Asian-American business leaders feted at gala in NY for contributions to global economy

Dozens of Asian-American business leaders were commended for their contributions to the global economy on Thursday at a dinner gala in New York.

"Growing up from an Asian-American family in Spokane, Washington, my family experienced a lot of adversity," said Phyllis J Campbell, chairman of JPMorgan Chase's Pacific Northwest division. "In spite of all the hardships that my family went through, my father and grandfather taught us it is really about giving back and making the community better despite what you've been through."

Susan Huang, vice-chairman of investment banking and managing director of mergers and acquisitions at Morgan Stanley, said there has been an added focus on recognizing achievement in the Asian-American business community in recent years.

"The focus on diversity in corporate America has really come to life," Huang said. "And there's a real effort to create an environment of inclusion where all voices are heard and where everyone gets a seat at the table."

Campbell and Huang spoke at the annual Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Awards Dinner Gala, an event hosted by the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC), at Cipriani Wall Street.

Roughly 600 Asian Americans from more than 50 industries were honored by the AADBC, from a wide range of Asian countries including Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The Pinnacle Awards, the highest honors of the evening, were presented to Campbell and Huang.

Various elected officials were on hand for the event, including representatives from several Asian consulates in New York. And executives from a number of international companies, including MasterCard Inc, Wal-Mart Stores Inc, Colgate-Palmolive Co, Macy's Inc and PepsiCo attended.

Campbell, who is based in Seattle and oversees business for JPMorgan Chase in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Utah - told China Daily that diversity inclusion has been a "lifelong passion".

"I like the idea that this award ceremony honors contributions across generations," she said. "Both of my grandparents hail from Asia, so I'm actually a third-generation American, born of Japanese descent."

One thing Campbell finds most endearing about the AABDC's annual gala dinner is its "Pan-Asian, global emphasis".

"We all come from different heritages, some are first generation, some are second, but because of my roots in Asia, I have a real interest in the growth of Asia and Asian economies," Campbell said. "My hope is that those who are recognized tonight go out and inspire or serve as role models for many of the other young people that are coming up behind us."

The AABDC is a non-profit organization, founded in 1994, that helps Asian-American companies compete by expanding networking opportunities and brand awareness.

jackfreifelder@chinadailyusa.com