Celebrating AAPI Voices at Pagaya - Linda Liu
As we honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month this May, we're excited to spotlight the stories of AAPI employees within Pagaya. These individuals bring unique cultural perspectives, resilience, and innovation to their roles, embodying the spirit of #AdvanceInclusion.
The stories shared by our AAPI colleagues remind us of the profound impact of diversity in our organization. Let's continue to embrace and empower diverse voices, fostering an inclusive workplace where every story is valued. Today we are spotlighting Linda Liu, CPA , Senior Property Accountant at Pagaya. Thank you for inspiring us, Linda!
Tell Us About Yourself
I was born and raised by two first-generation Taiwanese immigrants in the San Gabriel Valley, California. My parents grew up in the two largest cities in Taiwan: Taipei and Kaohsiung. Life in the U.S. wasn’t easy while having to learn a new language, culture, and new sets of rules. Watching my parents struggle to make ends meet, I was determined to work hard and build a more stable life for myself, leading me to the world of tax and real estate accounting.
Outside of work, you can find me out running on the trails, mainly in the Santa Monica Mountains. Someone recently told me that the island of Taiwan has 100 mountain peaks. It was then that I realized why I gravitate towards the mountains and the coast.
Fun Fact: Both San Gabriel Valley and Taiwan were featured in this great show, The Brothers Sun on Netflix!
What is Your Role & How Long Have You Been at Pagaya?
I'm a Senior Property Accountant on the Finance Team and will be celebrating my 2-year Pagayaversary in June! My role consists of reviewing financials provided by the property managers and ensuring accurate and consistent financial reporting across entities.
What Does AAPI Heritage Month Mean to You?
To me, AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize and learn about the multitude of AAPI cultures. Diversity contributes to a positive work environment by inviting inclusivity and allowing for a variety of perspectives.
What Are Your Favorite Traditions, Celebrations, & Businesses?
My favorite tradition is the mid-autumn festival, or moon festival – where families gather under a full moon, eat moon cakes, and share old folk tales relating to the moon. AAPI business I’d like to shout out are all in LA:
Java Spice: Has great Indonesian food – don’t let the low ratings fool you!
Tenju: Offers a wide array of fragrant Taiwanese teas.
Odd One Out: Another shop that has a wonderful selection of Taiwanese teas.
What Advice Would You Give to Other AAPI Professionals Aspiring to Succeed in Your Field?
I would recommend anyone looking to get into finance to familiarize themselves with Excel. Repetitive tasks usually come with a quicker solution and sometimes it could take just 10 minutes of Googling to save you hours!
###