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.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0-2.jpg)
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.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/1.jpg)
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.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2.jpg)
Honoree Harry Shum with his wife, Ka Yan.
![Honoree Christopher Kodama](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/3.jpg)
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.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/4.jpg)
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.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/5.jpg)
Honoree Jonathan Sposato with his mom, Helena Eng.
![Honoree Min Christ with daughter Mia.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/6.jpg)
Honoree Min Christ with daughter Mia.
![Honoree Andy Liu with his wife, Diane.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/7.jpg)
Honoree Andy Liu with his wife, Diane.
![Master of Ceremonies KING 5 anchor Sula Kim.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/10.jpg)
Master of Ceremonies KING 5 anchor Sula Kim.
![Honoree Jeffrey Hattori waves to his fellow honorees during his acceptance speech.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/9.jpg)
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.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/8.jpg)
Markham McIntyre, senior director of government relations for the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, an event sponsor.
![Awards for the honorees.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/22a.jpg)
Awards for the honorees.
![Honoree Min Christ waves hello when she’s introduced at the beginning of the night.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/11.jpg)
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).](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/13.jpg)
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).](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/15.jpg)
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)](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/16.jpg)
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).](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/17.jpg)
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).](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/18.jpg)
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).](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/19.jpg)
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).](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20.jpg)
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).](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/21.jpg)
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.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/24.jpg)
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.](https://nwasianweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/23.jpg)
Guests had their tablets and phones out when the honorees congregated on stage for a group photo.