My Story and Why I’m Creating This Newsletter

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you work, you’re still not getting ahead? 
Like the rules for success are out there, but there’s no one to guide you?

I know that feeling—because I’ve lived it. And that’s why I’m creating this newsletter, Bridge Cultures, Succeed Faster. It’s for first-gen corporate professionals like you—so you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

You might be wondering how I figured it all out and got to where I am. It all started when I was a kid, growing up in Maryland.

The Moment It All Changed

That’s me in the pink and white sweater, my parents, brother, and in the middle, my grandmother, our  Nainai, who lived with us. My parents had saved and sacrificed to buy a house in a “good” school district, which meant we were the oddball Chinese in a school that was nearly all-white.

At school, I was so awkward. The white kids—we called them “Americans,” as if we weren’t Americans too—they seemed so carefree. I always wondered how they could be so confident.

One evening, when I was about 13, my dad said, “Tonight’s the night of my department’s Christmas party.” I asked why he didn’t go. He said, “When I go to those things, I never know what to say to people.”

That moment hit me like a lightning bolt. I suddenly realized: my old man and I had the same problem—we didn’t know how to talk to white people! And I realized this would forever limit his career and his life.

It didn’t matter that Dad had made it all the way from China to MIT, where he’d earned a master’s in engineering, and now was the hardest worker in his department. For 30 years, Dad stayed stuck as an individual contributor.

That night, I resolved to figure out how mainstream American society actually works. Through my 20s, I had many awkward and humiliating situations, but I kept pushing to connect. Eventually, with the help of incredible mentors, I went from outsider to ultimate insider.

From Outsider to Leader

By age 31, I was Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles, leading economic development for a city of 90+ languages. Later, I became a headhunter for Fortune 500 CEOs. I learned how companies choose their leaders—because I helped do the choosing. 

Then, my leadership blog went viral in China, launching me there as a best-selling author –of 《30岁前别结婚》Do Not Marry Before Age 30 and 《30岁趁势而为》How to Get Lucky in Your Career -- and a new career as a keynote speaker with courses and media that have empowered millions. The Wall Street Journal called me “an American icon for women in China.”

The pandemic brought me back to the States, where I’m now a keynote speaker and CEO of the Multicultural Leadership Institute, helping some of the world’s leading companies develop their next generation of leaders.

Why I’m Writing This for You

Among first-gen corporate professionals, I’ve been one of the lucky ones

By now, I’ve worked at the top of three industries on three continents. But through it all, I’ve often thought of my dad. With his exceptional talent and drive, how much more could he have achieved if only someone had shown him the way?

It’s too late for Dad—he died in the pandemic. But I don’t want another generation of first-gen corporate professionals to get left behind. So, in his honor, I’m creating this newsletter for you.

This newsletter is my way to pay it forward to you, the next generation, that you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

In this newsletter, I’ll help you gain clarity into how the corporate game actually works. So that you can start gaining more opportunities, making more impact, and building more wealth.

Why This Matters

Being first-gen means we walk a winding road—betwixt and between our own precious cultures and a not-always-welcoming corporate workplace. 

But here’s what’s waiting for you just ahead:

When you root yourself fully in who you are and skilfully navigate the corporate world, you’ll get to build a career and life that reflect your full potential. When you master the unwritten rules, you will become no ordinary leader. You will be extraordinary. You will be exactly the kind of multicultural leader that our world needs right now. The future is yours to shape.

Let’s network and build community on LinkedIn! 

Share your story: 

• What’s your first-gen journey? 

• What challenges have you faced, and what strengths have you brought to the table?

Your story is a powerful way to highlight your unique strengths and help your professional network appreciate your true value. Give me an @, and I’ll come into your comments to cheer you on. I can’t wait to hear your insights!

Always remember: As a first-gen, you are extraordinary—and the future is yours to shape.

This is Just the Beginning

Share this newsletter with your friends, colleagues, or anyone else walking this road with us. Let’s grow this community together.

I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s build something extraordinary—together.

With warmest wishes,

Joy