Pillars & Proteges: GAACC Legacy Celebration & Video Launch Party

Description

Celebrate the Completion of our Leadership Accelerator Cohort's Capstone Project

Growth doesn't happen in a vacuum. It happens when established giants lock arms with the next generation of disruptive talent. Pillars & Proteges is your opportunity to step into the room where Central Texas’s business history connects with its future. Whether you are looking to find your next mentor, align with emerging innovators, or embed yourself deeper into Austin’s booming economic ecosystem, this evening is designed to spark the relationships that will define your next chapter.

Come celebrate the resilience of the AAPI business community and gain firsthand insights from the visionaries who built the foundation. As a highlight of the evening, the GAACC Leadership Accelerator Cohort 2 will debut a landmark docuseries. This nine-month capstone project captures exclusive, raw interviews with our region's most profound legacy leaders. This event is a true masterclass in local impact and a premier networking hub for Austin's highest-potential leaders. 

Meet the Legacy Leaders

Ali Khataw | Founder & CEO, Encotech Engineering Consultants 

Ali Khataw directs the structural and mechanical design of major commercial and public infrastructure projects driving Central Texas’s growth. A dedicated civic leader, he has spent decades serving on municipal boards to advance AAPI representation and expand opportunities for minority-owned businesses.

Paul Kim | President, ATX Environmental Solutions

Paul Kim leads a premier environmental consulting and remediation firm, balancing Austin’s rapid commercial expansion with critical safety and compliance. His strategic expertise guides local enterprises through complex regulations and supports emerging sustainable business initiatives.

Channy Soeur | CEO, CAS Consulting & Services, Inc.

Channy Soeur has built CAS into a powerhouse civil engineering and construction management firm, overseeing vital public works, utility, and transportation projects. He leverages his deep institutional expertise to advise regional planning committees and champion sustainable local development.

Clifford Chiu | Senior Advisor, Vista Equity Partners 

A globally recognized private equity veteran and corporate director, Clifford Chiu brings institutional-grade scaling and asset management wisdom to the Austin ecosystem. He bridges global finance and local impact, advising regional non-profits and civic boards on long-term financial sustainability.

About the GAAC Leadership Accelerator Program 

The GAACC Leadership Accelerator is an immersive, nine-month program that empowers high-potential business, civic, and corporate leaders in Central Texas. Through advanced workshops, executive mentorship, and hands-on civic engagement, cohort members connect deeply with the Greater Austin business ecosystem to develop their leadership skills and drive impactful community change. 

Meet Cohort 2

The driving forces behind this year's Capstone Project and docuseries launch. Click below to connect with the leaders and their companies. 

Ryan Char, CFP® – Regional Director and Vice President, Dimensional Fund Advisors
Mitchel Dumlao – Founder and Executive Producer, Creative Haven
Rene Helit Jr – Owner, The Cultured Chefs LLC
Samuel Lee – Owner and Broker, DLX Realty
Stephanie Chelsea Mora – Industry Engagement Manager, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area
Jennyleth Penano Collazo – President, Board of Directors, Filipino Young Professionals of Austin, Texas (FYP ATX)
Cheng Daisy Qian – Business Banking Relationship Manager, Bank of America
Poornima Siddapur – Founder and CEO, Talbiz Solutions LLC
Kevin Zhang – Founder, HeyMai.ai

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RSVP HERE

Please note: If you are not a GAACC member and you register for this event, you will receive a complimentary Associate Level membership to the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce, and you will receive email communications from GAACC. 

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Event Details

WHAT: Leadership Accelerator Capstone Showcase
WHEN: Monday, July 27, 2026 | 6-8 PM
WHERE: UFCU Plaza Event Center - 8303 N Mopac Expy, Austin, TX 78759 

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Agenda

6:00 pm - Check-In, Networking, and Refreshments

6:30 pm - GAACC Welcome Remarks

6:40 pm - Cohort Remarks

6:45 pm - Capstone Presentation

7:45 pm - Closing Remarks

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Event Sponsors

Bank of America 

Wanderlust 

Jimmy Ferguson

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GAACC Corporate Sponsors & Partners

The generous support of these sponsors and partners allows GAACC to continue delivering programs to members and to the public with the mission of Serving Local while Thinking Global, and to support our members through advocacy, education, and connections. Learn more about our partners.

THANK YOU!