Ascend Greater Philadelphia is proud to present the 2026 Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) Conference: The Human Edge in the Age of AI.
Join leaders, professionals, and changemakers from across industries and generations for a day of thought-provoking conversations, interactive workshops, wellness experiences, and meaningful networking. Through keynote insights, panel discussions, and collaborative breakout sessions, attendees will explore how human judgment, leadership, adaptability, and connection can help people, organizations, and communities thrive in an AI-enabled world. Leave with new ideas, valuable relationships, and practical actions to shape the future together.
Page through our Digital Program Book for details or scroll down for a detailed outline of the agenda.
Agenda
12:30 PM: Pre-Conference ERG/BRG Workshop (Invite Only)
Led by Helen Ahn | Merck
12:45 PM: Registration
1:40 PM: Welcome Remarks
Dr. David Cole | President & CEO, Science History Institute (SHI)
1:45 PM: Opening Remarks
Reet Padda | Head of U.S. Data Technology, TD Bank | President, Ascend Greater Philadelphia
1:55 PM: Keynote
Lan Guan | Chief AI & Data Officer, Accenture
2:30 PM: Panel—The New Career Ladder: Navigating Advancement When AI Redraws the Rungs
Sudhir Kondisetty (Moderator) | Principal, RSM
Kiran Vuppu | CIO, TD Bank U.S.
Marty DeGroot | CTO, DuPont
Sara Gao | Director, Global Corporate Partnerships, Wharton Exec Education
Ron Kim | Independent AI & Tech Advisor | Former CTO, Merck
3:20 PM: Break
3:35 PM: Mindfulness Session
Laura Flessner | Founder & CEO, Mindtap LLC
3:55 PM: Fireside Chat—From Campus to C-Suite: Building the Pipeline of Asian American Leaders
Dr. David Cole | President & CEO, Science History Institute (SHI)
Subir Sahu | SVP, Student Success & Enrollment Management, Drexel
4:30 PM: Break — Group Photo
4:45 PM: Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session 1 (Junior to Mid-Level Professionals)—Human Sustainability at Speed: Growth and Wellbeing in the AI Era
Niralee Patel (Moderator) | Owner & Chief Wellness Officer, Collagen for Her
Steven Pham | Managing Director, Deal Advisory & Strategy, KPMG
Mia Nixon | Founder, AI for Girls Enterprise Foundation
Dan Wu | Associate R&D/TS&D Director, Dow
Breakout Session 2 (All Professionals)—Elevator Pitch Workshop: What AI Can’t Steal: Your Story
Kim Kusumoto (Moderator) | VP, Community Partnerships, Ascend Greater Philadelphia
Breakout Session 3 (Senior/Executive Professionals)—Keeping the Human Edge: How Leaders Scale AI and Strengthen Their People
Grace Francisco (Moderator) | Founder, Philly Builds AI
Victor Zhu | Global Head, Model Portfolio Management, Vanguard
Dr. Amrit Gill | VP, Global Head of Pharmacovigilance, Opella
Rachid Kante | Partner, Data Risk, PwC
5:35 PM: Closing Remarks
Ron Kim | Independent AI & Tech Advisor | Former CTO, Merck
5:50 PM: Networking, Food, and Beverages + Museum Tour
7:45 PM: Conference Ends
Time Zone: Eastern
Please read the Ascend Terms of Registration and Participation carefully.
