What Matters Most

Keynote Speaker: Susan Lieu

Susan Lieu is a Vietnamese American author, playwright, and performer who tells stories that refuse to be forgotten. A daughter of nail salon workers, she took her autobiographical solo theatre show 140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother on a 10-city national tour with sold out premieres and accolades from L.A. Times, NPR, and American Theatre. Eight months pregnant, she premiered her sequel OVER 140 LBS as the headliner for ACT Theatre’s SoloFest. Within one year she held 60 performances to over 7,000 people. Her award-winning work has been featured at Bumbershoot, Wing Luke Museum, The Moth Mainstage, On The Boards, The World Economic Forum, RISK!, CAATA ConFest, Viet Film Fest, and she has spoken at more than a dozen universities around the country. She is a proud alumna of Harvard College, Yale School of Management, Coro, Hedgebrook, and Vashon Artist Residency. Susan lives with her husband and son in Seattle where they enjoy mushroom hunting, croissants, and big family gatherings. The Manicurist’s Daughter is her first book.

Executive Director: Janice Deguchi

Janice Deguchi has served as the Executive Director of Neighborhood House since September 2019. Janice is a Seattle native and has worked for over 25 years helping people gain access to vocational training, early learning, senior care, and youth mentorship. She is a tireless advocate for early learning and in 2013, was selected as a Parent Map Superhero for her advocacy. Janice currently serves on the board of Washington State Community Action Partnership and is co-chair of the Seattle Human Services Coalition Wage Equity Leadership Committee.

MC: KUOW Host Angela King

Angela King is an Emmy-award winning journalist who’s been a part of the northwest news scene since the early 1990s. A proud University of Washington alumna, with degrees in Broadcast Journalism and American Ethnic Studies, she started her career as a news writer in Seattle, before becoming a reporter and anchor in Seattle, Portland, and Albuquerque. She is currently the Morning News Host at KUOW in addition to being an independent documentary producer.

Performance by Mariachi Alma Nueva