2022 IAG Conference

We're excited to bring you the 11th Annual Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) Conference in the Greater Washington DC Area on Nov. 5th, 2022! This year's IAG conference will explore the connection between belonging and purpose; finding both for yourself as well as helping others find their place.

Location Logistics

What do I bring?

If you'd like to receive mentoring and coaching on a promotion business case or have your resume reviewed, feel free to bring a printout with you.

What should I wear?

Business casual

How do I get there?

1801 K St. NW (KPMG's D.C. Office) is about a block away from Farragut West (Blue/Orange/Silver Line) and Farragut North (Red Line).

Please enter at K St entrance, NOT L St entrance.

Weekend Parking is available nearby:
1717 K St. NW (Sat 8am to 7pm @ $10/day)
1700 K St. NW (Sat 8am to 11pm @ $10/day)

Will there be food?

We will provide a light continental breakfast with coffee and tea. Lunch and desserts will be served with water and soft drinks.

Join us for the post-conference social at the DC Block. First round of drinks and an entree selection from a special IAG menu will be on us!

Schedule of Events

09:30 - 10:00 AM
Room 1006 - 1008

Networking Breakfast

Hosted by KPMG

10:00 - 11:00 AM
Room 1006 - 1008

Fireside Chat

Featuring Kevin Tien, chef/owner of Moon Rabbit

11:00 - 12:00 PM
Room 1006 - 1008

Panel Discussion

Pathways to Belonging

12:00 - 02:00 PM

Lunch & Ascend Connect

Room 1002: Buffet Lunch
Room 1000: Diwali Trivia
Connect with industry leaders for career coaching and mentorship
- Room 1003: Career Exploration
- Room 1005: Working Parents
- Room 1005: Onboarding
- Room 1006: Branding

02:15 - 03:15 PM

Breakout Sessions

Room 1006: Early Career Workshop. Confronting Tough Conversations: Saying What's Necessary to Get the Job Done
Room 1007: Mid-Level Workshop. Achieving Visibility in a Hybrid Work Environment
Room 1008: Executive Workshop: Challenging the Performance Orthodoxy: Why does corporate America continue to rate everyone on Caucasian norms?

03:30 - 04:15 PM
Room 1006 - 1008

IAG Awards & Dance Performance

Hip hop dance performance

05:00 - 06:30 PM

Post-Conference Social (Optional)

Dinner at DC Block

Speakers and Panelists

Kevin Tien

Keynote Speaker

Executive Chef, Moon Rabbit

Nationally celebrated as one of Food & Wine magazine’s 10 “Best New Chefs,” and a three-time James Beard nominee, Kevin Tien is the executive chef and owner of Moon Rabbit, located at the InterContinental at the DC Wharf. Chef Tien's restaurant brings modern Vietnamese cuisine that evokes memory, honors history, references globally inspired techniques and spotlights reinterpreted takes on regional Vietnamese dishes. His menu is intended to be a love-letter to his heritage as a first generation Asian-American, and to showcase dishes that tell his personal story, through an elevated and innovative lens.

Mentors

Darion K. Akins

Diplomat-in-Residence for DC Metro, Counselor

US Department of State

Darion K. Akins is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, who is currently serving as the Diplomat-in-Residence (DIR) for the District of Columbia (DC) Metro area, including Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Consul General for Northern Germany at U.S. Consulate General Hamburg. His inaugural posting was in Malaysia, where he served as a Consular Officer. Other overseas tours included India, Afghanistan, Australia, and Indonesia. After earning a Master’s degree in National Security Strategy at the National War College in Washington D.C., he served as the Human Resources Division Chief in the Executive Office for the bureaus of European Affairs and International Organizations Affairs. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was an educator and a Peace Corps Volunteer. Though born in the Great State of Oklahoma, he calls Texas home.

2022 IAG Awards

2022 Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) Awards

The Ascend GW IAG Awards identify and recognize dedicated organizations, hard-working students, and inspirational professionals who have dedicated themselves to promoting Pan-Asian leadership and development in business and within the community.

There are four (4) award categories: Inspirational Leader, High Impact Leader, Rising Leader, and Corporate Partner.

Award Recipients

We are pleased to announce the following recipients of the 2022 IAG Awards.

Inspirational Leader

Sara Abiusi

Lead - Quality and Risk Practice

Accenture Federal Services (AFS)

Sara leads Accenture Federal's Quality and Risk practice. She focuses on increasing Accenture’s delivery capabilities and supporting AFS account teams. For over 25 years, Sara has been client-facing, delivering complex technology solutions to Government clients.

Sara is a leader in Inclusion and Diversity at Accenture. She was recently announced as the new chairwoman of the AFS Inclusion and Diversity Council, made up of representatives across the business. She focuses on developing strategies and initiatives for the AFS CEO. Across the US, she acts as the Executive Sponsor for the Asian Pacific American ERG, comprised of 27 locations and over 5500 members. During her tenure, the ERG has begun the LIFT mentoring program, established the APA ERG Annual Leadership Summit, founded the Asian Women’s Experience Initiative, and many other initiatives. She has been the driving force in establishing Ascend as Accenture's premier professional development and engagement partner. She is a member of the Board of Directors for Greater Washington Ascend and was one of the founders of the Corporate Executive Leadership Program (CELP). She has led Accenture to develop relationships with the Asian American Business Development Center, TAAF, and APAICS.

Various organizations have repeatedly recognized Sara for her commitment to Inclusion and Diversity and her technology leadership.

Sara joined Accenture after graduating from Johns Hopkins with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 1996. She leads Accenture’s Johns Hopkins University entry-level recruiting effort. In addition to all of those, she has a passion for supporting and promoting Women in Tech! Outside of work, Sara just finished her second term on the Johns Hopkins University-wide Alumni Council. She is married with a 15-year-old daughter Alexandra and an 11-year-old son Adam. On any weekend, you can find Sara watching soccer/football in person or on TV, going to National Parks, and indulging in Jane Austen.

Award Eligibility Requirements

Any individual or organization was eligible to apply, regardless of industry or Ascend membership status; there is only one entry per individual or organization. Beyond the significant achievement of—or potential for—professional success, nominees should demonstrate engagement in the Pan-Asian community and volunteerism through mentoring, leadership development, and board service. To view awards descriptions and criteria, please refer to the IAG Award Descriptions guide. The deadline to submit nominations closed on Friday, October 21, 2022.

About

Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) is an annual conference hosted by respective Ascend regional chapters to gather our corporate and community partners for a day of leadership, mentorship, and relationship development programs providing insight and benefits for both students and seasoned professionals. These conferences also provide networking and recognition opportunities for leaders, professionals, and students.