InspirASIAN National President’s Message
It’s a wrap! Another successful Employee Group (EG) Conference has entered the history books. Attending the EG Dinner in Dallas, I was proud to represent InspirASIAN as the National President. It was a privilege to join the parade of over 58 EG leaders on stage. Together, we represented all the companies that now make up AT&T globally and their corresponding Employee Groups.
This was the first time that InspirASIAN has nationally submitted nominations in each of the four Excellence in Action award categories – Innovation, Community, Collaboration and Leadership. InspirASIAN can be very proud that all four of our nominations made into the top ten finalists’ and each one of our four nominations went on to the top five of each category.
And here is the best part: InspirASIAN was awarded the top prizes in the categories of Innovation and Leadership! Such an exciting evening, such an exciting year for InspirASIAN and a sigh of relief for the InspirASIAN leaders that work so hard on these programs and award submissions. All of us worked so hard on our initiatives this year and I am so very proud of our national leadership and local leaders across our 14 Chapters that make up InspirASIAN.
As category finalists, we were tasked with creating one-minute videos to sum up all the great efforts that went into our programs. Please take a 5-minute coffee break, sit back, relax and enjoy your leadership at work for you.
- Excellence in Action Innovation Winner: Dare to Be
- Excellence in Action Leadership Winner: Jackson Ku
- Excellence in Action Community Finalist: Igniting Possibilities
- Excellence in Action Collaboration Finalist: All In the Asian Story is Relevant
I also had the honor of representing InspirASIAN in an intimate gathering of fellow EG and EN leaders in a meeting with newly appointed CEO of AT&T Communications, Jeff McElfresh. We had an open dialog about the challenges we face in today’s environment. Our discussion was followed by a group photo with our Chairman Randall Stephenson. I believe our new CEO will be a strong ally to our EG efforts.
Having all four of our nominations recognized this year and having the esteemed pleasure of introducing Randall Stephenson at the EG conference dinner last year are the most memorable moments of my 11 years of attending the EG conferences. I am so glad I took a leap of faith and ran for a National position, and I’m so appreciative that our members and leadership team supported my election. It has been hard work, dedication, and a major commitment of my personal time, but it is all worth it and I will always treasure this experience. The people I’ve met along the way have been amazing. This is not my farewell yet as I still have a term to finish and I’m excited about what comes next.
Oh, and my fun didn’t end with the awards. After the Breakfast of Champions, a Day of Service, and InspirASIAN’s strategic planning session, which included representatives from TurnerAsia, Warner Bros. NAPA and HBOxMosiac, we donned our cowboy attire and partied at the InspirASIAN National Awards and Scholarship Roundup. We honored Anne Chow (our newly appointed CEO of AT&T Business) with the Corporate Leadership Award and there are no words to describe her tremendous support and leadership as we watch and cheer from afar and up close. She is deserving of it all. We are very proud and happy for her! I also congratulate Vasantha Shashi for receiving Outstanding Member Award. And finally, thank you DFW Chapter for hosting the Scholarship Roundup event.
“…for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
