US-China Bay Areas Social Innovation Summit
Experience a paramount confluence of industry expertise, collaboration, and knowledge exchange at the upcoming summit, where the San Francisco Bay Area and China's Greater Bay Area unite.
These two prominent economic and innovation hubs, both renowned for their financial prowess, diverse talent pool, and advanced economic development, are coming together to address pivotal social issues and emerging innovation trends. The topics under discussion encompass critical areas such as climate action, impact investing, future-ready education, and the ethical implications of rapid artificial intelligence development.
The summit is designed to serve as a platform for accomplished and aspiring social innovators to engage in the emerging discourse, share invaluable insights, and acquire essential tools necessary for making a positive impact in these key areas.
With an unwavering focus on practical outcomes and actionable takeaways, this event provides a unique opportunity to establish influential alliances and partnerships that will redefine the landscape of social innovation, improving the life for millions.
Elevate your professional network and strategic expertise by attending this summit. It is not just a forum; it is a pivotal occasion for professionals like you to engage in constructive dialogue and to be a part of the solution to some of our generation's most pressing challenges.
Co-organizers
under the core principle:
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging
Agenda
5:00 - 5:05 pm PST /
9:00 - 9:05 am HKT
Opening remark
5:05 - 5:20 pm PST /
9:05 - 9:20 am HKT
Keynote & Discussion:
How to Serve Mankind from Any Sector
5:20 - 6:00 pm PST /
9:20 - 10:00 am HKT
Bridging Frontiers: Climate Action and Social Entrepreneurship
Redefining Education: Navigating the Path to Future Learning
6:00 - 6:40 pm PST /
10:00 - 10:40 am HKT
Catalyzing Change: The Dynamics of Impact Investing Across The Two Bay Areas
Navigating the Nexus: AI & Ethics in the Digital Era
6:40 - 7:00 pm PST /
10:40 - 11:00 am HKT
Empowering Change: Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
7:00 - 7:30 pm PST /
10:40 - 11:30 am HKT
Fostering Synergies: The Power of Cross-Region Collaboration
8:00 - 10:00 pm PST Noon onwards HKT
In-Person Networking
Who should attend
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Social impact practitioners & champions (social entrepreneurs & social impact project leaders, public sector and non-profit professionals, impact investors, researchers, journalists, etc.): come to gain new knowledge, insights and tools on impact strategy and operation to scale their impact
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Social impact enthusiasts (aspiring social entrepreneurs, students, corporate professionals, etc.): join us to identify meaningful ways to get involved!
In-person networking
Each city offers different experience for you to connect with your fellow social innovators and like-minded individuals. Come grab a drink and share a hug. We look forward to seeing you in person!
San Fracisco
Noc Noc
557 Haight St, San Francisco, CA 94117
8pm-10pm
Nov 17th (Friday)
Hong Kong
The Morning Trail, The Peak
5 Hatton Rd, Lung Fu Shan
1pm-3pm
Nov 18th (Saturday)
Shenzhen
Finance Science & Technology Mansion
11 Ke Yuan Lu, Nanshan
12pm-2pm
Nov 18th (Saturday)
Featured Speakers
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Francis Ngai
Founder & CEO
Social Ventures HK
Hong Kong
Jenni Brandon
Founder
Wild Beacon Consulting
San Francisco
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Susie Lee
Mission-driven Investment
W.K.Kellogg Foundation
San Francisco
Jessie Huang
Founder
Impact Circles
San Francisco
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Sophiya Chiang
Founder
deploy
Hong Kong
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Erdi Tac
CEO
Cathoven AI
Shenzhen
Belinda Esterhammer
CEO
The DO Asia
Hong Kong
Josh Lee
Vice Curator
Global Shapers Shenzhen
Shenzhen
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Detailed Agenda
5:05-5:20 pm PST / 9:05-9:20 am HKT
Keynote: Serving Mankind from any sector
Join us for an inspiring keynote speech session featuring the esteemed Ilaria, Chairperson for Tech For Good Institute, a trailblazing non-profit think tank spearheaded by Grab. Ilaria's multifaceted expertise in technology, finance, and social impact has positioned her as a leading advocate for fostering meaningful dialogue and promoting positive societal change through the lens of the digital economy.
ILARIA CHAN, Chairperson, Tech For Good Institute
ILARIA is currently the Chairperson for Tech For Good Institute: a non-profit think tank founded by Grab to encourage and enrich dialogue on social, economic and policy trends accelerated by the digital economy. She is also the Group Advisor on Tech & Social Impact for Grab (Southeast Asia’s leading unicorn super-app), focusing on advancing diplomacy, thought leadership and social impact reach.
She is currently also a sought after global keynote speaker, a private investor, serves on the Board of Trustees of humanitarian organizations CareForChildren and Emancipaction, an Operating Advisor to Owl Ventures (largest Education Tech focused venture capital fund in the world), an advisory board member to GlobalSF's Women Empowerment Initiative and British real estate development firm Kinrise.
6:00-6:40 pm PST / 10:00-10:40 am HKT
Catalyzing Change: The Dynamics of Impact Investing Across The Two Bay Areas
Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the dynamic realm of impact investing, featuring three visionary leaders at the forefront of driving social change and sustainable development through innovative investment strategies.
Susie Lee, Mission-driven Investment, W.K.Kellogg Foundation
Susie empowers emerging fund managers and high-growth companies to scale impact and build financial value. She brings the perspective of managing investments through multiple boom and bust cycles over the past 25 years, in the US and internationally. Susie is on a mission to address inequities through championing diverse leadership, governance, and ownership, and making strategic investments in health equity, education, future of work, and access to capital.
Fei Ni, General Partner, NPI Venture Capital
Fei Ni brings a unique blend of financial expertise and social impact evaluation to the discussion. With her extensive background in commercial and investment banking, Fei's commitment to impact evaluation within the realm of Chinese NGOs has shaped her approach to impact investing, emphasizing the critical role of sustainable investment practices in driving positive societal change.
Francis Ngai, Founder & CEO, Social Ventures Hong Kong
Francis has been a driving force in incubating numerous social innovation projects since 2007. His innovative portfolio, including Hong Kong's first venture philanthropy fund and various notable social start-ups, reflects his unwavering dedication to fostering purpose-driven business models and exponential philanthropy. Francis's contributions to impact storytelling and the NewUrban movement have positioned him as a catalyst for positive change within the impact investing landscape.
Unmesh Sheth, Founder and CEO, SoPact
Unmesh Sheth, Founder and CEO of SoPact, leads the charge in leveraging technology to unite the social sector and drive impactful global change. With a wealth of experience spanning over three decades, Unmesh's pioneering work in impact measurement and management has revolutionized the landscape of transparent impact communication. SoPact's cutting-edge SaaS platform serves as a testament to their commitment to simplifying impact management and fostering data-driven decision-making for high-impact organizations across diverse sectors.
6:00-6:40 pm PST / 10:00-10:40 am HKT
Navigating the Nexus: AI & Ethics in the Digital Era
Join us for a compelling panel discussion that delves into the intricate intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and ethics in the digital landscape, featuring two dynamic leaders who have made significant contributions to the field of AI and technology innovation.
Eugenia Zou, CEO, YiVal
Eugenia Zou is the CEO of YiVal, a company that focuses on help developers build lower cost and higher quality Generative AI applications using auto-prompting techniques. Prior to her role at YiVal, Eugenia worked as the Tech Lead at Google Consumer Health Research and also had a tenure at AWS SageMaker.
Sophiya Chiang, Founder & CTO, Deploy
Sophiya Chiang, Founder & CTO of Deploy, a Venture Capital Infrastructure platform, is a data scientist and AI expert advocating inclusive entrepreneurship. Deploy facilitates alternative fundraising for startups, employing decentralized deal scouting and AI-assisted expert evaluations to democratize access to funding and encourage diverse participation in the innovation economy.
Jingxuan Su, COO, Tsingsens
Jingxuan Su, COO of Tsingsens, a tech firm specializing in comprehensive solutions for traditional industries like coal mining, excels in strategy management and company operations. Former PMO of Bytedance's Monetization Tech team, overseeing a 3000-member engineering team driving advertising revenue. Recognized in ZGC U30 2021 and G20 YEA Talent Community, Jingxuan holds Master's and Bachelor's degrees from Tsinghua University's EE department and a Global Leadership Master's from Schwarzman College, Tsinghua.
6:40-7:00 pm PST / 10:40-11:00 am HKT
Empowering Change: Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion exploring the future of education, featuring three visionary leaders who have made significant contributions to the realm of educational innovation and technology integration.
Belinda Esterhammer, CEO, The DO Asia
A passionate advocate for gender equality and fostering meaningful innovation and lasting social change in both the public and private sectors. Her extensive experience in international development aid, corporate consulting, and community building has positioned her as a driving force in empowering diverse communities across the globe. As the Co-Founder and Chair of Women in Tech APAC and the Co-Chair of The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong's Women of Influence Committee, Belinda's commitment to women's empowerment and community building underscores her dedication to fostering inclusive and equitable spaces for all.
Huangfu Yiyue, Assistant Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
An esteemed assistant professor at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), brings a multifaceted perspective to the discussion. With her background in sociology and urban studies, Huangfu's work explores the intricate relationships between societal dynamics, urban development, and policy directions, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and sustainable urban planning. Her research expertise in population mobility, social stratification, and population health offers a critical lens through which to understand the complexities of diversity and equity within contemporary societies.
7:00-7:30 pm PST / 11:00-11:30 am HKT
Fostering Synergies: The Power of Cross-Region Collaboration
As we draw to the close of this enlightening discourse, the dynamic insights shared by our distinguished panelists, Andre Kwok and Eva Woo, underscore the transformative potential of cross-regional collaboration in fostering sustainable innovation and meaningful social change.
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Kwok Ka Ming Andre, Founder, Good City Foundation
Andre Kwok is currently the Chief of Staff of the global family office Tsangs Group, as well as the Executive Director of Hong Kong Ambassadors Club. In 2016, Andre Kwok founded the Good City Foundation as Chairman and participated in various technology innovation industries through venture building and venture capital.His leadership in various international forums and his role as an active Fellow in the World Economic Forum reflect his dedication to fostering inclusive and sustainable development across borders.
Eva Woo, Principal, EW Synthesis
Eva's profound dedication to system thinking and compassionate leadership serves as a beacon for cultivating conscious social innovation and promoting holistic well-being. Her extensive experience in diverse sectors, ranging from inner development for well-being to social innovation education, highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing multifaceted global challenges.
5:20-6:00 pm PST / 9:20-10:00 am HKT
Bridging Frontiers: Climate Action and Social Entrepreneurship
Embark on an illuminating journey through the nexus of climate action and social entrepreneurship with our distinguished panelists who are trailblazers in their respective fields. Join us for an enriching discussion that delves into the transformative power of innovative solutions and sustainable business practices in addressing the global climate crisis.
Luona Cai, Partner, Xishi Magic Bag
Luona, a dynamic force in the realm of sustainable development and circular economy, brings a wealth of experience in addressing food waste and environmental sustainability challenges. As a partner at Xishi Magic Bag and Co-founder at Circular Pie, she has spearheaded initiatives that promote circular economy innovation and sustainability advocacy, highlighting the importance of holistic approaches to environmental conservation and community engagement.
Max Song, Founder & CEO, Carbonbase
Max Song, the visionary CEO of Carbonbase, is a prominent figure in the realm of blockchain technology and carbon emission management. With a background in data science and extensive experience in the finance and technology sectors, Max has been instrumental in driving innovative solutions for measuring and reducing carbon footprints, emphasizing the crucial role of technology in promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Jennifer Brandon, Founder, Wild Beacon Consulting
Dr. Jennifer Brandon, a renowned marine biologist and climate advocate, brings her extensive expertise in plastic pollution research to the forefront. Having been recognized as a National Academies of Sciences Distinguished Speaker, Dr. Brandon's insights on the effects of climate change, particularly in the context of marine ecosystems and sustainability, offer a critical perspective on the urgent need for action.
5:20-6:00 pm PST / 9:20-10:00 am HKT
Redefining Education: Navigating the Path to Future Learning
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion exploring the future of education, featuring three visionary leaders who have made significant contributions to the realm of educational innovation and technology integration.
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Erdi Tac, Founder & CEO, Cathoven AI
Erdi Tac, an educational technologies entrepreneur and former AI leader, brings a wealth of experience in harnessing technology to revolutionize learning. As the co-founder and CEO of Cathoven, Erdi has spearheaded the development of AI solutions aimed at empowering educators to create adaptive and immersive learning experiences, highlighting the pivotal role of technology in shaping the future of education and fostering enhanced learning outcomes.
Renée Boey, Founder & Head of School, Bloom KKCA Academy
A passionate advocate for creative literacy and academic excellence, has carved a transformative path in the education sector. Her role as the founder of Baker & Bloom and Bloom KKCA Academy underscores her commitment to fostering a future-ready model of schooling, emphasizing project-based learning, entrepreneurship, and sustainability as essential components of a holistic and progressive education. Renée's dedication to promoting educational accessibility and cultivating a greener, more peaceful world serves as a cornerstone of her educational philosophy.
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Carlos Valcarcel, Senior Data Scientist, Khan Academy
A seasoned researcher with an interdisciplinary background in economics and social development, brings a unique perspective to the discussion. His extensive work in the realms of education and public goods, including his contributions to Khan Academy's marketing and philanthropy efforts, showcases his commitment to enhancing global access to education and understanding the evolving dynamics of contemporary learning landscapes.
Community Partners
