Good evening, everyone, and welcome to this year’s APABA-DC Annual Gala! It’s such a joy to be here with all of you tonight. I am filled with gratitude and excitement for what this evening represents: a celebration of our community, our resilience, and most importantly, the bright future we are all working on and striving to build together.

I’m deeply honored to stand before you tonight, not just as President of this incredible organization, but as someone whose journey reflects the collective spirit of this community.

My parents immigrated to this country from Taiwan in the 1960’s, with hopes of building a better life. I was the first in my family to be born here in the U.S., the first and only Asian American student in my class throughout school growing up in a tiny suburb outside Philadelphia, and the first to attend law school. Back then, there were very few APA law students — I was but one of a very small handful. I had to start an APA law student association because there wasn’t one. We’ve come a long way since then, but those early experiences of being "the first" and "the only" stayed with me throughout my career.

Over the last three decades, I’ve been the only APA female litigator on the team, the only or one of a small number of APA female in-house counsel on corporate teams or in governmental law departments, and the only or one of a small number of APA female members of C-suites or private and public company boards, navigating a world where there were none or at best very few who looked like me or shared my experiences. That feeling of being "the first" – "the only" – "the other" (and sometimes all three) is something many of us in this room understand all too well. And yet we persist, and sometimes – despite the obstacles in our way - we rise.

But tonight, I want to focus not on the challenges we’ve faced, but on the hope and determination that have driven us forward. Because we are more than what others expect of us, more than the limitations people try to place on us. We are constantly striving for something better—not just for our own careers, but for our families, our community, and for those who come after us. We continue to reach higher and stretch further because we know that while we’ve made progress, we cannot stop. We owe it to ourselves, to our families, to each other, and to the generations to come to keep pushing, to keep striving for more.

This past year, we’ve faced challenges—individually and as a society—that could have divided or discouraged us. Instead, however, they have shown us just how powerful we can be when we unite. We are not just here to reflect on where we’ve been, but to be inspired by what lies ahead—by what we can accomplish when we come together with shared purpose and hope.

Tonight, as I look around this room, I see leaders, mentors, colleagues, and friends. I see the strength of our collective will to uplift each other, to create opportunities, and to fight for justice and equality. Every one of you represents a piece of the greater tapestry that makes our community vibrant and strong. It is in this unity that we find our greatest potential.

Our work is far from done, but together, we can accomplish anything. We have the power to shape the future—not just for ourselves, but for those who follow even as they forge their own paths. Imagine the impact we can make by mentoring the next wave of APA attorneys, by advocating for greater representation in leadership, and by standing together for the values of fairness, equity, and inclusion. This is our time.

I am filled with optimism because I know the power of our community. We are resilient, yes—but more than that, we are builders. We are creators of change, agents of progress. When we lift each other up, when we support and empower one another, there is no limit to what we can achieve.

So tonight, let’s celebrate not just where we’ve been, but where we’re going. Let this evening be a reminder of the incredible possibilities that lie ahead when we stand together. Let it renew our commitment to the work we do, the people we serve, and the future we are shaping.

The future is bright because of you—because of all of us. Together, we will continue to rise, to thrive, and to create a world where our shared dreams of justice and equity become reality.

Thank you all for being part of this journey. Let’s make this a night of celebration, inspiration, and joy for the future we will create together!

Angeline G. Chen, 2024-2025 APABA-DC President