The 2025 CIE-SEA Annual Convention and Asian American Luminary Awards Ceremony is set to convene an exceptional lineup of technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries for a day of high-impact discussions, networking, and recognition. As part of this year’s program, a premier panel will spotlight the transformative power of AI, blockchain, and decentralized systems across industries.
📍 Location: Hilton Bellevue, 300 112th Ave SE, Bellevue, WA 98004.
🗓 Date & Time: Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 10:00AM PST to 12:00PM PST
This panel is hosted in partnership with B.E.L.L.E (Boundless; Entrepreneurship; Liberty; Liaison; Empowerment) — a global community dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. To date, B.E.L.L.E has connected 20,000+ people, supported over 600 startups, and helped its network collectively raise more than $1 billion in funding. Their mission: break boundaries, build futures, and expand opportunities for founders worldwide.
A Powerhouse Panel of Innovators#
The conversation will feature six accomplished leaders shaping the future of technology and business:
- Dorothy Nanyan Li – Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, leading AI innovation across Microsoft’s Security portfolio. Former CTO at Convoy and VP at AWS & Amazon, with over two decades in global product leadership, multiple patents, and a track record of enterprise transformation.
- Yifan Zhang – Managing Director at AI2 Incubator, 2x CEO and exited founder of Loftium and GymPact, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and strategic voice in affordable housing, AI innovation, and startup acceleration.
- Anna Hong – Co-founder & CEO of B.E.L.L.E, serial tech entrepreneur, Venture Partner at Aves Venture, and startup advisor with cross-sector expertise spanning engineering, venture capital, and founder ecosystem building.
- Robert Mao – Founder & CEO of ArcBlock, creator of AIGNE, blockchain and decentralized identity (DID) pioneer, and former Microsoft Researcher.
- Greg Coquillo – Product Leader at AWS, leading AI/ML adoption for Media Automation, two-time LinkedIn Top Voice in AI, Data Science, Tech & Innovation, and early-stage investor.
- Lenka Huang – Lead AI Strategist at Qurrent, Co-founder of B.E.L.L.E, and enterprise AI adoption specialist with prior leadership roles at Zynga, Meta, and Moody’s.
Robert Mao — Championing the Next Wave of Decentralized AI#
During the event, ArcBlock founder, Robert Mao will bring a unique perspective on how blockchain, digital identity, and AI agents intersect to create privacy-first, developer-centric solutions. As the creator of AIGNE, an agentic ecosystem for building autonomous multi-agent systems, Robert is enabling developers to craft decentralized AI applications that work seamlessly across environments — from browser to cloud — while preserving user control over data.
His contributions to the field include 30+ research papers, patents, and two books on blockchain technology, alongside pioneering work in social computing during his time at Microsoft Research. During the panel, Robert is expected to share insights on:
- Why Decentralized Identity is foundational for securing and scaling AI systems
- How multi-agent architectures can unlock new levels of automation and collaboration
- The role ArcBlock is playing in delivering practical, enterprise-ready decentralized AI solutions
Why You Should Attend#
The CIE-SEA Convention and Luminary Awards offer a rare opportunity to hear directly from leaders at the cutting edge of technology and entrepreneurship. Attendees can expect:
- Actionable insights from founders, executives, and investors with proven track records
- Networking opportunities with peers and potential partners across diverse industries
- A front-row seat to discussions on the tools, frameworks, and strategies shaping the next decade of innovation
🎟 Secure Your Spot Today: Register Now
ArcBlock is proud to stand alongside this distinguished panel. Join us in Seattle for an inspiring exchange of ideas and a celebration of innovation, community, and leadership.