GAACC LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR
Join a dynamic group of young professionals leading the way for the next generation.
Build and Grow
For over a decade, the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce has convened multi-cultural business professionals from all levels – C-suite to young professionals – to tackle meaningful topics that include broader conversations.
The GAACC Leadership Accelerator establishes an intentional and managed path to expose high-potential AAPI leaders to those topics and introduce them to key organizations, stakeholders, and critical mentors in the Central Texas region.
Build your network and grow your leadership!
What you'll gain:
NETWORK & COMMUNITY
Grow your network by connecting and fostering relationships with a growing alumni network and among Greater Austin’s business leaders spanning across diverse industries and sectors
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Collaborative Growth
What
you'll
gain:
WHAT IS IT?
The GAACC Leadership Accelerator is an immersive nine-month program focused on empowering high-potential business, civic, and corporate professional leaders.
An intimate group of leaders is selected to join each cohort to:
- Engage with the Greater Austin business ecosystem
- Strengthen individual leadership skills
- Complete a project designed to impact the community
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The cohort, once selected, will engage with regional business leaders and city officials and participate in workshops to network and develop their leadership skills.
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
- Are extremely passionate about local and global Asian-American initiatives
- Have a leadership mindset with an impressive professional history and performance
- Have the ability to lead dialogue to enable positive, impactful change
- Have 10-15 years of professional experience
- Are willing to commit 3-5 hours per month
JOIN COHORT 2
Applications for the 2025-2026 GAACC Accelerator cohort will be accepted until
July 14, 2025 at 5:00 pm CDT.
Nominators: If you are nominating someone for Cohort 2, please submit your nomination by July 7, 2025.
Please note: By completing this contact form, you will receive a complimentary Associate Level membership to the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) and you will receive email communications from GAACC and the NextGEN Community.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
COHORT 2 LAUNCH RETREAT
Network & Skill Building
Cohort Development
Capstone PROJECT
Develop and establish a community engagement project (cohort-led, meetings hosted as needed)
GAACC LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR COHORT 1
Six young leaders participated in the inaugural GAACC Accelerator cohort from September, 2024 to May, 2025.
Upon completing the GAACC Accelerator program, Cohort 1 was recognized at Austin’s City Hall during GAACC’s annual Austin Asian Impact Day on May 20, 2025.
GAACC LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR COMMITTEE
The GAACC Leadership Accelerator owes its existence to the dedication of this volunteer committee. We deeply appreciate their expertise, insight, and leadership.
Rohan Thapar
GAACC Leadership Accelerator Co-Captain
Payments and Enterprise Platform
Shenghao “Daniel” Wang
GAACC Leadership Accelerator Co-Captain
Travis Central Appraisal District
Kurian Panicker
GAACC Leadership Accelerator Committee
CGI
Joe Han
GAACC Leadership Accelerator Committee
Peak Praxis