On July 12th, the Elite Leaders Exchange Conference, organized by the Flushing Chinese Business Association (FCBA), the New York City Police Department Asian American Police Executives Association (NYPD AAPEX), and the Ge Xing Cultural Foundation, was held in Flushing. The event aimed to inspire Asian students to pursue their dreams and broaden their horizons by inviting three outstanding Asian professionals from academic, legal, law enforcement, and business fields to share their experiences of overcoming challenges as immigrants and transforming into exemplary figures in society.
The event, organized by the Youth Leaders Volunteer Group of the Chinese Business Association, aimed to help Asian high school students learn from role models, cultivate leadership skills, and foster a spirit of social engagement. The three distinguished Asian professionals invited were Veritas founder and CEO Ashveena Gajeelee, New York State Supreme Court Justice Hon. Karen Lin, and Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Police Department’s Traffic Bureau Sylvester Ge.
Originally from Mauritius in East Africa, Ashveena Gajeelee holds a Master in Public Administration (MPA) from the Harvard Kennedy School and was a Fulbright Scholar. She emphasized that leadership is not just about positions but a way of behaving. She encouraged students to believe in themselves, stay firm in their convictions, and maintain passion even when not fully understood. Viewing past doubts as “reverse motivation,” she urged young people to stand steadfast in their goals amidst uncertainties.
Judge Karen Lin, who hails from Taiwan, is the first Asian American female judge in New York State. With decades of experience in public legal services and a commitment to youth advocacy, she stressed the importance of representation for social equity. She stated, “What we do is not just paving the way for ourselves but opening doors for future generations.” She urged Asian students to confidently express and represent themselves, enhance their visibility in society, and build constructive social networks to deepen their understanding of social justice and the legal system in preparation for the future.
Sylvester Ge migrated from Shanghai, China to the United States at the age of 14. Over nearly thirty years of hard work, starting from language barriers to academic achievements, he rose from the grassroots level to become a one-star Deputy Chief Inspector. Leading a team of diverse cultural backgrounds, he promoted modernization in traffic management and a culture of diversity in leadership.
Ge stated, “Regardless of background, as long as you have courage and long-term goals, you can bring about change.” He underscored the importance of both professional skills and interpersonal relationships, emphasizing the need to treat subordinates with kindness and respect superiors. He hoped that the exchange would inspire and guide students to integrate into American social life early on.
The head of the Youth Leaders Volunteer Group of the Chinese Business Association, Lin Hao, pointed out that the team regularly organizes the Youth Leaders Summer Camp for outstanding Asian high school students each summer. He believed that American society values not only academic achievements but also whether students possess love, responsibility, and a spirit of service. Through such discussions, he hoped to inspire students to explore their interests and plan their career development early on.