VAF supports The Inclusion Initiative in its inaugural adoptee and foster alumni leadership summit in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (August 19, 2025) - The Very Asian Foundation (VAF) is proud to support The Inclusion Initiative, the national organization elevating Adoptees, Foster Alumni, and their allies in the world of work, in its inaugural Adoptee & Foster Alumni Leadership Summit which will take place on November 15, 2025 in Minneapolis, MN.

This will be the first summit focused on Adoptees and Foster Alumni who are executives, founders, and leaders in the workplace, and will host 200+ attendees. This will be a historical moment for not only the Adoptee and Foster community, but our society.

There are over 15 million Adoptees and Foster Alums living in the United States. As they enter adulthood and build careers and companies, they disappear from the narrative of adoption and foster care due to the lack in visibility and inclusion in adult spaces, like our workplaces.

“We are an integral part of our society, including the professional community. Yet we remain invisible and the generations behind us can’t see the leaders and changemakers that they can aspire to be” says Grace Yung Foster, Founder & CEO of The Inclusion Initiative. “We are thrilled to make this historical event possible, and are excited for the tremendous impact it will have. This summit will center and shine a light on this community of professionals who are too-often invisible in the world of work but are shaping its future”.

This event welcomes Adoptees and Foster Alumni, as well as non-adopted or fostered people who are co-dreamers allies interested in reshaping the future of work, technology, and leadership. Parents, HR/people leaders, managers, executives, young professionals, and the general workforce are welcome. Topics featured in the summit will be centered on the Adoptees and Foster Alumni experience in the workplace, professional development, mental health, closing the opportunity gap and wealth gap, and the future of work for this community.

VAF will serve as the nonprofit fiscal sponsor for the organization for this event, and one of its co-founders, Michelle Li, is a Peabody-award winning journalist and an Adoptee. The University of Minnesota School of Social Work Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare is a key sponsor for the event. The Master of Ceremonies will be Patrick Armstrong, storyteller, entrepreneur, host and producer of Conversation Piece and The Janchi Show podcasts, and an Adoptee. More sponsors and partners will be announced this fall.

Make a donation here.

View more event details here.