AAPI entrepreneurs embrace their cultural heritage to become stronger, more authentic leaders

From underrepresentation in top management positions to a lack of startup funding opportunities, the systemic obstacles Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women face in business are real.

However, many AAPI leaders recognize that the best approach to overcoming these obstacles is to rely on cultural heritage.

“Early in my career, I never fully embraced the incredible gift of being half-Asian and growing up in a multicultural family.” Partnering with universities to support the next generation of leaders said Trish Bose, founder and CEO of Unlimit Me. At the same time, she added, “she didn’t want to acknowledge any of the challenges she faced along the way in her life, which caused her to burn out and not show her whole self.”

Now, she understands that being a strong leader means being authentic and fully integrating all parts of her life’s journey. “To do the impactful work I want to do, I need to embrace and love every part of myself, build deeper connections with people, help them own who they really are and their unique journeys, and embrace and love every part of myself. You have to give me permission to accept it,” she says.

In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, Bose and six other dynamic women leaders of Asian descent share how embracing their cultural heritage has profoundly impacted their professional trajectories. Masu. These influential voices encourage other AAPI trailblazers, or those who want to more authentically take on leadership, to embrace diversity, break down barriers with confidence, and innovate without boundaries. provide wisdom.

Harnessing diversity for innovation and impact

We know that diversity is the source of innovation, providing fresh perspectives and creative solutions that move industries forward. A McKinsey report shows that companies with gender and ethnic diversity in their leadership teams are 39% more likely to outperform their peers financially.

“As a South Asian woman leading a sports technology company dominated by a homogeneous industry, it was critical for us to embrace diversity as a cornerstone of our strategy,” says Break The Love, an online destination for community-based recreational sports. said Kim K Patel, Chief Operating Officer. .

She believes that her philosophy of embracing diversity has enriched her team’s problem-solving abilities and strengthened its competitive edge. “This approach allows us to navigate and innovate in this space, thereby making recreational sports more accessible through technology,” she says.

“Embrace the rich tapestry of AAPI heritage as a unique strength. Let your cultural identity be both a guide and a differentiator as you forge new paths to success and diversity.” says Medha Nikki Rishi, founder and CEO of parenting support platform MissPoppins. She has seen that having a diverse cultural heritage gives businesses strength, and that her unique perspective and resilience drive innovative solutions and inspire a more inclusive industry environment.

Exemplify an inclusive leadership style

Establishing an environment where all perspectives are recognized and respected is essential to building healthy teams where innovation thrives.

“Leadership is about more than just leading a team. It’s about elevating the voices that aren’t being heard,” says Nandita Gupta, Accessibility Product Manager at Microsoft. “As leaders, it is our responsibility to make sure that happens.”

Working in the disability field, she realized the power of adopting an adaptive and inclusive leadership style. “As a leader, adaptability has allowed me to continue to embrace new ideas, adjust my approach, and embrace different perspectives. Inclusive leadership fosters a sense of belonging among team members and encourages diverse We were able to encourage thoughts and ideas. This combination created a dynamic environment where innovation thrives and everyone feels valued,” adds Mr. Gupta.

Embrace resilience as a superpower

Even in adversity, resilience is powerful when harnessed to build greater strength and capacity in those who utilize it.

“From my experience, it is essential to embrace your cultural traditions and use them as a source of strength and resilience in your entrepreneurial journey,” says Superintendent, who helps change stigma around youth mental health. says Jessica Sikora, the band’s founder and CEO.

That power of resilience was one of the deepest insights she gained while building her nonprofit. “Embracing change and learning from setbacks not only strengthened my resolve, but also fueled the organization’s growth and impact,” she says. “Resiliency has allowed me to rise above challenges with confidence and creativity and build an organization that uniquely impacts the lives of young people across the country in powerful ways.”

Choose a partner who believes in you

The partnerships you establish not only shape your current reality, but also have a huge impact on your path to success.

As a woman or a minority in the tech industry, “unless you’re very lucky, you have to justify who you are and prove your worth, no matter how humble or confident you are or how you dress. You get to stand in a room and say, “How perfect is your job?” says Seio Tatebe, CEO of Lights On Labs, an incubator for high-impact leaders and startup campaigns.

Her experiences feeling that way not only gave her resilience, but also served as a filter mechanism for finding people she wanted to work with. “My job is not to convince others that I am great or worthy. It is to articulate who I am, what I stand for, and why.” , and sending it into the sky as a giant bat signal,” she says. “The people who see that and respond are the people I want to work with, and it saves me a lot of time and trouble because they’re the ones I wouldn’t choose myself.”

Overcoming traditional norms

While embracing your cultural traditions can have many benefits, it can also be challenging, especially in the startup world. It is important to critically evaluate your ingrained values ​​and intentionally choose values ​​that serve you.

“My entrepreneurial journey has required me to re-evaluate and re-learn many culturally ingrained behaviors. Keeping my head down, having the belief that only hard work guarantees success, and always being self-centered. We had to put the group’s desires before the desires of the group,” says Kiona Moi, Founder and CEO of VKTORI. A braless, neuro-inclusive apparel company. “As the leader of an early-stage startup, success means speaking up, working intelligently, and pursuing my deepest desires to make dreams a reality, even if it means challenging conventional norms.” As AAPI women, we’ve been conditioned to ignore our deepest desires. Go back to what you want and let your instincts guide you.”