Since 1997, the Northwest Asian Weekly has recognized individuals who have not only exemplified greatness in their work but who are also forward-thinking innovators. We celebrate visionaries and pioneers. For the first time this year, we focused on technology and innovation, a field in which many APIs excel in this field. We chose honorees who exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and leadership.
Photos by Daniel Nguyen and George Liu
The banquet room was packed with 330 guests.
Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s chief of staff Michael Fong talks to Seatac City Councilmember Peter Kwon (right) and Port Commissioner Fred Felleman.
Honoree Harry Shum with his wife, Ka Yan.
Honoree Christopher Kodama
From left: Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area Executive Director Jessa Timmer, Vice President & External Affairs Manager for Union Bank (event sponsor) Tim Otani, and Neighborhood House Executive Director Mark Okazaki.
Honoree Jonathan Sposato with his mom, Helena Eng.
Honoree Min Christ with daughter Mia.
Honoree Andy Liu with his wife, Diane.
Master of Ceremonies KING 5 anchor Sula Kim.
Honoree Jeffrey Hattori waves to his fellow honorees during his acceptance speech.
Markham McIntyre, senior director of government relations for the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, an event sponsor.
Awards for the honorees.
Honoree Min Christ waves hello when she’s introduced at the beginning of the night.
From left: Award presenter and sponsor representative Meng Lo (Aegis), honoree Geeman Yip (BitTitan), and honoree introducer Dan Shih (candidate for 43rd legislative district).
From left: Award presenter and sponsor representative Michael Christ (SECO Development), honoree Jonathan Sposato (Geekwire, PicMonkey), and honoree introducer Michael Fong (Chief of Staff for Mayor Ed Murray).
From left: Award presenter Ellen Abellera (Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs), honoree Anthony Armada (Providence, Swedish Health Services), and honoree introducer Florence Chang (MultiCare)
From left: Award presenter and event sponsor representative Ben Zhang (Greater China), honoree Andy Liu (VIZIO), and honoree introducer James Wong (Solterra).
From left: Award presenter and event sponsor representative Daryl Campbell (Goodwill), honoree Min Christ (Global Incubation Center), and honoree introducer Conrad Lee (City of Bellevue).
From left: Award presenter and event table captain Elsie Taniguchi (JACL), honoree Chris Kodama (MultiCare Connected Care), and honoree introducer and event sponsor representative Yanyun Wu (Bloodworks Northwest).
From left: Award presenter and sponsor representative Tien Ha (HACT Construction), honoree Jeffrey Hattori (Keiro Northwest), honoree introducer and sponsor representative Nate Miles (Lilly).
From left: Award presenter and event sponsor representative Charles Herrmann (Herrmann Scholbe), honoree Harry Shum (Microsoft), and honoree introducer and sponsor representative Ming Zhang (MZA Architecture).
A guest won the lucky draw at the end of the evening. He received a silk orchid.
Guests had their tablets and phones out when the honorees congregated on stage for a group photo.