September 12, 2024 - Asia Society Seattle celebrated an extraordinary year of programs and community engagement, marking its one-year anniversary from its launch! From thought-provoking discussions to captivating cultural performances, this anniversary event was a memorable showcase of Asia Society Seattle’s critical and unique role in navigating shared futures between the U.S. and Asia, and among Asian diasporas in the Pacific Northwest.

Speakers included:

• Gary Rieschel, Chair, Asia Society Northern California and Asia Society Seattle; Asia Society Global Trustee; Founding Managing Partner, Qiming Venture Partners 
• Debra Eisenman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Asia Society; Founding Director and Senior Fellow, ASPI
• Prakash Gupta, Consul General of India in Seattle
• Steve Hobbs, Secretary of State of Washington 
• Makoto Iyori, Consul General of Japan in Seattle
• Michael W. Michalak, Former Ambassador to Vietnam
• Tom Robertson, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Microsoft
• Lillian Santos Stables, Regional Community Outreach Manager for Corporate Responsibility, Southwest Airlines
• Eunji Seo, Consul General of Republic of Korea in Seattle
• Janet Yang, President, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Emmy and Golden Globe Award-Winning Producer
• Margaret Conley, Executive Director, Asia Society Seattle & Northern California

We also enjoyed musical performances by:

• Ganesh Rajagopalan, Grammy-Award Winning Violin Maestro 
• Khmer Amarak Performing Arts, Seattle-based, traditional Khmer instrumentalists

VIDEO RECAPS:

Stay tuned for videos and recap from the event!

Three Seattle Consuls General on U.S.-Asia Relations

Ambassador Michalak framed the discussion by highlighting the importance of India, Japan, and South Korea in the Indo-Pacific. CG Gupta noted that the Indian Consulate in Seattle only opened 11 months ago, and its new presence signifies the bolstered U.S.-India focus on technology, especially through initiatives like the US-India Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) partnership, which boosts investments in aerospace, AI, quantum computing, and agtech. CG Iyori emphasized U.S.-Japan tech collaboration, particularly its role in national security and the initiatives of Japanese companies to support Startups in Seattle. He also cited important strategic partnerships forged from the Camp David Summit and QUAD that strengthen regional ties. CG Seo highlighted South Korea’s commitment to global solidarity among like-minded nations for a free and open Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the importance of fostering multilateral dialogue. She shared the term "techno-politics" to stress the need for greater investment in technology, noting how rapid advancements are reshaping international relations.

Speech by Janet Yang, Golden Globe Award-winning producer, and President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

 In her talk, Janet Yang, Golden Globe-winning producer and President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, she reflected on the growth of AAPI representation in media, highlighting her work on "The Joy Luck Club" and the success of "Crazy Rich Asians" 25 years later. Janet Yang emphasized the positive shift in media, noting the contrast between the strong box office performance of AAPI-led films and their historically limited budgets. She also stressed the importance of intuition, creativity, and storytelling in today's data-driven world.
 

Speeches by Gary Rieschel, Asia Society Seattle Board Chair, and Steve Hobbs, Washington's Secretary of State

 Gary Rieschel, Board Chair of Asia Society Seattle and Northern California, highlighted the organization's achievements including Asia Society's new technology fellow. He outlined future initiatives for Seattle, highlighting the transformative shifts in arts, culture, technology, and policy.
 
Steve Hobbs, Washington's Secretary of State, stressed the importance of fostering strong ties between the Secretary of State office and the Asia Society Seattle. He emphasized the Secretary of State's historical role in international relations, trade missions, and cultural exchanges. He also celebrated the diversity of Washington's AAPI community, underscoring the Indo-Pacific region's significance in the economy and national security.

Speeches by Tom Robertson, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft Corporation, and Debra Eisenman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Asia Society

Tom Robertson, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at Microsoft Corporation emphasized the connection between regional efforts and the Asia Society’s mission to build bridges and foster understanding among diverse Asian communities across cultures and economies. Highlighting previous discussions on AI, innovations, and developments in investments and trade between the U.S. and Asian countries, he affirmed the Asia Society and the Seattle office's commitment to providing timely and impactful content in a rapidly evolving world.
 
Debra Eisenman, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Asia Society, recalled the organization's long history and mission. She emphasized its unique focus on the organization's diverse pillars. She expressed enthusiasm for the presence of Asia Society in Seattle and encouraged continued participation in programs to foster understanding.