Show-Me State Times

Saint Louis University's Emerson Leadership Institute is set to host its third annual Be Heard! Women in Leadership conference on May 3. The event will focus on the challenges faced by Asian Americans in the workplace, particularly regarding belonging and advancement.

Jintong Tang, Ph.D., organizer of the event and Mary Louise Murray Professor of Management at SLU's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business, highlighted findings from studies indicating that Asian Americans often feel excluded or hindered in their professional environments. "We know from findings in studies and industry surveys that Asian Americans are less likely to feel like they belong or advance in their workplace," said Tang.

The conference will feature a panel of prominent local Asian women leaders. Panelists include Elaine Cha, host and producer at St. Louis Public Radio; Grace Lee, dean of faculty at Mary Institute County Day School; Michelle Li, morning anchor at KSDK-TV Ch. 5 and co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation; Nalini Mahadevan, principal attorney at MLO Law and co-founder of the Immigrant Professional Women’s Network in STL; and Shu Schiller, dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Luchen Li, associate vice president for global engagement at SLU, will moderate the discussion.

Tang expressed her hopes for diverse participation similar to previous years, noting an increase in male attendees due to supportive colleagues from the School of Business. "This conference is open to all – it’s about women in leadership, but it isn’t limited to women," she stated.

Key topics for discussion include fostering a sense of belonging and equity within workplaces. Tang emphasized that inclusivity begins with mutual understanding between leadership and employees: “For a business to succeed in the long term, they need to invest in their most crucial resources – their employees,” she said. “The right motivations can have a transformational impact.”

The event will conclude with performances by SLU's Asian student groups. "We are going to talk about some heavy topics – bias, discrimination, inequality," Tang noted. "I’m looking forward to closing the day with some of our wonderful student organizations showcasing their talents."

Founded in 1910, SLU's Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business has been recognized as a leader in business education with several nationally ranked programs by U.S. News & World Report.