Author: Zee Zhai

SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 9, 2026 — The Asian American Engineer of the Year Award (AAEOY) Executive Committee officially announces the 2025–2026 AAEOY awardees:

Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award

• Mr. Lip-Bu Tan, CEO, Intel Corporation

Distinguished Leadership in Science and Technology Award

• Dr. Arun Majumdar, Dean of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, Stanford University

Executive of the Year Award

• Dr. Xiaodong Che, Chief Technology Officer, Western Digital
• Dr. Indradeep Ghosh, CEO, Fujitsu Research of America
• Dr. Sam Heidari, CEO, Lumotive
• Dr. Jungwon Lee, Corporate Executive Vice President, Samsung Electronics
• Dr. Stacey Ma, Executive Vice President, Gilead
• Dr. Liu Ren, Vice President & Chief Scientist, Bosch Research
• Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, Executive Vice President, LG Electronics
• Mr. Brandon Wang, Vice President, Synopsys

Engineer of the Year Award

• Dr. John Hu, Sr. Director, Advanced Technology Group, Nvidia
• Dr. Ganping Ju, Chief Technologist, Seagate
• Ms. Vivian Ye, Principal Member of Technical Staff, AT&T

Most Promising Engineer of the Year Award

• Dr. Sakun Duwal, Manager, R&D Science and Engineering, Sandia National Laboratories
• Mr. Max Fang, Director of Architecture, Ambarella
• Mr. Johnny Ho, CSO & Co-founder, Perplexity AI

The AAEOY Award has been presented annually since 2002 as a cornerstone of the National Engineers Week program, honoring distinguished Asian American professionals across academia, public service, and industry. Since its inception, the AAEOY has recognized over 300 honorees — including nine Nobel Laureates, pioneering scholars, prominent corporate executives, and an astronaut — serving as a beacon of inspiration for the global STEM community. After a series of impactful ceremonies nationwide, the 2025-2026 AAEOY Award and Conference will be held in the heart of innovation in Silicon Valley at the Santa Clara Convention Center on September 18-19, 2026.

For more information regarding the AAEOY program, awardees, and event registration, please visit www.aaeoy.org.

The Chinese Institute of Engineers in USA (CIE-USA), founded in 1917, is a nonprofit professional organization that promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); supports professional advancement and leadership development; and recognizes the achievements of Asian American professionals through flagship programs such as the Asian American Engineer of the Year (AAEOY) Awards. One of the oldest and most prestigious Chinese American engineering associations in the United States, CIE-USA has seven regional chapters nationwide and hosts events throughout the year.

Media Contact:
AAEOY Public Relations Committee
2025-2026 AAEOY Award and Conference
Phone: 510-497-1788
Email: public_relation@aaeoy.org

SOURCE AAEOY

Mr. Jeremiah Owyang to Serve as Keynote Speaker for the Afternoon Technical Session at the 2025–2026 AAEOY Award & Conference

Jeremiah Owyang is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist and globally recognized thought leader focused on emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and the future of business ecosystems.

With decades of experience at the intersection of technology innovation and market transformation, Jeremiah has advised Fortune 500 companies, startups, and investors on disruptive trends shaping the future economy. He is widely known for his early insights into the creator economy, collaborative technologies, Web3, AI ecosystems, and the evolving relationship between consumers, communities, and brands.

Jeremiah is an active investor and advisor to high-growth technology startups, helping founders navigate product strategy, market positioning, and ecosystem development. Prior to his investment work, he held influential roles as an industry analyst and technology executive, earning recognition as one of Silicon Valley’s leading voices on innovation and digital disruption.

A frequent keynote speaker at global technology conferences and executive forums, Jeremiah is known for translating complex technological shifts into actionable business insights. As the Keynote Speaker for the Afternoon Technical Session at the 2025–2026 AAEOY Award & Conference, Jeremiah Owyang will share his perspectives on the next wave of technological transformation and the opportunities emerging for founders, enterprises, and investors in the AI era.

Mr. Brandon Wang, Vice President Synopsys

Dr. Xiaodong Che, Chief Technology Officer, Western Digital

Dr. Sam HEIDARI

The Asian American Engineer of the Year Award (AAEOY) Executive Committee announces the AAEOY 2025-2026 awardees as follows:

Engineer of the Year Award

Most Promising Engineer of the Year Award

Dr. Jungwon Lee, EVP at Samsung Electronics, Executive of the Year Award

The organizing committee of the 2026 Asian American Executive of the Year (AAEOY) Award and Conference is pleased to announce that Dr. Jungwon Lee, Executive Vice President at Samsung Electronics, will receive the Executive of the Year Award at the 2026 AAEOY.

Dr. Lee exemplifies outstanding executive leadership, technical excellence, and a deep commitment to advancing innovation at one of the world’s most influential technology companies. As EVP at Samsung Electronics, he has played a pivotal role in driving strategic growth initiatives, strengthening global competitiveness, and fostering breakthrough developments in semiconductor technology and advanced electronics.

Throughout his career, Dr. Lee has demonstrated a rare combination of visionary thinking and operational execution. He has consistently guided large-scale engineering organizations to deliver high-impact results, while also championing collaboration across global teams. His leadership has contributed significantly to Samsung’s continued advancement in next-generation technologies that power the global digital economy.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Dr. Lee is widely respected for his dedication to mentoring the next generation of engineers and leaders. He actively supports initiatives that promote STEM education, cross-border collaboration, and professional development within the engineering community. His influence extends well beyond Samsung, shaping industry standards and inspiring innovation across the broader technology ecosystem.