President & CEO, Cole Chemical – Houston, Texas
In 1996, I joined the first cohort of the Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute (APAWLI) in Los Angeles. Our group represented a rich diversity of American, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, and bi-racial women, drawn from large and small businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits across the country.
This experience offered more than leadership training—it was an awakening. We learned from each other and built meaningful relationships, even as we navigated historical and cultural differences. APAWLI’s mission spoke to me deeply: developing leaders who are ethical, caring, and compassionate—and ensuring these women have seats at decision-making tables.
The intensive introspective work challenged us to examine ourselves: Who am I? And more importantly—so what? What comes next? For me, the answer lay in action.
The starfish story—reminding us that every individual effort matters—inspired me to create change in my own community. From that vision, the “Pipeline for the Sciences” program was born. In partnership with a socially and economically challenged public school serving 1,200 students in grades 5–8, we created a hands-on, half-day Saturday event introducing students to chemical science. Students perform eight experiments, watch a chemical industry video showcasing the positive impact of the field, enjoy snacks, and participate in a nitrogen demonstration. This program continues to this day.
Throughout my journey, APAWLI has given me lifelong sisterhood. I’ve built friendships, formed business partnerships, and referred many of my APAWLI sisters to new opportunities. Since 1996, I’ve proudly served multiple terms on the CAPAW Board, always carrying forward the lessons I learned from that first leadership class.
Together, we continue to pay it forward.
