From art galleries to political chambers, Asian communities are challenging Asian stereotypes & demanding greater representation in all aspects of Australian life. Join our panel of Asian-Australian trailblazers as we explore their careers in politics, art & business & how they have changed the landscape for Asian representation in Australia. What barriers remain, and how can we build a more equitable and representative landscape in Australia?

Panellists' Bio

Yin Cao - Art Gallery of NSW Curator of Chinese Art
As the Curator of Chinese Art for the Art Gallery of NSW, Yin helps Australians' understanding of both historical and contemporary Chinese art, curating exhibitions such as "Heaven and Earth: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei" and “The Way We Eat". The later contrasts contemporary artist Liu Jianhua’s Container series of food vessels & historical artefacts to highlight the loss of our traditional, intimate relationship with food in modern China. She is the co-curator of "Cao Fei: My City is Yours", the largest exhibition of Chinese contemporary multi-media artist Cao Fei’s work in Australia, transforming the gallery into a world of neon, street dance and pop music; a city both familiar and warped, real and virtual.

Michelle Chuang - Councillor - Willoughby City Council
Born & raised in Sydney, Michelle has built an extensive business management career across multiple industries, For the last 12 years, she has established herself as a leader in the health care industry, successfully operating & setting up startup medical & dental practices across NSW. Michelle also serves as a State Committee Member of the Australian Association of Practice Management (AAPM), contributing to the advancement of practice management standards across the industry. In 2024, Michelle was elected as a Local Councillor for Willoughby City Council, providing greater representation for the large Asian community in her ward of Chatswood.

Adrian Phoon - Corporate DEI Trainer
Adrian is the Head of Content with GRC Solutions, providing diversity & inclusion training for companies & businesses including Respect@Work, anti-bullying, discrimination & unconscious bias training. He has presented widely on belonging, cross-cultural awareness and compliance at events run by Apple, Google, City of Sydney & Inner West Councils, & numerous others.. He has also been a host of SXSW Sydney’s Short Talks series and delivered workshops for the UN’s International Labour Organisation in Singapore & Thailand. Adrian is also a strong community leader in the LGBTQIA+ and has served as a Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Co-Chair and Sydney WorldPride board member. Adrian is an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and has previously served as the co-chair of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras board and board member of Sydney WorldPride. He has presented widely on belonging, cross-cultural awareness and compliance at events run by Apple, Google, City of Sydney & Inner West Councils, & numerous others.. He has also hosted SXSW Sydney’s Short Talks series and delivered workshops for the UN’s International Labour Organisation in Thailand. Adrian also provides diversity & inclusion training for companies & businesses including Respect@Work, anti-bullying, discrimination & unconscious bias training.

Jenny Leong - State MP for Newtown
Jenny Leong is the Greens Member for the Electorate of Newtown in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly. First elected to the NSW parliament in 2015, she has served the progressive, inner-city electorate for the past 10 years.. Jenny is a passionate activist, campaigner, feminist and equality advocate - and as far as she is aware, was the first woman of Chinese Australian heritage to be elected to the lower house of any parliament in Australia

Eddie Ma (Moderator) - Architect & Social Impact Designer
Eddie Ma is a Sydney Architect with over a decade of experience in housing, architecture, and urban design. As a second-generation Chinese Australian, he has deep ties to Sydney's Chinatown, where his family has lived, worked, and thrived in its busy streets and vibrant restaurants. Eddie is passionate about preserving Chinatown's history and culture while breathing new life into the precinct for the next generation of Asian Australians.

This event is part of Neon Playground 2.0 - Sydney's largest Asian-Australian cultural arts festival from 15 March to 6 April 2025.