Recommended Keynote:

Rise Through It™: Transforming the Fear of Uncertainty to Limitless Results

Every day, leaders face a barrage of challenges, problems, and threats. While the initial instinct may be to avoid them, hiding from adversity often leads to further setbacks and long-term chaos.

In reality, the most difficult moments can become our greatest teachers if we intentionally choose to learn from them, solve them, and rise through them. True growth and leadership emerge from consciously deciding to "rise through" our challenges, rather than merely trying to "rise above" them to quickly escape.

Rashmi Airan learned first-hand what it means to Rise Through It™. Her remarkable journey—from an Ivy League education to federal prison—has unlocked immutable lessons in determination, growth, and transformation. Today, Rashmi is a sought-after expert helping leaders rise through challenges rather than avoid them using her proven system: The RISE Process™.

After working with Rashmi, leaders adopt a bold and transformative approach, shifting from being victims of circumstances to viewing challenges as opportunities for profound growth. She fosters a culture of courage, acceptance, and vulnerability to harness discomfort and thrive. Her proven framework illuminates the path to becoming bold, grounded, visionary leaders prepared to overcome the inevitable fear when dealing with change. When we RISE THROUGH IT™, we embrace growth and unlock our power to shine.

OUTCOMES:

• Master a validated process to address any challenging scenario and convert it to an opportunity.
• Reframe our sense of self with the understanding that it's about who we are, not what we achieve that matters.
• Cultivate a culture of courage by creating safe spaces for open communication and risk-taking.
• Alleviate AI anxiety and create a more inclusive, adaptable, and future-ready digital workplace.

Why Rashmi Airan is a Great Fit for Cadence’s AAPI Heritage Month Event

‍Deeply Resonates with the AAPI Experience‍

• First-generation Indian-American with a powerful story of navigating cultural expectations, ambition, and ethical decision-making.‍

Expertise in Leadership, Ethics, and Decision-Making‍

• Background in law and corporate consulting, understanding high-stakes environments like Cadence’s.
• Speaks on personal responsibility, leadership integrity, and navigating ethical challenges—critical in fast-paced, tech-driven industries.‍

Alignment with Cadence’s Culture of Innovation & Integrity‍

• Cadence prioritizes trust, collaboration, and strong decision-making—key themes in Rashmi’s message.
• Helps employees develop ethical leadership skills to sustain innovation without compromising values.‍

Engaging and Practical Speaking Style‍

• Delivers compelling keynotes with actionable takeaways.
• Can facilitate an interactive skills-building workshop (90-minute option) to guide employees through real-world ethical dilemmas in the tech industry.‍

Impact Across All Employee Levels‍

• Relevant to corporate executives, tech professionals, and employees across the organization.
• Equips Cadence employees with the mindset and tools to navigate challenges with integrity and resilience.

More details on Rashmi's Workshop offerings: https://rashmiairan.com/workshops/

“Rashmi’s story illustrates the power of humility and transformation. Rashmi is an energy giver - whether live or virtual. She reminds us that we are all humans and fallible. I would recommend Rashmi, she is one the best speakers I have ever worked with and I will work with her again!” - Damien Atkins, Former General Counsel, Hershey’s Inc.

“The most mind capturing talk ever! 100% focused and visually present. Personable and relatable” - Roshni Kadhiwala, CEO/Owner JLM Hotel Group, Asian American Hotel Owners Association

Recommended Keynote:

Own Your Only™: Own Your Opportunities, Redefine Success and Thrive in Any Environment

In this uplifting and energizing keynote, media and communication coach Angela Chee shows your team how to embrace their individuality and transform feelings of being the “only” one in the room into a powerful advantage. Drawing on her pioneering media career, compelling real-world examples, and stories from trailblazing leaders, she shares “The Power Of The Only” principles and offers practical science-based tools and steps to help people own their opportunities, speak up with confidence, connect more authentically, and step into their leadership.

Through reflective exercises, authentic storytelling, and strategies grounded in psychology and neuroscience, participants will leave inspired to claim their voice and realize that by owning who they are, they unlock new levels of collaboration, innovation, and impact. This keynote empowers teams to thrive together, igniting a deeper sense of purpose and creating lasting impact both within your organization and beyond.

Angela’s The Power of The Only™ Principles help organizations discover new possibilities, inspire clear and confident action, transform unique perspectives into competitive advantages and create authentic connections that last. Ultimately, her teachings are the keys that will take you from merely surviving to successfully thriving.

Key Outcomes for Your Audience:

• Learn why every unique perspective is vital and how tapping into our “Only” moments promotes forward-thinking leadership.
• Discover how authentic communication—rooted in confidence and clarity—can strengthen relationships and energize team dynamics.
• Uncover simple shifts that transform self-doubt into self-belief, fostering a culture of encouragement and personal leadership at every level.
• Break through communication barriers to create an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to contribute.
• Inspire teams to move from “surviving” to “thriving,” embracing growth, curiosity, and a drive to shape a more innovative future.

Angela’s relatable style and interactive approach spark genuine excitement and meaningful insights. By celebrating and elevating every individual’s voice, your organization fosters deeper trust, collaboration, and a stronger sense of belonging. Participants leave feeling equipped and motivated to continue growing—both personally and as a unified team—well beyond the keynote.

Bring your organization together under a shared vision of empowerment. When people dare to Own your Only™, everyone thrives.

Why Angela Chee is a Great Fit for Cadence’s AAPI Heritage Month Event

Empowers AAPI Professionals to Find Their Voice and Lead with Confidence‍

• As a Chinese-American keynote speaker, former TV anchor, and media personality, Angela Chee deeply understands the unique challenges and opportunities faced by AAPI professionals.
• Her expertise in leadership, communication, and visibility helps employees at all levels break barriers and step into their full potential.

Expert in Leadership, Personal Branding, and Inclusive Innovation‍

• Teaches strategies for amplifying one’s voice, owning identity, and driving impact—critical in a diverse and innovation-driven company like Cadence.
• Her insights on communication and presence align with Cadence’s culture of collaboration, innovation, and business success.

Interactive and Actionable Speaking Style

• Engages audiences with dynamic storytelling, practical takeaways, and immediately applicable leadership strategies.
• Can deliver a skills-building workshop (90-minute option) to help employees develop executive presence, improve communication, and strengthen leadership influence.

Aligns with Cadence’s Commitment to Workplace Excellence and Employee Growth‍

• Cadence has been recognized as a top workplace, and Angela’s message reinforces a culture of empowerment, inclusivity, and leadership development.
• Helps employees harness their unique strengths to enhance both individual and company-wide success.

Relevant for Employees Across All Levels

• Ideal for corporate executives, technical teams, and emerging leaders seeking to elevate their leadership and communication skills.
• Encourages employees to embrace their identity, foster inclusion, and drive innovation—key pillars of Cadence’s long-term vision.

“Angela is an exceptional speaker.  Her personality and energy are great. Her professionalism in her preparation and presenting was thoughtful and audience specific.  We had a difficult group to please and had extremely positive feedback about her keynote and session.  She was a motivational kick off for the rest of the day.  Our audience not only enjoyed her story, but she opened everyone up to have more meaningful and connecting conversations. We look forward to seeing her again soon!” – Kim Lanham, “Break The Glass", Executive Women’s Summit

Recommended Keynotes:

1) How To Lead With Impact: Strategies to Build Collaboration and Trust On Your Team​

In today’s dynamic business landscape, cross-functional collaboration, open communication, and productivity are key to helping remote teams thrive.

However, when managers know how to lead their teams effectively — from implementing thoughtful onboarding and leading engaging team meetings to creating supportive feedback loops and building positive team dynamics — they create teams and cross-functional partners that trust each other and collaborate better.

This empowers team members to achieve their own professional goals while positively impacting company objectives.

Learn from Lorraine K. Lee, a LinkedIn Learning instructor with multiple popular management courses focused on leading highly functional remote teams.

Key Takeaways:

• Essential elements to include when onboarding your team
• How to leverage all different types of meetings to connect with each other and move work forward
• Strategies for facilitating collaboration across functions and geographies 

2) How To Build Influence in the Hybrid Office

For General Audiences and AAPI Groups

Building influence feels tougher than ever these days with so many distractions grabbing others’ attention. We need to juggle building relationships both in-person and virtually, while delivering results with fewer resources.

The solution? Harnessing your influence. Influence has the power to help us get promoted, become more trusted and recognized, and be seen as a leader who moves work forward.

Follow the simple but highly impactful RAVE Model to increase and strengthen your influence in the workplace. After the session, you’ll be able to immediately implement actionable advice for key areas of influence at work.

Learn from Lorraine K. Lee, a leader at the intersection of editorial and tech, a top-rated virtual keynote speaker, and an instructor with LinkedIn Learning and Stanford Continuing Studies.

Key Takeaways:

• The RAVE Model and how to apply it to your daily life
• Simple yet actionable ways to boost your influence, in-person and virtually
• Mistakes you may be making that are hurting your influence

Why Lorraine Lee is a Great Fit for Cadence’s AAPI Heritage Month Event

Expert in Remote Work, Leadership, and Career Growth

• As a top virtual keynote speaker and former LinkedIn editor, Lorraine Lee understands the evolving workplace dynamics in tech-driven companies like Cadence.
• Her expertise helps employees build visibility, credibility, and career advancement in a global, hybrid work environment.

Empowers AAPI Professionals to Build Influence and Confidence‍

• As an Asian-American leader in media and technology, Lorraine shares actionable strategies for AAPI employees to overcome workplace barriers, strengthen their professional presence, and lead with impact.‍
• Helps professionals at all levels develop communication skills that enhance collaboration and innovation—key to Cadence’s business success.

Engaging, Interactive, and Practical Speaking Style‍

• Known for delivering data-driven insights and engaging storytelling that captivates diverse audiences.
• Can facilitate a skills-building workshop on executive presence, leadership in remote teams, and effective communication in the digital workplace.‍

Aligns with Cadence’s Culture of Innovation and Employee Growth‍

• Cadence fosters a workplace that values adaptability, leadership, and collaboration—Lorraine’s key focus areas.
• Her talk will provide employees with tangible strategies to enhance their influence, drive innovation, and thrive in a fast-moving tech environment.

Relevant for Employees Across All Levels‍

• Valuable for corporate executives, engineers, and early-career professionals looking to strengthen their leadership and workplace presence.
• Equips employees with practical techniques to improve communication, increase visibility, and accelerate career growth within Cadence and beyond.

“She was by far the most engaging speaker we've had in the series.” -Arun, Zoom

We can explore Neil's different presentations and depending on the direction you'd like to go in, we can ideate with Neil Sahota to further customize to make it work.

Why Neil Sahota is a Great Fit for Cadence’s AAPI Heritage Month Event

AI & Tech Visionary with Global Impact‍

• As an AI expert, United Nations advisor, and corporate innovation leader, Neil Sahota brings deep expertise in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and digital transformation—perfectly aligning with Cadence’s focus on Intelligent System Design and cutting-edge innovation.‍
• His insights into AI’s role in industries such as hyperscale computing, 5G, automotive, aerospace, and life sciences make his talk highly relevant for Cadence employees.

Empowering AAPI Professionals in Tech & Innovation

• As an Asian-American leader in AI and business strategy, Neil shares his journey of breaking barriers in the tech world and empowers AAPI professionals to lead in innovation and AI-driven transformation.‍
• His message reinforces Cadence’s commitment to fostering diverse leadership and creating an inclusive workplace where AAPI professionals thrive.

Engaging, Futurist Perspective with Actionable Insights

• Known for delivering high-energy, thought-provoking presentations that break down complex AI and innovation topics into practical strategies.‍
• Can lead an interactive workshop (90-minute option) focused on AI in the workplace, innovation strategies, and ethical considerations in AI-driven industries.

Aligns with Cadence’s Focus on AI, Future of Work & Business Success

• Cadence applies AI and computational software to power global innovation—Neil’s expertise helps employees better understand AI’s impact and how to leverage it for career and business success.‍
• His keynote will inspire Cadence employees to embrace AI, think like innovators, and drive meaningful impact within their roles.

Relevant for Employees Across All Levels‍

• Ideal for corporate executives, engineers, AI/tech specialists, and business leaders looking to navigate the future of AI, technology, and innovation.‍
• Offers practical takeaways on AI adoption, career growth in a tech-driven world, and leveraging emerging technologies for success.

Neil Sahota’s AI expertise, innovation-driven mindset, and leadership experience make him a high-impact speaker for Cadence’s AAPI Heritage Month event, inspiring employees to lead the future of AI and technology.

Recommended Keynotes

1) Big Asian Energy : Breaking Barriers to Leadership and Success

This engaging and relatable talk features storytelling and hands-on techniques that help audiences identify the myths that often face Asian employees which hold them back from leadership-- and how to break through the barriers.

2) From Invisible to Unstoppable : How to Get Recognized for Your Brilliance

How many hidden overachievers—especially women and minorities—go unrecognized at work, afraid to speak up and without advocates? In this keynote, John Wang shares research on why top talent is overlooked and leaving, and provides actionable strategies to help them step into leadership with confidence and self-advocacy.

Why John Wang is a Great Fit for Cadence’s AAPI Heritage Month Event

Champion of AAPI Leadership & Cultural Empowerment

• As the creator of Big Asian Energy, John Wang helps AAPI professionals embrace confidence, overcome cultural barriers, and amplify their presence in leadership and business.‍
• His message directly supports Cadence’s culture of inclusion, innovation, and professional development, helping AAPI employees step into leadership roles with greater influence.

Expert in Communication, Influence, and Personal Branding‍

• Helps professionals navigate workplace dynamics, break stereotypes, and communicate with confidence in corporate and technical environments.‍
• Offers tactical strategies for AAPI employees to strengthen their professional brand, an important skill for a company like Cadence that thrives on innovation and collaboration.

Engaging, Entertaining, and Actionable Speaking Style‍

• Blends humor, storytelling, and practical insights to engage employees at all levels, from engineers to executives.‍
• Can deliver a skills-building workshop (90-minute option) focused on executive presence, influence, and communication techniques to help employees stand out and advance in their careers.

Aligns with Cadence’s Focus on Employee Growth & Workplace Excellence

• Cadence’s reputation as a top workplace aligns with John’s mission to empower employees to bring their full selves to work and drive impact.‍
• His talk will help employees unlock their potential, build confidence, and contribute to Cadence’s success through bold leadership and clear communication.

Relevant for Employees Across All Levels

• Ideal for corporate executives, engineers, early-career professionals, and emerging leaders looking to break through cultural barriers and elevate their leadership presence.‍
• Provides practical strategies for personal empowerment, career advancement, and navigating workplace challenges with confidence.

"Loved his energy and the “ACE” framework...something that I can still remember. Loved the follow up resource (ACE assessment). John did an amazing job with the presentation."- Christina Sheane, Chair Of Asian Colleagues Initiative, Mio Mckinsey

"His stage presence, his confidence, his ability to break down big and complex and challenging and sensitive topics into things that are easily understandable and digestible is such a profound skill."- Toper Ravadilla, Community Organizer,  Mighty Networks

Recommended Keynote:

Resilience Through Rejection

For too many of us, the fear of rejection is the #1 obstacle to achieving our goals and dreams. It’s our natural tendency to avoid the risk of rejection, even when it’s detrimental to our businesses, careers, and lives. Nobody knows this like entrepreneur Jia Jiang. To overcome his own fear of rejection, he conducted an experiment in which he purposely sought it out every day for 100 days.

From asking complete strangers for $100 to requesting a “burger refill” at a fast food restaurant, Jia’s experiences (and surprising results) became the basis for one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time (top 200 out of 60,000) and the bestselling book: Rejection Proof. 

It also transformed Jia Jiang into the world’s foremost authority on rejection. In this engaging presentation, Jia shares insightful—and often laugh-out-loud—stories from his 100 Days of Rejection.

Audiences learn how to become more resilient and make becoming rejection-proof their superpower for success in life. He also explores the basic principles of turning a NO into YES, as well as how to get more YESes. By transforming a keynote speech into a unique and  inspiring experience, Jia has earned rave reviews from Fortune 500 audiences and praise from individuals who have thanked him for changing their lives.

Why Jia Jiang is a Great Fit for Cadence’s AAPI Heritage Month Event

Teaches a Mindset Essential for Innovation and Leadership

• Cadence thrives on bold ideas, and Jia Jiang’s “Rejection Proof” philosophy helps employees embrace risk-taking, overcome setbacks, and unlock their potential in innovation-driven environments.‍
• His lessons on resilience and fearless leadership are particularly relevant for employees working in fast-paced, high-stakes tech industries like Cadence.

Empowers AAPI Professionals to Speak Up and Take Initiative‍

• As a Chinese-American entrepreneur, Jia understands the cultural hesitations many AAPI professionals face around self-advocacy, risk-taking, and leadership visibility.‍
• His talk encourages AAPI employees to push beyond fear, ask for opportunities, and confidently contribute to workplace success.

Engaging, Humorous, and Interactive Speaking Style‍

• Combines storytelling, humor, and real-life social experiments to captivate audiences and provide actionable strategies.
• Can lead a skills-building workshop where employees practice turning rejection into opportunity, improving communication, and strengthening resilience.

‍Aligns with Cadence’s Culture of Innovation & Continuous Growth‍

• Cadence fosters a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and courageous leadership—Jia’s message helps employees embrace uncertainty, learn from failure, and become more innovative problem-solvers.‍
• Reinforces Cadence’s commitment to personal and professional development by providing employees with mindset shifts that drive success across roles and career levels.

Relevant for Employees Across All Levels

• ‍Beneficial for engineers, business leaders, sales teams, and corporate executives looking to develop resilience, improve negotiation skills, and step out of their comfort zones.‍
• Provides practical tools for overcoming fear, taking calculated risks, and creating breakthrough moments in both career and business.

"Not only did Jia share valuable lessons, he transformed these lessons into a message of empowerment. Jia’s talk was particularly successful because he took the time to learn about the audience and weaved in practical and relatable stories. His insightful talk struck a human chord and was truly inspiring." - CHARITY L., Director of Engineering, Google Search

"I love the positivity (learning) from the experiences. I never thought about how my fear has caused me to miss things in my life. This is life-changing." - DIANA, Dell Technologies

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