The Empowering Dreamers Series strengthens the AAPI community in the New York metropolitan area through career advancement panels, workshops, and sessions with corporate partners. The series’ keynote event, the AAD Summit, convenes the AAD community in New York City to celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM). This high-impact gathering unites ambitious AAPI college students with dedicated AAPI professionals for a day of professional development and community empowerment.

AAD X NATIONAL GRID: LUNAR NEW YEAR
NAVIGATING YOUR CAREER
​IN THE NEW YEAR
2.12.25

AAD X MCKINSEY
PANEL & SPEED ​NETWORKING
10.18.24

AAD X MIZUHO
​PANEL & SPEED ​NETWORKING
10.9.24

2ND ANNUAL
​NIGHT OF NETWORKING
​​​5.21.24

AAD X JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
​PRINCIPLES OF INVESTING
11.8.23

AAD X BANK OF AMERICA
​PRINCIPLES OF INVESTING
6.1.23

1ST ANNUAL
​NIGHT OF NETWORKING
5.22.23

Student Testimonials

• As a student going to a college that neither has much hiring presence, let alone Asians in general, networking events such as AAD Night of Networking has allowed me to be inspired by Asian professionals with a variety of different backgrounds.

• My experience with this program has been absolutely phenomenal. The team is dedicated, the resources are extensive, and the opportunities for growth are abundant. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to gain improvement and self development.

• I was able to learn more of what it means to make connections in a natural way from the panelists, and to just try different career paths. I was grateful to be surrounded by so many experienced executives and peers with advice. All who share similar cultural experiences and dedication to succeed in what they do best. It was inspiring, and amazing seeing a community come together!

It's intimidating to walk into a space full of strangers, but I quickly found ways that we shared experiences or could support one another. People encouraged one another to join into conversations. I appreciated people's willingness to be honest and vulnerable with one another.

• I loved this event, and I'd definitely love to be a part of more AAD events in the future! Being my first networking event, I was extremely nervous and didn't know what to do. However, the online resources sent out before the event and the open atmosphere made it extremely easy for me to speak to many different people -- I'm proud to say that I learned a lot and feel more confident in my networking abilities than before!

Seems surreal. To even be in a room with so many successful Asian American professionals is a privilege.

• The AAD's Night of Networking was amazing! I've never been to a networking event specifically for Pan-Asian students, and I had the greatest time getting to know peers and professionals. I'm looking forward to cultivating strong connections with all the people I met at the event!

This was my first professional networking event and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, it gave me more insight on the different kinds of jobs available to me and that I don’t have to go down one path, and I got to be a little more out of my comfort zone.

This event was very informational. I got to meet new people both professional and peers. I learned new things, specifically within my dream industry and learned about new technologies that I should add to my resume to help me break into the industry.