Beyond Tradition
Asian American Founders Redefining Success
In Partnership With: Asian Hustle Network
A special thank you to Asian Hustle Network for partnering with us to bring this vision to life. Your commitment to uplifting Asian American entrepreneurs and storytellers continues to inspire and empower our community.
Special Guest DJ: Mark DiVita
We’re honored to have DJ Mark DiVita setting the vibe for our evening. A Bay Area tastemaker and true-school hip-hop curator, Mark brings decades of experience and unmatched energy to every event. Thank you, Mark, for bringing your signature sound to our celebration!
Meet the Moderator & Panelists
MODERATOR
Andrew Lam is a Vietnamese American author, journalist, and co-founder of New America Media. Born in South Vietnam, he immigrated to the U.S. after the fall of Saigon. His works, including "Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora", which won the Pen Beyond Margins Award and the collection of stories, "Birds of Paradise Lost", which won the Josephine Miles Literature Award, explore identity, migration, and belonging. A former NPR’s "All Things Considered" commentator, Lam’s writing bridges cultures and offers nuanced perspectives on the immigrant experience. He recently published his fourth book, "Stories from the Edge of the Sea.”
PANELIST
Wendy Lieu is the Co-Founder and CEO of Socola Chocolatier, an award-winning San Francisco chocolate company. Socola is the word for "chocolate" in Vietnamese, honoring her parents who fled Vietnam in 1981 as Boat People, landing in a Malaysian refugee camp where Wendy was later born. Her Vietnamese heritage is reflected in her product flavors and grit to pursue her dream. In 2001, Wendy, 19, taught herself how to make chocolate truffles and began selling them in front of her parent's nail salon in Northern California along with her sister Susan, 16, during the summer farmer's market. After college, Wendy became a management consultant, moonlighting as a chocolatier after hours, juggling pastry school and spreadsheets at night. In 2011, Wendy began working on the company full-time and in 2014, opened her San Francisco storefront where she makes Asian-inspired truffles, chocolate bars, and other treats in small batches. She is known for her durian and phở truffles, chocolate mooncakes, and the Little Saigon Box. Socola has been featured in Forbes, NBC News, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Zagat, and has a client list that includes Google, Tiffany, Sephora, and American Express.
Mailynh Phan is the CEO of RD Winery, where she leads with a deep commitment to inclusivity, collaboration, and community. With a background in psychology and an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, Mailynh brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to building brands and teams. Under her leadership, RD Winery has continued to grow its reputation for making wine approachable, culturally inclusive, and always ready for your table. She is passionate about creating space in the wine world for more voices, more stories, and more shared experiences.
Chau Sáenz is the founder and designer behind her eponymous line of luxury handbags, where timeless craftsmanship meets deeply personal storytelling. Born in Vietnam and raised in Seattle after her family fled as refugees, Chau’s life has always been defined by resilience, creativity, and reinvention. After earning a degree in Journalism and Communication from Seattle University, she explored various creative paths before discovering her true passion—handbag design—later in life. What began as a dream quietly nurtured over a decade came to life in Marin County, California, where Chau became a certified leather artisan and launched her brand. Trained at a leatherworks school in San Francisco and mentored by a Hermès artisan, she combines old-world technique with intentional, body-inclusive design.
Denise Tran, a former attorney, is the founder and CEO of Bun Mee Vietnamese Sandwich Eatery, a gourmet fast casual restaurant concept, with five locations in San Francisco: Pacific Heights, Financial District, SFO Terminals 1 & 3, and Marina District. Bun Mee has been locally and nationally recognized as a pioneer in the Asian sandwich niche making delicious banh mi sandwiches with wide crossover appeal. Launched in 2011, Bun Mee blends the street food concepts of Vietnam with Denise’s flavorful modern interpretations using fresh, local ingredients. Within months of opening Bun Mee was critically reviewed with many of their menu items landing on San Francisco’s “best” lists. In 2013, Bun Mee was named on Fast Casual Magazine’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers in the country at #28 between Panera Bread and Five Guys Burgers. Bun Mee has been featured on the Travel Channel’s “Food Paradise” and countless press mentions local, national, and international. Mostly recently, Bun Mee launched its national franchise program in October 2024. Bloomberg included Bun Mee on their 2025 list of best airport restaurants in the world.
Christopher Wu is the CEO and Co-founder of Paper Culture, a Certified B Corporation committed to sustainable, modern design. Founded in 2008, Paper Culture is driven by a passion for creating personalized, eco-friendly products that inspire and support the fight against the Climate Crisis. Under Christopher's leadership, the company has achieved numerous accolades, including recognition as a Certified California Green company and receiving the Climate Leader Award from the EPA. Before founding Paper Culture, Christopher led product and business teams with a focus on consumer innovation in e-commerce and mobile data services at companies including Yahoo!, Snapfish, and Hewlett Packard.
PARTNER OFFERS
Chau Sáenz Event Attendee Special - use code BEYOND10 at checkout for 10% off your order. Want more deals? Sign up for our email list to get exclusive offers, sneak peeks, and a free shipping code. Pro tip: Codes can be stacked! Discount valid through May. Limited quantities available. Once gone, our next collection will be completely different.
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Paper Culture Claim your $20 Voucher for Paper Culture for sustainable cards, gifts, or wall decor.
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RD Winery 10% off to attendees — use code AHN10 on our website to receive 10% off wine purchases.