ARIZONA ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 33rd Annual Lunar New Year Scholarship & Awards Gala, an evening dedicated to honoring leadership, partnership, and community impact

Happy New Year!

2025 was a year of reflection, recalibration, and renewed focus on access for the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce.     As small businesses across Arizona continued to face rising costs and limited visibility, the Chamber leaned into its role as a connector and platform-builder.    A defining moment of the year was STREATZ: Street Eats & Beats, the first-ever AAPI Food and Music Festival in Arizona.  Hosted in the International District, STREATZ created a new, culturally rooted platform for local food vendors, artists, and creatives to reach broader audiences while activating public space and strengthening community presence.  Beyond STREATZ, the Chamber expanded business promotion, scholarships, and strategic partnerships designed to support micro-businesses and first-generation founders.  Across every initiative, one theme remained clear: the challenge was not a lack of talent or ambition, but a lack of access — reinforcing the Chamber’s commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable economic ecosystem moving forward.

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2026 Lunar New Year Scholarship and Awards Gala

Looking ahead, the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce will host its 33rd Annual Lunar New Year Scholarship & Awards Gala, an evening dedicated to honoring leadership, partnership, and community impact.  The Gala will recognize outstanding individuals and organizations through awards including Corporate Partner of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and Person of the Year, celebrating those whose leadership and service have meaningfully contributed to Arizona’s business and nonprofit ecosystem.  Bringing together business leaders, elected officials, sponsors, and community members, the evening celebrates Lunar New Year while raising critical funds to support scholarships and programs that invest in students and entrepreneurs.   Businesses and organizations interested in securing a table are encouraged to reach out to ceo@azasianchamber.com

Congratulations!

Lifetime Achievement: Christine Mackay

With nearly three decades of experience in economic development, Christine Mackay began her role as President & CEO of Greater Phoenix Economic Council in October 2025, following 11 years as the City of Phoenix’s Community and Economic Development Director.  During her tenure with the City, she  helped facilitate more than 100,000 high-value jobs,  increased average wages from just over $30,000 in 2014 to more than $86,000 in 2024, and  supported over $75 billion in capital investment.  A nationally recognized leader, Christine has received numerous honors for excellence in economic development and public policy, serves on multiple regional and industry committees, and brings more than 28 years of economic development experience alongside 35 years in commercial real estate—all rooted in her lifelong commitment to Greater Phoenix.

Person of the Year: Adam Lopez Falk

A fifth-generation Arizonan, Adam has dedicated his career to public service, community advocacy, and leadership development.  He currently serves as Senior Community Impact Officer at the Arizona Community Foundation, overseeing discretionary grant-making and social investments across arts and culture, healthcare, and community-focused initiatives throughout Arizona.  Previously, Adam led statewide leadership development programs and served three terms as an elected member—and president—of the Alhambra Elementary School District Governing Board, where he advanced education equity, launched innovative schools and family resource centers, and led major district investments.  His work in preserving Arizona’s history and his many state and national recognitions reflect a lifelong commitment to strengthening communities across the state.