Embracing the New Year, Forging Ahead Together. As the curtain rises on 2026, four premier professional organizations in the Greater Washington area — USIA/GWEC, CAST-DC, SAPA-DC, and CAUCC— are proud to join forces to host this signature annual event. Themed "Career Resilience and Inspiration, Innovation and Investment in a New Era," this forum aims to unite professionals, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs. We have invited distinguished guest speakers to share their valuable experiences, offering guidance on navigating career breakthroughs. This event is a catalyst for innovative thinking, high-level networking, and resource sharing.
Agenda:
09:30 – 09:45 开场致辞 (Opening Remarks)
09:45 – 10:00 特邀嘉宾致辞 (Special Guest Remarks)
10:00 – 10:25 主题演讲一: 汪蓉(Keynote I: Dr. Grace Wang)
10:25 – 10:50 主题演讲二: 张丹博士(Keynote II: Dr. Dan Zhang)
10:50 – 11:15 主题演讲三: 苗英伟先生(Keynote III: Mr. Yingwei Miao)
11:15 – 11:40 主题演讲四: 朱光烁博士(Keynote IV: Dr. Alan Zhu)
11:40 – 12:30 主办团体讯息交流
12:30 – 14:30 午餐及自由交流 (Lunch & Networking)
Speaker 1: Grace Wang, Ph.D (Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting)
Grace Wang is a Managing Director at Deloitte Consulting, specializing in Private Equity and Strategic Growth, with a focus on the full lifecycle management of cross-border M&A. As the first East Asian partner in the history of Deloitte US Consulting's M&A practice, and formerly the only East Asian female leader in the same field at KPMG, she possesses extensive experience and exceptional leadership in the M&A sector, serving as a role model for Asian women in the global consulting industry.
Speaker 2: Dan Zhang, Ph.D (CEO, Fountain Medical Development Ltd)
Dr. Dan Zhang is a co-founder and co-Chairman of the Board for Hillgene Biotech Inc., a leading cellular-therapy CDMO company in China. He is also a co-founder and board member of ClinChoice, a clinical CRO with over 4000 employees globally across the USA, EU, Canada, Japan, UK, India, and Greater China. Previously, Dr. Zhang was the Head of Clinical Development and Safety Assessment at Sigma-Tau Research Inc, Vice President of Quintiles Transnational Corp (now IQVIA), and Chairman of the Board of Quintiles Greater China. Dr. Zhang serves as a senior consultant to the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, and the NMPA. He is a member of the ICH E19 Expert Working Group and a board member of 3SBio (HKSE listed). Dr. Zhang received his pre-med training from Peking University, his M.D. from Peking Union Medical College, his MPH in biostatistics from the Harvard School of Public Health, and his Master’s in Healthcare Management from the Wharton Business School (UPenn).
Speaker 3: Yingwei Miao (Chairman, Beijing Shuangchuang Street Holdings)
Yingwei Miao is the Chairman of Beijing Shuangchuang Street Holdings Co., Ltd. He holds a Master's degree in Software Engineering from Beihang University and is a Senior Engineer. He is a member of the China Association for Promoting Democracy (CAPD). Currently, Mr. Miao serves as the Founder of Beijing Shuangkong Venture Capital Management Co., Ltd., Secretary-General of the Science, Technology, Medicine and Health Committee of the 15th Central Committee of the CAPD, and Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Working Committee of the China Association for Productivity Promotion Centers. He holds numerous leadership roles including Executive Vice President of the Beijing Heilongjiang Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, National Youth Entrepreneurship Mentor, and is a member of the Zhongguancun 100 Entrepreneur Club. Previously, he was the Chairman of Huadian Education and a recipient of the Beijing Haidian District May Fourth Youth Medal. Notably, he co-founded the Mundell International University of Entrepreneurship with former NPC Vice Chairman Xu Jialu and Nobel Laureate Robert Mundell, serving as a board member.
Speaker 4: Alan Zhu
Dr. Zhu completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and completing his Doctor of Public Health in Health Economics from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Since arriving in the United States in 2006, he has focused on innovative cardiovascular research, publishing more than 30 papers in top journals such as Nature, Circulation, and The Journal of Clinical Investigation. He has been invited to speak at major scientific conferences including the American Heart Association (AHA) and serves as a peer reviewer for multiple international cardiovascular journals.
As former Director of the Hemodynamics Core Laboratory at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Zhu led research collaborations with Pfizer, Merck, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, contributing to the advancement of several cardiovascular therapeutics into clinical development. He co-developed the innovative heart-failure drug Cardioxyl, later acquired by BMS for $700 million, and subsequently founded UHI BioCapital, an early-stage healthcare investment firm.
Committed to advancing global biomedical innovation, Dr. Zhu actively builds bridges between leading U.S. academic institutions and Asia, promoting translational medicine, clinical collaboration, and cross-border technology transfer. He previously served as President of the Chinese Association for Medical Professionals (USA), fostering academic exchange and international partnership.
The 2026 Greater Washington Area Four Professional Associations’ New Year Gala and Career Forum will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, at Montgomery College Rockville in the Science Center Building, Room SW301 (51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD 20850). The program features a comprehensive schedule including lunch and dedicated networking sessions. For further inquiries or registration details, please contact the organizers via email at gwecinfo@us-sino-ia.org or by phone at (240) 875-0546.
A Report on the Successful 2026 Greater Washington Four-Organization Lunar New Year Gala & Career Forum**
After New Year’s Day 2026, the DMV region had been shrouded in cold, gloomy weather. Yet on the morning of January 10, a gentle, lingering rain began to fall. Although the Lunar New Year was still more than a month away, this soft rain nourished not only the earth, but also people’s hearts.
While many were still enjoying the first weekend morning after the holiday, volunteers from the Sino‑US Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance, the DC Chapter of the Chinese Association for Science and Technology (CAST‑DC), the DC Chapter of the Sino‑American Pharmaceutical Professionals Association (SAPA‑DC), and the Chinese‑American Chamber of Commerce had already begun preparing the venue for the 2026 Greater Washington Lunar New Year Gala & Career Forum. Outside, the rain pattered softly; inside, volunteers bustled with energy. The contrast in mood and rhythm formed a lively overture to the day.
A Festive Opening
Before long, the venue was glowing with red decorations and filled with vibrant energy. It truly felt like a scene of “ten thousand horses galloping forward” to welcome the Year of the Horse. The host, Dr. Yingxia Yang, invited guests to take their seats as a video played on the wall, with messages such as:
“Chasing dreams — our footsteps never stop.”
“Creating brilliance — our arms rise in celebration.”
“Igniting passion — we unleash our full energy.”
“Forging ahead — united, we build the future.”
“Soaring upward — together we write a new chapter.”
“Sharing glory — together we witness success.”
These scenes naturally drew every attendee into the grand, uplifting atmosphere of the coming Lunar New Year.
Dr. Qiyu Qiu, President of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance, then announced the official opening of the 2026 Gala and Career Forum on behalf of the four organizations. He recalled that it was here, one year ago, that the Greater Washington Entrepreneurship Club was founded. In just one year, the club had become one of the most active forces in the DMV, providing high‑quality services and contributing significantly to regional innovation, economic vitality, and U.S.–China technological collaboration.
Remarks from Distinguished Guests
Minister‑Counselor Guolin Zhou of the Chinese Embassy delivered remarks next. He wished for everlasting friendship between China and the United States, noting that President Trump’s planned visit to China this year was a positive sign. He emphasized both the opportunities and challenges brought by AI, urging that AI development be guided toward “better, faster, and more efficient” outcomes for humanity.
He praised the Greater Washington Chinese community as one of the most highly educated and accomplished in the nation, especially in science and technology. He commended the organizations for promoting AI education and developing AI applications in biomedicine, saying the embassy would always support their innovation and entrepreneurship efforts. He concluded with: “Forge ahead like a leading horse; gallop forward with the spirit of the dragon‑horse; may success come swiftly!”
Maryland State Delegate Lily Qi, the first Chinese‑born delegate elected in the state, spoke next. She noted that due to federal budget cuts, 2026 would be an extremely difficult year for Maryland, with reduced funding, canceled programs, and layoffs. In such a climate, she said, the Chinese community’s innovation and entrepreneurship efforts were a tremendous help — and the state would fully support them.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, recently returned from China, shared reflections on his visits to Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen. He praised their remarkable achievements and expressed his commitment to strengthening county‑level cooperation with Chinese local governments while supporting innovation within the county’s Chinese community.
Dr. Yang Yu, Chair of the Maryland Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, delivered official New Year greetings and commendations on behalf of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State, recognizing the Alliance and Entrepreneurship Club for their outstanding contributions.
Maryland State Senator Clarence K. Lam also offered congratulations, echoing the themes of earlier speakers.
Keynote Speeches from Three Distinguished Guests
In an era of rapid AI development and global uncertainty, the forum’s theme carried deep relevance. Three keynote speakers — each from different backgrounds — shared their personal journeys and insights.
1. Ms. Rong Wang — Partner & Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting
As the first East Asian partner in Deloitte’s U.S. M&A practice, Ms. Wang delivered a talk titled “Beyond Labels: The Upwind Journey of Chinese‑American Leaders.”
She emphasized:
Understanding the political, social, and cultural context of the U.S.
Overcoming internal barriers and expanding one’s professional space
Building strong expertise and consistently creating value
Developing “soft power” through deep understanding of team dynamics and project context
Strengthening communication and collaboration — not only with peers and subordinates, but also with supervisors through clear, strategic reporting
Her talk resonated deeply with the audience and received enthusiastic applause.
2. Mr. Yingwei Miao — Chairman, Shuangchuangjie Holdings (via video)
Mr. Miao leads a company that manages over 30 incubators in China, hosting more than 1,800 startups, and operates its own investment arm. His talk, “New Shifts in Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the AI Era,” highlighted:
Disruptive technologies as drivers of nonlinear economic growth
AI as the catalyst of a fourth industrial revolution
Major societal impacts, including:
Large‑scale unemployment
Widening wealth gaps
Supply‑demand imbalance
Potential instability in human‑machine relationships
Risks such as declining human capability and anti‑human outcomes
He also emphasized AI’s transformative potential in industries such as electric vehicles, generative AI, and neuroscience.
His call to action: “AI replacing humans is inevitable — we must face it with courage, pride, and a spirit of adventure.”
He also announced plans to expand incubator operations to Maryland.
3. Dr. Guangshuo Zhu — Director, Hopkins Asian Translational Medicine Center
Dr. Zhu, originally a cardiologist from Inner Mongolia, shared his journey from medical research to translational medicine and venture investment. His talk, “Bridging Two Worlds: Building a Global Translational Medicine Ecosystem,” centered on the concept of “translation”:
Translating basic research into clinical applications
Translating scientific discoveries into products
Integrating U.S. innovation and regulatory rigor with Asian engineering strength, flexible regulation, and emerging markets
His vision: enabling more patients to benefit from cutting‑edge science and enjoy healthier, brighter lives.
These three powerful talks formed a grand symphonic movement — inspiring, thought‑provoking, and emotionally stirring.
Four Organizations Envision 2026
CAST‑DC President Dr. Haifeng Qian reviewed the chapter’s achievements in 2025, including:
Leadership transition
Youth science programs
The annual Rob Shen lecture series
Sponsorship of the “Washington Night” summer concert
Hosting the 33rd CAST Annual Conference
Strengthening collaboration with the New York chapter
Supporting the nomination of Mr. Weimin Yan for 2027 CAST President
He announced that the board would soon meet to plan for 2026.
SAPA‑DC President Dr. Chuanwen Lu highlighted the success of their 2026 scientific forum and annual meeting, and expressed plans to expand and strengthen the organization.
Chinese‑American Chamber of Commerce Chairman Jianguo Yu acknowledged the diversity of member industries and the challenges of coordination, but emphasized the Chamber’s commitment to working closely with the other organizations.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Alliance President Yubin Ye and Entrepreneurship Club President Rongtao Xu shared a joint vision.
The Entrepreneurship Club, though only one year old, had:
Focused on AI education and application development
Hosted six lectures and two workshops on AI in biomedicine
Organized restaurant visits for startups to exchange lessons and build resilience
Supported major events across the four organizations
Looking ahead to 2026:
Series II of “AI Empowering the Future” will begin on February 4, with a talk on AI in Quantitative Trading
The major undertaking of the year will be a regional entrepreneurship competition, requiring extensive coordination across alumni associations, government agencies, and business groups
Organizational adjustments were also announced to support the growing workload.
The vision for 2026 can be summarized in two words: “Cohesion” and “Focus.”
A Warm and Delicious Lunch
A heartfelt thanks went to Ms. Sumei Ji and the Asian Angels Volunteer Alliance, whose meticulous service ensured that every attendee enjoyed a delicious lunch. These dedicated volunteers were the first to arrive and the last to leave.
A Unique and Joyful Raffle
At 1:00 PM, the raffle began, featuring appealing prizes:
First Prize: Air fryer
Second Prize (2 winners): Induction frying pan
Third Prize (6 winners): Boxed chocolates
Leaders from the four organizations and other community groups were invited to draw winners and introduce their organizations. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and festive cheer — like a warm family gathering.
New Ideas, New Connections, New Beginnings
After the raffle, attendees formed small groups to network. New ideas, collaborations, and ventures may well have been born in those conversations. As 2026 quietly began, one could almost hear the “Radetzky March” echoing through the hall.
“Together on a new journey, painting a new blueprint — let us set out together!”
