Akiko Yamahara’s Post

As Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month concludes, we reflect on the progress and challenges facing Asian executives in the boardroom. Recent data from KPMG shows improvement, with Asian representation on corporate boards rising to 6.9% from 4.1% in 2020. Encouragingly, 46% percent of Fortune 1000 boards now include an API board member, up from 31% in 2020. Yet, at 54% of these companies, many APIs face unseen barriers. As we celebrate AAPI heritage, let's commit to fostering inclusive environments where all have equal opportunities to thrive. The NACD Center for Inclusive Governance strives to create systemic change that will shape the American boardroom. https://ow.ly/Kc8050S16kQ

May marks the annual celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, an opportune time to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. This year, the theme "Advancing Leaders Through Innovation" highlights the dynamic ways in which AAPI leaders are shaping the future across various fields including technology, business, arts, and science.   The AAPI community encompasses a diverse tapestry of cultures, each with its unique heritage and history. Yet, a common thread among these varied backgrounds is the spirit of innovation that has consistently fostered leadership within their communities and beyond.   In our latest blog, “Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Advancing Leaders Through Innovation,” we showcase how from pioneering entrepreneurs to groundbreaking artists and researchers, AAPI individuals have played a pivotal role in driving progressive changes and setting benchmarks in their respective domains.   Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/eXEtbrRZ #DEI #AAPI #AsianAmericanPacificIslanderHeritageMonth #Heritage #Celebrate #Diversity #Equity #Inclusion

Happy Friday! Today marks the conclusion of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, but our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion continues.   Awareness campaigns come and go, serving as valuable starting points but their effectiveness hinges on sparking long-term change. These initiatives are grounded in common goals: embracing #DEI, raising awareness, and uplifting communities. But they only succeed if they translate into action such as providing educational and professional resources, advancing leadership opportunities, and ensuring a diverse workforce. Achieving these goals requires time, resources, and dedicated people to create lasting change. That's why we shouldn't stop celebrating in May. Let’s actively champion inclusion and support #AAPI every day. It’s not just about the high-profile political and business leaders but our everyday heroes: Your mom. Your brother. Your friend. Your local restaurant owner. Your co-worker. You.    Let’s keep the conversation going beyond May. Share inspiring stories of #AsianAmericans and make a difference in your community, today and everyday. Bernardo Soriano Mika Dilig #DiversityEquityInclusion #AAPIHeritageMonth

How cultural and ethnic attributes interact with business environments to create outcomes that could be inherently unequal is a complex issue that needs regular reflections and remedial measures. Our global CFO Farhan Faruqui talks about 'bamboo ceiling', that impedes equitable representation of Asians in global firms, even though the benefits of diversity to the growth of businesses are clearly established. #bambooceiling #diversity #representation https://lnkd.in/d2237AwJ

#TheMorningInclusive As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, it's fitting to reflect on Indra Nooyi's exemplary leadership and the importance of creating and sustaining a culture of belonging. Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, is a paragon of transformative leadership. Her journey from Chennai, India, to leading a Fortune 50 company in the United States is a testament to her vision, empathy, and democratic approach. Nooyi's leadership style—characterized by long-term planning, innovation, and inclusivity—has not only revolutionized PepsiCo but also inspired countless others to pursue their dreams regardless of cultural or gender barriers. AAPI Month is not just a celebration, it's a reminder of the rich tapestry of stories and contributions that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders bring to our collective history. It's a time to honor the past, celebrate the present, and forge a future where everyone knows they belong. Creating a culture of belonging is essential in today's diverse work environment. It's about recognizing each individual's unique contributions, fostering connections, and supporting career development. When employees feel seen, connected, and supported, they are more engaged and productive, driving success for the entire organization. Let's use this month to commit to the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. Let's build workplaces where everyone, like Indra Nooyi, can rise to their full potential and have a profound sense of belonging. #Leadership #IndraNooyi #AAPIHeritageMonth #Belonging #Inclusion #Diversity #Equity #Accessibility

Happy International Women’s Day. #inspireinclusion #IWD. My personal reflections as shared with the wider A.P. Moller - Maersk Eastern Africa organization this morning, on how the ownership of a DEI mindset can unlock excellence as individuals or collective members of an organization/community. ⬇️ As the African proverb goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. In life and career, this proverb continues to resonate and remains a key part of how I strive to approach my role within leadership, crossfunctionally and engagement across social interactions. 1. It’s always Day 1. Regardless of our experience, historical or conscious bias, maintaining an inclusive mindset fosters the quest for knowledge, curiosity and our readiness to welcome new perspectives for growth. 2. We have all the inspiration we need around us. In our complex and rapidly evolving world, remaining self-aware, leveraging the strengths of our connections/peers constructively and symbiotically can indeed take us a step closer to winning in our pursuits. 3. We do meaningful work integrating global supply chains that can inspire the next generation, female – male - young – old, etc. Our representation does matter and can unlock a positive chain reaction for diversity, equity and inclusion for the next generation. #BJA #TDM

#egalitarian #egalitarian, an illusion or a doable thing? two elements define egalitarian, #equal and #rights. as the late LKY of Singapore mentioned, the government believe in equal opportunity for all Singaporeans but not equal outcome. this is how he defined meritocracy in Singapore. will organisations be better off with egalitarian culture and value system? the world-famous All Blacks observed an egalitarian value system, no one, no matter the seniority and roles is bigger than the team. from the coach, coaching staff, and senior players to junior players, everyone is expected and demanded to observe this egalitarian value. every AB is expected to clean the locker room as clean as before they occupy the room. every piece of rubbish is to be picked up and disposed of, and not left to the janitors. Steven Hansen explained that with this egalitarian value system, every AB will have his feet firmly planted in humility no matter of status. every AB is the same, an All Blacks, no distinction. this is one factor that made the AB what they are, a top-performing team. everyone is treated as equals with no exception. even their world-class No. 9 Aaron Smith was excluded from one of their playing tours for poor discipline off the field. there is no exception, no entitlement. having been associated with Choobub Creatives for almost two years, i too can vouch that egalitarianism is practiced by the three bosses, Selena K., Eric Siew and Daniel Goh. they see themselves as equals to the younger choobs. they are comfortable with no title, and no special status, everyone goes by name or nickname. two-way traffic of #empowerment and #upwarddelegation is seen and practiced at ease. this creates for choobub, a high sense of identity and belonging, much like the AB. humility rules. accountability is alive. #kitajagakita. in an egalitarian culture, there is no #power distance nor #status distance between individual. “all for one and one for all”. with the workforce becoming a more digital nomad, an egalitarian value system will work as there isn’t a need for superior supervision. everyone is equal in accountability. egalitarian culture expedites high-performing teams with induplicable sense of belonging. you don’t work for a boss, you work for goals, that is the essence of egalitarianism. i have seen it in Choobub and read about it in AB, egalitarian work magic. #maverick #rebelbadass #choobgrandpa #thoughtleaderwannabe

Our Asian, South Asian and Pacific Islander (ASAPI) Employee Resource Group hosted a panel discussion with three prominent Asian American business leaders about the model minority myth and how they experienced it in their careers. Learn how learn their inspiring stories reinforce the idea that representation matters: https://bit.ly/3x8qGI5

As a member of a minority group within an organisation, it is natural to sometimes feel out of place, or like you don't belong. I am too Indian to be Chinese, too Chinese to be Indian, not #Singaporean enough to be Singaporean, but not lived any place else long enough to not be Singaporean! And the list can go on! WHO AM I? 😳 It can be confusing and tiring. If you feel this way, there is nothing wrong with you and you are not alone. Welcome to my Minority Report. Over the upcoming weeks, I'll be dropping some tips on bridging the minority gap. These are gleaned from my personal experience and from conversations with people who are members of minority groups within an industry or orgnisation and have found success. Tip #1: Get comfortable with yourself "Magic mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all'. I'm sure we all remember this phrase from Snow White and The Seven Dwarves. But do we remember that how much the need for external validation (from a magic mirror!) messed with the Evil Queen's mind? So Tip #1 is to get comfortable with who you are and your identity and over time, rely less on external judgment. Here are some tips for getting comfortable with your own identity: 🔎 Reflect on your values and believes 🔎 Explore your history and roots 🔎 Surround yourself with supportive people 🔎 Identify your unique qualities #diversity #inclusion #identity #minoritygroups #careergrowth #leadership #leadership

✨ Thoughtful Thursdays ✨ The Legacy of Women's Resilience in Leadership: Lessons from Albertina Sisulu In the spirit of Women’s Month, I’m reflecting on the extraordinary legacy of Albertina Sisulu—a leader whose life is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of leading with empathy. 🌟 Albertina Sisulu’s journey through apartheid South Africa wasn’t just about fighting against oppression; it was about leading with a profound sense of duty and an unwavering commitment to her community. Despite facing tremendous challenges, she remained steadfast, focusing on uplifting others and creating a lasting impact beyond personal accolades. 💪❤️ One of her most iconic moments was the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings, where 20,000 women united against oppressive pass laws. This powerful display of collective strength and determination continues to inspire us today. ✊👩🎓 Her story is not just a chapter in history; it’s a call to action for all of us. True leadership isn’t confined to formal roles or titles. It’s reflected in our everyday actions and interactions—at work, at home, and in our communities. For me, Sisulu’s legacy serves as a guiding light: • At Work: 🌟 It’s about going beyond results to focus on the people driving those results. Create an environment where everyone feels heard, valued, and empowered to contribute their best. 🗣️💼 • At Home: 🏠 It’s about leading with love, patience, and understanding. Nurture the growth and well-being of those we care for. ❤️🌱 Leadership is found in how we respond to challenges, support those around us, and stay true to our values, even when it’s difficult. As we draw inspiration from Albertina Sisulu’s life, let’s commit to embodying these qualities in our daily lives. Let’s lead with empathy, resilience, and purpose, ensuring that our actions contribute to a more equitable and empowering environment for everyone we encounter. 🌍💪 #ThoughtfulThursdays #WomensMonth #LegacyOfLeadership #EverydayLeadership #AlbertinaSisulu #Empowerment #Resilience