Imagine a future where leadership reflects all of us.

A world where our cultures, identities, and lived experiences aren’t barriers—they’re our greatest strengths. A world where we are empowered to lead because of our differences.

That’s the future I’m working toward. And I invite you to build it with me.

The world is changing. Society is evolving. But leadership standards? They’ve barely shifted in a century.

From who we see as beautiful, to who we watch on movie screens, to the voices we hear in music, to who we vote into office, we’ve been conditioned to believe that leadership must look, act, and think a certain way. As a result, many of us feel the need to shrink, conform, or reshape ourselves to fit into definitions and expectations that were never designed for us.

True leadership isn’t about fitting into outdated molds—it’s about redefining the definition to reflect the richness of our cultures, identities, and lived experiences.

What I Do

For over 15 years, I’ve worked with organizations to redefine leadership—expanding who gets to lead and how leadership is cultivated. I design programs that uplift women, system-impacted communities, and people of color—helping them own their power, embrace their stories, and disrupt outdated leadership standards. My work focuses on creating access to mentors, resources, and networks that break systemic barriers and build lasting pathways to leadership. I also work with organizations to develop leadership strategies that center equity, inclusion, and lived experiences.

My Journey

I often think about where I am today—and how I got here. It wasn’t a straight path.

I never imagined earning a doctorate in Organizational Change & Leadership, working in the halls of power in the California Legislature, or leading organizations that drive systemic change. As a Limited English Proficient student in South Sacramento, I struggled to understand my teachers in underfunded public schools surrounded by violence. I vividly remember the walls built around my elementary school to keep us safe from stray bullets.

Summers were spent picking fruit in the fields with my parents to make ends meet. I didn’t know I was struggling at the time—I only knew to keep moving forward.

But I also know my outcome is not the reality for most people like me.
And that is a systemic problem I want to fix.

Throughout my journey, I faced countless "breaking moments"—challenges that tested me personally and professionally. I never had generational wealth, insider networks, or a blueprint for navigating professional spaces. What I did have was curiosity, persistence, and a relentless drive to create transformation—not just for myself, but for others like me.

Now, I use my lived experiences and academic training to design data-driven solutions that help emerging leaders navigate systems, claim their power, and create change. These are lessons I wish I had known earlier—lessons that close systemic gaps and empower those who lack access to generational knowledge, wealth, or networks of support.

Because leadership should not be reserved for the few—it should reflect all of us.

Why I do It

When I first stepped into the halls of power in the California State Legislature, I didn’t feel like I completely belonged. The imposter phenomenon is powerful. I questioned whether I was smart enough. I hesitated to share my story—because no one around me seemed to come from a background like mine.

Through education and deep self-reflection, I realized that my discomfort wasn’t personal—it was systemic. Our institutions weren’t built to make all of us feel like we belong. In a society where we are taught to “adjust” to fit in, it becomes normal to leave behind our cultural values.

It took me a long time to embrace my story. But I learned that our stories hold power. By normalizing narratives like mine, we create space for others—especially young people—to see themselves reflected in leadership.

My childhood stories are not just my own. They are the stories of countless children from immigrant families, each carrying a unique lens that shapes how they see the world.

Our stories are our strength. Our strength is in our stories.

I am the daughter of Chinese refugees who fled Vietnam during the Sino-Chinese Vietnam War—a journey of survival and resilience. My parents’ hardships shaped my own. They taught me to persevere, take risks, stand up for what I believe in, help those in need, be resourceful, and turn ideas into tangible change.

These values fuel my work every day. My identity and life experiences shape how I lead.

I do this work so that my multiracial daughter—and future generations of Asian Americans, Black, Indigenous, and all marginalized communities—can grow up in a world where they don’t have to question if they belong. A world where they can fully embrace who they are, become all they aspire to be, and go further than I could ever imagine.