2018 General Sessions
Thursday Opening Session, 7 pm
Robin Smith
Shining Forth or Chewing The Cud?
Robin is this year's A.S.I.A. Women's Conference Chair. She loves this conference! Currently serving in the newly formed New Delhi Stake Relief Society Presidency, she also works for Habitat For Humanity as a Master Country Trainer teaching youth leadership skills in Nepal and India. She volunteers with Days For Girls starting the DFG team in Singapore and is currently developing delivery opportunities in India.
This is Robin’s 5th year attending the conference. In the past she spoke about When You Want To Dropkick The People You Love, What To Do When You Are Surrounded By Practically Perfect People, and “Bloom Where You’re Planted”, and “It Will Be Fun, They Told Me".
Robin holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a Master’s Degree in Science. Her idea of a great day is rafting in Idaho with her 4 grown kids and husband!
This is Robin’s 5th year attending the conference. In the past she spoke about When You Want To Dropkick The People You Love, What To Do When You Are Surrounded By Practically Perfect People, and “Bloom Where You’re Planted”, and “It Will Be Fun, They Told Me".
Robin holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a Master’s Degree in Science. Her idea of a great day is rafting in Idaho with her 4 grown kids and husband!
Marne Fletcher
Days for Girls
Marné spent her childhood years in Northern Virginia, until the day in high school her family uprooted and moved to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Switching into expat mode as a 16-year-old had not been on her to do list, but the experience shaped her and sparked in her the joy and insight to be gained in life overseas.
Last year Marné traded in her chickens and garden in southern California for an urban adventure abroad. Now in her second year living in Hong Kong with her husband, James, and four children, she is seeking out the meaning of life in Asia as well as where to find the best dim sum.
Marné enjoys escaping the hubbub of the city whenever possible for hiking and island exploration. She enjoys working with children: raising her own, regularly subbing in her children’s school, and currently serving as Primary President. She also enjoys a good book, a good friend, and sunny days.
Last year Marné traded in her chickens and garden in southern California for an urban adventure abroad. Now in her second year living in Hong Kong with her husband, James, and four children, she is seeking out the meaning of life in Asia as well as where to find the best dim sum.
Marné enjoys escaping the hubbub of the city whenever possible for hiking and island exploration. She enjoys working with children: raising her own, regularly subbing in her children’s school, and currently serving as Primary President. She also enjoys a good book, a good friend, and sunny days.
Elder Allan Roy Whidden
Seeking the Light Within
Elder and Sister Whidden are from British Columbia Canada. They are currently serving as missionaries in Hong Kong. This is their third mission as a senior couple. They previously served as Mental Health Advisors in the Europe Area Office in Frankfurt, Germany and the Pacific Area Office in Auckland, New Zealand. Elder Whidden’s first mission as a young elder was in France and Belgium.
Elder Whidden’s background is in education. After graduating from BYU, he started as a teacher and quickly moved into counselling, serving the needs of students struggling with mental or emotional difficulties, conducting psychoeducational assessments, consulting and generally supporting children and adolescents who were at risk in the schools of a geographically dispersed northern school district. He continued his education and pursued graduate degrees in Education and another in counselling and psychology to accommodate expanding interests, involvements and research.
In the Church he served as, Branch President, District President, Seminary teacher, Ward and Stake Young Men’s President, Bishop, and a Patriarch in Stakes in British Columbia and in Southern Alberta.
Since retiring as a counsellor and therapist in 2009, Elder Whidden has worked almost exclusively with missionaries or prospective missionaries. He served as a counsellor to two Mission Presidents in the Canada Vancouver Mission between the first and second mission, speaking at youth conferences, in MTCs and in Stakes to prospective missionaries and leaders. Professionally, Elder Whidden was called upon to conduct workshops and seminars on mental health and wellbeing at counselling and educational conferences and Relief Society workshops and firesides.
Elder and Sister Whidden have eight children, six boys and 2 girls, and twenty grandchildren.
Elder Whidden’s background is in education. After graduating from BYU, he started as a teacher and quickly moved into counselling, serving the needs of students struggling with mental or emotional difficulties, conducting psychoeducational assessments, consulting and generally supporting children and adolescents who were at risk in the schools of a geographically dispersed northern school district. He continued his education and pursued graduate degrees in Education and another in counselling and psychology to accommodate expanding interests, involvements and research.
In the Church he served as, Branch President, District President, Seminary teacher, Ward and Stake Young Men’s President, Bishop, and a Patriarch in Stakes in British Columbia and in Southern Alberta.
Since retiring as a counsellor and therapist in 2009, Elder Whidden has worked almost exclusively with missionaries or prospective missionaries. He served as a counsellor to two Mission Presidents in the Canada Vancouver Mission between the first and second mission, speaking at youth conferences, in MTCs and in Stakes to prospective missionaries and leaders. Professionally, Elder Whidden was called upon to conduct workshops and seminars on mental health and wellbeing at counselling and educational conferences and Relief Society workshops and firesides.
Elder and Sister Whidden have eight children, six boys and 2 girls, and twenty grandchildren.
Friday Morning Devotional, 9 am
Alison Jensen
Morning Devotional
Alison is thrilled to serve as Co-chair for Women’s Conference this year. This is Alison’s third year attending conference. As one of last year’s presenters, Alison shared the tools that changed her life and her challenging relationships.
Alison lives on chocolate and adventure and thrives on building social value, making an impact and moving fast. Currently Alison serves at YW president and volunteers for Habit for Humanity and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In addition, she is trying to remember how to write APA formatted research papers for her Master’s Degree program in Academic Advising. When she is ready to pull her hair out, she jumps on her electric scooter and zips through the 80 degree Singapore evenings with her favorite adventure buddy and husband, Paul.
Alison and Paul, have three fantastic and adventurous children, one angelic daughter-in-law, and an extremely cute and furry grand-pet. What Alison knows for sure is that God hears and answers every single prayer and relying on the Savior and His Atonement can bring joy back into your life.
Alison lives on chocolate and adventure and thrives on building social value, making an impact and moving fast. Currently Alison serves at YW president and volunteers for Habit for Humanity and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In addition, she is trying to remember how to write APA formatted research papers for her Master’s Degree program in Academic Advising. When she is ready to pull her hair out, she jumps on her electric scooter and zips through the 80 degree Singapore evenings with her favorite adventure buddy and husband, Paul.
Alison and Paul, have three fantastic and adventurous children, one angelic daughter-in-law, and an extremely cute and furry grand-pet. What Alison knows for sure is that God hears and answers every single prayer and relying on the Savior and His Atonement can bring joy back into your life.
Saturday Morning Devotional, 8:30 am
Suzanne Calton
Morning Devotional
Suzanne has been in Asia for 10 years and sees this women’s conference as the highlight of each year’s adventure living abroad.
Originally a born and raised westcoaster of the USA, she was shocked to get her mission call to GaoXiong, Taiwan (she couldn’t even pronounce it when she read the call aloud to surrounding friends and family) over 17 years ago (don’t do the math! ;)).
She is the mother to 5 children, 3 adopted while living in China and married to another Chinese speaking RM.
Suzanne is the founder of a breast cancer prevention and recovery charity (that has broken 3 Guinness world records), an adoption advocate, and manages small private label manufacturing in Shanghai. Currently she serves the CTR 4 class in the Pudong, Shanghai branch, and refers to them as the ‘little sheep’.
When she is not event planning or peddling product, she can be found at home for several days in a row with oatmeal in her hair, wearing the same sweatshirt for the 5th day, and you should probably check on her. Suzanne loves avocados, cooking with her kids, the cheesecake factory, Tim Calton, Konmari, and Star Wars (she married in to that one), but not necessarily in that order.
Originally a born and raised westcoaster of the USA, she was shocked to get her mission call to GaoXiong, Taiwan (she couldn’t even pronounce it when she read the call aloud to surrounding friends and family) over 17 years ago (don’t do the math! ;)).
She is the mother to 5 children, 3 adopted while living in China and married to another Chinese speaking RM.
Suzanne is the founder of a breast cancer prevention and recovery charity (that has broken 3 Guinness world records), an adoption advocate, and manages small private label manufacturing in Shanghai. Currently she serves the CTR 4 class in the Pudong, Shanghai branch, and refers to them as the ‘little sheep’.
When she is not event planning or peddling product, she can be found at home for several days in a row with oatmeal in her hair, wearing the same sweatshirt for the 5th day, and you should probably check on her. Suzanne loves avocados, cooking with her kids, the cheesecake factory, Tim Calton, Konmari, and Star Wars (she married in to that one), but not necessarily in that order.
Saturday Closing Session, 11:15 am
Carrie A. Chiles
Grit and Grace: Enjoying the Journey
Carrie Appleton was born and raised in Southern Alberta, Canada and was sure, like all her family before her, that she would spend her whole life there. Little did she know that when she said “yes” to her LDS Institute sweetheart, her life would take completely unexpected turns and exceed her greatest expectations. Who knew she’d be a girl from the ‘Great White North’ who didn’t even see snow for over 15 years! What kind of a Canadian is that?!
After Carrie graduated from the University of Alberta with her degree in Family Resource Management, the newlyweds took a one year, “one time adventure” of teaching and backpacking throughout Asia. Carrie has since spent 24 of her 30 married years living and pioneering in some very unique situations in China and Taiwan. She is happy to know that the adventure is not over yet!
Ross and Carrie were blessed with 6 children, and have just entered the wonderful world of grand parenting. Needless to say, Carrie is smitten!
She has always loved serving in the church and community, most recently as a Seminary and Gospel Doctrine teacher, over a decade as the community Scout Committee Chairman, and as the conductor of an International Community Choir. Carrie was the ‘mother’ of the English ward in Taipei for 8 years while her husband served as Bishop and found great joy in welcoming and wrapping her arms around the many families who came and went through Taiwan during that time.
Carrie can often be found biking and hiking the trails of Taipei (and the Canadian Rockies in the summer!). She loves music and singing, and some of her happiest moments are when her children gather, sing and play instruments together.
Carrie has been a part of organizing the A.S.I.A. Women’s Conference from its very beginning in 2008, and served as Committee Chair for the past 4 years. She counts it as one of the great blessings of her life to have served with incredibly talented and inspired sisters in the gospel, and to have been a small part of this unique event that, year after year, continues to impact the lives of so many women living in Asia.
The next chapter of her life is certain to provide more pioneering adventures and she is excited and humbled to be called to serve as companion to her husband, Ross A. Chiles, as he presides over the Vietnam Hanoi Mission starting July 2018. Carrie is most looking forward to the opportunity to love and share the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ with the Vietnamese people.
After Carrie graduated from the University of Alberta with her degree in Family Resource Management, the newlyweds took a one year, “one time adventure” of teaching and backpacking throughout Asia. Carrie has since spent 24 of her 30 married years living and pioneering in some very unique situations in China and Taiwan. She is happy to know that the adventure is not over yet!
Ross and Carrie were blessed with 6 children, and have just entered the wonderful world of grand parenting. Needless to say, Carrie is smitten!
She has always loved serving in the church and community, most recently as a Seminary and Gospel Doctrine teacher, over a decade as the community Scout Committee Chairman, and as the conductor of an International Community Choir. Carrie was the ‘mother’ of the English ward in Taipei for 8 years while her husband served as Bishop and found great joy in welcoming and wrapping her arms around the many families who came and went through Taiwan during that time.
Carrie can often be found biking and hiking the trails of Taipei (and the Canadian Rockies in the summer!). She loves music and singing, and some of her happiest moments are when her children gather, sing and play instruments together.
Carrie has been a part of organizing the A.S.I.A. Women’s Conference from its very beginning in 2008, and served as Committee Chair for the past 4 years. She counts it as one of the great blessings of her life to have served with incredibly talented and inspired sisters in the gospel, and to have been a small part of this unique event that, year after year, continues to impact the lives of so many women living in Asia.
The next chapter of her life is certain to provide more pioneering adventures and she is excited and humbled to be called to serve as companion to her husband, Ross A. Chiles, as he presides over the Vietnam Hanoi Mission starting July 2018. Carrie is most looking forward to the opportunity to love and share the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ with the Vietnamese people.
Elder Randy D. Funk
Closing Remarks
Elder Randy D. Funk was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 2013. At the time of his call he was serving as the president of the India Bangalore Mission. He is currently serving as President of the Asia Area.
Elder Funk received a bachelor of arts in history from Utah State University in 1976. He then received a juris doctor degree from the University of Utah Law School in 1979. Prior to his call to full-time Church service, he was an attorney and partner in the law firm Sherman & Howard in Denver, Colorado.
Elder Funk has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary in Indonesia, bishop, high councilor, stake president, and Area Seventy. He served on the board of directors of several community organizations.
Randy Dennis Funk was born in Logan, Utah. He married Andrea Clyde in May 1976. They are the parents of six children.
Elder Funk received a bachelor of arts in history from Utah State University in 1976. He then received a juris doctor degree from the University of Utah Law School in 1979. Prior to his call to full-time Church service, he was an attorney and partner in the law firm Sherman & Howard in Denver, Colorado.
Elder Funk has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary in Indonesia, bishop, high councilor, stake president, and Area Seventy. He served on the board of directors of several community organizations.
Randy Dennis Funk was born in Logan, Utah. He married Andrea Clyde in May 1976. They are the parents of six children.