Houston, Texas, September 1, 2015 — Asia Society Texas Center announces the launch of its inaugural, Women's Leadership Series (WLS), designed to “inspire, educate and empower” women by connecting them with established leaders across the globe.

Bonna Kol, Asia Society Texas Center’s Executive Director and the creator of the signature series, explains that WLS “celebrates influential and diverse women who are making an impact in society and business.”

The first of three programs, “In Conversation: Powerful Women Making a Global Impact” will take shape Wednesday, September 23 (2015) at Asia Society Texas Center with speakers who greatly impact Houston in the areas of entrepreneurship, philanthropy and academia. Dr. Anne Chao (Philanthropist and Professor), Donna Cole (President and CEO, Cole Chemical) and Y. Ping Sun (First Lady, Rice University; Counsel, Yetter Coleman, LLP) will serve as panelists and Stephanie Mehta, (Editor-at-Large, Bloomberg Businessweek) as moderator.

Anne Chao, who is also co-chairing WLS adds, “The series provides a platform for women leaders of Asian descent and women leaders whose interests intersect with the mission of Asia Society, to share their personal and professional experiences.”

To learn more about the September 23rd program and speakers, please visit: www.AsiaSociety.org/Texas.

The two upcoming programs, which will focus on the advancement of women in politics and female leaders in the C-suite, are set for next year. Elaine Chao, the 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and Lulu Wang, CEO of Tupelo Capital Management, will be keynote speakers for those programs set for January and April (2016), respectively.

Chao along with Paula Hinton are co-chairing WLS.