EMPOWERYOU
Our direct response to the need for professional development that fosters self-determination, authentic self-expression, and impactful leadership, ultimately reshaping global influence.
Why our program?
We provide a supportive and affirming environment for participants to fully embrace their authentic selves, fiercely amplify their voices, articulate their distinct value, and confidently navigate the professional world. Through targeted development in self-discovery, professional branding, and effective self-advocacy, our goal is to cultivate a new generation of leaders and entrepreneurs who are not only professionally capable but also deeply rooted in their authentic selves, ready to drive positive change within their communities and beyond, and fundamentally reshape global influence.
Are you a….
Recent graduate looking for guidance as they enter the workforce for the first time
Student nearing graduation who want to build job-readiness skills before finishing school
Career changer exploring a new industry or professional path
Professional re-entering the workforce / unemployed individual after a break due to caregiving, relocation, health, or other life events
You’ve come to the right place!
10+ speakers and mentors
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10+ participants
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4 weeks
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10+ speakers and mentors · 10+ participants · 4 weeks ·
Our pillars
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Building Authentic Identity
To foster deep self-understanding and acceptance of one's unique identity, particularly as it intersects with Asian cultural backgrounds, enabling individuals to fully embrace their authentic selves.
How?
Self-discovery workshops, facilitated dialogues on cultural intersectionality, personal narrative development exercises, and community reflection sessions. This pillar helps participants explore their heritage, values, and personal strengths as foundations for culturally-rooted leadership. -
Articulating Unique Value (Building Your Brand):
To equip participants with the skills to confidently showcase their authentic selves and fiercely amplify their voices in professional and public settings.
How?
Strength-based professional branding workshops, strategies for cultivating an authentic digital presence (e.g., LinkedIn, personal websites), and purposeful networking techniques designed to establish an influential network. This pillar focuses on translating personal identity into a compelling professional narrative that redefines Asian prominence. -
Confidence and Self-Advocacy
To empower participants with the tools and confidence to speak up for themselves, establish healthy boundaries, and thrive in various environments, thereby advancing shared progress.
How?Impactful communication skills training, informed disclosure strategies (e.g., neurodivergence, cultural background), effective accommodation requests, boundary setting techniques, and constructive conflict resolution. This pillar builds resilience and empowers participants to navigate challenges effectively, becoming bold advocates for themselves and their communities.
June 2026 Cohort
The workshops are going to be led and run by qualified Directory members, ensuring practical, real-world insights and mentorship from established leaders. There will be mentors will provide guidance, share their experiences as a professional and what it’s like being in the workforce.
Program Duration: 4 weeks
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Workshop: Introduction to self-discovery frameworks and dialogue on cultural intersectionality. Introductions to EmpowerYOU
Mentor Session: Talk about personal experiences and stories surrounding their own cultural identity journey and cultural narrative talk
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Workshop: Strategies to translate identity into a compelling professional narrative.
Mentor Session: Practical focus on developing an authentic digital presence (e.g., LinkedIn) and purposeful networking techniques.
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Workshop: Training on effective communication skills and establishing healthy boundaries. (advocate)
Mentor Session: Conduct a workshop practicing effective communication -
Workshop: Focused training on navigating conflict and advancing shared progress.
Mentor Session: Conflict resolution case study and debrief
Meet our 2026 Speakers and Mentors
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Anna Hsu, Self Worth Coach and Speaker
Week 1 Speaker
Anna Hsu Bio: Anna Hsu is a Confidence & Inner Leadership Coach who helps high-achieving yet self-doubting founders break the invisible blocks that hold them back from success. Her work helps entrepreneurs shift the internal patterns behind self-sabotage so success feels more aligned, fulfilling, and sustainable. Outside of coaching, Anna is in her second year of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture school, and lives in Austin with her husband and two fluffy cats. -
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Clifford Robin Temprosa Li, Founder at Dare to Change
Week 2 Speaker
Clifford Robin Temprosa Li is a Tsinoy TEDx speaker, journalist, and movement-builder working at the intersection of policy, power, and people. He is the Founder and CEO of Dare to Change Consulting, an Asian-owned strategy and creative firm that has helped secure over $60 million for AAPI-led nonprofits, social enterprises, and grassroots movements across the U.S. and the Philippines, and the creator of Dare to Change Apparel, a mission-driven streetwear brand that funds community impact. Clifford is also the founder of PoliTEAka, a civic storytelling and dialogue platform where personal stories become political power and conversation becomes collective action. Frequently featured in articles, interviews, and podcasts in both the United States and the Philippines, he is a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award whose work centers on turning lived experience into lasting systems change, community power, and futures rooted in dignity and justice. -
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Jenny Chuang, Leadership Coach
Week 3 Speaker
Jenny Chuang (she/her) is a Taiwanese American leadership coach who helps leaders, teams, and individuals embrace curiosity, compassion, and acceptance to create sustainable transformation. She specializes in supporting recovering perfectionists, people-pleasers, and those feeling a little stuck, helping them tap into their strengths to spark delight and momentum. Her career journey has centered around learning, including teaching English in Taiwan, working in international education and higher ed, and now helping leaders and teams navigate change and harness their strengths. -
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Annie Chen, Founder at Behavior Roots and Board Advisor for ACH
Week 4 Speaker
Annie is a licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), certified trauma breath facilitator, and CTR-E (Certified Trauma and Resilience Specialist in Education), she brings over a decade of experience helping people break free from behavioral patterns that keep them stuck. Through training, workshops, and individual coaching, Annie integrates applied behavioral science, breathwork, and Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) – a compassion-focused approach that helps people move past surface-level “quick fixes” and get to the root causes of their struggles. -
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Ming Louie Stein, Author at MiLOS Books
Week 1 Mentor
Ming Louie Stein began writing after retirement. She founded MiLOS Books, her independent publishing imprint, to publish her own work. An engaged speaker at author readings. She speaks about her own trauma-to-healing experience. She's happy to share her experience with the writing process and how to navigate the self-publishing sector. -
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Kitty Wu, Holistic Health Coach, Actress and Model
Week 2 Mentor
Kitty Wu is a Taiwanese American holistic health coach, actress, and model whose journey reflects bold reinvention and purpose-driven leadership. Coaching since 2021, she helps high achieving women become more effective in daily life by focusing on somatic awareness and other health-based techniques. Kitty brings that same coaching mindset—focus, adaptability, and fearless growth—into her creative work and influence within the BIPOC community. -
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Bill Ly, Next-Gen Facilitator & Trainer
Week 3 Mentor
Bill is a Trainer and Program Partner for schools and youth centers who equips students with simple tools for clarity, confidence, and resilience. His sessions combine Next Gen facilitation, The Habitudes, and Maxwell-aligned leadership training to help young people take action when they feel stuck or overwhelmed. Bill’s goal is to make personal development practical, measurable, and easy for educators to reinforce after the program. -
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Jun Chen, Certified Financial Planner & Board Advisor at ACH
Week 4 Mentor
Jun Chen is a Certified Financial Planner, CDFA, CPFA. He is the Founder of Fidare Wealth Solutions where they provide variety of financial solutions. Jun also serves as a Board Advisor for Asian Connections Hub.
FAQs
What is the EmpowerYOU Program?
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The EmpowerYOU Program is our flagship initiative, meticulously designed to nurture transformative, culturally-rooted leaders and visionary entrepreneurs within the Asian community. It is a direct response to the need for unparalleled professional development that fosters self-determination, authentic self-expression, and impactful leadership, ultimately reshaping global influence.
How do I join the EmpowerYOU program, and what are the eligibility requirements?
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Whether you are looking to join as a mentor, speaker or as a student you can directly apply to join and be part of the movement. Only requirement due to the capacity of the team, we are only accepting students within the U.S and Canada.
What makes EmpowerYOU different from other professional programs?
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EmpowerYOU is shaped to be a interactive and engaging space for those who are looking to build their professional development skills. We tailor our program to bring forward experts and leaders within the Asian community to share their stories, experiences and to provide real insight from their perspective. EmpowerYOU is meant to be an accessible program for all and those who want to level up their careers. Our mission to provide opportunities for those who don’t have them.
Is there a cost to the program?
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No cost at all! This is a completely free program.
LET’S GET STARTED: COHORT 2026
ready to level up your career?
INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED?
NOTE: SPOTS FILL QUICKLY! OUR 2026 TEAM IS FILLED. WE WILL BE CONSIDERING ALL FUTURE SPEAKERS AND MENTORS FOR FUTURE COHORTS :)