As a first generation Asian American, I grew up watching my parents build a business in a country they barely knew, without the English language or an American education. It took me years to understand what a remarkable thing they had done. That lesson stayed with me: success has no limitations.

Their ambition fueled me to build a better future for myself, regardless of where I started. I carried that drive into a career around marketing, communication, and social impact. Early on, I did marketing and design work for educational institutions focused on social entrepreneurship. That work opened my eyes to something that has guided me ever since: marketing isn't just about a message, it's about understanding the customer journey and genuinely helping people. It taught me to bridge the gap between marketing and real service.

For over a decade in public sector work, most recently leading marketing and customer engagement at San Joaquin Regional Transit District, I put that philosophy to work. I built multilingual campaigns that reached people in the languages they speak and the places they live. As a Public Information Officer, I represented organizations across news media, online and offline, communicating clearly when it mattered most.