May Virtual Event: Investing in Purpose
A Case Study in Building a Business Ecosystem Around One's Calling.
You may know Dave Lu from the companies he’s founded, his investment syndicate, or his high-profile career in Big Tech. But some know him best for his illuminating work, shining a light on Asian leaders in all sectors of business and culture, as well as on the societal obstacles they face.
I see Dave as a defender, not just of Asian leaders, but of the under-represented and under-celebrated. His work spotlighting inequalities in business and government, and discrimination of Asian Americans, is a master playbook in communications and action-oriented advocacy. And his essays underscoring the societal and familial influences on Asian American professionals are required reading for anyone seeking practical, yet inspiring, career advice.
Dave will be in conversation with Grace Hwang Lynch, Optionality member, journalist and storyteller. Please join us for this member event*!
If you register, you will receive the recording to our talk, even if you could not attend.
* Optionality webinars are for Optionality members, free of charge. By registering for this webinar, you agree to receive Optionality’s free newsletter for Public members. You may unsubscribe or upgrade to Premium membership at any time.
More about our speakers:
Dave Lu is a veteran in the technology industry, having worked for over two decades at big tech companies including Yahoo!, Apple, Cisco and eBay and founding two startups, Fanpop (entertainment social network that reached over 40 million monthly visitors) and Expo (formerly Pared). In 2011, Dave created a community called Asian American Founders Circle which has grown to over 400 founders including Tony Xu (DoorDash), Steve Chen (YouTube), Kevin Lin (Twitch) and many others. AAFC inspired the launch of Hyphen Capital, a syndicate focused on investing in Asian American founders that has invested nearly $30 million in over 90 startups (over 50% with a female founder).
He most recently started a movement with a letter condemning hate crimes against Asians which he co-wrote that was signed by over 8,000 prominent business leaders and influencers including the CEOs of Google, LinkedIn, DoorDash, President George W. Bush, Andre Iguodala, and JJ Abrams. The letter was published as a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal and has led to the launch of Stand with Asian Americans, a non-profit organization committed to fighting discrimination against Asian Americans. He recently produced the Emmy-winning documentary short ‘38 at the Garden’ about NBA player Jeremy Lin that was acquired by HBO. Dave sits on the advisory board of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and The Asia Pacific Fund.
Grace Hwang Lynch is a storyteller and consultant, with broad experience in journalism, editing, and organizational communications. Her reporting has been on NPR, Public Radio International, NBC Asian America and other outlets. As a communications consultant, she helps nonprofits and small businesses find and articulate their mission, values, and aspirations across various platforms. In her creative writing life, Grace has been published in Tin House, Catapult, Brevity Magazine, and recently in the anthology Nonwhite and Woman: 131 Micro Essays on Being in the World (Woodhall Press). She believes that curiosity and listening are the first steps to telling a good story.