Jessica Chen, best-selling author, global speaker, and CEO of Soulcast Media, will deliver the keynote at the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2026 ASPIRE half-day power conference on Thursday, Nov. 12, at UCI Beall Applied Innovation, 5270 California Ave., #100, Irvine.
Author of the best-selling communication book Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons, Chen helps professionals strengthen their influence, communicate with confidence, and gain visibility for their contributions—without having to be the loudest voice in the room.
A former Emmy Award-winning journalist, Chen combines storytelling expertise and cross-cultural intelligence with insights into how professionals and organizations communicate and navigate change. Her work has inspired audiences worldwide, including through keynotes at Google, Microsoft, Mattel, Chanel, and the United Nations, and her insights have appeared in Forbes, Fortune, and Entrepreneur. Through her speaking, training, and work with Soulcast Media, she has reached more than 2 million learners worldwide, helping professionals and high-performing teams communicate more effectively in an evolving workplace, including in the age of AI.
Aligned with the 2026 ASPIRE theme, Talent. Team. Tech., Chen will open the program with Humanity at Scale: The New Rules for Achieving Peak Performance in an AI-Driven Workplace, exploring the powerful balance between AI fluency and the distinctly human skills professionals need to thrive amid constant change and unprecedented digital innovation. Drawing from her expertise and work teaching human skills to engineering students at Columbia University, Chen will introduce her signature Yin-Yang approach to developing the hybrid competencies that create a competitive edge. Attendees will gain practical strategies to increase productivity, adapt to change with confidence, collaborate more effectively, and achieve peak performance in an AI-driven workplace.
ASPIRE is designed for ambitious professionals ready to elevate their leadership, sharpen their skills, and expand their circle of influence. Early- and mid-career professionals striving to advance and seasoned leaders seeking fresh strategies to inspire and connect with today’s multigenerational workforce will gain insights and connections they can put to work immediately.
The program will also include a presentation of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s Aspiring Leaders Awards, recognizing Orange County early- to mid-career professionals under 40 who are making a difference in their organizations, industries, and communities.
Additional ASPIRE speakers, breakout facilitators, and conference programming will be announced leading up to the event.
Check-in and continental breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m., with the conference starting promptly at 9:00 a.m., followed by lunch from 12:30–1:00 p.m. Admission also includes opportunities to connect with Orange County business professionals and career and peer mentors, and an ASPIRE workbook featuring exclusive content from conference speakers, with space to capture insights and actionable takeaways participants can put to work immediately. Convenient complimentary parking is available.
Regular Admission Registration
- Greater Irvine Chamber Members - $260
- Non-Members - *$305
At-the-Door Registration (pending available space):
- Greater Irvine Chamber Members - $265
- Non-Members - *$330
*Apply $55 of your registration fee toward a new Chamber membership within 30 days of the event.
For information on becoming a sponsor for ASPIRE, contact events@irvinechamber.com.
