This may seem cliche, but choosing the right partner has enabled me to be even more daring in my ambitions. Having my husband’s support motivates me to pursue my wildest dreams.

My greatest achievement has been helping to build a new education start-up while pursuing my second Master’s degree full-time. Not only did I discover how disciplined I can be, but I was able to integrate my learnings into my work. Moreover, I became a master of efficiency! It wasn’t easy, but I proved to myself how much I can accomplish at peak productivity!

What challenges have you encountered in your career journey & how have you overcome them?

Studies have shown that women, especially women of color, are more likely to encounter bias in the workplace. Imposter treatment, a term popularized by Elizabeth Leiba, is what happens in workplaces where we are treated as less than qualified, ignored in meetings, questioned more intently, or tone policed when asking critical questions. None of these are unique to my journey and having a close circle of girlfriends of varying ages has helped me overcome them. I know when I reach out, my friends will give me honest advice, grounded in their lived experience, while rooting for my continued success. I can be daring and fearless in my pursuits, because I have a tribe supporting me along the way.

What has been a key contributor to your success?

I aim to learn or try something new everyday. This learning can be external (e.g., reading a new study, or listening to a podcast) or internal (e.g., practicing new communication stances, or leaning into inquiry in a meeting). It can be honing a skill, practicing a new way of communicating, or lifting a bit more than I did the previous day. In Japan, this small but consistent improvement is called Kaizen.

What goal/ dream would you like to accomplish?

My current dream is to publish children’s books and books for young professionals. (I want to write the books that did not exist when I was a child!)

Watch this space for more to come! 🙂

What inspires and motivates you every day?

The idea of Cathedral Thinking motivates me. Many cathedrals took decades, if not centuries, to complete. Thus, most people who worked on them never lived to see the finished product. Cathedral thinking is rooted in the desire to build something lasting and meaningful, but recognizing that we might not live to see the end result. For example, what can be done today to address climate change, disrupt inequitable and oppressive systems, or foster communities that welcome migrants and refugees regardless of race or religion? I cannot tackle these issues on my own. But, I must do what I can with the hope that future generations will continue this work. I’m motivated knowing that even if I cannot change everything today, my actions contribute towards a brighter future. Together, we can build so many cathedrals!

What is the best piece of advice that you received?

I’ve received a lot of great advice over the years, so this is a difficult question to answer!

“Everything that happens in our lives, be it good or bad, has a purpose.

Repeatedly ask yourself, “What is the purpose of this?”

This framing helps me adopt an inquiry stance when faced with challenges and keeps me grounded in the fact that life naturally ebbs and flows.

1. Invest aggressively. Compounding interest is real and your future self will thank you!
2. Invest in your friendships and network. Network = networth.
3. Invest in yourself and your growth. And, don’t forget to document your wins for when you need a reminder of what you’ve accomplished and what you’re capable of.