2024 National Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Leadership Summit - Advancing AANHPI Leadership: Values, Virtues, and Visibility

What we can learn from the 2024 AANHPI Summit by National Diversity Council in New York City May 28 - thank you National Grid ERG Asian-Leadership-Association for inviting the #SupplyChain #Sustainability and #Diversity, Global #Procurement team

Overcoming Cultural Barriers in Art - Melissa Chiu, Director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, exemplifies the intricate processes and efforts required to overcome cultural barriers in the art world. Chiu has been a staunch advocate for Asian artists in American institutions, working quietly yet impact-fully to create new pathways for their recognition and celebration. Her efforts ensure that Asian artists' voices and works are integrated into the broader narrative of art history. As Chiu passionately asserts, "It's the quiet work of making new art history."

The Power of Mentorship and Community - Maneesh Gulati, Partner at McCarter & English, emphasizes the critical role of mentorship, networking, and relationship-building in career advancement. Gulati's journey illustrates how successes in the professionalism realm are often the result of a supportive community and strategic relationships. He encapsulates this view with the assertion, "Our successes are products of our communities," highlighting the importance of cultivating mentors, champions, and advocates.

Resilience and Leadership of AANHPI Women - Ripa Rashid, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Consumer Reports, sheds light on the unique leadership challenges and opportunities faced by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women. Rashid advocates for self-promotion and leveraging sponsorship to overcome these challenges. She emphasizes the necessity for AANHPI women to ensure they are not overlooked and to actively engage in self-advocacy. Her poignant advice, "Make sure you are not your own best-kept secret," serves as a rallying cry for greater visibility and acknowledgement.

Combating Stereotypes and Fostering Inclusion - Gurwin Ahuja, Co-Founder of We are Sikhs, addresses the battle against stereotypes, particularly within the Sikh community. Ahuja underscores the importance of focusing on shared values, inclusion, and community outreach to combat these stereotypes. His reflections are rooted in personal experiences and the broader efforts of initiatives like We Are Sikhs, formed post-9/11 to mitigate prejudice. Ahuja's approach is captured in his statement, "Focusing on shared values with the broader American population."

Embracing Authenticity in the Workplace - Sung Pak, Senior VP at Estee Lauder Companies, reflects on the significance of personal growth, embracing vulnerability, and bringing one's whole self to work. Pak explains how these elements are crucial for forming genuine connections and effective leadership. Her personal anecdotes, including her career change inspired by a spur-of-the-moment decision, illustrate the broader impact of authenticity in professional settings. Her message, "Connecting with everybody on a human level," underscores the importance of empathy and authenticity in leadership.

Sincere thanks to my colleagues at National Grid : Priya D. , Saken Pillay Khokhar , Daphning Pierre , Chris Burnett , Neema Eftekhari , Raman Hir and other passionate diversity champions I met on site Emily Pfister , Zhen Yu Huang , Anjali Jones happy to stay in touch!