It’s more than a commemoration – it’s a chance to spotlight the perseverance, contributions and impact of the AANHPI community, both across the nation and within our company.

In honor of this year’s theme, A legacy of leadership and resilience, three remarkable AANHPI colleagues reflect on their heritage and journey, sharing the key lessons behind their success. Their inspiring stories and career paths are not only a testament to their values and hard work, but also remind us of the importance of empowering every individual to thrive.

“Don’t shy away from new challenges – growth comes from discomfort.”

For Amanda Nguyen, perseverance, active listening and collaboration have been central to her success at State Street.

From her early days as an intern and later as a contractor working part-time while finishing her bachelor’s degree – to her current role as an assistant vice president coordinating training for large-scale IT changes – she’s leveraged those core principles to guide and advance her career.

“As a Vietnamese American, I was raised with values of resilience, hard work and humility. These values guide my approach to leadership – I strive to lead with empathy, listen actively and create inclusive spaces where every voice is heard,” Amanda said.

Her heritage also instilled in her the importance of community. She aims to create a supportive environment for fellow employees who are navigating technical change, as well as to empower future generations through mentorship.

“Mentorship has been crucial in my career. It accelerated my growth, built my confidence, and fostered a sense of belonging.”

Amanda encourages her colleagues and, in particular, new employees to proudly embrace their identity while continuously seeking new growth and learning opportunities.

“Don’t shy away from new challenges – growth comes from discomfort,” she stressed, adding that sometimes the path to overcoming obstacles can be edifying, too.

According to Amanda, navigating professional challenges, particularly in the world of change management, requires adaptability, clear communication and cross-team collaboration, all of which yield important lessons.

“Demonstrate your value and fight for your chance.”

Whether it be as a financial forecaster early in her profession, a collateralized debt obligation securitization and mortgage-backed securities pricing expert later in her career, or in her current asset management role, Carol Shan has been laser-focused on driving results.

Throughout her career, she has relied on hard work, humility, and respect – values deeply rooted in her heritage – to deliver great results and excel at work.

These values, she says, have been crucial to her career success. Still, Carol admits there is one area where she, as a Chinese American, and many of her fellow AANHPI colleagues may find themselves challenged.

“Asians could be quiet hard workers, but we don’t speak up for ourselves,” she notes, giving some pointers: “Keep practicing speaking up, starting from small meetings to occasions with broader audiences. Push yourself and don’t be afraid of embarrassment. You will be surprised how much confidence you can build up by just saying something.”

As someone who did not grow up in America and whose native language is not English, Carol is always trying to improve on conveying the right message and tone in an assertive but respectful way. For her, seeking guidance from seasoned professionals has been helpful. She advises learning from those who excel in this area and practicing effective communication strategies.

She also stresses the importance of listening to and gaining insight from peers and colleagues, as there is much to learn from others when we slow down and pay attention.

Looking back on her career, Carol is appreciative of what she has achieved, though she wishes she had spent more time savoring and celebrating her successes. She encourages young AANHPI professionals to “enjoy the journey rather than always focusing on the finish line,” because it’s the small moments along the way that truly matter.

“Advocate for yourself, demonstrate your value and fight for your chance. Do not just put your head down and work,” she suggests.

“Your culture and background provide you a unique asset, so lean into it.”

Yili Dolan’s upbring and cultural values have significantly shaped her professional journey and leadership style.

“Growing up in a traditional Chinese household, I was taught the importance of hard work, respect, independence, community and collective success over individual glory,” she says.

These values have naturally translated into how she leads – prioritizing team collaboration, active listening and clear communication. They also fueled her success early on in her career, helping her navigate challenges within high-pressure environments.

Yili got started in capital markets at CBRE Global Econometric Advisors before transitioning to private equity roles at BlackRock and Colony. Her track records and reputation for identifying high-potential investments – and delivering strong returns for investors globally – led her to State Street, where she currently drives and executes all aspects of merger and acquisition activities for the firm.

“I believe my cultural emphasis on perseverance and respect has helped me build trust across diverse teams and maintain composure through challenges.”

Yili not only embraces her cultural background and sense of community to lead and excel professionally, but she also leverages them to inspire and empower her colleagues. She’s actively involved in State Street’s Professional Women’s Network (PWN) mentor circle and PWN-MA Community Engagement Committee, and helped launch the Asian Professional Network (APN) mentor program as an APN advisor last year.

“Looking back, I realized that some of my biggest career breakthroughs came from mentors who challenged me, believed in me, and gave me the opportunities to grow and succeed,” she recounts.

Yili encourages her colleagues to seek mentorship and reach out to peers in leadership positions for feedback and guidance. Above all, she recommends honing your unique cultural values and professional strengths to promote career growth and pave the way for future leaders.

“Share your ideas and don’t be afraid to own your voice. Your culture and background provide you a unique asset, so lean into it.”