Linda Akutagawa
President and CEO
Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP)

Linda Akutagawa is President and CEO of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) where she is responsible for LEAP’s strategic direction, operations, relationships and collaborations. A beneficiary of LEAP’s leadership training and a passionate social entrepreneur for over 20 years, Linda has dedicated herself to continuing the cycle of leadership development and to inspiring Asian and Pacific Islanders to aspire to leadership roles in all sectors of society. She serves on several nonprofit boards and is a graduate of California State University at Los Angeles with a B.S. in International Business and a minor in Economics.

Deepali Bagati
Senior Director
Catalyst India

Deepali Bagati, PhD, is a Senior Director of the Catalyst Inclusive Leadership Initiative. She leads curriculum development, working to transform diversity research, expertise, and advocacy into skill-building leadership programs for emerging leaders. Previously, Deepali led the growth and expansion of Catalyst India, including managing the Catalyst India Advisory Board and developing region-specific knowledge products. Most recently, Deepali authored Leadership Gap in India Inc.: Myths and Realities and the 2010 India Benchmarking Report. She continues to serve as a resource on diversity and inclusion, and frequently speaks on topics such as women in leadership, organizational change, and diversity and inclusion strategies. She received her PhD in Social Work and Social Research from Bryn Mawr College, a MA in Social Work, and a BA in Economics, with honors, from Delhi University, New Delhi, India.

Indranil Bagchi
Vice President & Head of Market Access, 
Specialty Care Business Unit Pfizer

Indranil Bagchi is Vice President and Head of Market Access for the Specialty Care Business Unit at Pfizer. He is a member of the Specialty Care BU Leadership Team.  Indranil’s team is responsible for creating and executing comprehensive Market Access strategies for the Specialty Care portfolio through the integration of pricing and reimbursement, health technology assessment, evidence-based medicine review, and health economic modeling activities.

Indranil has more than a decade of experience in pricing & reimbursement, health economics and outcomes research, and market access across several major companies in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2010, Indranil was recognized in Pharmaceutical Executive’s annual roster of Emerging Leaders, “The New Breed of Leadership.”

Previously he was Senior Director/Team Leader in Pfizer’s Global Pricing and Reimbursement Group, where he was responsible for the CVMED, GU/GI, Ophthalmology, CNS portfolios and the Europe region. Prior to joining Pfizer, Indranil was Senior Director at Wyeth responsible for pricing, reimbursement and market access of products within the Bio-Pharma Business Unit.

Due to his efforts in securing and expanding market access for Enbrel in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, Indranil was awarded the Wyeth President’s Achieving Excellence Award in 2005. Before Wyeth, Indranil was first with SmithKline Beecham and subsequently with GlaxoSmithKline with their Health Economics and Outcomes Research departments. Indranil has an undergraduate degree in pharmacy, a master’s degree in pharmacy and healthcare administration, and a doctoral degree in pharmaceutical socioeconomics.

Subha Barry
Diversity & Inclusion Expert
Board Chair, Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Subha Barry is an expert advisor on diversity, inclusion and human capital issues.  She is an adjunct professor at Columbia University and serves on a number of non-profit boards including NCRW, Rice University, and Princeton Hospital. She is Board Chair of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Subha was Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) at Freddie Mac where she reported to the CEO and served on the firm’s management committee.  Under her leadership, the firm launched the Executive Diversity Council, created customized divisional diversity plans, launched an Autism Internship, built a Women’s Cohort and structured the employee networks to align with organizational priorities. Previously, Subha was at Merrill Lynch for twenty years, the first sixteen as a highly successful Financial Advisor, Branch Manager and Head of Multicultural Business Development and the last five as Managing Director and Global CDO. Subha actively mentors women in her industry and her community and has been recognized for her leadership and accomplishments.

Jonathan Beane
Executive Director, Global Workforce Diversity and Inclusion
Time Warner Inc.

Jonathan Beane is currently the Executive Director of Global Workforce Diversity and Inclusion for Time Warner Inc.  In this position, he is responsible for managing enterprise wide workforce and workplace initiatives at the company. Prior to joining Time Warner, Jonathan held several positions at Johnson Controls.  Most notably, he was the Worldwide Director of Strategic Planning for Johnson Controls Automotive Group and the Director of Continuous Improvement for 34 manufacturing plants in North America.  Jonathan has also worked in the Mergers and Acquisitions Department for PricewaterhouseCoopers.  He also practiced law and was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Patricia Timmons-Goodson at the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Jonathan has a master of laws in taxation from Georgetown University, a juris doctor degree and a master’s degree in business administration from SUNY-Buffalo. He earned his bachelor’s degree in American History from Dartmouth College.  Jonathan currently serves on the Board of Howard University’s School of Communications.

Katie Benner
Editor
Fortune

Katie Benner is a writer at Fortune magazine who covers Wall Street, private equity, and hedge funds. Prior to joining Fortune, she worked at theStreet.com and CNN/Money. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, and Marketplace Radio to talk about the economy, markets, and investing. Her stories have also appeared in The New York Times and The Boston Globe. She has given talks and moderated panels for the Aspen Institute’s Aspen Security Forum, the Corporate State, the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), and Time, Inc. A graduate of Bowdoin College, she is also a member of AAJA, the Newswomen’s Club of New York, and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers.

Evonne Bennett
Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion
Ingersoll Rand

Evonne Bennett serves as the Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion for Ingersoll Rand. In that capacity she is responsible for implementing a wide range of programs which support the company’s “Progressive, Diverse and Inclusion” efforts. Evonne’s background includes more than 10 years of experience in Human Resources and Talent Management as well as 5 years of experience in the legal profession.

Prior to joining Ingersoll Rand, Evonne worked in Human Resources for General Electric Company where she started her career in one of GE’s premiere early talent development program – HRLP: Human Resources Leadership Program.

Evonne is a three-time graduate of the University of South Carolina having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, a Juris Doctorate from the School of Law, and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from the Darla Moore School of Business.

Evonne is an active volunteer in the Charlotte, NC, area and is a member of several civic and professional organizations. As an avid runner, Evonne likes to spend her free time in charity races raising funds for causes near and dear to her heart.

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Philip A. Berry
Founder & President
Philip Berry Associates, LLC

Philip A. Berry is President of Philip Berry Associates LLC, a management consulting firm which focuses on executive coaching, personal branding, global talent development, leadership training, global diversity, cross cultural competency, innovation,  and organizational effectiveness. Philip has lived and worked in over 60 countries.

Philip was Vice President of Global Workplace Initiatives and Corporate Officer for Colgate-Palmolive responsible for HR, diversity and inclusion strategies on a global basis. He served the Asia, Europe, Central Europe/Russia, Africa/Middle East and Latin America. Philip also acquired broad HR expertise at Procter & Gamble.

He is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees for City University of New York and a member of the Board of Directors of Families in Global Transition, an entity that provides services to global expatriates. Furthermore he is an advisor to the Corporate Diversity Council for the Asia Society.

Philip is the author of many articles including the book Being Better Than You Believe: 8 Steps to Ultimate Success. Philip received his MBA from Xavier University, his MSW from Columbia University, his BA in Sociology from Queens College, and AA in Marketing from Manhattan Community College.

J. Frank Brown
Managing Director & Chief Operating Officer, General Atlantic;
Member of the Board, Asia Society
 

J. Frank Brown is a Managing Director and the Chief Operating Officer at General Atlantic. He joined the firm in 2011. From 2006 to 2011, Frank served as Dean of INSEAD, the leading international business school with campuses in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Prior to joining INSEAD, he had a distinguished 26-year career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, including leadership of the $3.5 billion Advisory Services practice. Frank is the author of The Global Business Leader: Practical Advice for Success in a Transcultural Marketplace, and he is a frequent speaker on leadership

Frank is a member of the Board of Directors of The Home Depot, the Asia Society Board of Trustees, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut State Societies of Certified Public Accountants. He received his B.S.B.A. from Bucknell University and studied in an advanced management program at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mary D. Byron
Managing Director
Goldman, Sachs & Co.

Mary D. Byron is Managing Director of Goldman Sachs. She is Global Head of Technology for the Federation and serves on the Technology Division’s Executive, Operating and Risk Committees. Mary is also a member of the Firmwide New Activity Committee and an MD ally of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Network. Previously, Mary was based in Tokyo from 2005 to 2011 as head of Technology for Asia Pacific and co-chair of the Asia Pacific Diversity Committee. She joined Goldman Sachs in Telecommunications Support in 1989 and has held various roles within Technology, including managing the firm’s global networks and computing infrastructure. Mary was named managing director in 1999 and partner in 2006.

Mary serves on the Corporate Advisory Board for Inwood House, the New York Advisory Board of Room to Read and the Board of Directors for the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation. Mary earned a BA from Marquette University in 1986.

Ronnie C. Chan
Chairman, Hang Lung Group Limited
Co-Chair, Asia Society

Ronnie C. Chan is the Chairman of Hang Lung Group Limited and its subsidiary Hang Lung Properties Limited. Following successes in Shanghai, Hang Lung has been investing US$11 billion and building a number of world-class commercial complexes in Tianjin, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Dalian, Kunming, and Wuhan. Mr. Chan also co-founded the Morningside Group. He founded and chairs the China Heritage Fund, is a co-founding director of The Forbidden City Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation, Beijing, and is an Advisor and former Vice President of the China Development Research Foundation in Beijing. Internationally, he is Co-Chair of the Board of the Asia Society and Chairman of its Hong Kong Center, a Director of the Board of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Committee on United States-China Relations, and the Committee of 100. He is also the founding Chairman Emeritus of the Asia Business Council. He serves or has served on the governing or advisory bodies of several think tanks and universities, including the World Economic Forum, the Tsinghua University, the University of Southern California, East-West Center, Pacific Council on International Policy, Eisenhower Fellowships, and The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation.

Jyoti Chopra
Managing Director, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion
BNY Mellon

 Jyoti Chopra, Managing Director, is the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion for BNY Mellon.  She joined the company in 2012 and leads its award-winning diversity and inclusion program, overseeing its diversity strategy and execution and advancing diversity training and hiring.  She serves on the company’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Council, and is presently BNY Mellon’s representative to the Diversity Council of the Asia Society

Jyoti has previously held high-level positions at Deloitte Touch Tohmatsu and Merrill Lynch, where she oversaw programs to develop inclusion policies and attract clients from diverse backgrounds.  From 1993 to 1997, she was an award-winning consultant for the United Nations, writing on human rights and development issues.

Jyoti was born and raised in London, England. She studied economics, English literature, and law at London University and holds a Bachelor of Arts Honors degree in Journalism from New York University. She completed the Securities Industry Institute at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in 2002.  She has served on the boards of the Princeton YWCA and the Princeton Healthcare System.  In 2003, Jyoti was an honoree and recipient of YWCA’s Tribute to Women.

Kelly Chow
Corporate Vice President
New York Life Insurance Company

Kelly Chow is a Corporate Vice President at New York Life Insurance Company. In her twenty plus years with the company, Kelly has held various positions throughout the organization including positions in Corporate Audit, Controller’s, Policyholder Services, Human Resources, NYL International, and Corporate Information Department.  Her experience includes overseeing Quality Assurance Programs, Third Party Administration, Anti-Fraud, Internal Controls, and Process Management.  She is currently in charge of the Anti-Fraud Control function in the Life Insurance Business Operation.

Kelly was a co-chair of the Asian Network Group at New York Life for the inauguration year and subsequent years, and continues to be an active core team leader contributing to New York Life’s diversity effort.  Prior to joining New York Life, Kelly started her professional career at Deloitte & Touche and PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Certified Public Accountant.  Kelly is a Certified Public Accountant in New York and a member of the American Institution of Certified Public Accountants. Kelly graduated from the City University of New York – Queens College with a B.A. degree in Accounting and Economics.

John W. Conover IV
Senior Vice President & President, Security Technologies
Ingersoll Rand

John Conover serves as president of Security Technologies for Ingersoll Rand, having joined the company in 2008 following the acquisition of Trane.

John started his career as a sales engineer in the Trane business and rose through the ranks to roles of successive leadership responsibility. Before moving to the Security Technologies sector, John led Trane’s American-based commercial systems organization. Of notable achievement, John led a business transformation within Trane, moving the organization from a product-driven company to a solutions business, combing HVAC systems, controls, service, and contracting to deliver greater customer value.

John is an accomplished and distinguished public speaker, representing thought leadership that balances corporate interests with principle-centered concerns. John led Ingersoll Rand’s efforts to develop a Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, and helped drive sustainability efforts across the company. He has been a featured speaker at industry conferences and a guest lecturer at several higher education institutions, including Purdue University and Duke University.

John is a trained engineer with extensive experience bridging theoretical training with applied problem solving. John holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Lehigh University, and completed an Advanced Management Program at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Sanjay M. Correa
Vice President, CMC Program, General Electric Aviation
Co-Leader, APA Affinity Network

Sanjay Correa is Vice President of the CMC Program at GE Aviation, where he leads GE’s CMC Program with applications in aircraft engines and heavy-duty gas turbines.

Sanjay has been with GE for 30 years. Prior to his current role, Sanjay was Vice President & Managing Director of the GE India Technology Center, headquartered in Bangalore, India. Earlier he was the General Manager for Engineering Technologies at GE Aviation; General Manager for the Fan, Compressor & Combustor Center of Excellence in GE Aviation’s Supply Chain; and Global Technology Leader for Energy & Propulsion Technologies at GE’s Global Research Center.

Sanjay holds BS, MS and PhD degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. He is a member of several professional societies, a co-leader of GE’s Asian Pacific American Forum, and serves on the Boards of Directors of NGS Advanced Fibers, and the Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers.

Manolet Dayrit
Partner
KPMG, LLP

Manolet Dayrit is a principal in KPMG’s Advisory Services practice.  His experience includes an in-depth knowledge of Information Technology (IT) management, risks, and controls.  He has led numerous engagements relating to project management, business process re-engineering, requirements definition, systems design, systems development and implementation, information security, pre- and post-implementation reviews, IV&V/quality assurance, and internal and external technology auditing.  He specializes in project management and management of risks related to large IT projects including ERP (e.g., PeopleSoft, SAP, and Oracle) and other major systems.  He serves as champion for KPMG’s IT Project Advisory service and has served as champion of KPMG’s ERP Advisory service. Manolet focuses on the Public Sector and serves as KPMG’s National Technology Leader for State & Local Governments.  He is a national co-chair of KPMG’s Asian Pacific Islander Network and a member of KPMG’s Diversity Advisory Board.

Michelle Gadsden-Williams
Managing Director, Talent, Branding & Communications
Credit Suisse

Michelle Gadsden-Williams is a Managing Director of Credit Suisse in the Talent, Branding & Communications division, based in New York. She is responsible for the development and deployment of best-in-class global diversity and inclusion practices. She is a member of the Human Resources Management Committee.  Michelle joined Credit Suisse in January 2011 from Novartis AG where she was Vice President and Global Chief Diversity Officer, providing strategic direction and thought leadership by integrating diversity practice into all aspects of the business on a global scale. Prior to that,  she worked for Merck & Co., holding positions of increasing responsibility in the areas of diversity, talent management and organizational development. Michelle holds a BS degree in Marketing and a BA degree in Communications (summa cum laude) from Kean College and an M.S. degree in Organizational Development from the University of Pennsylvania.

Apoorva N. Gandhi is Vice President, Multi-Cultural Markets & Alliances at Marriott International, Inc., where he is responsible for creating and executing an externally-focused global strategy that builds preference and loyalty from diverse customer segments for the Marriott portfolio of brands.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Gandhi was senior director for organizational capability where he led the company’s global reorganization program in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.  He has held other positions with Marriott, beginning as a front desk associate when he first completed college.  He also worked as vice president for global lodging services where he helped deliver critical brand initiatives.

Before joining Marriott, Mr. Gandhi was a senior consulting manager in Accenture’s Communications and High Tech practice for more than a decade, where he managed merger and integration programs as well as process reengineering efforts for large telecom clients.  He also led diversity programs at Accenture.

Mr. Gandhi is an honors graduate of the University of Maryland, School of Business and Management.  He is a member of the J.W. Marriott, Jr., Diversity Award committee, Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society. He is a member of the Asia Society Business Council and Global Talent and Diversity Council.

Lisa Garcia Quiroz
Chief Diversity Officer & Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility
Time Warner, Inc.

Lisa Garcia Quiroz is the Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate Responsibility, Time Warner, Inc. She oversees the company’s community outreach and philanthropic programs in education and the arts. She is also responsible for ensuring that Time Warner attracts, retains, and develops a talented, diverse workforce, and she leads company-wide efforts aimed at better serving and reaching a more diverse marketplace. Active in civic issues, Lisa was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate to serve on the Board of the Corporation for National and Community Service. She also serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Lisa was born and raised in New York City and received both her undergraduate degree and MBA from Harvard University.

Nina Godiwalla
CEO
MindWorks

Nina Godiwalla is the CEO of MindWorks, which provides leadership, stress management, and diversity training to companies around the world. She is also the bestselling author of Suits: A Woman on Wall Street, an insider’s perspective on her experience at Morgan Stanley from the outsider’s point of view of a second-generation Indian woman. The New York Times described the internationally acclaimed book as the “Devil Wears Prada” of investment banking.

Kulin Hemani
Vice President
Marketing & Business Strategy of Imaging and IT Solutions
Siemens Medical Solutions USA

Kulin Hemani was recently appointed Vice President of Marketing & Business Strategy of Imaging and IT Solutions at Siemens Healthcare USA. In his 21 years at Siemens Healthcare USA, Kulin held roles in many facets of imaging and IT, including installations, operations, and ultimately business management.  Under his leadership as Vice President of the Computed Tomography (CT) business unit, Siemens grew to be the U.S. market leader in CT.  Other recent accomplishments include being awarded “Business Vice President of the Year” at Siemens three times out of the last six years and being featured in Radiology Today Image Magazine’s “25 Most Influential in Radiology List” in 2010. In addition to his roles in business management, Kulin was also Chair of the Siemens Diversity Council in 2010.  He is passionate about diversity and enjoys mentoring others. Kulin obtained his executive MBA from New York University and his Master’s in Electrical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Jessica Kehayes
Executive Director, Education
Asia Society

Jessica Kehayes is the Executive Director of Education at Asia Society, a leading global education and cultural institution, and a chief architect of the Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning.  In this role, Jessica works to lead an educational movement focused on graduating all students both college-ready and globally competent by promoting the study of global knowledge, skills and world languages in K-12 education and building connections between U.S. and Asian education leaders.  Prior to joining Asia Society, Jessica was with the Office of Strategic Partnerships in the New York City Department of Education. She was a Fulbright Scholar in South Korea and has her MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

David W. Kim
Director, Global Commercial Business & Marketplace
Dell

David W. Kim is Director of Diversity for the Commercial Business and Dell’s Global Marketplace. He is responsible for driving global workforce strategies for Dell’s largest global business function, Global Commercial, and specializes in building enduring marketplace relationships and marketplace strategies for Dell’s 115,000 team members. In these roles, he specializes in global diversity initiatives to acquire, develop, retain, and build inclusive workplaces that drive business results and build key marketplace relationships to best serve Dell’s global diverse customers.

David is an 11-year veteran at Dell and prior to his role in Global Diversity & Inclusion held various Human Resource Operations and Information Management positions in Dell’s Global Human Resources function.

Prior to joining Dell, David held various Human Resources and management consulting positions in technology companies including 3 Com, Cadence Design Systems, and Price Waterhouse. He attended Biola University and San Francisco State University’s Industrial/Organizational Psychology MS program. He serves on the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Advisory Board and the Center for Child Protection Board of Directors.

Kathryn Komsa
Advisor, Asia Society Diversity Council
Board Member, YWCA of NYC

Kathryn Komsa serves on the Board of the YWCA of NYC.  She was a member of their 2012 CEO Selection Committee and has co-chaired the Steering Committee for their largest corporate fundraiser, the Salute to Women Leaders.  She is also an Advisory Board member of Paterson Habitat for Humanity.

Kathryn was Chief Diversity Officer of Marsh & McLennan Companies from 2009 to 2012.  Other HR roles at MMC, Bankers Trust and JP Morgan Chase included leading learning/development and recruiting functions and acting as Senior HR Business Partner for C-Suite and Investment Banking divisions. Kathryn helped strengthen the diversity strategy for MMC’s Asia Pacific Region through Town Hall discussions and partnering with their women’s network to grow a relationship with Plan International.

Kathryn is on the faculty of The Conference Board’s Diversity Boot Camp, and Advisor to Asia Society’s Diversity Council, serving as a 2013 Award Judge. She was named one of Black Enterprise’s 2011 Top Executives in Diversity and has contributed to numerous articles and events on diversity and inclusion. Kathryn holds an M.A and M.B.A. from NYU and is currently taking her chances as an entrepreneur.

Michael G. Kulma
Executive Director, Global Leadership Initiatives
Asia Society

Michael G. Kulma is the Executive Director of Global Leadership Initiatives at the Asia Society headquarters in New York. In this capacity he directs the Society’s four major leadership initiatives: Asia 21 Young Leaders, Diversity Leadership Forum, Williamsburg Conference, and Women Leaders of New Asia. He began his career at the Asia Society in 2000 working on policy issues related to Northeast Asia with a specific concentration on China. Prior to that, he lectured at a number of colleges in the New York City area, focusing on East Asian politics, foreign policy, and international relations. Michael contributes regularly to print and broadcast media on Asia-focused issues. He was a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is a member of The National Committee on United States-China Relations. Michael received a BA in economics from the University of Chicago, a master’s in public and international affairs from the University of Pittsburgh, and a PhD in political science from the City University of New York. He speaks Mandarin.

Subramaniam Kumar
Vice President, Infrastructure Engineering
Freddie Mac

Subramaniam Kumar (“Kumar”) is a Vice President of Infrastructure Engineering at Freddie Mac. He is responsible for delivering infrastructure solutions to the business. Kumar also leads the team strategy and the Diversity & Inclusion objectives for Freddie Mac’s Information Technology organization. Prior to Freddie Mac, he held senior leadership roles in IT infrastructure for Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Prudential Financial. With nearly 30 years of IT and business experience working for global organizations, Kumar also brings a rich diversity perspective. As an Asian Indian immigrant he is passionate about diversity and inclusion and the value it adds to the organization’s strength.

Jess Lee
Co-Founder & CEO
Polyvore

Jess Lee is Polyvore’s CEO. Prior to co-founding Polyvore, Jess was a product manager at Google, where she worked on Google Maps and launched features like My Maps and draggable driving directions. After four years at Google, Jess became hopelessly addicted to making Polyvore sets and decided the only cure was to join the Polyvore team. Jess has a degree in computer science from Stanford University.

Kimberly Marcelis
Vice President, Strategic Planning
Executive Sponsor of CAAN
Cisco Systems

Kimberly Marcelis is Vice President of Strategy & Planning at Cisco Systems, where she plays a key part of leading the transformation to enable the company’s new businesses while increasing operational excellence. She is responsible for the corporate planning process, Quarterly Business Reviews, governance of the executive meetings, and overall support of the President & COO’s transformation agenda.  Working extensively with the business leaders, functional teams, and cross-functional virtual teams, she drives the alignment of the company on the 3 year strategy and the annual plans.  She is responsible for “closing the loop” by measuring accountability owners against performance targets on a quarterly basis.

Since 2009, Kimberly has also been the Executive Sponsor of the Cisco Asian Affinity Network, where she has created an innovative talent development program. This employee resource group program has gained recognition from leading diversity organizations and journals.

Sara Mathew
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Dun & Bradstreet

Sara Mathew is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Dun & Bradstreet. She spent 18 years at P&G before joining D&B as CFO in August 2001. She held a number of senior leadership positions and was promoted to Chairman and CEO in 2010. Presently Sara is leading the transformation of D&B from a data company to a more innovative, digital enterprise, leveraging technological advances to expand its reach in the marketplace. A re-platforming of D&B’s core assets is currently underway. Sara also serves on the Board of the Campbell Soup Company as the Audit Committee Chair and is a member of the Zurich International Advisory Council.

Sara holds a bachelor’s degree in physics, chemistry, and mathematics from the Women’s Christian College in Madras, India, and a master’s degree in business administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Stephanie N. Mehta
Deputy Managing Editor
Fortune

Stephanie N. Mehta is Deputy Managing Editor at FORTUNE, where she contributes to the overall editorial direction of the magazine with a special focus on its technology, international, and Washington coverage. Stephanie is a key contributor to the magazine’s live events; she helps program Fortune’s MPW Summit, Brainstorm Tech, and the Fortune Global Forum. Previously, she held numerous editing roles at the magazine and spent nearly seven years as a senior writer, covering the telecommunications and media industries.

Stephanie joined FORTUNE from The Wall Street Journal, where she was an assistant news editor, reporting and editing technology stories. She wrote extensively about telecommunications at the Journal, focusing on wireless and local phone companies. Mehta joined the Journal in 1994 as a staff reporter for the paper’s Enterprise group and was promoted to Deputy Bureau Chief of that group in 1996. Prior to joining the Journal, she worked as a business reporter for the Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. She received a B.A. in English and an M.S. in journalism from Northwestern University.

Lisa Mink
Chief Diversity Officer, Global Diversity & Inclusion
Dell Inc.

Lisa Mink serves as the Chief Diversity Officer for Dell where she is responsible for driving, developing and leading innovative global diversity initiatives, practices, programs and strategies. Dell established a Global Diversity Council chaired by Michael Dell in 2008, and Lisa works closely with the leadership team to deliver better outcomes for our millions of customers by leveraging and embracing the unique experiences, talents and thinking that our diverse global team has to offer.

Lisa served as head of HR for Dell’s Global Public business, responsible for driving talent and culture strategies to support a business that reaches millions of higher education, government and healthcare institutional customers. In addition to leading HR for the Americas, Lisa’s international experience includes assignments in Europe where she lived and worked in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Slovakia. Lisa also has held a variety of Human Resource leadership roles supporting sales, marketing, services, and operations and a highly selective role as the EA and Chief of Staff to the SVP of Human Resources. Before joining Dell in 1997, Lisa worked in Washington D.C. in legislative affairs and government relations.

Tom Nagorski
Executive Vice President
Asia Society

Tom Nagorski is Executive Vice President of the Asia Society after a three-decade career in journalism — having served most recently as Managing Editor for International Coverage at ABC News. Before that he was Foreign Editor for World News Tonight, and a reporter and producer based in Russia, Germany and Thailand. Nagorski was the recipient of eight Emmy awards and the Dupont Award for excellence in international coverage, as well as a fellowship from the Henry Luce Foundation. He has written for several publications and is the author of Miracles on the Water: The Heroic Survivors of a World War II U-Boat Attack.

Anne Lim O’Brien
Vice Chairman & Senior Partner
Heidrick & Struggles

Anne Lim O’Brien is Vice Chairman and Senior Partner at Heidrick & Struggles. She is a key member of the Global Consumer Markets and CEO & Board practices. She specializes in serving consumer clients, particularly at the CEO and Board levels, within Fortune 500 companies as well as those financially sponsored by leading private equity firms. Her corporate clients have included Avon Products Inc.; Kraft Foods Inc.; and PepsiCo Inc. Her private equity clients have included AEA Investors; Berkshire Partners; Carlyle Partners; KKR; and TA Associates.

With more than 25 years of executive search experience, Anne has partnered with Boardroom clients in North America as well as globally to solve their strategic talent needs, bringing a deep understanding of the challenges facing consumer organizations, especially within the consumer products and retail industries. Throughout her career, Anne has kept a special interest in CEO succession and Next Generation leaders – especially in diversity talent, women as well as internationally experienced executives, based both in developed and developing countries.

Anne started her consulting career in Singapore as an Associate with Price Waterhouse focusing on Southeast Asia clients. In 2008, Anne was recognized by Businessweek Magazine as one of the world’s most influential headhunters. She has served as a member of the Women’s Leadership Board at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. Anne holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University.

Deepa Purushothanman is a Principal in Deloitte Consulting’s Telecommunications, Media and Technology practice. She has served global clients going through transformations driven by Mergers & Acquisitions activity, changes to industry, and economic pressures.  She works alongside executives as they redefine their go forward strategies.

Within Deloitte, Deepa has served on the CEO’s Advisory Council.  As leader of Deloitte’s Asian Business Resource Group, Deepa oversees strategies aligning to Deloitte’s diversity goals.  She has developed thoughtware to address the growing number of Asians in corporate America.  Outside Deloitte, Deepa is helping to establish Avasara, the first leadership academy targeting young women in India.

Deepa is the recipient of Consulting Magazine’s 2011 Women Leaders in Consulting Future Leader Award. Deepa has a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University; a Master’s degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Philosophy from Wellesley College.

David Whitelaw Reid
Director of Corporate Relations
Asia Society

David Whitelaw Reid is the Director of Corporate Relations at the Asia Society.  He leads the institution’s corporate membership, sponsorship and stewardship activities. Since joining the Asia Society in 2003, he has tripled annual Corporate Membership revenues, and established the Society’s first Global Corporate Membership program.

Continuing in his family’s tradition of advancing diversity, David oversaw the launch and development of Asia Society’s Global Talent and Diversity Council, composed of Chief Talent and Diversity Officers from more than two dozen Fortune 500 companies, and the development and funding of the Diversity Leadership Forum, now in its fourth year.  From 2009-2013, he led the development of Asia Society’s Asian Pacific Americans Corporate Survey, the first ever national survey that exclusively measures and recognizes policies and practices that professionally develop Asian Pacific Americans working at Fortune 500 companies.

In addition, in 2007, David co-founded the Business Accelerator Program that provides LGBT entrepreneurs with the essential tools for taking their organizations to the next level of success. This program was created on behalf of New York City’s leading business network, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, which he serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees.

P. Anthony Sammi
Partner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
 

P. Anthony Sammi is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. With a background in electrical engineering and physics, Anthony has litigated at the trial level a broad range of matters involving software, hardware, business method and e-commerce patents and trade secrets, as well as computer source code copyrights. His practice also includes counseling both U.S. and multinational clients on evaluating, licensing, and protecting intellectual property portfolios.

Anthony is currently a member of the American and New York Intellectual Property Law Associations. He also formerly served as President and Director of the South Asian Bar Association of New York; and Director of the National South Asian Bar Association. Anthony earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, and his J.D. from Cornell Law School. He speaks Hindi and Punjabi.

Ruby Sharma
Partner/Principal & Americas Leader, Audit Committee Center of Excellence
Ernst & Young LLP

Ruby Sharma is the Americas Leader of Audit Committee Center of Excellence, responsible for engagement with boards and audit committees.

Ruby has 20 years of experience in internal corporate investigations, white-collar fraud, damage assessment, accounting and financial issues and contract disputes including inventory, contract accounting and pricing, purchase-price disputes and financial statement accounting practices and procedures.

Ruby has assisted with US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and other regulatory examinations, inquiries and investigations and provided independent guidance in numerous types of investigations. She has worked and lived in the UK, Germany, India and the US, gaining experience in various industries. She has performed due diligence in management buyouts, initial public offerings, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and company restructurings throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Ruby is the chief editor and co-author of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) publication, The Guide to Investigating Business Fraud. She is also a trustee of the Princeton HealthCare System. In 2011, the Asian American Business Development Center recognized Ruby as Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business. She served as a visiting faculty at Princeton University and Cornell University, an Executive-in-Residence at Adelphi University, and a faculty at the DirectWomen Board Institute. Ruby is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Delhi University in India and has completed the Kellogg School of Management’s Executive Program at Northwestern University.

Vipul Sheth
Global Vice President of Quality, Coronary, Hypertension
Executive Sponsor of CardioVascular Indian Resource Group
Medtronic

Vipul Sheth is a Vice President of Quality at Medtronic, and serves as the voice within Medtronic for patients that benefit from Medtronic’s products and therapies. With the growing number of physicians of Indian descent in the US and the epidemic of heart disease and diabetes in the Southeast Asian community, Vipul and the Cardiovascular Indian Resource Group in Medtronic are making a difference in raising awareness and at the same time, making a business case within Medtronic. Medtronic’s partnership with local American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association chapters and the American Association for Physicians of Indian Descent (AAPI) has been strengthened due to efforts of the Indian Employee Resource Group.

Vipul holds a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from NC State University. He has worked in the Medical Device Industry for over 20 years, primarily in Quality Management. His experience spans from small, pre-IPO companies to large multinationals like Medtronic. He grew up in India, has lived in the US for over 25 years, and maintains strong ties to his heritage and values. He is the president of the North Bay Indo American Association and is a “part-time Philosopher,” an avid student of factors that affect decision making and ultimately success and happiness; he loves to talk about his formula for success and happiness – Health, Wealth, Passion, and Relationships.

Gustavo Viano
Director of Global Inclusion & Diversity Outreach
McDonald’s Corporation

Gustavo Viano is the Director of Inclusion and Diversity for McDonald’s Corporation. As a member of the Global Inclusion and Intercultural Management team, he works with key internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement D&I strategic initiatives.

Gustavo oversees efforts to integrate diversity into key functional strategies and initiatives and help ensure global diversity indicators are established and communicated. He is a catalyst for promoting an inclusive environment for all employees, operators, and suppliers within the McDonald’s system.

Gustavo is responsible for managing diversity outreach strategies with organizations that represent the following groups: Asian, LGBT, Latinos and veterans. He serves on the corporate advisory boards of several prominent diversity organizations including NCLR, LULAC, HACR, and OCA.

Gustavo joined the Diversity & Inclusion team at McDonald’s in 2005 after stints as Human Resources Manager in McDonald’s West Division and Regional Human Resources Manager in Mexico, Central America and Dallas. He joined the company in 2000.

Ravi Venkatesan
Former CEO of Microsoft and Cummins India
Board Member of Infosys

Ravi Venkatesan is the former Chairman of Microsoft India. Under his leadership, India became Microsoft’s second-largest geography and one of its fastest-growing markets. Venkatesan was instrumental in creating Microsoft India’s Project Shiksha, one of the largest computer literacy programs in the world, which has trained over seven hundred thousand school teachers and impacted the lives of more than thirty-five million Indian students. Prior to joining Microsoft, as Chairman of Cummins India Limited, Venkatesan led the transformation of Cummins into the leading provider of power solutions and automotive engines in India.

Venkatesan is currently a director on the boards of AB Volvo and Infosys Ltd.  and serves on Harvard Business School’s Global Alumni Board. He is a founder and Chairperson of Social Venture Partners India, a network of engaged philanthropists.  He is the author of a book “Conquering the Chaos: Win in India, Win Everywhere”, which will be published by Harvard Business Review Press this June.

Kitty Vorisek
Executive Vice President
DHR Beijing

Kitty Vorisek is the Executive Vice President of DHR International’s Beijing office. She locates talent for corporations in a variety of sectors including healthcare, technology and professional services. With her experience in strategy and sustainability she also launched the nonprofit practice for DHR International in Asia Pacific.

As the first Consumer Business Manager at JP Morgan, China, she created the strategic plan and foundation for a business. She has a track record in financial services with over 25 years in China, Hungary, Netherlands, Germany and America.  She introduced proven and uniquely responsive in-country methods for recruitment, development, diversity and retention of talent.

Kitty has consulted on projects for the WHO, World Bank, and universities including Stanford ValuEd and Duke University.  She is an advisor to Dandelion Middle School, has assisted women’s groups in their sustainable growth, and often lectures at China Women’s University.

Kitty received her Bachelor of Science degree from University of Illinois, Urbana, and did graduate work at Arizona State University.

Soofian Zuberi
Global Head of Equity Distribution
Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Soofian Zuberi is Global Head of Equity Distribution at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he is responsible for running all of the firm’s sales businesses across cash, derivatives, and financing. Soofian joined Merrill Lynch in 1993 as a member of the New York Investment Banking Corporate Finance team. He then became Co-head of Asia Equity Capital Markets, where he was responsible for the origination and execution of all aspects of the firm’s equity, equity-linked and structured equity capital markets franchise across both the public and private markets. After that, he was appointed Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific Global Markets Sales at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, responsible for all sales activities across Equities, Fixed Income, Currencies, Commodities, Rates, Structured Products and Asset & Liability Structuring. Soofian has worked on over 130 transactions and raised over US$125 billion across equity, structured equity and convertible bonds for both corporate and sovereign clients in Asia. He has also originated several ground breaking M&A transactions while in Capital Markets. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA (Hons.) from Reed College. In 2008, Soofian was selected as an Asia Society “Asia 21 Young Leader” and he has been featured in a variety of news media including CNBC, BusinessWeek, Bloomberg, and local Chinese press.