Anniversary Newsletter - International Leadership … · INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION 2017 NEWSLETTER ... with special thanks to Chiling Tong, Joel Szabat, ... making process,

INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION 2017 NEWSLETTER

1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW 700 Washington DC 20004 ILFnational.org | 202-204-3019 | [email protected]

The Honorable Elaine L. Chao presented

the keynote speech during the 2017

International Leadership Foundation

(ILF) Annual Awards & Scholarship

Gala. Secretary Chao’s memorable

keynote presentation included a

picture-filled slideshow of her father,

Dr. James S. C. Chao, who was being

honored for the evening. The photos

began with a chronological display of

her father alongside his family and

friends in their rural farming village

outside of Shanghai. Dr. James S. C.

Chao’s affinity for photography enabled

him to capture the story of his life,

narrated by Secretary Elaine L. Chao, as

one of the most endearing and

inspirational love stories of his time.

Having scored some of the highest

marks ever recorded on China’s Master

Mariner Examination, Dr. Chao served

as one of the youngest sea Captains in

modern history. Upon his venture to

study in the United States,

18thAnniversary

Newsletter

APA Leaders Honored for their legacy at ILF Awards Gala with Dr. James S. C. Chao and Secretary Elaine L. Chao

INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION PAGE 2

1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW 700 Washington DC 20004

ILFnational.org | 202-204-3019 | [email protected]

Dr. Chao was reunited with his wife

and family three years later. The Chao

family assimilated into the American

culture by building a successful

shipping company. Dr. Chao’s

company has served its clients for over

50 years and continues to showcase a

strong business with impeccable

service. To these successes Secretary

Chao attributes the lessons learned

from her parents’ unwavering

contributions to society and

perspective on life. “62% of the Asian

American population is made up of

immigrants...Many of us have faced

challenges in assimilating, adapting,

and also trying to bring up the next

generation,” shared Secretary Chao.

“I want to reassure those who have

taken such efforts to be in this country

that their dreams will prevail. This is a

wonderful country with so many

opportunities. If you miss one, don’t

worry - there’s another one on the

way!”

“If I can say anything to Asian

Americans, [it is]: Don’t be afraid. Step

up. Join in. You will reap rewards that

you would have never imagined.”

The ILF network and surrounding Asian

Pacific American (APA) communities

were proud and grateful to hear from

such a distinguished leader and public

servant. Secretary Chao has been a

strong supporter of ILF’s mission to

cultivate young APA leaders in public

service.

Dr. James S. C. Chao, subject of a best-

selling biography entitled Fearless

Against the Wind and well- known

philanthropist, opened his remarks

with special thanks to Chiling Tong,

Joel Szabat, and his old and new

friends at the ILF gathering. “I don’t

think I can say too much because the

Secretary already said all of it,” said Dr.

Chao, much to the delight of the

attendees. But I want to share two

points.” Dr. Chao went on to

congratulate ILF leaders on their

successful programming over past

years. He pointed out that, although

the focus was largely on contributing

to the growth of young professionals,

he himself felt benefitted from the

focus and mission of ILF. Dr. Chao then

congratulated the young professionals

on their hard work and bright futures.

“Live a life of significance. The world is

getting bigger, but remember your

culture and who you are. Hold onto it.”

Dr. Chao recognized young leaders for

their work ethic but reminded them

also to enjoy life. He closed his speech

by sharing, “I am happy because I have

a happy family. Remember to start

your families with L-O-V-E! Be serious

and build wonderful families with love.”




The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation; Dr. James S. C. Chao, Founder and Chairman of Foremost Group; and the Honorable Norman Mineta, ILF Honorary Chairman with National Advisory Board Chairs and Gala Honorees

ILF Advisory Board Chairs: Ms. Pei Da Yan, Orlando; Ms. Merry Cheng, Chicago; Ms. Anila Ali, Orange County; Ms. Shiao-Yen Wu, Seattle; Mr. Eric Kung, Detroit; Mr. David Jian, Atlanta; Ms. Grace Huang, San Francisco; Mr. Jeff

Hwang, Washington DC; Ms. Cherry Huang, New York; Mr. Sunny Ng, New England; Mr. Edward Dong, China-US Committee; Ms. Chiling Tong, Founding President; and Dr. Paul Hsu, Chairman

2017 ILF Award Gala Honorees: Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes; Dr. Eugenia Henry, Founder of H2O Clinical Research; John Lam, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Lam Group; Matthew Lee, CEO of

FASTech Inc. and President of KOBE Government Contracting Alliance; Wea Hwa Lee, President of Southern News Group; Yong Ma, Executive Vice President of Bank of China; Lily Mei, Mayor of Fremont, California; Khalid

Muneer, President of Jupiter Properties Inc.

Utah Attorney General Sean D.

Reyes receives the Public Servant Award from ILF Chairman Dr.

Paul Hsu

Congresswoman Amata Radewagen presents the

Leadership Award on behalf of ILF to Yong Ma, Executive VP o Bank of

China

Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Commerce

Norman Mineta encourages leadership that propels both oneself and others forward

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock gives welcoming

remarks




The Conference and Luncheon showcased prominent business and community leaders across the U.S. and within the Nation's capital. The luncheon and following networking session is to promote our own national network of Asian American Chambers of Commerce, business organizations and entrepreneurs dedicated to the economic empowerment and growth of APA businesses. Including ILF Fellows, future national and global APA leaders have a chance to learn about the legacy the leaders have established and ILF Fellows discuss how scholarships have impacted their life and career. Members of Congress spoke on the importance of diversity and inclusion, leadership, and empowering communities. Additionally, ILF celebrated the ina uguration of the Richard and Eric Dong Endowment Fund.

Congresswoman Judy Chu

CongressmanTed Lieu

Fellow Hank Wu reflects on lessons learned from the Civic Fellowship Program

Fellow Sophia He shares how the Civic Fellowship Program

has helped her grow

Members of Congress Judy Chu, Grace Meng, and Ted Lieu with ILF Leaders, National Advisors, and Awardees

Tony Hwang, Connecticut State

Senator

Allan Fung, Mayor of Cranston

John Lam, Chairman and CEO of the Lam Group

Congresswoman Grace Meng

Presented with the plaque honoring their $100,000 contribution, Richard and Eric Dong stand

with ILF Leadership

LEADERSIHP & BUSINESS

CONFERENCE




For the last 18 years, the International

Leadership Foundation has provided

scholarships and leadership training for

select APA college students across the

nation. The Washington, D.C. Civic

Fellowship is one of the nation’s most

prestigious leadership development

programs designed to foster future

APA leaders in public service and

policy making.

U.S. Department of Commerce –

Minority Business Development

Agency

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of the Treasury –

Office of Economic Policy

U.S. Department of the Treasury –

Bureau of Fiscal Service

U.S. Department of Homeland

Security

U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency

U.S. Department of Transportation-

Federal Railroad Administration

U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services – Office of Minority

Health

This year, ILF accepted 31 outstanding

Civic Fellows. Each Fellow participated

in a supervised internship program at a

federal agency, along with professional

and leadership development seminars

and workshops in order to learn how

government works and how to

leverage public policy to help

strengthen underserved communities.

U.S. Agency for International

Development

U.S. Department of Agriculture –

Food Safety and Inspection Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture–

Natural Resources and

Conservation Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture –

Office of Rural Development

U.S. Department of Commerce –

International Trade Administration

U.S. Securities and Exchange

Commission

U.S. House of Representatives:

Rep. Ted Lieu,

Rep. Alan Lowenthal,

Rep. Grace Meng,

Rep. Amata Radewagen

INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT & FEDERAL PARTNERS

WASHINGTON DC CIVIC FELLOWSHIP

The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor and 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation; Dr. James S. C. Chao, Founder and Chairman of Foremost Group; the Honorable Norman Mineta, ILF Honorary Chairman

(left); Program Director Evelynn Bui; ILF Founder Chiling Tong; and Executive Director Soo Kyung Koowith 2017 Fellows



LEADERSHIP

TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS

The Fellowship aims to teach

outstanding APA college students

from across the nation through its own

unique training. It has two themes:

strengthen your policy interests and

cultivate your leadership potential and

skills, and one goal: be a public

interest-driven leader for communities.

Fellows learn how politics, the policy-

making process, and public service are

integrated in governance and how to

make government work for the

community.

EMERGING LEADERS

POLICY FORUM

Fellows applied the knowledge,

experience, and perspective gained

from working in public service and

training workshops to develop policy

recommendations as future AANHPI

leaders and policymakers. They

conducted research and presented

their policy ideas to current leaders in

business and public service at the

Emerging Leaders Policy Forum.

FEDERAL CAREER

FAIR

This year, ILF held its first-ever Federal

Career Fair. The Federal Career Fair is

a new extension of the Civic

Fellowship program meant to benefit

the wider realm of D.C. young

professionals,

current working professionals, and

other Asian Pacific American students

and interns. It is hosted by ILF and

open to the public, providing an

opportunity for participants to discuss

their public service interest and passion

with current federal employees and to

learn what specific procedures they

need to go through and how to

improve themselves in order to land a

federal job. Participating agencies

advertise what they do for people and

communities, promote federal diversity

and inclusion, and discover the talent

and ambition they need to provide

better service to citizens.

Fellows presented on the following topics at the Emerging Leaders Policy Forum:•Promoting the Economic Development ofMinority Business Enterprises Through IncreasedAccess to Federal Resources •Funding ArtsEducation•Menstrual Equity Today & Tomorrow (METT)•U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):National Heat Wave Strategy•Literacy & Multilingual Education for NativeAmerican Students•A Patent System for the 21st Century

Federal Career Fair gave Fellows eye-opening perspectivtes on their career path



TESTIMONIALS “I’ve come to learn the importance and

nature of public service. The people of

both organizations do not work for

recognition or accolades. They work

because the notion of moving forward

and bettering the lives of those in need

is rewarding enough in and of itself.

Their actions connected me to the

Jesuit values so often echoed at my

university [Boston College] of being a

person for others. That phrase was no

longer foreign to me - it became a

calling.” Sophia He, 2017 Fellow

“The Fellows are driven, not by money

or vanity, but by genuine interest and

passion. And while the greatest asset

ILF has is this collection of young,

driven Asian Americans, the greatest

value it provides is helping these individuals meaningfully develop and progress as future leaders.”

Hank Wu, 2017 Fellow

"I have had the pleasure to work

alongside ILF Fellow Ryan Lee this

summer and have really come to

depend on him for his insight, hard

work and positive attitude...Specifically,

he has helped us enhance outreach for

innovators within our portfolio by

identifying opportunities to promote

their work through digital media, and

he has played an integral role in the

planning and preparation of a major

upcoming event we are leading. I've

come to see him more as a peer in

recent weeks and less as an associate,

and I'll be sad to see him go.”

Courtney Miller Calardo,

Communications Lead of the Center

for Development Innovation at USAID

Fellows gain insight into the intersection of technology and policy by listening to the stories of lobbyists Allen Chew and Jason Olson at the AT&T

Technology & Innovation workshop

Fellows learn about entrepreneurship from David Vardeman of Capital Bank

Fellows tour the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Fellows learn from HHS Chief Recruitment Officer Glorimar Maldonado and Leadership and Civil Service Training at Leadership Institute (far right)



YOUTH LEADERSHIP

ACADEMY

ILF National Advisory Boards organize

the workshop for high school students

year-round to develop APA youth into

future leaders. It is to connect current

leaders to APA youth, to introduce

opportunities and resources provided

by ILF to them such as valuable

awards and tips for their college

admission, to raise civic awareness

among them, and to help them

discover their interest in public service.

The Academy’s goal is to make them

to be effective leaders in their local

communities and beyond.

ABOUT ILF

OUR VISION

The International Leadership

Foundation (ILF) is a 501(c)3 non-

profit organization that promotes the

civic engagement, leadership

empowerment, and economic

prosperity of the Asian Pacific

American (APA, including Native

Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders)

community to enhance the

representation of diversity in our

country.

OUR MISSION

ILF Develops young leaders in the

United States, Asia, and Pacific Rim

countries in the fields of public service,

entrepreneurship, and international

business and politics through a

network of business and community

leaders.

HOW WE ACHIEVE OUR MISSION

Our mission is accomplished through

civic leadership training and support

from ILF’s network of 15 national and

global advisory boards. Since 2000,

ILF has provided scholarships and

educational programs to over 7,000

students in order to cultivate the

pipeline of emerging leaders.

ILF is a Combined Federal Campaign

approved organization (Donate to

#24372)

Los Angeles Academy Seattle Academy with Lt. Governor Brad Owen

@InternationalLeadership Foundation

@ILF_National

@ILFNational

International Leadership Foundation

Documents

Anniversary Newsletter - International Leadership … · INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION 2017 NEWSLETTER ... with special thanks to Chiling Tong, Joel Szabat, ... making process,