Saturday, October 19

Part 1: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Featuring “Builders of the Silicon Dream,”

Q&A with Tony Shyu, Director; Diana Ding, Producer; and Anna Mok, President, Chairperson & Co-Founder of Ascend Leadership

Moderated by Gerrye Wong, Community Leader & Advocate

FILM FEATURE:

Builders of the Silicon Dream

Builders of the Silicon Dream chronicles the profound impact early Asian immigrants have had on Silicon Valley's growth and the global tech economy while navigating the complexities of assimilation and identity in America. The film sheds light on the individuals who fought for AAPI representation in corporate America through personal anecdotes, historical context, and expert commentary. It also explores how the 'glass ceiling' led many engineers and tech professionals to return to Taiwan, igniting the current advanced tech industries there.

Q&A GUESTS

  • tony shyu

    Tony Shyu- director

    Tony Shyu is a noted award-winning director. Tony serves as director and producer of the project. Tony's previous documentary feature film The Race Epidemic has won Best documentary from 8 film festivals in the U.S. and is currently featured on PBS.

    Tony spent many years in Asia creating award-winning commercials for major brands such as Avon, Volvo, and Visa. He won the Taiwan Times award, which is Asia’s equivalent of a Clio award. The PSA he directed for API Vote starring George Takei, John Cho, and Constance Wu won the 2016 Videographer award.

    Tony received his B.A. and M.F.A. in film from the renowned Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, which is known for creating visual storytellers.

  • Diana Ding - producer

    Diana Weiping Ding (Producer) is an advocate for Asian American stories and a media celebrity. As the founder and CEO of Silicon Valley Community Media and Ding Ding TV, Diana has been the voice of Silicon Valley Asian Americans since 2009. She is the founding chair of the Asian American Stories Video Contest, producer of the documentary film Builders of the Silicon Dream, and chairwoman of the Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Festival. For over two decades, Diana has dedicated herself to promoting diversity and community unity through storytelling. She was honored as an Asian American Hero by Santa Clara County in 2008, a California Unsung Hero by the State Assembly in 2021, a Woman of Influence by the Silicon Valley Business Journal in 2023, Santa Clara Citizen of the Year in 2023, and California Woman of the Year in 2024. Diana remains actively engaged in her community, serving on the boards of numerous organizations.

  • Anna mok- President, chairperson & co-founder, ascend leadership and ascend foundation partner, deloitte & touche llp

    Anna Mok currently leads Ascend, North America’s membership network of Pan-Asian business professionals, is the Co-Founder of Ascend Pinnacle, the network of Pan-Asian corporate directors and a senior partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP.   Known as a collaborator and connector, Anna has a deep commitment for building a civil and inclusive society.   She creates economic and educational access and strives for diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and society. 

    Boards she currently serves on include The Conference Board, Commonwealth Club of California, and The Thirty Percent Coalition. Anna also serves on the advisory councils of The Coca-Cola Company, L’Oréal North America, MetLife, AICPA and other organizations. Anna is a recognized supporter of strong corporate governance and a recipient of the 2023 NACD Directorship Award.

     Anna was the first female of Chinese American descent to be admitted to the partnership at Deloitte & Touche LLP.

  • Gerrye Wong

    Moderator - Gerrye Wong

    Gerrye Wong, a retired teacher, writer, and community volunteer, co-founded the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, leading efforts to open the Chinese American Historical Museum in San Jose. She contributed a column on Asians in Silicon Valley for 20 years and now writes for DingDingTV. Gerrye remains active in her volunteer roles, serving on the boards of the Chinese Historical Society of America, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, AACI, and Chi Am Circle.