Asian American Empowerment: Fighting anti-Asian hate, creating representation, and building community with Dave Lu, Taiwanese American Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, and Activist (Ep. 181)
In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we chat with the inspiring Dave Lu. Dave is a Taiwanese American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and activist. Dave shares his remarkable journey growing up as the child of Taiwanese immigrants to now being the Founder & Managing Partner at Hyphen Capital, Co-Founder & President of Expo, and Co-Founder, Stand with Asian Americans. From his experiences as a child of Taiwanese immigrants and a tech industry veteran to his powerful advocacy against anti-Asian hate, Dave's story is one of resilience and empowerment. Dave recently produced the Emmy-winning documentary short 38 at the Garden about NBA player Jeremy Lin, which was acquired by HBO. Dave sits on the advisory board of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the Asia Pacific Fund. Dave received his bachelor degree in finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In this episode, we dive deep into: How growing up as a Taiwanese American impacts your career and life choices. The rise of anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic, and the importance of telling our stories (as seen on the Wall Street Journal). How the courage to speak up and organize led to the founding of Stand With Asian Americans. The power of representation in sports and media, including Jeremy Lin’s story. Challenges and opportunities for Asian American founders in venture capital and technology. Strategies for building your own opportunities and taking control of your narrative. The power of storytelling in fostering understanding and driving social change. The importance of creating inclusive environments and supporting diverse founders, especially women founders. Finding purpose and joy in the face of challenges. Connect with us: Connect with Dave Lu on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davelu/ and on substack at https://substack.com/@davelu. Follow Samorn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/. Get a copy of Samorn’s book, “Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer” at https://tinyurl.com/2dk5hr2f. Get weekly career tips by signing up for our advice column at www.careerunicorns.com. Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com.
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Title: Secrets to thriving in a challenging job market with Tammy Dain, Founder of Rabble (Ep. 180)
Tammy Dain has over 10+ years of experience in the talent acquisition and human resources space from the tech, legal and higher education industries. Tammy is the Co-Founder of a boutique staffing company. Prior to this, she was the Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant with Axiom Law, where she was for almost 7 years as their Director of Talent Acquisition in the West region. In this episode, we dive deep into: Learning strategies for landing great job offers in the current challenging job market. Understanding the foundational importance of work ethic in today's job market. Negotiating effectively for an increase in salary and other compensation factors. Examining the impact of AI in recruiting and ethical AI. Prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in hiring practices even if your company has scaled back its programs. Exploring strategies for re-entering the work-force after a long career break. Connect with us: Connect with Tammy Dain on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammydain/ and on https://www.rabblerecruiting.com/about. Follow Samorn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/. Get a copy of Samorn’s book, “Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer” at https://tinyurl.com/2dk5hr2f. Get weekly career tips by signing up for our advice column at www.careerunicorns.com. Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com.
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Breaking the glass ceiling in finance and tech with Constance Sng, Chief of Capital Formation and Investor Relations at Alphemy Capital (Ep. 179)
Join us for an insightful conversation with Constance Sng, Chief of Capital Formation and Investor Relations at Alphemy Capital, as she shares her remarkable journey navigating the intersection of finance and technology. Constance reveals how she successfully transitioned from traditional finance to the dynamic world of fintech and blockchain, built a thriving network after moving from Singapore to New York, and broke through the glass ceiling to achieve leadership success. Constance is the Chief of Capital Formation and Investor Relations at Alphemy Capital, and was the Global Head of Capital Formation at Abra, the Chief of Capital Strategy at Hudson Cove Capital, and the Head of Distribution and Executive Director of Credit Suisse Asset Management. She has been serving as the Chair of the Advisory Board for The Investment Diversity Exchange (TIDE) since 2020. In this episode, we dive deep into: Successful career transitions: learn actionable strategies for leveraging your existing skills to make impactful career pivots into exciting new fields like fintech. Navigating leadership as an Asian woman: gain valuable insights on how to challenge the status quo, advocate for yourself, and excel as an Asian woman in leadership roles. The power of strategic networking: discover the secrets to building meaningful and mutually supportive professional communities, especially when navigating new environments. Leveraging mentorship and sponsorship: understand how to identify, cultivate, and leverage mentorship and sponsorship relationships to accelerate your career growth. Championing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI): explore practical approaches to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within changing organizational structures. Firsthand finance and tech insights: benefit from Constance's extensive experience and unique perspective as a leader thriving in both the finance and technology industries. Building career resilience: recognize the critical role of resilience in overcoming obstacles and adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of the modern workplace. Connect with us: Connect with Constance Sng on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/constance-sng/ and Telegram @ConstanceSng. Follow Samorn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/. Get a copy of Samorn’s book, “Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer” at https://tinyurl.com/2dk5hr2f. Get weekly career tips by signing up for our advice column at www.careerunicorns.com. Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com.
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America’s Secret War in Laos: U.S. role in UXO contamination and responsibility for humanitarian aid with Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications at Legacies of War (Ep. 178)
In honor of Lao New year, we have a special episode featuring Danae Hendrickson, Chief of Mission Advancement and Communications at Legacies of War. Danae shares her journey as a Lao American and her work with Legacies of War to address the devastating impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Laos caused by the U.S.’s Secret War in Laos and its secret bombing campaign. Danae's family history as refugees from Laos deeply informs her advocacy for survivors and for greater U.S. responsibility in clearing UXO. The episode highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the secret bombing of Laos during the Vietnam War, the challenges posed by funding freezes, and the importance of remembering this history. This conversation emphasizes the importance of community led advocacy, historical awareness, and finding hope amidst the legacies of war in Southeast Asia. Key Takeaways: America’s Secret War in Laos and its secret bombing campaign dropping over 2 million tons of bombs on Laos between 1964 and 1973. The U.S.’s moral obligation to clear unexploded ordinances left by its secret bombing campaign that’s killing innocent children today. How U.S. Foreign Aid is provided and why America should be held accountable and take responsibility to right its past wrongs. Legacies of War’s mission to support community led advocacy and engage elected officials to continue to support the clearing of UXOs. The detrimental impact of funding freezes, including USAID, to local communities who are continuing to be harmed by the U.S.’s war campaign. Historical commemorations and education to ensure that the legacies of war are not forgotten. Connect with us: Connect with Danae Hendrickson on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danae-hendrickson/. Connect with Legacies of War at https://www.legaciesofwar.org/, on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/legacies-of-war/, or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/legaciesofwar/. Follow Samorn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/. Get a copy of Samorn’s book, “Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer” at https://tinyurl.com/2dk5hr2f. Get weekly career tips by signing up for our advice column at www.careerunicorns.com. Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com.
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Navigating Ethical Tech & Career Integrity With Jeanne Sheahan, Ex-Meta Senior Director of Global Legal Privacy Compliance and Executive Career Coach (Ep. 177)
Are you wrestling with ethical dilemmas in your job? Feeling misaligned with your company's values? In this powerful episode, we speak with Jeanne Sheahan, the Founder of Jeanne Sheahan Executive Life Coaching and a former Senior Director of Global Legal Privacy Compliance at Meta. Jeanne shares her firsthand experience navigating complex ethical landscapes in big tech and provides actionable insights for making courageous career decisions rooted in your personal integrity. As a former Meta executive who built and led a global privacy team, Jeanne understands the pressures and ethical challenges within the tech world. Now, she leverages her extensive experience coaching seasoned executives and rising stars at companies like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft to help you take control of your career and build a more fulfilling, values-driven professional life. Jeanne also shares her inspiring journey as a first-generation college student who rose to the highest levels of the tech industry, offering valuable lessons on navigating corporate culture and advocating for change. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Identify your core ethical values and ensure they align with your workplace. Recognize red flags and navigate ethically challenging situations in tech. Understand how creating a fear based work environment leads to breakdown in trust and mental and physical health issues. Develop the courage to prioritize your integrity, even if it means making difficult career choices. Strategically plan your exit if your current role compromises your values. Build a career that truly reflects who you are and what you stand for. Overcome bias and imposter syndrome on your path to leadership. Advocate for more ethical and inclusive workplaces. Set healthy boundaries to protect your well-being and values. Find and cultivate supportive communities within the tech industry. Become a more authentic and impactful leader. The critical role of male allies in fostering inclusion and sharing power. Connect with us: Connect with Jeanne Sheahan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanne-sheahan-20b0523/ and website at https://www.jeannesheahan.com/. Follow Samorn on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/samornselim/. Get a copy of Samorn’s book, “Belonging: Self Love Lessons From A Workaholic Depressed Insomniac Lawyer” at https://tinyurl.com/2dk5hr2f. Get weekly career tips by signing up for our advice column at www.careerunicorns.com. Schedule a free 30-minute build your dream career consult by sending a message at www.careerunicorns.com.
I’m Samorn Selim. Welcome to the Career Unicorns - Spark Your Joy Podcast. I’m a lawyer turned career coach on a mission for us to take our careers from dread to joy. Growing up as the daughter of poor Lao refugees, I was the underdog. Against all odds, I made it to a top 10 law school and landed a job in Big Law. As an outsider, I was told that I was lucky to even be there and that I had to pay my dues. After coaching over 1,000 clients, I now realize that the idea that you have to pay your dues and work in a toxic place is a myth. We can face our challenges head on, do work we are passionate about, and work with good people to make a big impact. So even as we struggle, we can find a sense of belonging.
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