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🎉 Catch this episode replay for our insightful and transformative event, Unlearning the Model Minority Myth, which we held during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
🌸 Want to be there next time? Get the opportunity to connect with other DEI-forward leaders as part of an ongoing virtual monthly community!
🌟 During this event, we explored:
👀 Gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced, and insights offered, by AAPI communities at work, home and beyond.
🌟 Meet our panelists and host (👇 more info below!):
🤝 This event is perfect for individuals who are looking to expand their inclusive leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of the unique experiences and challenges faced by the AAPI community.
Register for the next live episode to grow your personal & professional DEI knowledge and community.
Aparna Rae (she/her) is an educator by training, innovator by chance, and disrupter by choice. With a passion for solving problems, connecting people, and building power, she is an award-winning multi-startup founder who leverages data to create inclusive workplaces. Aparna develops products that address complex DE&I and people challenges using real-time Employee Voice & Impact data, grounded in human-centered design. In 2021, Aparna joined the elite 2% of women-owned businesses with companies reaching $1M in revenue.
Over the past decade, she has launched and scaled numerous enterprises, including a workforce development program for immigrant and refugee women in the Pacific Northwest, and building India’s first online teacher education platform, which supported 1 million teachers in its first year. In 2019, Aparna co-founded Future for Us, a platform for women of color at work, successfully growing membership to 20k within the first 18 months. Today, she’s leading the way at Moving Beyond, creating workplaces that work for everyone.
Micah Kessel (he/him) is a passionate advocate for human flourishing and empathy, dedicated to bridging cultural divides through immersive learning experiences. As the CEO of Empathable, Micah has developed the world’s first “walk in the shoes” app, revolutionizing how we learn through experience and fostering empathy while reducing bias and polarization.
With nearly two decades of experience in designing empathic experiences, Micah has advised and collaborated with organizations like Google, Disney, Microsoft, as well as international governments. A sought-after speaker, Micah has delivered keynotes and lectures at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Medical School, the Society for Neuroscience and Creativity, Darden School of Business, and TEDx Oneonta. With a rich background in music, human-centered design, and experiential interaction, Micah’s unique perspective and innovative approach ripple through everything he helps to create.
Hazel Valdez (she/her) is the Executive Director of PDXWIT (Portland Women in Tech). Prior to her current role, Hazel was the Associate Director for the Oregon Bioscience Incubator (OBI) & OTRADI. Hazel worked with the executive director on various initiatives including working with entrepreneurs and early-stage bioscience and digital health organizations on their facility and resource needs (equipment, mentors, events, education, funding, etc.) as well as OBI’s DEI initiatives.
Prior to joining OBI, Hazel was the Operations Manager at PDXWIT and has been part of the tech community for over 11 years. Hazel studied English at UC Irvine and holds a BA in Culinary Management from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. Hazel sits on the board of directors as the board secretary for Saturday Academy.
In her free time, she loves spending time with her wife Crystal, traveling, trying out new food items from around the world, cooking, boxing (she’s a USA Boxing official), and spending time with their cat Maple.
Host: Lindsey T. H. Jackson (she/her): Often called “America’s DEI Teacher,” Lindsey brings 15+ years of experience and a lifetime of creative facilitation to bear on the work of supporting individuals & organizations in breaking down the barriers that hold them back from their highest potential.
Lindsey is the well-loved host of Unlearning with Lindsey T. H. Jackson. She is leading a more diverse, equitable and inclusive future of work as a DEI Consultant and Lead Executive Officer at the consulting firm LTHJ Global and new DEI tech-enabled platform, Sojourn. You can learn more from her on LinkedIn, Instagram or right here on the LTHJ Global site.
