2025 ACEL Leadership Awards Gala (Tempe, AZ)

Name: 2025 ACEL Leadership Awards Gala (Tempe, AZ)
Start: 2025-08-15T17:00:00-07:00
End: 2025-08-15T20:00:00-07:00
Location: The Westin Tempe

Schedule

Fri Aug 15 2025 at 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm

UTC-07:00

Location

The Westin Tempe | Tempe, AZ

Celebrate the 2025 ACEL Honorees, Asian American & Pacific Islander Leadership! Join us for an extraordinary evening, honoring remarkable leaders dedicated to our community's thriving. Experience inspiration, a sumptuous three-course dinner, captivating entertainment, and the company of wonderful individuals. We are thrilled to announce Mariko Carpenter as our esteemed Keynote Speaker, a prominent figure in the field of multicultural marketing, consumer insights, and community advocacy. Be empowered as she shares her insights and wisdom during this memorable event. Come and be part of this special occasion, where we celebrate the contributions of Asian American & Pacific Islander leaders who shape a brighter future for us all.
Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
Time: 5:00 p.m. Registration & Reception | 6:00 p.m. Dinner
Location: The Westin Tempe, 11 E 7th St, Tempe, AZ 85281
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Mariko S. Carpenter is the Founder and Managing Director of OpalSpher, where she leads with a vision to empower organizations through inclusive strategies and meaningful community engagement. Mariko is a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience leading iconic brands across both B2C and B2B sectors. Her deep expertise in diverse consumer markets—shaped by leadership roles at Nielsen and Condé Nast—inspired her to co-found Opalsphere, an advisory agency that helps organizations grow at the intersection of brand and culture. She works with clients to uncover growth opportunities, navigate shifting market dynamics, and implement data-driven marketing strategies grounded in authenticity and cultural insights.
Mariko is known for her unique ability to bridge creative storytelling with strategic analytics—a strength that has defined her career in an increasingly data-driven, AI-led world. She is passionate about understanding the people behind the numbers, believing that cultural fluency, when paired with data, is the key to connect authentically with customers, employees, and communities alike.
A longtime advocate for the AANHPI community, Mariko has served on the Board of the National Asian American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship and was honored with the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award by the Asian American Business Development Center. She earned her MS from New York University and BA from Vassar College. Mariko lives in New York City with her husband, two daughters, a mini labradoodle, and an 11-year-old goldfish.
All registrations must be purchased online with a credit or debit card. Upon ticket purchase, you will receive a confirmation email from [email protected]. An email confirming your registration and payment will be sent to the same address. Please ensure that your email address is correct when registering.
Attire: Business professional/Semi-formal. All purchases are non-refundable. Payments must be received by 4 p.m. on August 10, 2025, to guarantee your seat.
Corporate Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, please inquire at [email protected].