ASPIRE
Asian Professionals for Innovation, Resilience, and Excellence
Creating vibrant platforms for diverse professionals to connect, share knowledge, and advance.
About ASPIRE
Where Innovation Meets Community
ASPIRE is a dynamic ecosystem of over 4,000 Asian professionals, entrepreneurs, and changemakers dedicated to three core pillars: Innovation, Resilience, and Excellence.
We are more than just a network; we are a bridge between ambition and achievement. Through our signature ASPIRE Conversation Series, we curate monthly dialogues with the pioneers shaping our future—from STEAM experts and surgeons to deep-tech founders and literary icons.
Whether you are scaling a startup or navigating a corporate career, ASPIRE provides the platform to connect with like-minded peers, gain cross-industry insights, and grow alongside the leaders of tomorrow.
Learn More About Us
Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendars: The 2026 Conversation Series
Our signature events return this year with a fresh lineup of industry disruptors, STEAM pioneers, and thought leaders. While we finalize the speakers for our 2026 season, be sure to lock these dates in your diary now.
ASPIRE Lunar New Year: Cocktails & Conversation with Melissa Leong - Thursday 5 March 2026 at 6pm, Melbourne CBD.
Gold Logie-nominated TV personality and food icon, Melissa Leong has become a household name through MasterChef Australia. Melissa details the people, events and meals that have shaped her life – from her struggles with racism and identity as a first-generation Singaporean Chinese woman, to confronting the realities of a flawed hospitality industry, to finding her voice and doing things her own way.
Limited tickets available. Secure your ticket
Save the Dates:
- Thursday, 28 May 2026
- Thursday, 30 July 2026
- Thursday, 24 September 2026
- Thursday, 26 November 2026
Past Events
View our past events
ASPIRE Social Networking & AI Panel Event
October 23, 2025
5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Museum of Chinese Australian History, Melbourne, VictoriaAbout Event Join us for ASPIRE Social Networking Event & AI Panel Conversation. Meet new people, expand your network, and […]
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ASPIRE Conversation / Journey to Achievement Series- The Art of the Balancing Act: Law, Literature & Life
September 18, 20255:30 PM to 9:00 PMChinese Museum, 22 Cohen Place, MelbourneAbout Event Professionals are constantly juggling the differing – and sometimes conflicting – demands of their careers, their families, and […]
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AI to Impact: Innovation through Entrepreneurship
September 1, 20256:30 PM to 8:00 PMThe StudioWHAT IS IT Presented by AIBuild and ASPIRE (Asian Professionals for Innovation, Resilience, and Excellence), this panel explores how AI […]
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Featured Panel Members
Meet ASPIRE past/current/upcoming distinguished panel members and industry experts
Alex Wong
Colorectal Surgeon
Colorectal Surgeon About Mr Alex Wong MBBS (Melb) FRACS Qualifications and Experience After graduating from The University of Melbourne, Mr Wong became […]
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Alice Pung
Award-Winning Author and Lawyer, Journey to Achievement
Senior Project Officer, Adjunct Professor About I have almost two decades experience as a senior legal analyst and senior project […]
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Anita Goh
Interim Director at National Ageing Research Institute
Clinician | Scientist | A/Professor | Board Director | Superstar of STEM | Homeward Bound | AAG Board | Royal […]
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Brian Ang
Cataract & Glaucoma Surgeon
Glaucoma Specialist and Cataract Surgeon | Melbourne Eye Specialists | Vision Eye Institute Footscray | Co-Founder Nutravision About I am […]
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Brian Pham
Founder at Lite Card
Founder of Litecard | Helping brands reach customers using a new channel, the mobile wallet 🎯 About Managing director at […]
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Cathy Yang
Managing Partner at Mindspace Consulting
Multicultural Psychology | Digital Mental Health | Psycho-education | International Students Wellbeing | Entrepreneurship | VC in Mental Health Award-winning […]
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Christopher Kong
Founder at Crouching Tiger Network
Helping Technical Experts & Introverts to Master Tricky Work Situations | 40 under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian About Avoiding tough […]
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Ethan Yong
Founder & CEO at Umami Papi
Founder & CEO | UmamiPapi 🌶️ | Making Food Tasty with Chilli Oil & Mayo About Disciplined and inspired entrepreneur […]
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Gabriel Gichuhi
Founder & CEO at Kanvo & Splana
About At Splana, my focus lies in guiding NDIS providers through the complexities of business growth and impactful service delivery. […]
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Hong Zhu
GIES President, Department of IE at University of Melbourne
Ph.D. candidate in Geotechnical Engineering About PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne. Focus on deploying drag anchors to floating […]
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Join the ASPIRE Community
Your Network is Your Net Worth
Are you ready to expand your professional horizon? Joining ASPIRE means plugging into one of Melbourne’s most dynamic ecosystems of over 4,000 professionals, founders, and STEAM experts. It is where ambition meets opportunity.
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