About

Inspired by discussions about Asian Employee Resource Groups (ERG) at the 2008 Asian Leadership Summit in New York City, Asia Society’s Corporate Diversity Council (an advisory group made up of Chief Diversity Officers from Global 500 companies) made a commitment to continue the conversation and provide a platform to discuss the best practices that enable these groups to become viable business partners and indispensable incubators for leadership development.  As a result of that commitment, Asia Society is launching a Diversity Leadership Forum: Empowered Asian Employees-Global Business Growth Through Leadership Development on June 1, 2009 at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. This daylong forum features interactive workshops; a keynote address; a high-level expert panel discussion; ERG exhibition area; and facilitated networking.

The overall concept of the Asia Society 2009 Diversity Leadership Forum is to explore and understand Asian ERGs as an emerging force for business development; a vehicle to identify and grow leadership within a corporation’s Asian employee workforce; and a viable means to develop and enhance an employee’s skills to promote job stability and advancement.

The Forum has been designed for members and leaders of emerging and established ERGs; Executive Sponsors; Chief Diversity Offices; Line Managers; and corporate representatives involved in diversity issues and policies for their companies. During the Forum, these participants will be engaged in discussions to dissect the issues and walk away with concrete deliverables to strengthen and enhance their ERGs.

The keynote speaker at the Forum’s luncheon is Harold McGraw III, Chairman, President and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies, a corporation whose commitment to diversity spans generations. Amongst our sponsors for the Forum are Colgate-Palmolive, KPMG, National Grid, and Novartis Pharma; companies committed to supporting their ERGs by building a workplace that actively seeks out and values different perspectives.  Our Knowledge Partner is LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc.), a national, nonprofit organization with the mission of “growing leaders” within Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

Please join us and take a seat at the discussion table during this timely and unique Forum.