Network Events
PAAWBAC frequently hosts networking events in years when the Woman Warrior or Monarch awards are not held. These events may feature panels of women leaders addressing current topics of relevance to API women, with time for individual networking afterwards. Key speakers have included API women with expertise in areas such as finance, politics, technology or community work.
Network 2023
Network Event 2023
Renewing Connections was our first in-person gathering in four years! This networking reception allowed our community to reconnect and mingle. Also, we honored PAAWBAC founders and recognized our Woman Warriors and Monarchs.
Harborview Restaurant & Bar
Four Embarcadero Center San Francisco, CA 94111
Featured Speakers
Kathy Lee - Emcee
PAAWBAC Board Member
Caryl Ito
PAAWBAC Founder and Woman Warrior
Gallery
Donors
Network 2018
Network Event 2018
Cocktails & Conversation. This was an invitation only event to thank our friends and supporters, to celebrate PAAWBAC’s 38 years of activism.
Le Colonial
20 Cosmo Pl,
San Francisco, CA 94109
Featured Speakers
Janice Mirikitani
1983 PAAWBAC Woman Warrior
Co-founder and Founding President of Glide
Saira Hussain
2016 PAAWBAC Monarch
Staff Attorney, Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus
Gallery
Sponsors
Mary Jung
Network 2017
Network Event 2017
Network 2017 took place on September 26, 2017, at the Nordstrom SF Centre. Style + Substance 2.0 was a throwback theme honoring Pacific and Asian American women leaders who lead by example through their devoted service to our communities, commendable career achievements and graceful and dynamic personalities. The audience heard from two inspiring role models.
Nordstrom San Francisco Centre
Level NS
865 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Emcee and Moderator
Mimi Kwan, VP of Community Affairs, ABC7 KGO-TV
Mimi is one of the first recipients of PAAWBAC’s Monarch Award. At KGO-TV, Mimi drives the station’s public affairs policy, and also produces specific segments that focus on public affairs and celebrate our Bay Area's rich cultural diversity. She is a recipient of the 2004 Regional Emmy Awards for “Beyond The Headlines: Youth & Steroids,” and a 2003 Regional Emmy for “Profiles in Excellence: Asian American.”
Panelists
Carmen Chu, Assessor-Recorder, City & County of San Francisco
Carmen possesses a distinguished career in public service, currently serving as the elected Assessor of San Francisco. As a daughter of immigrants, she shares San Francisco’s values of diversity and equality. During her years serving the public, Carmen has been a fighter for women’s rights and she is currently the only Asian American female assessor throughout California. She leads a department that brings in over $2.6 billion in revenue to support education, family services, public safety and health. Her dedicated work ethic and approach have earned Carmen tremendous respect from both her peers and the community she works so hard to serve.
Tallia Hart, President & CEO, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Tallia is the first woman, the first minority, and the youngest president in the history of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. With determined ambition she has overcome long odds as a rescued orphan from the Vietnam War. With a highly respected background having served in executive positions in the Chambers of Commerce for the Fort Collins Area, San Rafael, and Irvine, she brings her fresh voice and energy to inspire others throughout the Bay Area business community.
Gallery
Network 2015
Network Event 2015
Network 2015 presents Redefining Bytes & Bites. PAAWBAC invites you to Network 2015 to meet 4 rising stars who dared to take their careers down less expected paths. Hear their views.
Nordstrom San Francisco Centre
Level NS
865 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Master of Ceremonies
Mimi Kwan, VP of Community Affairs ABC KGO-TV
2006 Monarch Awardee
Honorary Co-Chairs
Mayor Edwin Lee and First Lady Anita Lee
Panelists
Azalina Eusope Owner & Chef, Azalina’s
Lena Kwak Founder& CEO, Cup4Cup
Lindsey Louie Blogger; Program Manager, Twitter
Lisa Lee Senior Diversity Manager, Pandora
Gallery
Sponsors
Network 2013
Network Event 2013
Women as Game Changers
Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel
999 California St,
San Francisco, CA 94108
Master of Ceremonies
David Louie KGO-TV
Honorary Co-Chairs
Mayor Edwin Lee and First Lady Anita Lee
Panelists
Tessie Guillermo, President, ZeroDivide
Aihui Ong, Founder & CEO, Love with Food
Aki Shelton, Creative Director, Moving Brands
Gallery
Sponsors
Network 2011
Network Event 2011
Network 2011 presents women of Style & Substance – PAAWBAC invites you to meet and learn how successful women have made their journey to their current positions. Hear how perseverance, resilience and making the most of opportunities can lead to personal success.
The Plant Café Organic
Pier 3, Embarcadero,
San Francisco
Speakers
Hon. JEAN QUAN, Mayor, Oakland
California Mayor Quan holds the distinctions of being the first Asian American woman mayor of a major U.S. city, and the first Asian American and first woman elected mayor of Oakland. A longtime community activist, her career as an elected official began as an Oakland school board member in 1989.
JENNY MING President & CEO, Charlotte Russe
Ms. Ming was part of the executive team that founded Old Navy in 1994, and has twice appeared on the Forbes list of 50 Most Powerful Women in American Business. She is a member of Committee of 100, a non-profit organization of accomplished Chinese Americans from business leaders to the arts.
VALERIE NARA Proprietor, Japonica
Ms. Nara operates a floral+gift boutique and espresso bar+cafe in San Francisco’s Richmond district. This second generation floral designer’s vocation is a culmination of her diverse experience in fashion, software fulfillment and the internet streaming industry. She has been a member of PAAWBAC’s Board of Directors since 2000.
Network 2009
Network Event 2009
Wells Fargo Penthouse
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Joining us will be San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong
In 1988, PAAWBAC honored Chief Fong as one of our Woman Warriors for her leadership, courage and commitment to community. Please join us in thanking her for 3o years of service to the City and County of San Francisco.
POLICE CHIEF HEATHER J. FONG
Heather was born and raised in San Francisco. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from San Francisco State University. She served as a Police Activities League Cadet and Civil Service Police Cadet prior to entering the Department. She was sworn in as a Police Officer in 1977, and worked up through the ranks of inspector, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, commander, deputy chief. On January 22, 2004, Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed Heather as the Acting Chief of Police and Chief of Police on April 14, 2004.
During her career, she has been assigned to patrol, served as an Academy training officer and instructor, child abuse investigator, youth programs coordinator, drug education instructor, grant writer, strategic planner, and district station watch commander and captain.
Heather was assigned to the Special Operations Division in August 1998 when she was promoted to Commander. In that position, she had responsibility for the Traffic, Tactical, and MUNI Transit Companies. In June 2000, upon promotion to Deputy Chief, she was assigned to the Field Operations Bureau, where she managed the uniformed patrol personnel of the San Francisco Police Department. In August 2002, she was assigned to oversee the Administration Bureau and had responsibility for fiscal, personnel, training, planning, information systems, and other support services.
In late 2008, after nearly five years as the City’s Police Chief and 30 years of distinguished service to the City and County of San Francisco, Heather announced her retirement. She continues to serve as Chief of Police until a replacement is named.
Network 2007
Network Event 2007
Please join us for a presentation of Achievement in Fashion Awards and conversations with two outstanding API designers.
W Hotel in San Francisco
181 Third Street (at Howard)
PAAWBAC’S “DESIGNING WOMEN” HONOREES
Rosalina Lydster – Precious Jewelry
Rosalina Lydster inherited her love of jewelry and knowledge of design from her mother, a well-respected jeweler in Saigon. After studying at San Francisco State University and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise, Rosalina began designing wedding bands, engagement rings, and special pieces for friends and associates as a side project to her full-time career as an investment banker with a major Wall Street firm. After careful consideration and urging by colleagues and friends, Rosalina founded the Jewelry by Rosalina brand of couture jewelry in 2001.
Rosalina has become an expert in identifying quality gems and has perfected the art of combining certain precious and semiprecious stones to create lavish and intricate works of art. According to Rosalina, “From minimalist to extravagant, my goal is for my creations to truly express the personalities of my clients.”
Rosalina is currently one of the most sought-after designers by many celebrities, including Adrien Brody, Tom Hanks, Stockard Channing, Jessica Alba, Giselle Bundchen, Orlando Bloom, Parker Posey, Elton John, Jessica Simpson, Vanessa Carlton, Danielle Steele and many others. Most recently, Rosalina dressed Parker Posey in several Jewelry by Rosalina pieces for the film Superman Returns.
Taryn Rose – Luxury Footwear & Handbags
Taryn Rose changed the footwear industry in 1998 by creating a line of luxury shoes that are as fashionable as they are functional. Formally trained as an orthopedic surgeon, Taryn saw patients with many serious foot problems that were caused by fashion footwear, high heels and pointed toe shoes. With her own appreciation of designer goods, Taryn created her collection using the most luxurious materials available and crafted the line to be worn with the finest clothing. The shoes are made by highly skilled artisans in Italy, with almost three hours of hand labor in each pair.
Taryn has been featured on Oprah, Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer, Discovery Channel’s Berman and Berman, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, Fine Living Network’s Radical Sabbatical, Later Today Show and news shows across the country. In 2006 The Women’s Leadership Exchange group honored her with the Compass Award, which is presented to women who have shifted the paradigm of how women are perceived as business leaders.
In fall 2003, Taryn launched a complete men’s collection that spans from dress to casual. Celebrated by retailers, the men’s collection is carried in select specialty stores and Taryn Rose boutiques. In 2006 she launched a full collection of handbags for men and women.