Showcasing the Outstanding Achievements and Global Influence The 4th “Outstanding Asian American Women Who Dared” Awards Ceremony Held in San Francisco
LAPost / San Francisco, February 14, 2025 — The 4th “Outstanding Asian American Women Who Dared” Awards Ceremony, co-hosted by the China Institute in America and Yue-Sai Kan’s One World Foundation, was held in grand style on the evening of February 13 at the Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport Hotel. The prestigious event brought together nearly 300 distinguished guests, including Chinese Consul General in San Francisco Zhang Jianmin and his wife, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, California Assemblymember Evan Low, China Institute in America CEO George Geh, and other prominent figures from political, business, and academic circles to witness this momentous occasion.
Yue-Sai Kan（Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）
Renowned Chinese-American philanthropist and China Institute Co-Chair Yue-Sai Kan served as the evening’s host. In her speech, she remarked, “Honoring these outstanding women is not only a recognition of their personal achievements but also an inspiration to many others. Encouraging and empowering Asian Americans is at the core of our mission. This event not only highlights individual brilliance but also embodies the spirit of collective empowerment.”
From left: Consul General Zhang Jianmin and his wife, Yu-Sai Kan, George Geh（Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）
Chinese Consul General Zhang Jianmin acknowledged Yue-Sai Kan and the China Institute for their contributions to U.S.-China relations and congratulated the award recipients.
Yue-Sai Kan took a photo with honorees （Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）
This year’s awards honored 12 Asian American women who have made exceptional achievements across various fields, including academia, arts, business, sports, and public service:
- Zhenan Bao – Renowned scientist, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Stanford University
- Xin Liu – Acclaimed photographer and philanthropist
- Yan Luo – Hollywood producer and well-known actress
- Lynn Chen-Zhang – CEO and Chief Compliance Officer of Zhang Financial
- Rose Zhang – World champion golfer
- Amy Tong – Secretary of the California Government Operations Agency
- Jiebing Chen – Distinguished erhu musician
- Eva Hsieh – Co-founder of the Hsieh Family Foundation
- Jianqing Zhang – CEO of Chinese Hospital in San Francisco
- Dr. Xiaoyu Xu – Managing Partner at AMINO Capital
- Angela Ying – Vice President of Business Operations at NVIDIA
- Gloria Young – Prominent real estate investor and developer
These honorees not only excel in their respective fields but also represent the remarkable influence of Asian women on the global stage. Among them, Stanford University Professor Zhenan Bao is an internationally acclaimed scientist and one of the few to hold top academic honors in both the U.S. and China.
Front row from left: Lynn Chen-Zhang Liu Xin, Eva Hsie, Luo Yan (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)（Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）
Lynn Chen-Zhang, an awardee from the Midwest, is the CEO of one of the top-ranked financial advisory firms in the U.S. and a trustee of Western Michigan University. Together with her husband, Charles Zhang, she has donated over $20 million to educational institutions and local nonprofits. As the only diamond sponsor of this event, the Chen-Zhang couple demonstrated their philanthropic commitment by donating $50,000 in support of Yue-Sai Kan’s charitable initiatives.
Hollywood producer and actress Yan Luo, another awardee, was a sponsor of Cai Guoqiang’s “Daytime Fireworks Show” in Los Angeles in 2024. Upon receiving her award from Silicon Valley investor Lu Zhang, Luo delivered an inspiring speech: “I am fortunate to have chosen a career I am passionate about, allowing me to express my views and emotions through my work. When passion and purpose align, hard work becomes second nature. Life is short, and in this ever-evolving world, there is so much to learn, create, and embrace—along with challenges and risks. I am deeply grateful to the China Institute, One World Foundation, and Yue-Sai Kan for this honor. This recognition will inspire me to turn the impossible into possible, to make dreams a reality, and to build a brighter future for generations to come.”
Honoree Liu Xin and her relatives and friends（Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）
Xin Liu, a distinguished photographer and philanthropist, founded the Enlight Foundation, which has been dedicated to education equity and youth empowerment for 21 years. In her acceptance speech, Liu reaffirmed her commitment to philanthropy, expressing gratitude for the opportunities she received through public education and the sacrifices her parents made for her college education. Because of this, she remains devoted to addressing global challenges such as education equity, youth mental health, and climate change. She emphasized that these issues are too complex for any one individual to solve alone—collaboration is key to driving meaningful change.
Liu urged all sectors of society to take action, invest in the younger generation, and empower them to become future leaders capable of tackling the world’s biggest challenges with innovative solutions. She concluded by expressing her eagerness to collaborate with like-minded individuals, stating, “Only through unity and cooperation can we create a better future.”
From left: Fiona Ma, Zhang Jianqing, and Yue-Sai Kan（Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）
Jianqing Zhang, CEO of Chinese Hospital in San Francisco, reflected on her career journey in her acceptance speech. She stated, “From being an international student at the University of California, San Francisco, to becoming the CEO of Chinese Hospital, dedicated to providing medical services for underserved communities, every challenge has been a stepping stone for growth. As Asian women leaders, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, and we also carry the responsibility of paving the way for future generations.”
From left: Chen Huilan (Nanjing University professor and Bao Zhennan’s mother), Bao Zhennan, Zhang Siyang, Sui Meng (Stanford University professor and wife of Cui Yi, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences)（Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）
Among this year’s honorees, Jiebing Chen is regarded as one of the most influential erhu musicians globally. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Rose Zhang, a Stanford student and professional golfer, has already won the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open and the 2022 and 2023 NCAA Division I Championships, showcasing extraordinary talent and potential. Due to her busy academic schedule, Zhang rushed to the awards ceremony immediately after class, receiving a warm ovation from the audience.
（Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost）
Since its inception, the “Outstanding Asian American Women” award has become a prestigious platform recognizing Asian women’s achievements and influence. It not only encourages more women to pursue excellence in their fields but also highlights their invaluable contributions to society.
The success of this year’s awards ceremony once again underscored the brilliance of Asian women on the global stage. Their accomplishments are not just personal victories—they are a testament to the collective strength and resilience of Asian American women.
(By Richard Ren / LAPost)
