Presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated significant accomplishment in advocating minority business enterprise as an economic force in the global economy.
Advocate of the Year is presented to Chiling Tong, President and CEO of the Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (ACE). Ms. Tong also serves as a co-chairperson of the Coalition of Asian American Business Organizations. Through a network of 23 Chambers, CAABO reaches thousands of Asian businesses across the country to facilitate the expansion of Asian firms to increase participation in emerging industries, increase procurement and contract opportunities, and gain access to global supply chains of major corporations. As the Director of California’s Office of Trade and Investment in Taipei, she worked with small and minority businesses to help them increase their exports to global market. She also worked for the California State Senate, Office of Public Affairs as the Chief Asian American Affairs Advisor and was appointed by President Bush as Commissioner of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. She has received numerous awards for her dedication and volunteer work in the APA community including the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award and the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
Chiling Tong, President and CEO
District of Columbia