Empowering Voices: A Fireside Chat with author Kyla Zhao on Diversity, Representation, and Silicon Valley Adventures
Join us for an enlightening fireside chat with Kyla Zhao, the creative force behind novels that bring women of color to the forefront of the workplace narrative. With her latest release, 'Valley Verified,' Kyla delves into the dynamic world of a fashion transplant navigating the ins and outs of a Silicon Valley startup. Recognized by esteemed platforms like Forbes, Vogue, Good Morning America, and major media outlets worldwide, Kyla's influence extends beyond literature into the realms of cultural representation and diversity advocacy. As she shares her insights, gleaned from her experiences as a Stanford alumna turned tech professional, Kyla promises an engaging discussion on the intersections of identity, innovation, and storytelling. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the captivating journey of a trailblazing author reshaping the literary landscape and challenging societal norms, one page at a time.
Kyla Zhao
Kyla Zhao writes novels starring women of color in the workplace. Her latest book 'Valley Verified' follows the adventures of a fashion transplant at a Silicon Valley startup. She and her books have been featured by media outlets such as Vogue, Elle, Good Morning America, Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed, CBS, FOX, South China Morning Post, etc. Kyla was also selected by Forbes for its 30 Under 30 list and Tatler as a Leader of Tomorrow. In addition, she was awarded a Certificate of Recognition by the California State Assembly for her contributions to Asian media representation. She now works at a tech company in Silicon Valley after graduating from Stanford University in 2021. A native Singaporean, she's still trying to understand why Californians adore hiking and Patagonia fleeces so much.
From Analyst to Executive Director and CAO at Morgan Stanley: Lessons Learned, Lessons to Share
Join Judy Choi, Executive Director and CAO of Private Equity and Credit at Morgan Stanley, in discussion with Katharine Zaleski, PowerToFly’s Cofounder and President. The two leaders will talk about rising up within financial services, giving back to the next generation of founders, and the advice they wished they could have received along the way.
Katharine Zaleski
Bridget FinkeldeyKatharine Zaleski was named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business after launching PowerToFly, the platform fast-tracking economic equality through upskilling and connecting underrepresented talent to roles in high-visibility sectors.
PowerToFly assisted two million people who came to the platform in 2021 through job opportunities, networking and virtual events across the world's largest employers.
Prior to co-founding PowerToFly, Katharine was the Founding Managing Editor of NowThis; the Executive Director of Digital for The WashingtonPost; and the sixth hire and Head of News for The Huffington Post. She writes for major publications, including The New York Times, Fortune, Forbes and Quartz and has appeared on TODAY, Good Morning America and numerous outlets. Katharine lives in New York with her family where she is a Term Member of the Council of Foreign Relations and a frequent kite-surfer on Long Island and New Jersey’s under-appreciated beaches.
AAPI LGBTQIA+ Mental Health & Rights
No one would disagree that we’re living in a turbulent time. As there are rumblings of revoking LGBTQIA+ legal rights in the US, many LGBTQIA+ people and their allies find themselves stressed and worried. How can AAPI LGBTQIA+ people address their mental health and rights through a culturally-informed lens in this context? Here to answer that question and more is Ren Fernandez Kim. Ren is a nonbinary artist, anthropologist, and educator, an advisor of the Instagram account @feminist, and works through a humanist perspective to meet people where they are at and provide guidance along the way.
Ren Fernandez-Kim
Bridget Finkeldey
Ren Fernandez-Kim (she/they) is a nonbinary Korean and Peruvian American artist, anthropologist, and educator. As an individual thriving with the intersections of multiple identities, Ren specializes in bringing seemingly separate conversations to a unified place. Approaching the world from a “both and” approach rather than an “either or” mindset has allowed Ren to embrace their nonbinary identity and innovate as an artist and educator.
Hunter Canning
Bridget FinkeldeyHunter Canning is a New York based actor, puppeteer, producer and photographer. A conscience citizen of the world, his ethos is bringing people together through all the facets of his life. Be it producing live performance downtown, creating corporate recruitment content or photographing portraiture, red carpets and live events; Hunter has a passion for bringing people together to foster growth, kindness and a true understanding of each other.
Raised in the outer canyons of Los Angeles, Hunter has been a professional actor in New York for the past decade. Notable credits include Broadway’s War Horse (Lincoln Center), Blue Bloods (CBS), The Baker & The Beauty (ABC) and Ray Donovan (Showtime). A career that has seen dizzying heights, all the while remaining with his two feet on the ground.
It is with great pleasure that Hunter joins the Power To Fly community to host and mediate its forums. He looks forward to meeting you all and connecting you with the amazing team of professionals they have brought together.
Find Hunter at huntercanning.com or huntercanningphoto.com and on Instagram and LinkedIn @huntercanningJumping Into Jargon: Establishing Shared Language to Boost Inclusion and Belonging
It’s no secret that the success of any team is anchored by communication. But, when was the last time we took a hard look at the actual language we were using across departments and how it impacts an employee’s sense of belonging? Join Kellie Conn, Senior Director, People & Culture Business Partnerships at Mindbody, to learn about the importance of shared, universal language in the workplace and beyond and how companies can improve their internal communication strategies to increase inclusion and belonging across their organization.
Kellie Conn
Bridget FinkeldeyBusiness leader specializing in growth planning, team effectiveness, and communication with a focus on growth strategy, team development, leadership, and culture. Demonstrated acumen in working across multiple functions while maintaining trusting relationships and excellent communication. A proponent of aligning the company’s vision with the team’s to develop a strong connection between individual, team and company goals and outcomes.
Hunter Canning
Bridget FinkeldeyHunter Canning is a New York based actor, puppeteer, producer and photographer. A conscience citizen of the world, his ethos is bringing people together through all the facets of his life. Be it producing live performance downtown, creating corporate recruitment content or photographing portraiture, red carpets and live events; Hunter has a passion for bringing people together to foster growth, kindness and a true understanding of each other.
Raised in the outer canyons of Los Angeles, Hunter has been a professional actor in New York for the past decade. Notable credits include Broadway’s War Horse (Lincoln Center), Blue Bloods (CBS), The Baker & The Beauty (ABC) and Ray Donovan (Showtime). A career that has seen dizzying heights, all the while remaining with his two feet on the ground.
It is with great pleasure that Hunter joins the Power To Fly community to host and mediate its forums. He looks forward to meeting you all and connecting you with the amazing team of professionals they have brought together.
Find Hunter at huntercanning.com or huntercanningphoto.com and on Instagram and LinkedIn @huntercanningTags: DEI, HR