2021. Check out last year's Gala here

What is the dress code?

The dress code for the celebration is business cocktail. 

Will all the speakers be at the Celebration?

Congressman Any Kim will be delivering virtual remarks.

What is the refund policy?

Your ticket is refundable up to one week before the celebration. 

Is it virtual or in-person?

The event is in-person, at the China Institute in downtown Manhattan.

What is the Covid policy?

We follow the rules observed by New York City and China Institute. Details will be provided closer to the date of the event. 

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©2023 by The Serica Initiative Supper Celebration & Fundraiser.

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