What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?
To be authentic, lead with passion and purpose.
To speak my truth and turn truth into power and action.
What do you consider to be your most important career achievement or milestone?
The most important career achievement thus far is my journey from bench research scientist to Global Lead of the Pan Asian Network Organization.
As I reflect on the journey from lab to lead, I am fortunate for the opportunities received along the way, such as developing innovative medicines for our patients, exploring several roles within the company, and championing the voices of the AANHPI colleagues, patients, and community. Along this journey, I have also experienced challenges, particularly around implicit biases.
Early in my career at other organizations, I struggled with feeling invisible and no sense of belonging. At home, I was confident, courageous, and creative. I was bold and a risk-taker. However, in the office, I was seen as quiet, hardworking, and technically skilled but not a leader. I was not showing my authentic self.
I knew through my experiences I could what I knew to affect change. I applied my insights to strengthen the AANHPI community. To break through the bamboo ceiling for the next generation of leaders including my three boys, Khrystian (25), Joshua (18), and Izayah (16).
As a DEI professional and Global Lead for the PAN PBRG, it is an honor to have spent the last 19 years of my life at an organization with a legacy of a deep commitment to Global Inclusion, Diversity, and Health Equity. It has been a privilege to experience the incredible work BMS is doing to create an environment where all individuals are valued, welcomed, and feel a sense of belonging.
At BMS, my commitment to the company has been recognized and valued as I have risen from a laboratory scientist to a global leader reporting to an EVP where I have managed almost 4,000 colleagues worldwide. As a global company, BMS has created an environment where individuals can grow, find their passion, and transform themselves to achieve our mission – to help serve our patients.
My role as Global Lead for the PAN PBRG is to elevate the voices of Asian and Pacific Islander colleagues and allies to strengthen a sense of belonging and leadership globally. We are committed to empowering AANHPI and Pacific Islander leaders and allies to use their diverse cultural perspectives to drive new and innovative ideas and competitive outcomes for the organization and promote diversity in healthcare, advance health equity and social justice for other Asian and Pacific Islander patients and communities.
What do you aspire to accomplish in your career and why? What obstacles will you overcome?
In my role and future roles would like to continue to strengthen the role of diversity at BMS, share experiences with colleagues, and create an even stronger voice. Leading by example is important.
Describe an amazing opportunity in your STEM career.
Surrounded by loved ones and friends struggling or dying from cancer, I made it my mission to help find a cure for cancer. My dream became a reality soon after graduating with a biotechnology degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2004 and starting my career as a Research Scientist at Bristol Myers Squibb.
Since then, my STEM journey has evolved to working with patients in the clinical trial space, managing key global immuno-oncology studies as a senior project manager, overseeing quality governance and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) across the company as an auditor, and currently leading the Global Pan Asian Network People and Business group working to foster greater transparency around opportunities for growth and are strengthening our culture of inclusion to encourage all voices, explore new ideas and eliminate barriers to our company vision to transform patients’ lives through science
How was AWIS helped you professionally and/or personally?
It has allowed me to share best practices and learn from other leaders in the scientific community.
What is your favorite word? (only one word)
Perseverance
How do you define it?
For me, it’s the determination to achieve greatness despite obstacles and challenges.
How has this word influenced or inspired your career?
I had my first son at 18 years old. Young, scared, and knowing it would be difficult to raise a baby while in college, I did not let that stop me from pursuing my dreams.
Perseverance shaped me both in my personal and professional journey. I am blessed with 3 incredible sons. Leading the Global Pan Asian Network organization, one of the company’s thriving People and Business Resource Groups (PBRGs). I am fortunate to champion and advance the education of AANHPI culture, drive organizational understanding of Asian patients, communities, and customers, and foster innovation and growth for the company through employee engagement.
What are you currently reading or listening to?
Making a Scene by Constance Wu
What do you consider the best professional or personal advice you’ve ever received?
To live with passion and purpose and speak my truth.