09/14/2026
Standing next to this 40 Over 40 magazine 2026 cover print, I’ve been thinking a lot about what actually makes an event memorable.
It’s not whether every little detail went exactly according to plan.
And after months of planning our 4th Beyond Beauty Gala, I can tell you… things definitely did not always go according to plan. 😂 But thanks to our incredibly capable and trustworthy team, who worked tirelessly together to handle every pivot, we pulled it off seamlessly. I am so deeply grateful for them. Nada Jessie Lim Kumagai AY
And then there are the people who bring an energy to the room that you simply can’t plan for. Fred Lee, our MC, did exactly that. He listened to every speech, picked up on the little moments, and reflected them back to the room so naturally.
Somewhere between the last-minute details, the nerves, the hugs, the conversations, and watching a room full of people connect, I realized something:
People may forget the details. They remember how you made them feel.
As a photographer, I’ve spent 16 years creating spaces where women feel seen.
I’ve watched women walk into my studio feeling nervous, unsure of themselves, and then slowly begin to see themselves differently.
I think that’s what I wanted the gala to feel like, too.
Not just a beautiful evening.
Not just a fundraiser.
But a room where women could look around, feel connected, and maybe think:
“My story matters, too.”
That was the heart behind The Art of Becoming.
And standing in that room last night, seeing the women we celebrated, the people who came to support them, and everyone who helped bring this vision to life, I realized this was never really just about hosting an event.
It was about creating a feeling. Creating connection. Creating a space where people felt they belonged.
I’m incredibly proud of what we created for our 4th gala, and deeply grateful to our amazing team, every volunteer, sponsor, partner, guest, and supporter who believed in this vision and helped make it happen.
The Art of Becoming.
Dress: OUMA Couture Atelier Ou Ma
Hair and makeup: Anita Lee
