WE Connect Event: Celebrating AAPI Women Entrepreneurs

✨ Celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month by joining us for an insightful and inspiring event that celebrates the journey of four Asian women entrepreneurs. Our panelists will share their unique challenges, pivotal moments in their business journeys, and insights into their mindsets.

We will start this event with two-panel discussions with successful AAPI Women Entrepreneurs who will share their journeys and approaches to community building. The panel discussions will be followed by networking activities. In these activities, you will be paired with fellow entrepreneurs in a speed networking style and will be provided with guided prompts to engage with each other and find shared interests.

👀 Key Takeaways:
1. Common Mistakes to Avoid as a Woman Entrepreneur: Learn from the experiences of our panelists as they discuss the challenges they faced and the valuable lessons they learned on their entrepreneurial journeys so you can steer clear of common pitfalls.

2. Celebrating Your Identity: Explore how to embrace and celebrate your unique cultural identity, forging connections with your roots and your community.

3. Achieving Business Growth and Impact in 2024: Discover a wealth of resources specifically tailored to empower women and minority entrepreneurs (including WE Connect). Our panelists will provide insights into the business market's trends and the best way to navigate and thrive in 2024.

4. Power of Networking: Learn how to overcome the aversion to networking and use it to build authentic and meaningful relationships that are based on shared interests.

Key Speakers for Retail Panel:

Julie Zhu (Moderator), Founder of Julie Zhu, LLC

Elle Wang, Founder of Emilia George

Jyoti Jaiswal, Founder & CEO of OMSutra, Co-Founder Nirvana Aura Foundation Inc.

Key Speakers for Capital Panel:

Priyanka Jain (Moderator), Principal, Director of Development at 3x3

Aaliyah Ameer, Founder of Connect Her Capital

Diane Yoo, Founder and CEO at Fenix Global

About the Organizers

Women Entrepreneurs NYC (WE NYC) is an initiative of the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) that is dedicated to helping women start and grow their businesses.

If you have questions about this WE Connect Event or would like additional information about WE NYC, please e-mail wenyc@sbs.nyc.gov or visit we.nyc.

Important Messages from the Organizer

1. By registering for this event, you hereby consent to the use of your image and/or statements made by you in any official DSBS or City of New York (City) media events and hereby release and hold harmless the City from any liability regarding the use of your image and/or statements for any legitimate government purposes in perpetuity.
2. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. If you require accommodations, please contact Michelle Barnes-Anderson, MPA-IG, Director, Office For Disability Services at mbarnes@sbs.nyc.gov.

Retail Panel Speaker Bios:

Elle Wang, Founder of Emilia George

Elle is the founder and CEO of Emilia George®, a lifestyle brand that celebrates all the mother figures in our lives. Her journey toward fashion, motherhood, and entrepreneurship began while serving as an Advisor and Strategist for the UN. During this time, she led gender equality initiatives and global innovation that promoted women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment. She traveled to some of the world's most challenging areas, ranging from refugee camps to post-conflict zones and post-disaster regions. For over 8 years, she learned firsthand how much these beneficiaries’ lives were impacted and how much more we can do. She's proud of leading a company where moms come first. All stages of motherhood should be celebrated and supported—from having kids to raising them. Through Fabrics Matter® initiative with the United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network, Emilia George® is committed to sustainable fashion practices that benefit moms everywhere.

Jyoti Jaiswal, Founder & CEO of OMSutra, Co-Founder Nirvana Aura Foundation Inc.

Jyoti is a seasoned Design Consultant, and brings a wealth of expertise in orchestrating production processes across the Fashion, Wellness, and Home industries. With a career spanning over two decades, her passion lies in the artisan sector, where she has excelled in curating socially responsible artisan products and honing her proficiency in production planning and project management. With a proven track record of success, she is well-equipped to guide businesses towards innovative design solutions and effective production strategies.

Moderator

Julie Zhu Founder of Julie Zhu, LLC

With a proven track record of success, Julie has worked with over 200 small businesses, providing strategic guidance and mentorship through her collaborations with NYC Small Business Services, Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, and SCORE. She helps visionary business owners like you elevate their brand awareness, attract more clients, and boost their sales through tailored marketing strategies.

Capital Panel Speaker Bios

Aaliyah Ameer, Founder of Connect Her Capital

Aaliyah is the founder of Connect Her Capital. She is an experienced investment and deals focused professional with 15 years of experience in investment banking and tansaction advisory. Her focus in on real estate, infrastructure, and impact investment. She has a skilled and well-rounded financial services industry experience (Advisory, Project Finance, Buy-side, Sell side and Principal Investor).

Diane Yoo, Founder and CEO at Fenix Global

Diane is the founder and CEO of Fenix Global. She is an experienced fund manager specializing in institutions and venture funds. A results-driven entrepreneur, she is adept at launching and scaling companies with strong operations management expertise. She is a founding General Partner of a leading medical healthcare technology venture capital fund strategically located in the heart of the largest medical center and in partnership with Texas Medical Center Innovation.

Moderator

Priyanka Jain (Moderator), Principal, Director of Development at 3x3

Priyanka is co-founder and principal at 3×3 and Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute. She serves as a co-chair of AIANY Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is a fellow at Urban Design Forum and was invited to be part of the community engagement working group for the 21 Visions for 2021 initiative, a bold environment agenda for New York City’s next leadership. Priyanka also serves as the Diversity and Inclusion Committee chair at the American Institute of Architects.