Final Call! Join Us for the 2024 GALA Annual Gala！

Tackey Chan is the State Representative for the Second Norfolk District, including fourteen of the thirty precincts in Quincy, Massachusetts. Tackey is a lifelong resident of Quincy and was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2010. He is currently serving his seventh term in office. In 2010, Tackey was one of the three first State Representatives of Asian descent elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives and is the first Asian American and minority elected to office in the City of Quincy. As the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, he oversees legislation pertaining to alcohol licensure, the state lottery, horse racing, all non-medical licensed professionals, and consumer protection issues.

Representative Vanna Howard has been a public servant for more than three decades. She was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for the 17th Middlesex District in 2020 and became the first woman of Khmer (Cambodian) descent to be elected a state legislator in the United States. Recently reelected to her second term. She currently serves on 5 committees: House Ways & Means, Education, Public Health, Racial Equity, Civil Rights, and Inclusion, and Cannabis Policy Committees. She also serves on the Special Legislative Commission on Structural Racism at Correctional Facilities of the Commonwealth and Early Education and Childcare Advisory Council.

Diana DiZoglio serves as the 26th Auditor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A student of Massachusetts public schools, Auditor DiZoglio went to Middlesex Community College and later earned a financial scholarship to Wellesley College. After serving in the State Legislature as an aide, as Chief of Staff for the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, and years of work for local nonprofits and community organizations, she won her first race for public office in 2012. She served three terms as State Representative for the 14th Essex District. In 2018, she was elected as State Senator for the 1st Essex District, serving two terms.

Gary Yu, Founder and Chair of Boston International Media Consulting and Boston Chinese Radio and TV. He currently serves as a Commissioner of Asian American & Pacific Islanders Commission of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Director of Asian Community Liaison at the Massachusetts State Auditor's Office, and a member of the Community Engagement & Community Reinvestment Grants Committee of the Suffolk County Attorney's Office.

In addition to his work, he is passionate about community service and has served as President of the New England Chinese American Alliance (NECAA), President of the Boston-Hangzhou Sister City Association, President of the North American Hangzhou Association, President of Boston Chapter of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) , and President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the United Chinese Americans (UCA). He has been awarded many times by the federal, state and City governments with certificates of honor in recognition of his outstanding contributions. In 2023, he was awarded the Diversity and Inclusion Award by U.S Senator Ed Markey.

Stephen Clark was appointed President and CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association on July 1, 2022. Stephen joined the MRA in 2011 and has served prior as Director of Government Affairs, Vice President of Government Affairs, and Chief Operating Officer for the Association. He has nearly twenty years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors. Prior to joining the MRA, Stephen worked as Legislative Staff for the Assistant Majority Leader in the Massachusetts State Senate. He graduated with a B.A. in political science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Norman Eng is an Economic Development Specialist & Public Information Officer for the SBA Massachusetts District Office. Norman's focus is to optimize the positive impacts of SBA economic development programs and services on the growth of the local economy. Norman conducts outreach and training to educate the small business community about opportunities available to the public through SBA programs and partners. As PIO, he also coordinates media relations, communications and writes success stories. Norman is an alumnus of Bentley University and Suffolk University, Sawyer School of Business. Norman grew up in the Chinatown/South End neighborhood of Boston and currently resides in Milton, MA with his wife Angela and two children, Izaac and Charlotte.

Loretta Chin has the distinction of being the first female Food and Drug Inspector for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She has over 27 years of experience in quality control, specializing in seafood, at Sysco Corporation. During her career, Loretta became a Certified Seafood HACCP Trainer/Instructor for the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). Her extensive background also includes roles in Food Safety Inspections for NSF and Comprehensive Food Safety. Most recently, Loretta achieved the status of ServSafe Instructor/Proctor, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to promoting food safety and quality standards.

Christian Doan is a Boston-based food blogger and advertiser, known for his social media account ChopstickMurphys. His page highlights Asian restaurants and culture through creative storytelling and an irreverent sense of humor. Through his content and connections in social and traditional media, his goal is to boost awareness and business for modern, innovative Asian restaurants.

Bob Wong represents the 3rd generation at Kowloon Restaurant in Saugus, MA, which has been in business for over 70 years. Starting as a dishwasher, he graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Hotel and Hospitality Management. Bob's career in food service includes serving as chairman of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA), now an honorary life member, and as Board member Emeritus of the National Restaurant Association. Since 2021, he has been co-president of MARA, hosting its annual meetings at Kowloon and significantly boosting its events through proactive sponsorship and marketing efforts.

Sumiao Chen is the Founder and Co-owner of Sumiao Hunan Kitchen in Kendal Square Cambridge MA, a local independent restaurant solely owned by 777 iHoldings LLC. In this role, she has successfully lead the development and implementation of its strategic vision as well as management of operation in last four years. Sumiao is also the Co-founder, Chairman of the Board and President of Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association (MARA) since 2018, and a Board Director of Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) since 2019. She is the President of 777 iHoldings LLC, Sumiao Xiang Restaurant LLC and Sumiao’s Eatery LLC since 2015, a Co-founder and Board Director overseeing public relations and marketing for D.G.C Restaurant, Inc since 2007.

Originally trained in medicine and pharmaceuticals, holds both degrees of medical doctor and master of science in FDA Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Sumiao also completed the certificate program at Le Cordon Bleu School of French Cooking In 2017.

Jimmy Liang, founder of JP Fuji Group, is a visionary entrepreneur and accomplished chef. Co-founding his first restaurant, Fuji, in 1998, Liang's achievements have been acknowledged in notable publications, including "Boston's Future 50" by SmartCEO and "40 Stars Under 40" in the Patriot Ledger. His influence extended to Converse Sneakers' Global Exhibition Campaign.

Fei Pan is the Executive President of the Asian American Association of Boston, the founder of Boston Empire Auction House, a licensed auctioneer in Massachusetts, and the president of the North American Chinese Collectors Association. He established the Oriental Food Promotion Company in 1996 and was the first to introduce boxed sushi to supermarkets and campuses. Fei Pan also operates restaurants, banquet halls, and senior health activity centers. He is currently the owner of Hong Kong City Restaurant and Hongkong Treasures Restaurant in Massachusetts, as well as Twelve Acres Banquet Hall in Rhode Island.

Loretta Chin has the distinction of being the first female Food and Drug Inspector for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She has over 27 years of experience in quality control, specializing in seafood, at Sysco Corporation. During her career, Loretta became a Certified Seafood HACCP Trainer/Instructor for the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). Her extensive background also includes roles in Food Safety Inspections for NSF and Comprehensive Food Safety. Most recently, Loretta achieved the status of ServSafe Instructor/Proctor, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to promoting food safety and quality standards.

In 2015 Nam joined the Baker/Polito Administration, first as Assistant Secretary of Business Development & International Trade, the first Asian American who has ever been a gubernatorial appointee at this level in Massachusetts. He oversaw the Mass. Film Office, Mass. Office of Business Development, Mass. Office of Travel and Tourism, Mass Sport Marketing Office, and Mass. Office of International Trade & Investment. From 2020-22, he served as Director of the Office of Real Estate & Asset Management, Department of Transportation.

Claire Jin is currently a Vice President at JPMorgan. She has previously held roles at JPMorgan Chase & Co. and UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Claire is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs within the Asian community and actively invests her time in various community organizations outside of work. Most recently, she served as president of NECINA in New England. With extensive experience in business funding, including equity funding, traditional commercial lending, and banking and treasury products, Claire brings a wealth of expertise to her role.

New England Wushu Academy is the largest modern competitive martial arts academy in the Boston area, founded by Xiaoyi Chen and Calvin Wang. Since its establishment, the institute has trained over 80 members of the U.S. National Martial Arts Team. Tonight, they will present an exciting display of skills with broadswords, spears, staffs, and swords, along with acrobatic movements. Let us witness the charm of martial arts together!

Pipa Solo by Amber Sang, Pipa Artist from Berklee College of Music 《春江花月夜 A Moonlit Night on the Spring River》

Quartet Singing by Stellar Voices Group 《穿上丽兹 Putting on the Ritz》 《妈妈咪呀 Mamma Mia》