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Navigate cultural complexities with confidence
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  • CEO, Multicultural Leadership Institute
  • Former Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles
  • Former Fortune 500 CEO and Board Executive Recruiter
Joy Chen delivering a leadership keynote speech

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Meet your speaker

Joy Chen 陈愉

  • CEO, Multicultural Leadership Institute
  • Former Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles
  • Former Fortune 500 CEO and Board Executive Recruiter

Joy Chen is CEO of the Multicultural Leadership Institute and a former Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles. She has served as a Fortune 500 CEO and Board recruiter, and as a bestselling author in China, where her work empowered millions. Today, she delivers keynotes and training programs that help people everywhere lead with greater authenticity and impact. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Financial Times, and Vogue China.

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Joy Chen Drives Global Impact
In today’s interconnected world, bridging cultural differences isn’t just a skill—it’s how individuals and teams achieve their boldest aspirations. By understanding and leveraging hidden cultural dynamics, people create stronger connections, spark innovation, and deliver extraordinary results.

Joy Chen brings unparalleled insights from her career at the top of three industries on three continents to help professionals at all levels turn cultural differences into strengths. Her keynotes are engaging, thought-provoking, and packed with actionable strategies that empower audiences to collaborate effectively, navigate complexity, and accelerate their success.

Whether speaking to a global audience or hosting an intimate retreat, Joy’s dynamic approach leaves participants energized, inspired, and ready to make an impact.

Decoding Corporate America’s Unwritten Rules

A Free 5-Day Email Course for First-Gen Corporate Professionals
Unlock the insider strategies your parents never knew and school never taught you. Joy Chen—former Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles and Fortune 500 CEO headhunter—shares how to win in today’s corporate world.
Trusted by:
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Watch Joy in Action
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Experience how Joy energizes and empowers audiences worldwide to greater action and impact.

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From keynote stages to intimate workshops, Joy’s dynamic presentations enable leaders and teams to harness their differences to achieve extraordinary results.

Joy Chen’s Keynote Topics

Joy delivers each topic through a dynamic keynote, an engaging half-day workshop, or a comprehensive training program backed by her skilled team at the Multicultural Leadership Institute. Available both in-person and online, these programs equip leaders and teams with the cultural insights they need to more deeply engage, motivate and mobilize team members and clients from all backgrounds.
Joy Chen keynote speaker Multicultural Leadership Institute speaking at Citi
FOR LEADERS and members of global TEAMS
Winning Globally: Navigate Cultural Differences with Confidence
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FOR ALL LEADERS and ALLIES
Inclusive Excellence: Harness Cultural Differences to Drive Peak Performance
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FOR DOMESTIC AND GLOBAL SALES TEAMS
Accelerate Cross-Cultural Sales
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Joy Chen delivering a virtual keynote speech
For Leaders and teams Expanding into Asia
Asia Markets Mastery: Cultural Insights for Market Success
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For ERGs and All Rising Leaders
Mastering the Unwritten Rules of Leadership Success
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Enhance Your Leadership Journey
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Voices of Success

"Joy is captivating! She brings a unique blend of cutting-edge research, real-life stories and practical insights. I’d recommend her as a leadership speaker for any convention."
—Ngan Nguyen
Senior Vice President,
Citi
"This course made a huge difference in how I approach work. I’ve been sharing the techniques and lessons with coworkers who would find them useful."
—Hedi Cho
Supervisor,
Dominion Energy
"The program contains practical advice and tools we can use to succeed in corporate America. All are specific to the AAPI community and backed by research and data. It is really great!"
—Helen Ahn
Associate Director,
Merck
"The program provided me knowledge of roadblocks that I didn’t know existed, and that I can now overcome by being purposeful with my actions."
—Heather Hansen
Global Consultant,
Allstate
"Joy's program helps us to unlock the competencies we need to advance our careers, and to connect with other rising Asian leaders, so that we can uplift one another and others alongside us."
—Brian Pang
Development Director,
Electronic Arts
"I’ve done a ton of leadership training, seen many courses that rehash the same ideas, or are less actionable, or really long. Joy’s lessons are novel, and they cut to the chase, giving us only what we need to know. I’m super grateful for that."
—Lian Huang
Senior Counsel,
Genentech
"Before this course, I never really knew where to start unraveling my own invisible barriers to advancement. Through this course, I’ve found my roadmap. Now, I can confidently take back control and drive my career."
—Peter Yo
Vice President,
Robert Half
"Joy connects deeply with the hearts and minds of every audience member, inspiring and equipping us all to stronger leadership."
—Mia Newell
Director,
Pfizer
"Joy Chen is a strong and clear voice onstage. Her thought leadership is grounded in research and lived experience that makes for a compelling (and often, humorous!) listen. Her tailored content has propelled thousands of learners. The Multicultural Institute is a must-have resource for those committed to the development of leaders."
—Angela Cheng-Cimini
Chief Human Resources Officer,
Harvard Business Publishing

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An insider guide to success for first-gen corporate professionals. Joy Chen—former Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles and Fortune 500 CEO headhunter—shares how to win in today’s corporate world.