What motivates you on the tough days?
For me, there are two types of tough days. The first is when something unexpected occurs or goes wrong. Typically, that requires so much extra time and energy to navigate through for things that are out of my control to get back on track. Because my job and volunteer activities are mission-driven, the mission is always enough to bounce back from that.
The second is inadvertently making a mistake that results in either disappointing myself or someone in my inner circle. I’ve come to accept that to err is human. Especially after learning about the impact of ADHD and a couple of health blips, I am more reflective and keep in mind what is truly important. I asked a colleague once how she stayed so patient. She said, “I just give others grace.” I took that to heart and each time I give or receive grace, I feel rejuvenated.
What is one risk you took that really paid off?
In 2014, I transitioned away from marketing and project management to more fully delve into community relations as Public Interface Manager of a rail project. That meant long hours on the job site while wearing a hard hat and steel-toed boots. Creating a community relations plan, and being a liaison to client and area stakeholders led me to work on HART’s Public Information team where I got to hone those community relations skills.
When I was invited to interview for an agency public relations position, I soon learned what my wise boss already knew—a strong background in community and stakeholder relations, combined with diverse contacts and communications experience, can be valuable assets in the specialty field of public relations. Eleven years ago, I began a new path that has led to much professional and personal fulfillment.
What’s a song that always gets you pumped up?
There are two, actually. The first is “Rise Up.” The lyrics are amazing and so encouraging. The second is “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. My daughter and I used to sing and dance to it when it first came out, and anytime I hear it, it lights me up.
What’s your vision for women in your industry 10 years from now?
In 10 years, I imagine AI will play a larger role in public relations and all communication fields in general. Media may be more complex with platforms and influencers that are yet to rise, which creates the environment for even more misinformation and untruths to spread.
Given that context, my vision is for women in our industry to have kept pace with new technology and utilized professional development opportunities to expand their core skills. To stay relevant, women in PR will continue to demonstrate the importance of human input, relationships, and relevance that creates value to the C-suite. We experienced that during the pandemic, when PR rose in stature. The public, private, and non-profit sectors will still need a trustworthy individual to forge stronger connections, build credibility, and mitigate challenges with their public and stakeholders. Embrace change, use all the technology possible to make work life easier and create that work-home harmony.
Who was your biggest role model or mentor growing up?
Growing up, my mother. We left our home country when I was 7 due to civil war and my parents both being ethnic minorities there. My mother demonstrated strong values and work ethic. She also showed me what it was like to live with grit and courage. My mom lost her mom at a young age and growing up, not many girls went into science. She asked her father to transfer her to an all-boys school to do so, went to an international conference at 18, and enrolled in a master’s program at an American university.
As a young female teacher in a local college, she rode a bike back and forth to home. All these acts were groundbreaking during her time. When we left, she even sewed money into the hems of her sarees so that we had enough funds to start a new life (more than the imposed limit). She always encouraged us to travel, to be good environmental stewards, and encouraged my pursuits. As my career progressed in the male-dominated fields of construction and engineering after moving back to Hawai‘i after time on the continent, she was my biggest cheerleader.
Who is one woman you’d love to have dinner with and why?
There are so many, it’s hard to choose! Today, I think of Jane Fonda because she has lived such a multi-faceted life. Her ongoing environmental activism and standing up for her beliefs even to the detriment of her career are inspirational. The energy and gusto with which she lives her life, through her 80s, is incredible. I need to ask her for all her self-care tips!
