2026 IAG Conference
Purpose In Motion
We're excited to bring you the 15th Annual Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) Conference in the Greater Washington DC Area on Nov. 16th, 2026! This year's IAG conference will focus on empowering professionals like you with everything from crucial soft skills to the latest tech trends that are shaping industries. Get ready to gain the tools you need to lead for your future!
Inspiring Across Generations are regional conferences that gather our corporate and community partners for a day of leadership, mentorship, and relationship development programs. These provide insight and benefits for both students and seasoned professionals. These conferences also provide networking opportunities for leaders, professionals, and students at the local level.
Why Attend IAG
Grow
Hear from industry-leading experts and gain unparalleled perspectives from sessions lead by senior experts in consulting, finance, and more to grow your career.
Connect
Connect with a like-minded community around topics that impact Pan-Asian talent. Meet new people and build a network to cultivate your circle of power.
Learn
Unlock professional opportunities and leave with actionable insights around advocacy to implement to your professional and personal life.
What To Know
What should I wear?
Business casual.
What do I bring?
Yourself, business cards, and a pen/paper to take notes.
Will there be food?
Yes, lunch will be provided. There will be gluten free, nut free, and vegetarian options available.
How do I get there?
Inova Center for Personalized Health Conference Center,
8100 Innovation Park Drive, Fairfax, VA 22031.
Driving
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If you enter the grounds via the light at the Peterson Discovery Drive entrance, when you come to a stop sign, go straight to enter the parking garage. Follow the signs and circle all the way down to the P4 level. (You are parking below the 8095 Innovation Park Dr. building.)
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If you enter the grounds via the Innovation Park Dr. entrance, follow the road onto campus. After you pass under the skywalk, make your first right at the stop sign to enter the parking garage. Follow the signs and circle all the way down to the P4 level. (You are parking below the 8095 Innovation Park Dr. building.)
Walking
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Elevators are in the middle of the parking level. Take the elevator to level 2. It will open to a coffee shop. You will need to do a 180 around the elevators. You can walk either left or right around the circular path on either side of the elevators.
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On the opposite side of the circle, there will be a skywalk to the ICC building. Again, walk around the circular path on either side. The ICC is on the opposite side of where you enter the circular path. You will see the atrium (with the string lights overhead).
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The conference will start in the Conference Hall, which is on the right side of the atrium. Registration will be set up outside the Conference Hall.
Schedule of Events
9:30-10:00 AM
Registration
Check-in
Registration will be set up outside the Conference Hall.
10:00-10:15 AM
Opening Remarks
Speakers: Joan Smith, Mark Lainoff
10:15-11:00 AM
Keynote
Speaker: Dr. Raj Chand
11:00-12:00 PM
Speed Networking
12:00-1:00 PM
Lunch Break & Ceremony
Lunch in the Atrium
President Award Ceremony/Scholarship Award Ceremony
1:00 - 2:00 PM
First Panel
The Career Bets We Make: A candid conversation about the expectations we inherit, the risks we take, and the success we define for ourselves.
Speakers:
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Salim Mawani (Moderator)
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Wilson Wang
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Jing Yu
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Rajeev Kaul
2:00 - 2:15 PM
Break
Break time
2:15 - 3:15 PM
Breakout Sessions
Breakout Programs:
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Career Journey Line (Shiv Varma, Jing Williams)
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Building Your Brand (Brinda Shah, Zach Heng)
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The Art of Small Talk (Abia Khan, Denny Lau)
3:15 - 3:30 PM
Break
Break time
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Second Panel
The Career Conversations We Avoid: The difficult discussions that shape careers but often make people uncomfortable.
Speakers:
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Liz Cho (Moderator)
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Bhwana Singh
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Chala Khorana
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Liyao Wan
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James Case
4:30 - 4:45 PM
Ascend and CELP Remarks
Speaker: Liz Cho
4:45 - 5:00 PM
Conference Closing Remarks
Speaker: Steve Lazo
5:15 - 6:15 PM
Reception
At Inova
Speakers & Panelists
Salim Mawani, CGFM, CPA
Senior Advisor at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Salim Mawani is a federal financial management leader at HUD's Federal Housing Administration, where he oversees key aspects of financial operations. He brings more than 25 years of public and private sector experience, including senior roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Smithsonian Institution, EY, and KPMG. Salim is a past President of the AGA Washington, DC Chapter and a former Fellow in the White House Leadership Development Program.
Sponsors
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
