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Ascend North Texas
Inspiring Across Generations

Leading with Resilience: From Disruption to Distinction

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Event Details

Date: Friday, October 10, 2025

Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM CT follows with Happy Hour

Venue: TIAA Headquarters, 3965 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75034​

Admission:

•    Ascend Members: $125
•    Non-Ascend Members: $140
•    Registration + Annual Membership Combo: $175

Attire: Business Casual

Description

The Ascend North Texas Chapter is excited to host our annual Inspiring Across Generations (IAG) Conference at the TIAA HQ in Frisco! We invite you to connect with industry leaders, participate in impactful workshops and network with like-minded professionals. Please join us to lead with resilience!

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Professional Headshots by Shoott will be graciously sponsored by KPMG.

Agenda

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Welcome Breakfast, Networking, Registration

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM

Opening Remarks & Event Kickoff

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Connect & Cultivate – Luncheon

1:30 PM - 1:45 PM

Wellness Moment: Mindful Movement & Recharge

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM

Appreciation & Recognition

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM

Conference Reflections

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Engage & Connect: Networking at TIAA

Panel #1: Leadership Equation: Disruption + Vision = Distinction

Panel #1: Leadership Equation: Disruption +Vision=Distinction
A session designed to inspire and challenge how we think about leadership in today’s dynamic world. Leadership is no longer just about guiding teams or achieving goals—it’s about embracing disruption as a catalyst for change, crafting a bold vision, and transforming challenges into opportunities that create lasting impact. Whether you're navigating uncertainty, fostering collaboration, or driving transformation, this equation provides a valuable framework for evolving your leadership approach and standing out in a rapidly changing environment. Let’s redefine what it means to lead with purpose, resilience, and clarity in a world of constant change.

Speaker

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Abid Abedi

CEO

iCode

Moderator

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Chintan Thakkar

Managing Director

R&C -Regulatory

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Caren K. Lock

Managing Director

TIAA

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Jenna Liao

Partner

Crowe

Speaker

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Neena Newberry

Chief Executive Officer

Newberry Solutions

Panel #2: Evolving Technology & Future Growth Strategies

Panel #2: Evolving Technology & Future Growth Strategies
Technology is reshaping the way we live, work and grow businesses. From AI and automation to new waves of digital transformation, organizations face a unique challenge: how to embrace innovation while staying grounded in stability, ethics, and people.

This panel brings together leaders from across industries to share how they are navigating these shifts. Expect real-world examples, lessons learned and candid insights about what’s hype, what’s here to stay and what’s next.

Speaker

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Bhaskar Lokanathan

Global Startup Development Lead

Microsoft

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Shanthi Rajaram

CEO & President

Amazech Solutions

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Nick Russell

Managing Director

Protiviti

Moderator

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Zain Ali

Associate Professor

TCU

BRG Leadership Forum - Impact Luncheon

BRG Leadership Forum
The BRG Leaders Impact Luncheon at Ascend North Texas’ Inspiring Across Generations conference is a dynamic gathering of inclusion champions from across the Metroplex. Featuring a panel of seasoned BRG leaders from Sixth Street, KPMG, and TIAA, this interactive session will spotlight cross-company collaboration, best practices, and the power of community-driven leadership. This is an ideal opportunity to connect with counterparts, share and build out joint plan for combined impact.

Speaker

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Burton Chen

Vice President

Sixth Street

Speaker

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Vishal Goel

Senior Manager

KPMG

Speaker

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Rohitha Vaddi

Director

TIAA

Moderator

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Lumia Zaman

Senior Director

CBRE

Panel #3: Multi-generational Workforce – Future Forward

Panel 3: Multi-generational workforce - Future Forward
Today’s workforce spans multiple generations, each bringing unique perspectives, strengths, and expectations to the table. This engaging panel features diverse voices—from early career professionals to experienced leaders—who will share practical strategies for onboarding, building high-performing teams, and turning generational differences into collaborative advantages. Through real-world insights and candid conversation, panelists will explore how to foster inclusive environments where every generation feels valued and empowered. Whether you're leading a team or just starting out, this session will equip you with tools to navigate generational dynamics and lead with a future-forward mindset.

Speaker

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Ramesh Avula

Partner

AlixPartners

Moderator

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Rachel McKenna

Senior Associate

PwC

Speaker

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Sonali Pahuja

Senior Analyst

Goldman Sachs

Moderator

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Jim Tam

Client Executive

Gartner

Speaker

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Jenny Qin

Director

RSM US LLP

Program Partners

Platinum Sponsor

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Gold Sponsors

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Silver Sponsors

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Bronze Sponsors

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IAG Sponsors

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BRG Leadership Forum Sponsors

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Safety of our guests is paramount to Ascend. Attendees are responsible for monitoring their own condition and agree to comply with the safety, hygiene and CDC identified pandemic level communicable illnesses (including COVID-19) guidelines established by relevant health authorities. We request that attendees not attend an event should they test positive or if they experience COVID symptoms prior to the event.

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