NAAAP 2025 Leadership Convention

On August 21, 2025

I was truly honored to receive the NAAAP 100 Vision award last week! Having served on the board for 9 years and worked with, moderated, or taught workshops (NYC, Kansas City, D.C., Dallas, San Diego, Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago and others) over 20 years, you build friendships and invest in the potential of young […]

On August 19, 2025

After reviewing thousands of leadership assessments and working closely with teams across industries, I’ve seen that strong teams aren’t built simply because we say we want them. And cross-cultural capability doesn’t develop through osmosis or good intentions alone. It requires deep grounding and the ability to communicate in ways that others truly understand—to shift perspectives […]

On August 20, 2024

🎬That’s a line from the scene in Cinema Paradiso where Alfredo, the movie projectionist mentor, bids farewell to his beloved young apprentice, Toto as he goes off to the military. Watching this, one of my favorite movies, (with an achingly beautiful soundtrack by Giuseppe Tornatore)on the big screen in Bryant Park reminded me of the […]

On March 15, 2024

Bringing your whole self to work every day, especially if you are bi-racial, is a process of discovery and self awareness. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I am excited to introduce Kim Cummings, SPHR, SCP SVP of HR at Childrens Hospital, from my forthcoming book, Leadership Toolkit for Asians. For Kim, the concept of bringing her […]

On March 15, 2024

I’ve always been intrigued by the possibilities of an empty classroom, long before anyone arrives for a new learning session! As I prepare, I like to ponder: 🔔 Who are the people and personalities who will show up?🔔 What tricky challenges can we tackle together?💡 What innovative thought(s) and actions will emerge from our work […]

On March 14, 2024

I found my voice in my late 20’s when I decided to own my own leadership. Having spent my early elementary school years in Korea, “Yeolshimhee” (loosely translated to working diligently) was the mantra we were taught, and students learned to be quiet and obedient. As the new kid on the block in my NYC […]

On March 14, 2024

When I first moved to the U.S as a child, I could not eat pizza. Now, it’s one of my favorite foods. Asian Americans may seem to readily adopt Western ways of living, but our deeply ingrained cultural values may still be fundamental to who we are. Case in point: I still wait for the […]

On March 14, 2024

What to say about the original GIRL DAD who loved us with the deepest affection until the very end? There’s not enough time and space! The dictionary says a renaissance man is a man of many talents or areas of knowledge and that was true of my father: in music, in basketball, baseball, and soccer […]

On July 17, 2023
ConstanceHayes, ConstanceHayesMatsumoto, KentMatsumoto, OfWhiteAshes

The month of May brought my copy of a new novel, Of White Ashes, written by dear friends #ConstanceHayes Matsumoto and #KentMatsumoto. This historical novel tells parallel stories of a Japanese American girl experiencing internment in Hawaii and a boy growing up in Japan during WWII. When they meet many years later, they are drawn to […]

On September 29, 2022
ConstanceHayes, ConstanceHayesMatsumoto, KentMatsumoto, OfWhiteAshes

The power of diversity shines in a culture of inclusion, where differences are valued and encouraged. Common values are the foundation, but different perspectives and behaviors lead to new understanding, ideas, and growth. Erby Foster (1954-2022) It’s been 3 weeks since I heard the news of the unexpected passing of Erby Foster, a dear friend, and […]

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NAAAP 2025 Leadership Convention

I’m pleased to share my recent conversation with Bill Sherman on the Leveraging Thought Leadership podcast.

“Whatever you end up doing, love it.”

Kim Cummings – the Journey to Leading Authentically

The Possibilities of an Empty Classroom

New Book Cover Reveal! Coming April 30th!

Getting Used to Pizza

Remembering the Original “Girl Dad”: A Tribute to My Father

Remembering My Mom and Donuts

A Letter of Gratitude for a Dear Friend: Erby Foster