My social impact journey reflects a lifelong passion for empowering underresourced communities, advancing education, and promoting sustainable development. Through my professional work, volunteer efforts, and personal projects, I strive to make a difference by amplifying voices, advocating for equity, and finding innovative ways to address complex challenges.

This page highlights the causes I care about and the initiatives I’ve contributed to. Beyond my work, these experiences shape who I am and inspire me to continue learning, growing, and contributing.

 
IMG_5885.JPG

net impact nyc

Net Impact NYC activates a network of professionals to leverage the power of business for social and environmental change, and serve as a unique resource for professionals seeking to learn about the social impact sector, to connect with like-minded people, and to put their business skills to work for changing the world.

My accomplishments as Events Chair include:

  • Developed the Social Innovation Hack (2016 and 2017) - a (non-coding) hackathon focused on finding new solutions to address global challenges.

  • Developed the Net Impact NYC Summit (2017 and 2018) - a one-day conference featuring industry experts and thought leaders on subjects pertaining to professional growth and leadership development in the social impact space.

  • Developed the Social Impact Pitch (here and here) - a happy hour with a purpose.

  • Other events - panel on FinTech and Financial Inclusion, dinner with Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase & Co., and more.

IMG_8457.jpg

womankind young professionals board

Womankind (formerly New York Asian Women’s Center) works with survivors of gender-based violence to rise above trauma and build a path to healing by providing critical resources and services. The Young Professionals Board supports these efforts by hosting events, targeted at professionals in their 20’s - 40’s, to fundraise and build awareness of the organization.

My accomplishments include:

  • As Donor Relations Chair, established donor/sponsor outreach procedures for the young professionals board, created outreach materials and templates, and determined sponsorship benefits.

  • Planned the Women’s Equality Happy Hour event and secured raffle prizes.

  • Event Lead for the Women in Fashion: Sustained Empowerment event, which featured a fashion show and fireside chat.

IMG_0203.jpg

peace corps

From June 2008 - July 2009, I volunteered with the Peace Corps in Mauritania (or as we often called it: RIM - Republique Islamique de Mauritanie). I lived in Atar, a regional capital in the northern most part of Mauritania, and worked on girls education and empowerment.

A fellow volunteer and I ran the Girls Mentoring Center.  We provided English, French, computer and livelihood skills classes for middle school and high school girls and young women who dropped out of school or did not pass their BAC. We also provided classes for members of women's co-ops. 

Other things that occurred during my service:

  • Coup d'Etat 1.5 months after we arrived in the country.

  • Learned Hassaniya (a dialect of Arabic) but ended up using French for the duration of my service.

  • Interrupted service and eventual closure of program.

ac_logo.png

handson twin cities

HandsOn Twin Cities is the Twin Cities’ only full service volunteer center that both promotes and facilitates volunteerism while improving the community’s ability to create more impact with the time generously given by volunteers.

As an AmeriCorps Project Development Coordinator, I was responsible for developing and managing one-time volunteer projects targeted at busy professionals, and recruiting and training volunteer leaders. My accomplishments include:

  • 10+ projects focused on homelessness and poverty, such as reading with children at a homeless shelter in the evening.

  • Developed and led a service-learning program on human trafficking in Minnesota.

other activities

  • Served on the Convention Planning Team for the 2012, 2014 and 2015 National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Leadership Conventions.

  • Reviewed scholarship applications for APIA Scholars and mentored alumni.

  • Mentored and worked with high school students on their college and scholarship applications.

  • Taught English classes to recent immigrants.