Hill Research CEO Dr. Louise Ruihua Liu Honored as International Business Leader at Witherspoon Gala 2025
Dr. Louise Ruihua Liu, CEO of Hill Research, receives the International Business Award directly from Alda Witherspoon, Founder and CEO of The Witherspoon Institute.
Boston, MA — September 22, 2025 — The Witherspoon Institute (WIN), in collaboration with the New England Chinese American Alliance (NECAA), successfully hosted its 19th Anniversary Celebration and 2nd Annual Witherspoon Gala at the Boston Public Library, Roxbury Branch.
This prestigious event celebrated excellence across education, literature, arts, business, and community leadership, bringing together distinguished leaders, scholars, artists, and entrepreneurs. The highlight of the evening was the Witherspoon Arts & Cultural Awards, which recognized individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions.
The Wintherspoon Gala 2025 Award Ceremony at the Boston Public Library, Roxbury Branch.
Among the honorees was Louise Liu, PhD, MBA, CEO of Hill Research, who received the International Business Leader Award. This recognition highlights Dr. Liu’s pioneering leadership in advancing AI-driven biostatistics and clinical trial innovation, as well as her commitment to bridging science, culture, and community empowerment.2025 Witherspoon Gala Awardees
Dr. Louise Ruihua Liu, CEO of Hill Research, receives the International Business Award directly from Alda Witherspoon, Founder and CEO of The Witherspoon Institute.
Education & Literacy Yi Zheng — Education: International Leadership (Northeastern University) Anny Chan — Education: International Leadership, Financial Literacy (Harvard University) Yvette Clark — National Education Champion Award (Congresswoman) Alector Tavarez — Education Leadership, MA (Vulcans Fireman Association) Bill Galvin — Education Policy Advocate, MA (Secretary of State) Gregg Amore — American Teachers Advocate, RI (Secretary of State) Rasheem Allah — Youth Literacy Advocate Award, NY Chimel Idokitas — Literary Arts Education Leader (Northeastern University) Dr. Christopher Abhulime — Literary Champion Award, RI Quantia Fletcher — Literary Champion Award, AR (Mosaic Templars Cultural Center) Jessica Tang — Literary Champion Award, MA (American Federation of Teachers) Hakeem Jeffries — National Literary Champion Award (Congressman) Jerod & Chantel Mayo — National Literary Ambassadors
Arts, Culture & Community Lu Huang — Cultural Arts: Youth Inspiration (Harvard University) jameel radcliffe — Best Fine Arts Portraits Robert Peters — Best Cultural Arts Storyteller (Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe) Jeff Grantz — Best Digital Media Artist (Illuminous Boston) Nathan Wilson — Arts, Culture & Finance Award (Cambridge Savings Bank) Kimberly Lyle — Financial Literacy: Community Development (Dorchester Bay CDC) Eddy Desir — Financial Education Award, Boston (Cambridge Savings Bank) Andrea Majors — Performing Arts Lifetime Achievement Award (Roxbury Center for the Performing Arts) Barry Gaither — Curator Lifetime Achievement Award (National Center of Afro-American Artists) Terryl Calloway — Purveyor of the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award (Calloway Entertainment) Darryl Smith — Arts, Community & Culture Lifetime Achievement Award Duane Osborn — Cultural Visionary Award (DEO Enterprises) Willie Pleasant — Age Strong Cultural Arts Leader (YMCA Seniors Program)
Performing Arts Lucas Xiang — International Vocalist Angelina Hightower & The Unit — Best Vocalist Xavier Pearson — Best Actor CJT Dream Dance — Best Cultural Dance Angie Dickerson & Boston Rhythm Riders — Best Adult Dance Troupe
Culinary Arts Chef Tony Cao — Best Chef (Yoshida Back Bay Karma Restaurant) Jenn Faigel — Best Culinary Arts Program (Commonwealth Kitchen) Andrea Rapagnoia & Jessen Fitzpatrick — Fiber Arts Clothier Award
Literature & Books Jayson Tatum — Best Children’s Book (“Baby Dunks A-Lot”) Sean Bardoo — Best International Social Justice Book (“Modern Day Trafficking”) Leslie Guity — Best Self-Help Book (“Are You on The Right Track?”) Carmen Fields — Best Biography (“Going Back to T-Town: The Ernie Fields Territory Big Band”) Seneya Mitchell, Cyen Diggs-Williams, Aniah Robinson, Charles Gonsalves, Angela Orelien — Best Child Book Authors (“Prismatic Chaos”)A Celebration and a Promise
Business & Leadership Louise Liu, PhD, MBA — International Business Leader (CEO, Hill Research) Aisha Miller — Corporate Leader – Arts, Culture & Community (Related Beal) Bishop Mitchell Taylor — Financial Literacy Lifetime Achievement Award (NYC) Willie Hicks — Community Business Leader (Hicks Auto) Larry Lawson — Media Arts Community Achievement Award (CBS News) Janine Busby & The 40+ Double Dutch Club — Youth Community Partner Award Justin Baldassari — Youth Community Partner Award (Salesian East Boston Boys & Girls Club) Katherine Lafferty, MS, CGC — Community Shepherd Award (South Boston Neighborhood House) Joydan Fan Fan — Community Youth Inspiration Award Emily Sacco — Youth Financial Literacy Leader (East Boston Boys & Girls Club) Charlie Titus — Sports Award (Titus Foundation)
A Celebration and a Promise
As noted by the organizers, this Gala was not just a celebration but also a promise: to ensure that education, arts, and culture continue to illuminate the future for generations to come.
