Home base or location:
unceded xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish),
Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) territories, colonially known as Vancouver, BC, Canada
I grew up in Prince George, a logging town in northern British Columbia, halfway to Alaska. My mom is Japanese - Canadian and my dad is white, of Scottish and Irish descent. Growing up as a queer, mixed race person I had a lot of experiences feeling like I didn’t belong or that I was bumping up against systemic discrimination in school. We all know what it’s like to feel like we don’t belong and sucks. I now see who I am as a superpower, as it allows me to see and name power dynamics that people who are part of majority groups don’t often see or understand.
What were the biggest initial hurdles and how did you overcome them?
When I changed careers to move into doing diversity, equity and inclusion in tech it took work to find the people who shared my values. A lot of the career advice that white women had for me didn’t make sense or didn’t apply to who I am. I’m grateful for having found practitioners who I admire and learn from. We lift each other up, and I’m grateful for that.
What books are you currently reading?
Minda Harts’ Right Within on audiobook
S. Bear Bergman’s Special Topics in Being a Human: A Queer and Tender Guide to Things I've Learned the Hard Way about Caring For People, Including Myself
Michelle MiJung Kim’s The Wake Up: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change
What advice would you give to an upcoming youth or talents locally and internationally?
Know what is important to you and what your dreams are, even if the people around you don’t necessarily understand them.
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