The GAACC Leadership Accelerator is an all-new, immersive program focused on empowering high-potential AAPI business and civic leaders in Austin. Our goal is to create a dynamic leadership activation program that equips high-potential AAPI business and civic leaders in Central Texas. We will encourage and empower these individuals to help shape the future of our region.
The nine-month program consists of engagements with leaders from Fortune 500 companies and civic institutions through leadership classes, mentoring sessions, networking dinners, and a capstone project.
Six young leaders were selected following a straightforward but rigorous application process. Our sincerest welcome goes out to these dynamic and impactful individuals!
Niki Chen
My name is Niki, an ex restaurant worker turned a technical program manager in Tech. I currently lead global developer events at Oracle and am actively engaged in various community and leadership development efforts within Oracle. I deeply care about advancing Asian American causes and giving back to the community. Through my work, I am committed to fostering inclusive environments and driving positive change within the Asian American community and beyond.
Hussain Hashim
Hussain is a seasoned technology executive in the wealth management industry with over 30 years of experience living in the Austin area. He has successfully started several businesses and has served on the boards of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce (GAACC) and the Austin Chamber of Commerce. Passionate about enhancing education and improving the quality of life for the Asian community in the Austin area, Hussain is also pursuing an MBA to further his leadership and entrepreneurial impact.
Paul Lam
Paul is Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Finance for BOT.Auto, autonomous trucking company in Texas. Paul’s mission is to create a better world with technology application in critical infrastructure sectors such as transportation. Paul is a seasoned AAPI and international leader, who spearheaded the G20 Infratech Agenda under the Indonesian Presidency. Paul has executed more than $1bn investments in technology globally. He served as the strategic board member and advisory committee member for UK Digital Twin Hub; and an advisory committee member for World Economic Forum Global Digital Twin Cities. Paul graduated from the University of Cambridge. Paul is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Fellow of Royal Society of Arts.
Sammy Lam
Sammy Lam is the owner of Wanderlust Wine Co. and a member of both the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce. With a drive and passion to pave the path of sustainability in the wine sector, Sammy also serves on the board of the Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association. Sammy has 10 years of experience in the winery industry which earned Wanderlust Wine Co. awards for Best Winery in 2022 and 2023.
Alan Lin
Alan Lin is an attorney at Cornell Smith Mierl Brutocao Burton, LLP, where he represents and advises employers and individuals on a wide range of labor and employment matters. Prior to shifting to labor and employment law, Alan practiced with a national product liability defense firm and also clerked for a federal magistrate judge in Austin. He is a member of the Austin Bar, Austin Young Lawyers, and Austin Asian American Bar Associations, and will be serving his second year as co-Chair of the Leadership Academy committee in 2025. A longtime Austin resident, Alan is looking forward to working with other local leaders and is excited about the potential and impact of the Asian business and civic communities in Austin
Ruishi Wang
Ruishi Wang, entering his 12th year in the public education sector, proudly serves as a school administrator in the Central Texas area. Having moved here from Houston for college, he has proudly called Austin home for the past 18 years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, master’s degree from Texas State University, and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree at Texas State University. Ruishi enjoys being civically engaged with his local community, championing the needs of all students, and focusing on creating a culture of relationship building with all stakeholders. Ruishi is an avid supporter of the impact that education has for all of our students and adult learners within our schools, neighborhoods, and communities.
The Accelerator owes its existence to the dedication of the four impressive captains at the helm of our newly-created young professionals committee – the GAACC NextGEN Committee. We would like to thank captains Rohan Thapar and Shenghao “Daniel” Wang for their vision, leadership, and dedicated efforts to launch the Accelerator. Captains YJ Lin and Tu Ta are hard at work creating new programs focused on community engagement and professional development, respectively.
Learn more about the GAACC Leadership Accelerator HERE (PDF).