Volunteers are an essential part of Asia Society Texas' team! Assisting with everything from registration to arts and crafts to receptions, volunteers provide vital support for more than 125 public programs each year and contribute to our mission of advancing cultural exchange.

We'd like to shine a spotlight on one of our volunteers, Jennie Szeto. Learn a little more about Jennie and her volunteer experience below!

Quick Facts

Name: Jennie Szeto
Asia Society Texas volunteer since: 2022
Interests: I am an attorney, a native Houstonian, and a mom to two professional actors and a husky-shepherd rescued pup. I am passionate about service and civic engagement. In addition to Asia Society Texas, I am involved with many local performing arts groups and social services organizations.
Favorite volunteer role: While I enjoy every opportunity to engage with visitors, my favorite volunteer role is actually "back-office" working with AST staff to organize and prepare for large-scale special events or just lending an administrative hand wherever is needed.
Favorite program you've volunteered for: This year, my favorite programs were ones that I had a personal connection to, like The Big Swim (my son was part of Houston Grand Opera's developmental workshops for this operetta), and ones that educate and inspire me, like the Xu Bing symposium.

Reflection

My association with Asia Society Texas reaches back to its early years when it was just a small office with a handful of staff and volunteers. As a young Big Law associate hoping to practice in Asia, I was drawn to its business and policy programs. One of those programs featured a legal pioneer from China, who would later become a mentor and personal inspiration to me. Had it not been for Asia Society Texas and that fortuitous meeting, my professional career would have been quite different. Today, I am grateful to be able to volunteer often at AST and give back.

I encourage anyone interested in volunteering to do so without hesitation. Volunteering is easy — you can devote as much or as little time as you are able — and it is fun! The AST staff are gracious, generous, and welcoming. You will be uplifted by guest interactions, learn from business and policy experts, be inspired by artists and authors, and entertained by the performing arts and pop culture. Whatever your interests, Asia Society Texas has a plethora of programs and events that transcend boundaries and cultures. Asia Society Texas is truly a place where you will “join locally [and] connect globally.”

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.