Event Recap - 2024 Asia Game Changer West Awards Gala
View photos and videos from Asia Game Changer West Awards Gala
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, April 4, 2024 — Asia Society Northern California hosts its sixth annual Asia Game Changer West Awards Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco. Asia Game Changer West Awards are bestowed to individuals, organizations, and movements that have inspired, enlightened, and shown true leadership in areas that reflect Asia Society’s core pillars of policy and business, technology and innovation, arts and culture, and education.
2024 Asia Game Changer West Honorees:
- Kongkee, Animation Director and Visual Artist
- Padmasree Warrior, Founder, President and CEO, Fable
- Mickey Hiroshi Mikitani, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten Group, Inc.
This year's Asia Game Changer West Awards Gala was emceed by Margaret Conley, Executive Director of Asia Society Northern California and Seattle. Speakers included California State Treasurer Fiona Ma; Jay Xu, Director, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco; Vinita Gupta, Co-founder, Former Chairperson and CEO, Digital Link Corporation; Thierry Porté, Managing Director and Vice Chairman at J.C. Flowers & Co.; Gary Rieschel, Founding Managing Partner, Qiming, Asia Society Trustee; and Lillian Santos Stables, Regional Community Outreach Manager for Corporate Responsibility, Southwest Airlines.
Guests enjoyed an inspiration rap performance by Ruby Ibarra, well-known, Filipina-American rapper, director, and spoken word artist who performed her new track SWITCH, and A Thousand Cuts. Entertainment during the VIP Reception was provided by Northern California Okinawa Kenjin-Kai drum and dance group, and Mongolian Arts and Education Center (MAEC)'s quintet of Morin Khuur (Mongolian horsehead fiddles).
VIDEOS
Honoree Kongkee's Acceptance Speech
Jay Xu, Director of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, introduced Kongkee, mentioning Kongkee's extraordinary work and unique genre, CyberPunk, which marries history with futuristic, powerful imaging. In his acceptance speech, Kongkee pays homage to his opening exhibition at the Asian Art Museum where a lot of his pieces were showcased to the Bay Area community and the world. Kongkee shares that his interest in animation began with his fascination of the portrayal of the future through science fiction, and how he aims to create dialogue between the past, present, and future in his works. He shares that while technology has always threatened art, art has the unwavering power to unveil vulnerabilities, express fragility, and foster connections with the past.
Honoree Padmasree Warrior's Acceptance Speech
Vinita Gupta, Co-Founder, Former Chairperson and CEO of Digital Link Corporation and Board Member of Asia Society Northern California, introduced Warrior, mentioning Warrior's trailblazing journey and the game changing work that she has done in bolstering women's empowerment across corporate America. In her acceptance speech, Padmasree Warrior speaks on her journey as a woman in the technical field and how many Asians like herself are often perceived as "different." She stresses that there is a major importance and growing need for people around the world to celebrate differences worldwide, especially by experiencing new cultures and active listening. She also speaks on her company, Fable, and how she strives to build a bridge between technology and the arts with a specialized focus on storytelling and mental wellness.
Honoree Mickey Hiroshi Mikitani's Acceptance Speech
Thierry Porté, Managing Director at J.C. Flowers & Co. and Asia Society Global Trustee, highlighted Mikitani's proactive leadership and problem-solving skills, which resulted in the creation of Rakuten, one of the world's financial technology companies, in the wake of the Kobe 1995 earthquake. Porté also noted Mikitani's attitude of being "proudly Japanese, open to the world," integration of Japanese hospitality values like omotenashi into e-commerce, and advanced thinking in making English the company's official language. In accepting the award, Mikitani shared his life and career journey, including his childhood in New Haven, time as an investment banker, and professional life navigating the internet boom. He expressed a drive to not live with regret – a feeling he especially harnessed after experiencing many personal losses due to the Kobe earthquake. At the end, Mikitani stated that diversity is very important to him, and that changing Rakuten's official language to English allowed the company to work with many from around the world, though many doubted this approach early on.
Remarks by California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and Asia Society Northern California and Seattle Board Chair Gary Rieschel
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma started by recounting her life story as the oldest daughter of a Chinese immigrant family and her motivations to run for office despite her family's hesitations. She discussed that it is essential for the next generation to rise up and protect humanity in our interconnected world. Gary Rieschel, Chair of Asia Society Northern California and Seattle, stated the importance of neutral, safe spaces like Asia Society, and the need for increased listening, tolerance, and kindness in the world today. At the end he thanked many important members, including the Asia Society Trustees, the Northern California board and advisory Council, and the Asia Society team.
Musician Ruby Ibarra Performing "Switch" and "A Thousand Cuts"
Ruby Ibarra, Bay Area rapper, director, and spoken word artist, performed two songs "Switch" and "A Thousand Cuts." In her opening introduction, she speaks about the importance of breaking the mold and defying challenges in making history. She also talks about her song "A Thousand Cuts" which was a song she composed for the film "A Thousand Cuts" which highlights the journey of Nobel Peace Prize awarded Filipino-American journalist Maria Ressa.