A Japanese-American multi-race individual, I faced microaggressions and adversity, starting when I was a child and tried to “pass” in order to fit in. Growing up with a multicultural and multiracial background led to a special kind of discrimination– I am considered a minority in both my home countries and I have been denied roles at companies due to racial biases.
Over the past few years, I happily watched as traditional HR shifted to the People Ops landscape as diversity, equality, and inclusion became a greater priority, as well as strong, company cultures team members are ALL-IN, excited, and passionate about their about their company’s mission, vision, goals and values– and so committed that they never want to leave.
I strongly advocate that everyone, no matter what race, ethnicity, identity, and any disabilities are all created equal, that they bring unique perspectives to the world, with access to opportunities.