Episode 27: Anchored in Heritage, Driven by Purpose

How do leaders honor where a company comes from while preparing it for where it’s going? In this episode of API Futures, recorded live at Ascend Engage 2026, Ascend President Anna Mok sits down with Board Director Jenny Ming and Chief Financial and Growth Officer at Levi Strauss & Co. Harmit Singh to unpack the connection between heritage, identity, and purposeful leadership.

Building on a conversation that began in The Living Room, they share perspectives on staying true to a company’s roots while responding to changing consumers, markets, and expectations. The conversation explores how corporate directors and executives can build inclusive cultures, lead with empathy and authenticity, and empower the next generation to shape what comes next.