Tomorrow, The Serica Initiative proudly hosts one of our most anticipated events of the year: the 2025 Rising Star Awards Ceremony—a celebration of the emerging leaders who are shaping the future of business, advocacy, and culture across the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

These awards spotlight trailblazing AAPI women under 40 who exemplify innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to impact. This year’s pool of nominees is nothing short of extraordinary—ranging from Fortune 500 innovators and tech disruptors to nonprofit visionaries and media pioneers.

Join us as we honor these changemakers and reveal the three outstanding winners—one from each category: Corporate, Entrepreneur, and Non-Profit.

🌟 Meet the 2025 Rising Star Nominees

Corporate Category

• Summer Hua – Investor, Aramco Ventures

• Jane Wu – CEO/Founder

• Maggie Zhou – Marketing Communications Lead, Global Business Marketing, TikTok

• Tiffany Zhou – Co-founder & Creative Director, OLEADA

  
  

Entrepreneur Category

• Gina Chen – Founder & Managing Attorney, One Ally

• Rebecca Hui – CEO & Co-Founder, Roots Studio

• Yanyi Li – Founder & CEO, Nuwa Marketing

• Susan Lieu – Author, activist, and performer

• Serena Lin – Committee of 100 Next Generation Leader; Founder, Alpha Dimension Communications

• Victoria Mei – Founder, Asian Creatives Club

• Kelly Miao – Owner/Chef, Kemi Dessert Bar

• Rachel Shi – CEO & Chief Producer, CrazyLaugh Comedy

• Vivan Tu – CEO, Your Rich BFF

• Jenny Wang – CEO/Founder, Alta AI Styling

• Jane Wu – President, CEO & Founder, Panorama Holdings

• Sherry Xu – Founder, Protein Superamen; CEO of a CPG Brand

• Zhou Yu – CEO, Arklex.AI & Associate Professor of Computer Science, Columbia University

  
  

Non-Profit Category

• Maryam Chishti – Co-Executive Director, Nonprofit Sector

• Milawen Ding – Secretary General, Youth Bridge Foundation / Movers Envoy, UNDP / Fellow, Global Women Asia

• Laura Dudu – Kintsugi Artist, CAO Collective

• Jennifer Laurantius – Fashion Designer, Human Rights Advocate, Content Creator

• Terri Le – Major Gifts Manager, Stop AAPI Hate

• Bonnie Lei – Principal, Climate Intelligence at RMI (formerly Head of Environmental Justice at Microsoft)

• Jennifer (Jenni) Rudolph – Co-Executive Director, Nonprofit Organization

• Diana Teoh – Head of Growth, She Loves Tech

• Ngoc-Tran Vu – Lead Artist & Project Director, 1975: A Vietnamese Diaspora Commemoration Initiative and Tran Vu Arts

• Xintian Tina Wang – Journalist / President, AAJA New York

• Angela Zhou – Associate, Private Equity

• Lilian Zhou – Founder & Secretary, Life Story Club

These rising stars will be celebrated alongside our esteemed judges, Serica’s leadership team, and community members across the globe. Tomorrow’s ceremony is just the beginning—each of these nominees is a testament to the bright future of AAPI leadership.

Rising Star Victoria Lee accepting her award at the 2023 Gala

The Rising Star Award winners will also be honored in-person at the 2025 Trailblazers Conference & Gala, taking place on May 22, 2025 in New York City. Winners will receive their physical award on stage at the Gala, with complimentary access to both the Trailblazers Conference (8:30 AM–1:30 PM at China Institute in America) and the evening Gala (5:30 PM–10:00 PM at 583 Park Avenue).

To learn more about the Conference & Gala, visit:🔗 www.sericainitiative.org/wcg2025

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s announcement—and help us celebrate these phenomenal leaders who are rising up to change the world.