Mindful Leadership: AAPI Change-Makers Reflect on How Their Identity Has Impacted Their Journeys

Juhi Saha

CEO of Partner1, an award-winning agency enabling B2B SaaS and services companies to maximize revenue growth—profitably—through partnerships.

Tiffany Brown

“Growing up in South Asia, I was shaped by values of discipline and resilience, plus an unwavering commitment to excellence. This gave me the grit to push through challenges and the work ethic to break past barriers and biases. There absolutely have been moments when I felt the weight of underestimation—whether due to my gender, ethnicity, or the quiet assumption that I didn’t ‘fit the mold’ of a traditional leader—but I used those experiences as fuel to lead with even greater purpose.” 

My advice to leaders: “Own your identity! It’s your strength, not a limitation. Lean into the values that shaped you: your work ethic, resilience, and sense of purpose. Don’t wait for permission to lead and instead trust your instincts, surround yourself with people who see your vision, and keep showing up with courage.”

Shang Saavedra

CEO of Save My Cents, a personal finance education platform that helps Americans build their money lives one cent at a time.

Two Dudes Photo

“When my family immigrated with little money from the People’s Republic of China, it made my parents laser focused on staying debt-free and being frugal, but they were also discouraged from taking risks.

As an AAPI entrepreneur today, I can see how that risk aversion has made me much more focused on profitability and cash flow—and often reluctant to make bigger bets where the outcome is uncertain.”

My advice to leaders: “Be willing to take some risks. When thinking about the amount of money you are willing to risk, you can allocate different amounts to different goals, some more risky than others. This also helps remove some of the fear around the misconception that you have to give everything to become an entrepreneur.”

Clara Ma

Founder & CEO of Ask a Chief of Staff, a premier executive search and career development platform dedicated to placing top-tier Chiefs of Staff and empowering professionals in strategic leadership roles.

Clara Ma

“As a Chinese-American daughter of immigrants from Hong Kong, I grew up surrounded by both traditional expectations and the entrepreneurial energy of Silicon Valley. My parents deeply instilled a belief that hard work could carry us anywhere. That work ethic has been the backbone of my journey as a founder. While it can feel isolating to be one of the few Asian-American women in startup spaces, it’s pushed me to adapt and proudly show up as my full self, bridging worlds while staying rooted in my own.”

My advice to leaders: “Don’t feel pressured to follow someone else’s blueprint for success—just because others did it one way doesn’t mean you can’t carve your own path.”

Caitlin Ner

Director of Operations at PsyMed Ventures, a venture fund investing in frontier technologies that transform the mental and brain health epidemic into a flourishing future.

Jack Simpson Photography

“As a Filipino-American working in mental and brain health venture capital, embracing my heritage has helped me lead with compassion and cultural sensitivity in a field that deeply needs it. Filipino values like bayanihan (community support) and pakikipagkapwa (shared humanity and deep empathy) shape how I lead, build relationships, and invest in people-first solutions. Growing up in a culture where mental health was often stigmatized pushed me to create spaces where open dialogue and healing are possible.”

My advice to leaders: “Prioritizing mental health—even when you’re not in crisis—is essential to thriving in your career. It allows you to better understand yourself beyond external expectations and cultural pressure so you can make choices that truly align with your values.”

Ari Krzyzek

CEO & Head of Strategy at Chykalophia Creative & Web, the creative and web agency helping brands bring their ideas to life and transform their websites into platforms for growth.

Gusmank Photography

“One of the biggest challenges I faced early on as an AAPI entrepreneur who immigrated from Indonesia was not seeing people who looked like me in leadership or tech spaces. It created a sense of self-doubt, and at times, I questioned whether I truly belonged in those rooms. That challenge became my fuel. It made me more intentional about showing up, not just for myself, but for others who needed to see representation.”

My advice to leaders: “Your story is your power—own it! As AAPI leaders, we often carry cultural expectations or narratives that tell us to stay in the background or avoid taking risks. But thriving as a changemaker means leaning into your uniqueness, not hiding it. Let your lived experiences inform your perspective, creativity, and approach to problem-solving.”

Misasha Suzuki Graham

Co-Founder of Dear White Women LLC, helping white women (and a growing number of others!) to use their privilege to uproot systemic inequalities without centering themselves in the process.

Andrew Ge

“For much of my life, I was taught to make myself smaller—be it slouching to fold my taller frame into smaller spaces, lowering my voice to make it quieter, or holding my tongue instead of sharing my opinions. It’s taken decades to get past the notion that my voice doesn’t matter. On the flip side, being multiethnic means that I have been having discussions about culture and identity basically since birth, and I’ve been able to help others find ways to have seemingly difficult conversations based on this unique insight.”

My advice to leaders: “Take up the space you deserve! Don’t let anyone tell you that your voice doesn’t matter. We all need to stop playing small and share our perspectives to ensure we stay true to ourselves and our communities.”

Nikki Cannon

Founder of Butter + Bow, a modern gifting studio crafting small-batch cookies, candles, and self-care goods designed to turn everyday moments into meaningful experiences.

Christopher Cannon

“Born in Novato, California to Taiwanese and Singaporean parents, my world was torn apart when my family’s floral business failed and my parents divorced. When I was seven, my grandmother moved us to China, where we watched my mother build a skincare business from the ground up. Entrepreneurship was never framed as glamorous; it was sacrifice and survival. And it was also love—a quiet, unwavering devotion shown through long hours, relentless resourcefulness, and the belief that my sister and I could have more. Butter + Bow is my way of honoring that legacy. It’s rooted in the cultural values I was raised with: thoughtfulness, reciprocity, and the beauty of showing care through small, intentional gifts.”

My advice to leaders: “Forget what you’ve been told about keeping your head down and waiting to be noticed. As AAPI leaders, we need to unlearn the idea that doing good work quietly is enough. Success often comes from being visible, building relationships, and asking for what we need, even when it feels uncomfortable. Leverage the power of guanxi—that deeply rooted system of mutual support and connection that drives business across Asia—and use it to uplift one another. Reach out, make the introduction, ask the question. You’re not meant to do this alone.”

Grace Nguyen

Founder & CEO of LOUPN, an inclusive jewelry brand intended to encourage positivity, confidence, and love.

Sohyun Lee

“Growing up, I didn’t see anyone who looked like me in the mainstream media, so I turned to Korean fashion magazines to feel a sense of belonging. When I launched my brand, I made a point to use Asian models so that I could bring that sense of belonging to AAPI youth. It’s been very fulfilling seeing Asians connect with my brand and that LOUPN provides a way for them to express themselves in a way they never knew they could.”

My advice to leaders: “Support each other! The people that have had the biggest impact on my business are Asian creators and stylists. Building out my network of like-minded entrepreneurs and creators has been key to our growth.”