Tag Archives: AAPI

Global Icon Business Leader MacKenzie-Childs Creative Director Rebecca Proctor On Hand to Greet 2014 Barn Sale Visitors

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Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President and Rebecca Proctor, Creative Director of Iconic MacKenzie-Childs Share Their Camaraderie at the Epic 2014 MacKenzie-Childs Barn Sale Venue in Aurora NY, Overlooking Cayuga Lake in the Heart of the Finger Lakes Region in Upstate Central New York.

For over two decades MacKenzie-Childs Creative Director Rebecca Proctor, leads the iconic global brand of the MacKenzie-Childs design team. They introduce upward 700 items each year, emulating the artisan-handpainted pottery creations at its production studios in bucolic Aurora, New York. “We have artists and poets and all kinds of talented people there,” Proctor said of the company, which has its headquarters on a 65 acre farm nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region in Central Upstate New York.

MacKenzie-Childs Creative Director Rebecca Proctor began working with the collection in 1991 and looks back on it as the most incredible opportunity of her life. “I was hired by the founders of MacKenzie-Childs and I got a very interesting inside view of the brand traveling and working with them,” Proctor said. “They left the company in 2001 and then Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl, bought us. I was also excited to work with her. Then in 2008 Rowland sold MacKenzie-Childs to Lee Feldman and Howard Cohen and they are wonderful to work with as well. They’re so supportive of the design process and they’ve really taken a tabletop company to an exciting lifestyle brand.”

Working swiftly and growing every season, the collection went from launching 24 designs a season to an impressive 300 new items. This is no accident. The brand is overflowing with magical qualities just like Proctor herself. Design rules are tossed out the window, patterns are mixed with cheerful spontaneity and the passion of the MacKenzie-Childs collector is unceasing.

“The world is filled with stuff you can find anywhere,” Proctor said. “Our point of view with this brand really sets us apart. Our customers say our designs make them happy. Making people feel good is the core of our mission and it’s really important to me. They come to us for playful creations. We’re the court jester in the room.”

There’s something very regal about the line’s iconic black and white checkerboard pattern called “courtly check.”

“This pattern started as a tiny design accent painted on furniture in the ‘80s,” Proctor said. “In 1993, I started working with the founders on handmade black and white checkered enamel plates. We love handmade things at MacKenzie-Childs because no two are alike. We originally called the pattern ‘roasted marshmallow.’ Now we call it courtly check and it’s become our signature pattern. This pattern has a major place in history and it’s beautiful but at the same time, oddly a neutral.”

In addition to courtly check, MacKenzie-Childs offers a variety of enchanting patterns for enamelware and accessories such as a vibrant flower market pattern and piccadilly ceramics. The Aurora pattern is an homage to the brand’s home-base and production studio that was once a dairy barn in Aurora. “We have highland cattle grazing on our fields and extraordinary gardens. Every window is like a framed piece of art,” Proctor said. “This 65-acre farm is a tremendous source of inspiration for us. We have a fantastic design team with high energy people. Many of them have also been with the brand since 1991. Inspiration is every where. It comes from dinners and conversations with friends and travel as well.”

The latest pattern to take flight in the MacKenzie-Childs family is the butterfly garden enamelware. “This pattern was inspired by the gardens on our property filled with butterflies and we wanted to incorporate all of our other patterns into the butterflies,” Proctor said. “I love to cook and entertain and when you place food on a plate, you want the food to be the star. With the butterfly garden enamelware, the butterflies appear to be fluttering around the plate.”

In addition to charm bracelets and travel accessories, MacKenzie-Childs is now tapping into the young mother’s market. “We’ve introduced a diaper bag, nursery items and baby dishes,” Proctor said. “We also make beautiful, hand-sewn quilts for cribs. It’s a really exciting time for us. Our owners are so open minded, the sky is really the limit for MacKenzie-Childs.” http://www.mackenzie-childs.com Excerpts adapted from the SunSentinel.com article by Joanie Cox-Henry

APAICS Celebrates 20th Annual Gala Honoring Outstanding Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Leadership

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Keynote Speaker George Takei, Actor of Star Trek Fame Sulu and Mary Ho, President of the China Millennium Council Discuss the Critical Importance of Civic Engagement and Social Equity & Justice for the Asian American Pacific Islanders Community.

Master and Mistress of Ceremonies Paul Song, M.D. Biotechnology Executive and Lisa Ling, Executive Producer and Host of Our America on OWN Oprah Winfrey Network Reminisce Earlier Days with Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President at the APAICS Twentieth Annual Awards Gala.

U.S. Department of Interior and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Salutes New Commissioners

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U.S. Department of Interior and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Host Ceremony of Newly Appointed Commissioners on President Obama's Asian American and Pacific Islander Advisory Council Sworn-In by U.S Circuit Judge Sri Srinivasan.

Maulik Pancholy, Actor 30 Rock and Newly Appointed Commissioner of the WHIAAPI President’s Advisory Council and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President, Emulate “I Am Beyond” Theme Capturing the Aspirations of the American Spirit and How Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander Descent Have Always Sought to Excel Beyond the Challenges that have Limited Equal Opportunity in America.

The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Commerce Business Roundtable

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Audrey Buehring, Deputy Director for the White House Initiative on Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President Discuss Meeting the Needs of the Asian American Pacific Islanders Businesses and Entrepreneurs Held at the U.S. Department of Commerce Business Roundtable in Washington, D.C.

Meeting of the Minds, Cornell Alumni Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President and Kenneth Jarrett, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai AMCHAM Cross Paths at the WHIAAPI U.S. Department of Commerce Reception in Washington, D.C.

National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship ACE Leadership Delegation Convene with Congressional Leaders at The White House

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Krystal Ka'ai, Executive Director of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, Representative (D-CA 27th District) and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President Discuss Business, Healthcare and Immigration Concerns Impacting the Asian American Pacific Islander Communities nation-wide.

The National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship ACE Leadership Delegates assembled for their inaugural roundtable meeting at the White House in Washington, D.C., undaunted by the recent federal government furlough, and successfully engaged dialogues with U.S. congressional leaders and White House officials. ACE serves as the national voice representing the multitude interests of the Asian American Pacific Islander business community, champion advocate and resource for the regional and local chambers of commerce, business associations and professional organizations in the U.S.

Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President and Bill Imada, Chairman of the National Asian Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship ACE and Chief Collaboration Officer of IW Group Inc., Convene with U.S. Congressional Leaders in Washington, D.C.

President Obama Urges American Business, Labor and Community Leaders to Support Modernization of U.S. Immigration Policy

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President Obama with Vice President Biden, Addresses U.S. Business, Labor and Community Leaders including the National American Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship ACE Delegation champion Modern Immigration Reform in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. on October 24, 2013

President Obama invited leaders from the business and labor sectors including community groups who are united around one goal, advancing and modernizing the current U.S. immigration system. Earlier this year, the Senate passed a bill with bipartisan support that addresses “the core challenges of how we create a immigration system that is fair, that’s just, that is true to our traditions as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.”

By modernizing the U.S. legal immigration system, the capability to train future American workers grows exponentially, and in attracting and retaining entrepreneurs with high skill sets from beyond our borders can only enrich the business growth of the U.S., critical to its long term growth and sustainability. It would make sure that everybody plays by the same rules by providing a pathway to earned citizenship for those who are here illegally — one that includes passing a background check, learning English, paying taxes, paying a penalty, getting in line behind everyone who is trying to come here the right way.

More importantly, if the bill was passed and became law, it would grow the U.S. economy by $1.4 trillion over the next two decades while cutting the deficit by nearly $1 trillion. Awesome!

Former Commissioner of the Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Stuart Ishimaru, Director of the Office of Minority & Women Inclusion of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Mary Ho, President of the China Millennium Council Discuss Critical Issues Affecting the Healthcare Reforms for the Asian American Pacific Islander Population, in the East Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C.

Ambassador Cui Tiankai Honors U.S. Joint-Venture Innovation Leaders for Modern China

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China Millennium Council President Mary Ho and Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai Reminisce Earlier Autumnal Visit to Upstate Rochester New York including Pumpkin Highlights at Wegmans Food Markets in Pittsford and the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies CIMS at Rochester Institute of Technology

China President Xi Jinping’s newly appointed U.S Ambassador Cui Tiankai conveyed celebratory congratulations for the 40th anniversary of the earliest exchanges between China and the U.S. dating back to 1973, opening doors for long-term investments, advancing partnerships and promoting mutual good will. Notably, Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former U.S. Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger and U.S Trade Representative Ambassador Carla Hills shared their intriguing perspectives and modern insights.

Dr. Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State and Mary Ho, President of the China Millennium Council Enjoy Their Camaraderie at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the first exchange between China and U.S. in 1973 arranged by the National Committee on United States - China Relations

Two leading China – U.S. joint-venture industry leaders were recognized and given tribute who included Alcoa CEO and Chairman Klaus Kleinfeld and IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond, whose modern stewardships in China will through their innovative technologies continue to enrich China’s modern growth and development.

Alcoa is the largest foreign investor in China’s aluminum industry and was named Top Green Company in China. Since 1993, Alcoa Bohai Aluminum Industries Company is China’s largest multinational company in the aluminum industry and invested more than $800 million. Alcoa’s founder Charles Martin Hall in 1928, founded the Harvard-Yenching Institute and supports scholarly studies between western and Asian countries, in particular China.

Mary Ho. China Millennium Council President and Klaus Kleinfeld, CEO and Chairman of Alcoa Inc., the Largest Foreign Investor in China's Aluminum Industry Discuss Sustainabiity and Best Practices for China

IMAX is expanding the modern movie-going experience in China and fostering collaboration with China’s film studios, bringing depth to the cultural cinematic interchange. Early on in 2001, IMAX engaged the Chinese movie-goer experience by providing a unique cultural exchange media platform and playing a key leadership role into the development of a large theatre network. IMAX also in conjunction with Chinese film studios brings the best of Chinese cinema within the country and throughout vast audiences globally.

Another renowned U.S. joint-venture pioneer, Walmart China opened its doors in 1996 and introduced to the Chinese the largest retail consumer store ranging from farm-fresh groceries to the emerging e-commerce retail business for their Chinese customers. Presently Walmart operates 396 stores in China and created more than 100,000 direct job opportunities with a vital sourcing presence in China and critical partnerships with 20,000 suppliers throughout China and internationally. Dedicated to serving their local communities, Walmart was awarded as one of the Top 10 Oustanding Corporate Social Responsibility Cases  of Chinese Enterprises by Business Value, a leading business journal in China.

Maggie Sans, Walmart Vice President of International Corporate Affairs and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President Contemplate Chinese Customers' Preference Shopping On-Line Versus a Tactile Atelier Experience

 

2013 PGA 95th Championship Tournament Hosted at Historic Oak Hill Country Club

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U.S. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, PGA Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel Christine Garrity, Esq., and Mary Ho, China Millennium Council President Celebrate the 95th PGA Championship Tournament on August 5-11, 2013 hosted by the Historically Renowned Oak Hill Country Club in Upstate Rochester New York

Rochester New York became the global venue to host the 95th PGA Championship Tournament at the majestic Oak Hill Country Club located in the bucolic town of Pittsford. Spectators and challengers came as far as from Asia and Australia across Europe, South Africa and the U.S., drawing enthusiastic crowds of over 200,000. The world’s top two golf champions Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were no match for newcomer Jason Dufner winning his first 2013 PGA championship tournament. As Dufner extolled and beamed with pride, holding up the Wanamaker Trophy engraved with his name, ” Nobody can take that away from me… It’s a great accomplishment for me and I’m really excited about it”.

Jason Dufner 2013 PGA Championship Winner photo courtesy of Edward M. Pio Roda/Turner Sports www.pga.com

Asian American Leadership Heralds Global Business & Humanitarian Community Impact

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Social Entrepreneur Pamela Roberts Levitt, China Millennium Council President Mary Ho, and Wegmans Food Markets Senior Vice President Larry Damore & wife Gail Damore Celebrate the Asian American Global Business and Community Leadership in Greater Rochester Upstate New York Region

Asian American Pacific Islanders National Leadership Efforts Honored by The White House

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Howard Koh, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Secretary of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mike Honda, U.S. Congressman (D-CA) and Mary Ho, President of China Millennium Council gather to Celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Month of May in Washington, D.C.

Nearly 1,000 Asian American Pacific Islanders AAPI national, state and local community leaders gathered to celebrate the AAPI Month of May in Washington, D.C. and was honored for their efforts and contribution to American society by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) introduced Vice President Biden as he opened his remarks by paying tribute to the late U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Vice President Biden addressed the AAPI leaders and community by stressing the critical significance of embodying Senator Inouye’s fervent legacy and values of modern equality, justice and opportunities for all Americans. Moreover, Biden emphasized the importance of how modern immigration reform to the AAPI community can only strengthen the future and foundation of the American economy.