ALIST Magazine Holiday 2015/2016 Issue

™

HOLIDAY 2015/2016 Issue 10 $3.99

THE VISIONARY ISSUE

Glenn Sugiyama, Managing Partner and Global Sports Practice Leader at DHR International

IN THIS ISSUE HOLIDAY 2015

PAGE 3 John Wang, President of Asian American Business Development Center, and Founding Member of the Asian American Business Roundtable PAGE 7 Bethany Lee, Founder of SolveSpark Yana Givorg, CEO of reConnect PAGE 11 ALIST Reading List

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PAGE 12 Jenny Santi, Philanthropy Advisor and Author

PAGE 16 Glenn Sugiyama, Managing Partner and Global Sports Practice Leader of DHR International PAGE 21 Erman M. Baradi, Founder of The Rel/event, Business Manager of Emmy-nominated artist T.O.N.E.-z, Celebrity Interviewer and Freelance Script Reader PAGE 25 Wedding in a Window PAGE 27 Andy Suzuki of Andy Suzuki & The Method ISTOCK/PHOTOTECHNO

PAGE 30 NAAAP 100 Honorees

Copyright (C) 2015 ALIST magazine. All rights reserved. Title is protected through a trademark registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Printed in U.S.A.

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THE STAFF

PUBLISHER EXECUTIVE EDITOR

MIRANDA WONG CATHERINE LAW

BEforE wE BEgIN ALIST DIGITAL

CAREER EDITOR DEBBIE CHOY GRAGE ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR JENNIFER YAMADA COPY EDITOR LAURA LI COPY EDITOR LISA SITA RESEARCH EDITOR ANDREW JUNG LAYOUT MANAGER ANDREA as the youngest LAU person to ever Never rely on the status obtain venture capital funding. quo. That’s the one thing If you think that’s impressive, I’ve come to expect. First BUSINESS wait until you read the rest there was Friendster, then

EXEC. GEN. COUNSEL PETER WOO of his story. Ernestine is the came Facebook. Surely, you

ASSOC. GEN COUNSEL ALEXANDER KO youngest venture capitalist. remember Palm, the company

ASSOC. GEN. COUNSEL CHRISTINE WONG Guess what? She joined Alsop that introduced North America

WEBSITE MANAGER Louie BI YOO Partners at the age of 19 to the smartphone. Or maybe you remember BlackBerry. Oh, and pitched her first deal at 20.

Who would have expected the how the mighty fall.

MARKETING/PR brightest stars

DIGITAL AD MANAGER youngest BRIE and MANAKUL Whether it’s business, finance, in the venture capital realm to

sports, or even the weather, be an Asian American college expect the unexpected. CREATIVE student and an Asian Canadian Friendster and Myspace PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC BOTHWELL who finished college at the age didn’t foresee a young Mark of JACKIE HO 18?

Zuckerberg getting far with

ELYSIA SU you read the stories in this antics. Nor his Ivy LeagueDIGITAL ARTIST AsJASMIN HUANG did BlackBerry expect a issue, let yourself be inspired by possibilities. It’s never too beaten down manufacturer WRITERS late to change course. Try of personal computers and something new and email your cheap headphones toBRYAN overtake CHEUNG NINA HUANG stories to me. Succeed and the industry. And the leading RUBAIYAT KHAN inspire or lose and say you smartphone operating system SVETLANA KIM tried.

The only true failure now? It’s made by a search is failing BERNARD NG to try. Welcome to engine company.

ALIST. JENNIFER SUZUKAWA-TSENG Buy low and sell high, my SAMUEL TSOI friends. And expect disruption.

SEE XIONG Disruption is our focus for this issue of ALIST. I am extremely ADVISORS proud of the work we’ve done Chuan JU Tsay this time around. GettingANGELA both Executive Editor CHRISTINE MCFADDEN Brian Wong and Ernestine editor@alist-magazine.com TSAY Fu on the cover was noCHUAN small JOHN ZHANG feat. Brian Wong is heralded

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HOLIDAY 2015/2016

EDITOR’S NOTE

Ending 2015, we bring you our Holiday issue which highlights seven individuals who show us their visionary views. We sat down with John Wang, President of the Asian American Business Development Center and Founding Member of the Asian American Business Roundtable; Yana Givorg, CEO of reConnect; Bethany Lee, Founder of SolveSpark; Jenny Santi, Philanthropy Advisor and Author; Glenn Sugiyama, Managing Partner and Global Sports Practice Leader of DHR International; Erman M. Baradi, Founder of The Rel/event, Business Manager of Emmy-nominated artist T.O.N.E.-z, Celebrity Interviewer and Freelance Script Reader and Andy Suzuki, Vocalist, Guitarist and Pianist of Andy Suzuki & The Method.

Before I give you some insight into each of our interviewees, I would like to take this time to say “Thank you.” On behalf of my amazing team, we would like to thank each one of our readers, supporters, Ra followers on social media, sponsors, friends, family and most importantly NAAAP Association o who gave us free reign to run with the magazine! ALIST Magazine is here because your comm of you all and your support for the past 3 years. I also would like to say special thanks to my SUPER ALIST team and without you, we would not have ALIST! So THANK YOU everyone.

John Wang and his organization, the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC) has been promoting greater recognition of Asian American businesses’ contributions to the general economy. With his group he recently started the Asian American Business Roundtable and they will be hosting their Inaugural Summit in January with over 200 attendees and featuring over 30 industry leaders.

Yana Givorg is an entrepreneur who started reConnect that will bridge the gap between the available resources and connect them to those in need. She has mapped out a 10 year plan that will grow nationally and help decrease the rate of homelessness.

Bethany Lee and her startup, SolveSpark will allow individuals to submit and discuss ideas in an online platform where it will come up with solutions via project management techniques. The solutions involve hours of integrating data analysis and computer programming.

Jenny Santi, is the author of The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories and Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving. She has been and still advising individuals on their chartable ways and it was only natural that she wrote about their stories – no one would have otherwise heard about it.

Glenn Sugiyama, is your go to guy for recruiting top talent in the sports arena. To name a few, he has placed Jim Harbaugh, Former Stanford University Head Football Coach; Cuonzo Martin, University of California at Berkeley Head Basketball Coach and Sonny Dykes, University of California at Berkeley Head Football Coach.

Erman M. Baradi, has a rolodex of the entertainment industry that is the envy of us all. At my last count, he wears 4 hats: Founder of The Rel/event, Business Manager of Emmy-nominated artist T.O.N.E.-z, Celebrity Interviewer and Freelance Script Reader. Need I say more?

Andy Suzuki, is an Economics major from Brown University who chose to pursue his love of music. His band raised anearly $50,000 in with 2013ato record a To pursue rewarding career diverse full-length album, which includes songs like Born out of Mischief and Lucy professional team, visit or follow us at:(Devil Song).

All seven individuals had a vision that drove them to their current success. HavJobs.Raytheon.com ing passion is one thing but you must have the vision, which is the concept and being able to bring it to fruition. There are endless opportunities but you are the © 2013 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved. “Customer Success Is Our Mission” is a registered only one that is in control toCompany. be on Raytheon the path toequal be well-known. trademark of Raytheon is an opportunity, affirmative action employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants. U.S. citizenship and security clearance may be required.

Happy Holidays and have a great New Year in 2016!

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LEADING OFF

What Does it Take to be an Outstanding Asian American with John Wang

ALIST Magazine: In 1994, you started the Asian American Business Development Center to help Asian American businesses move into the mainstream economy.

Today, in 2015, did you accomplish your goals?

John Wang: : I think substantial progress has been made in mainstreaming Asian American businesses into the US economy, and there is growing recognition of the contributions Asian American businesses are making to the growth of the larger economy.

Today, we see more Asian Americans in senior executive/business positions than ever before, including a significant increase in Asian American entrepreneurs. In fact, the number of Asian American-owned businesses has grown by nearly fifty percent over the past decade. This is extremely encouraging, and inspires us to continue expanding the work and reach of the Asian American Business Development Center and its affiliates.

AM: Why did you partner with other ethnic community groups? What milestones have been accomplished, and what is in store for 2016 and the future?

JW: Partnering with other ethnic groups makes sense for both practical and economic reasons. Asian Americans are unique in that we are a minority among other minorities, but with outsized economic strength, while weak in social and political power. By partnering with the socially and politically stronger African American and Hispanic communities, and forging

COURTESY OF JOHN WANG

John Wang is President of the Asian American Business Development Center, Inc. (AABDC), which he founded in 1994 in New York City. AABDC is a unique non-profit consulting organization established to provide technical and professional assistance to Asian American small businesses, and is a leading trade development organization promoting business between the United States and Asia. Since 2000, AABDC’s primary focus has been to promote US-China trade through organizing trade missions, seminars, workshops, networking events, conferences, and trade shows. For his work in fostering better understanding and building conducive environments for doing business, Wang has the support of a broad network of US and Chinese government contacts and strategic alliances. In 2008, he founded the New York in China Center, with an office in Beijing, specifically to create a New York presence in China. The Center’s purpose is to help New York businesses access the China market, and to attract Chinese investment to New York.

Since its inception, the New York in China Center has established additional offices in Shanghai. He is also the Founding Member of the Asian American Business Roundtable. On January 29 and 30, 2016, they are holding The Asian American Business Roundtable (AABR) and its inaugural Summit at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

economic cooperation with those groups, Asian Americans can develop a capacity for contracting opportunities with large government and private sector projects, as well as have market access to each other’s communities.

This alliance of the three minority communities—called the New Majority Alliance—has removed mistrust and suspicion, reduced tension between the communities, and increased cooperation in many different areas. It is a long-term effort, which requires on-going communications and collaborations between all groups to maintain and strengthen the ties, and the benefit for all.

“Mentoring and cultivating of soft skills, such as high-value and strategic networking with key executives and in a variety of business and cultural settings, is extremely important and integral to both the Asian American Business Development Center and Asian American Business Roundtable. ”

AM: We are aware that there are few Asian Americans in the executive levels of big corporations. Why is this, and do you have any suggestions on how to bridge that gap?

JW: This is the focus of the newly formed Asian American Business Roundtable. A key component of its mission is to develop strategies to bring new Asian American talent into the c-suite and boardroom.

Asian American executives are rapidly gaining increased knowledge, experience, and expertise in their respective businesses and industries, making them more valuable to the corporations that employ them. And as US corporations seek new and expanded opportunities in Asia, a major engine of global economic growth, they will rely more and more on executives with knowledge of both Eastern and Western cultures and business practices for decision making and business strategies.

AABR is actively engaged in strategic conversation with corporate leaders across a variety of business sectors to encourage bringing more Asian American executives into the c-suite and boardroom. Further, AABR is developing an executive mentorship program to provide executives with best practices and knowledge exchanges to promote long-term strategic thinking and build business acumen.

AM: When do you think we should start teaching individuals the necessary soft skills so that they can be in senior management positions, taking in consideration the culture? What particular soft skills do you think are absolute?

JW: Mentoring and cultivating of soft skills, such as high-value and strategic networking with key executives and in a variety of business and cultural settings, is extremely important and integral to both the Asian American Business Development Center and Asian American Business Roundtable.

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In fact, AABR was created in partnership with a select group of highly accomplished Asian American leaders, all recipients of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award, for the purpose of bringing together successful, forward-thinking and influential Asian American executives as a premier consultative body. AABR’s goal is to enhance corporate business strategy and global relations through the advancement of Asian American cross-cultural perspectives and talent. The AABR leverages the collective knowledge, experience, and networks of recognized industry leaders to provide a unique and unprecedented source of corporate business intelligence.

Furthermore, the Business Mentorship Network, a creation of AABR, is committed to cultivating the next generation of Asian American corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders for success through strategic initiatives, including: • Establishing a roster of Asian American business leaders who are qualified and interested in serving as mentors.

• Partnering with influential representatives from interested corporations to customize and implement mentoring programs that will meet their specific employee development objectives.

• Providing cross-industry mentoring and learning opportunities to corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs, allowing them to draw on the knowledge, expertise, organizational settings, and networks of successful Asian American business leaders.

AM: The Asian American Business Roundtable and its inaugural Summit will be at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

Why was this location chosen? How many attendees are you expecting? What are the takeaways for the attendees and speakers?

JW: The Venetian Las Vegas approached us earlier in the year to propose a partnership with AABDC and invited us to organize an event at The Venetian. Two hundred to two hundred and fifty attendees are expected to participate in connecting, collaborating, and contributing to the betterment of the Asian American community. The inaugural program will feature over thirty highly influential keynote and panel speakers, representing diverse backgrounds, industries, and leadership roles, and addressing four important topics: 4 |

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1. Building an Innovative Marketplace 2. Attracting and Developing High Ability Women Leaders 3. Bringing Asian American Talent into the Boardroom 4. Creating Successful International Business Alliances AM: How do you identify a game changer?

JW: We consider game changers to be people and events that have broken barriers, opened doors for others, and/or created a shift in business expectations, practices, or results.

AM: What will be your legacy?

JW: My personal mission—and I hope, legacy—is in bringing people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages together to see and share a common interest.

AM: What is the best advice someone gave you?

JW: My own mentor, Armando del Torto, who was my college professor and became a lifelong friend, always challenged me to think differently. He encouraged me to be unconventional, to challenge my own limitations, and to pose questions to myself and others in ways that could open us to new perspectives, new ideas, and new possibilities.

AM: What are 3 things that we do not know about you?

JW: I’m originally from Taiwan and came to the US—“the land of opportunity”—in 1965 seeking educational and career opportunities; I served in the US Air Force from 1966 to

1969 as a staff sergeant stationed in England; and I began my career as an urban planner, focused on economic development in New York City. It was while working in this role that I noticed the way Asian Americans seemed to be isolated within their own communities. This inspired me to create the AABDC as a way of encouraging Asian Americans to be more involved in mainstream communities and business.

AM: Other than what you do, what are you passionate about?

JW: My personal passions are tea and listening to the Chinese instrument gu qin traditional music.

AM: What advice would you give a person who is starting a business?

JW: If you believe in it, stick to it. Challenges will come. Work hard and smart. Align with positive people and causes. Stay true to your vision and don’t give up.

AM: If you were not in this field, what would you be doing now?

JW: I would like to be involved in journalism, bringing news to people.

AM: Who inspires you?

JW: People who focus on contributing themselves and their talents to the greater good, to doing something great that makes the world a better place, or helps a person/ community to live better. Those are the people who inspire me most.

For more information about John Wang, AABDC and AABR, please visit www.aabdc.com and www.aabusinessroundtable.org

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“My personal mission—and I hope, legacy— is in bringing people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages together to see and share a common interest.”

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BY RUBY KHAN

I

COURTESY OF YANA GIVORG

n an increasingly competitive world of mushrooming startups and aspiring entrepreneurs, Yana Givorg and Bethany Lee, two ordinary young women with extraordinary philanthropic visions, are already hard at work to leave a significant imprint in the world. They do not appear phased, but rather express excitement in tackling headlong any foreseeable kinks down the road to building their individual startups from the ground up.

Their advice to other entrepreneurial hopefuls is to just get started. Both Lee and Givorg are already on their way, having picked up their own reigns, steadfastly aspiring to be the change they wish to see in the world.

YANA GIVORG This vivacious young woman is really an old soul. As Yana Givorg sits across from this interviewer in dark denim and a gray woolen cardigan, a navy blue scarf loosely wrapped around her neck, she is the embodiment of today’s ambitious and driven youth. Her startup, reConnect, serves as a conduit, connecting the homeless to programs and services available through government and local charities. Givorg’s vision is to help the less fortunate, specifically young adults and homeless veterans, in fully utilizing already available resources at hand.

“There is a lot of stigma attached to those without a roof over their heads,” Givorg says. “These people are generally considered to be lazy or mentally incapacitated, which is far from the truth. At the moment, my goal is to pre-qualify and enroll as many individuals as I can into food, shelter, technology, and education programs, as well as anything else they may be applicable for.”

At thirteen, Givorg arrived in the U.S.

from her native hometown of Kazan in Russia. The only child of a single mother, they moved to Olney, Maryland, where Givorg attended Quince Orchard High School and graduated in 2009. Givorg speaks her native language fluently, and recalls being heavily bullied in middle school for having a Russian accent. Her English is impeccable now, and one would be hard pressed to believe that she wasn’t born in the United States.

“By 2016, I will have merchandise for sale in hopes of being able to add an educational component to my program. I have been blessed with a supportive and talented network of people around me who have been lending their time and skills to help build reConnect.”

This list includes an attorney willing to do pro bono work, a human resources executive to help set up a business model, a web designer, a logo artist, and a communications specialist.

“At the moment, my goal is to pre-qualify and enroll as many individuals as I can into food, shelter, technology and education programs as well as anything else they may be applicable for.”

It was around this time that she came upon a seminar which made her re-evaluate her life. “[The seminar] highlighted the fact that we are imprisoned by our own limited thoughts and perceptions of who we are and are supposed to be. It made me realize that time itself is a valuable resource which can be utilized however one chooses to.” It was this moment of epiphany that enabled Givorg to start thinking more like an entrepreneur and less like an employee.

Her passion for helping people tied in neatly with her newly found entrepreneurial zeal. Givorg feels there is a huge divide between available resources and the people who are in dire need of them. More specifically, she believes the groups government programs and charities in the greater DC area cater to do not know how to fully make use of the resources already present. “They do not have the fundamental educational background to be able to self-help, which is where reConnect steps in.”

Overall, Givorg’s startup has been gaining momentum since its inception back in September 2015. Local high schools have already begun supplying student volunteers in exchange for service learning hours. Her business plan is nearly ready for presentation to independent investors and social media outreach, and group funding projects are scheduled to be underway by early January.

Once reConnect gains momentum, Givorg will work towards adding an educational component which will focus on teaching the less fortunate fundamental life skills such as dressing, self-care, speaking in a professional manner, preparing one’s own taxes, how to use a search engine, and typing.

“There will also be follow-ups introduced for all our clients so we can map their growth and explore multiple ways we can assist them further. Furthermore, reConnect will track them into employment positions.”

Givorg’s vision is an ambitious one with a ten-year plan to branch out nationally, and to expand into other larger cities with higher homeless percentages. For now, she has a three-step process. Resource gathering, she mentions will be the hardest part. “Once the ball gets rolling, we’ll be working on the educational component, which is an integral part of my venture. It will help people learn how to properly tap into their resources.”

When asked what obstacles she foresees in the near future, Givorg mentions overhead costs as being her biggest challenge. “I do realize that there will be issues with financing my operation as it grows. I hope to find investors who share and support my vision and would wish to be involved in its growth.” She mentions one such investor who is flying her out to Boston.

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CAREER

Combining Philanthropic Visions with Entrepreneurship: Yana Givorg and Bethany Lee

COURTESY OF BETHANY LEE

BETHANY LEE When you first meet Bethany Lee, what strikes you about her isn’t necessarily her shy and reserved demeanor, but the poise with which she carries herself. Her petite, softspoken exterior belies a down-to-earth and highly motivated individual, one with just the right amount of idealism and practicality.

Much like Givorg, this young entrepreneur wants to see a better world, and holds steadfast in her path to working towards her vision. Lee’s idealism is mirrored in her rather ambitious venture, SolveSpark, an online social platform inviting people to “crowdsolve” current global issues. Lee mentions how it is somewhat akin to a social forum where everyone can not only submit and discuss ideas of any magnitude, but actively work together to come up with solutions.

SolveSpark leverages robust analytics and project management concepts, and will aid users in arriving at the best possible solutions in a transparent manner. In her own words, the social platform seeks to disassemble “slacktivism” and empower communities to spark change. Using project management techniques, SolveSpark would define the necessary requirements in solving any given problem.

“Data analytics, machine learning, and natural language processing will help organize the data, and derive meaning from everyone's insights to help distill down all the information acquired,” she explains. Once a solution is chosen, the site will help people plan how to implement it. Lee admits that making the website different than regular forums is challenging, but certainly not an impossible feat.

Having only recently started a full-time job after a four-month hiatus to build her startup, Lee is aware of the fact that balancing a regular workload and simultaneously working on building SolveSpark will be a tough act to balance. However, she sees her venture as a life-long pursuit, similar to Facebook, which continues to come out with 8 |

HOLIDAY 2015/2016

new features. The young businesswoman’s childlike enthusiasm is refreshing, and more so admirable due to her sincerity and singleminded dedication to achieving her goals.

Lee enjoys quality time and reflection.

She describes herself as a "nerd" whose childhood was filled with video games and anime. Although occupied with indoor games while growing up, she loves nature, often taking solitary walks through nearby trails ensconced in lush greenery. "I love those moments, because I can take in a deep breath and revel in the awe-inspiring beauty and quietude of nature. I can simply be."

natural language processing are all crucial components to making my venture a reality.”

Given that Lee doesn’t come from a business background, she mentions that she will need assistance and guidance in that area, as well. Legal advice is also crucial. The 1776 incubator, of which Lee is a member, is said to possess a vast network of experts who can help point her in the right direction. They also conduct seminars on funding. “There’s much to learn, and I’m looking forward to diving right in,” she adds.

Lee has a bucket list, and would love to travel to Iceland someday to see the Northern

“I would usually go to a cafe with my laptop or to the 1776 incubator in Arlington, Virginia, and spend hours there working on SolveSpark.

It is my baby.”

There are hidden layers to this charming entrepreneur, and as our conversation progresses, more facets of her persona are revealed. Asked if any particular individual had an influence in her life, she states Conan O'Brien as her hero since childhood.

"I admire his intelligence, sharp wit and humor, but also respect him greatly for his humble demeanor." Lee perceives humility as an important quality to be had by every individual. “It makes one more receptive to learning and practicing kindness. If a person is arrogant, they assume they know everything, and therefore never learn. Given that life itself is a learning process, you never stop being a student of life.”

Lee plans to devote a block of time each evening to her dream project after regular work hours. “I would usually go to a cafe with my laptop or to the 1776 incubator in Arlington, Virginia, and spend hours there working on SolveSpark. It is my baby.” She mentions how her boyfriend is amazing at working on his side projects at all hours of the night, and how he is a constant source of inspiration for her due to his work ethic and passion for what he does.

“I would be using cutting edge technologies with the help of experts. I have a lot of learning ahead of me,” she says.

She points out that forum-like discussions can play an integral part in coming up with community-based solutions, and she would like the term "crowd-solving" to catch on.

“Programmers, developers, and people doing research in data science, machine learning such as artificial intelligence, and

Lights. Italy is another favorite destination for its rich history. “I love cities for the exciting vibe and different cultures, and more so thrilling when I can connect with them on some level.”

Lee’s conclusive reflections are hard to refute. “Everyone is quick to identify problems and come up with fleeting solutions, but rarely do they make the effort to take time out of their busy lives to implement them. I’m hoping my venture enables people to finally do so, to actually step up and take action. The world will not change unless we change it,” she says. A favorite quote from which Lee derives much inspiration is from none other than Steve Jobs: “We’re here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why else even be here?” _______________________________ Capping off the interviews with both the intriguing Lee and the exuberant Givorg is tantamount to the kind of disappointment felt upon turning to the last page of one’s favorite book. The individual journeys they’ve embarked on seem daunting, and yet their maps were created with incisive action and planning, were drafted, revised, and are now ready to be tread upon. Although their paths are separate, both women are admirably single-minded and dedicated in reaching their chosen goals, and to seeing their efforts and hard work achieve great heights. Lee’s and Givorg’s idealism and hope are infectious, and promise to inevitably lead to a brighter future, and possibly a better world.

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At MillerCoors we have a long tradition of supporting the

communities where we live and work. We dedicate time and resources

to partner with organizations that help make

a positive impact, especially related to civic leadership, environmental stewardship, responsibility and economic empowerment.

As part of our mission, MillerCoors is proud to support the National Association of Asian American Professionals.

For more information about MillerCoors and our community involvement, log onto www.millercoors.com

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READING LIST

The Health Benefits Behind Giving, with Jenny Santi

Jenny Santi was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She has lived in London, the French Loire Valley, and Singapore, and lives currently in New York. Santi is a philanthropy advisor to some of the world’s most generous philanthropists and celebrity activists. For five years, beginning when she was only twenty-eight, Santi was the head of Philanthropy Services (Southeast Asia) for the world’s largest wealth manager. She holds an MBA from INSEAD, went to the Wharton School as an exchange student, and attended New York University’s Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, where she is a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy. She is also the author of The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories and Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving (Tarcher/Penguin), published in October 2015. occurred to me that these stories must be told, as they hold the power to inspire others to do the same.

OLAN MONTGOMERY

AM: You have interviewed many prominent philanthropists. Which one(s) did you find intimidating?

JS: I was nervous about meeting bestselling author Isabel Allende in her home in Marin County. I’ve seen photos of her and thought she might be an unapproachable, steely matriarch, but she proved to be quite the opposite when we met. She is so warm, welcoming, and even playful. I absolutely loved meeting her.

ALIST Magazine: In your book you provide readers with the “positive effects of philanthropic giving, not on those receiving help, but on those giving it.” Why? Jenny Santi: I believe that givers start giving because they are moved by a cause, but they endure because giving brings them happiness and fulfillment. I believe that for giving to be sustainable, the way we give should make a positive impact, but also be personally rewarding, fulfilling, life-changing, and even fun.

Every day a charity appeal says, “If only we all gave a dollar. . . if only everyone just gave the time they could, it would help millions of people.” But that doesn’t work. Why not?

Why won’t more of us give? Perhaps it is because we have not heard enough stories of what it can do for us. Through my work as a philanthropy advisor I have heard so many stories of how, in giving their time, treasures, and talents to the causes they care about, people have found meaning, regained strength, and felt happiness and fulfilment far greater than they had ever imagined. It 12 |

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AM: For five years you were the Head of Philanthropy Services (Southeast Asia) for the world’s largest wealth manager. How did that happen? Did you find the job rewarding?

JS: It was a combination of perseverance, luck, and risk-taking. I pursued a job that practically no one else had, that could have

gone well or gone kaput. I was so passionate about that job, worked very long hours, used my vacation time to study everything I could about philanthropy, often at my own expense, and next thing I knew, I was a “veteran” in the field. I found the job absolutely rewarding in the sense that it allowed me to make a difference in a way that honoured my passions and took advantage of my skills. It also allowed me to meet so many incredible people along the way, in and outside of the company, and they continue to be some of my most trusted colleagues and friends.

AM: Why did you name your book The Giving Way to Happiness: Stories and Science Behind the Life-Changing Power of Giving?

JS: The book is about giving as a pathway to happiness, illustrated not just by stories and anecdotes, but by real science to back it up.

AM: You’ve interviewed some amazing individuals. Who has inspired you the most?

JS: The story of Czech model Petra Nemcova was one of the most inspirational. She shows how giving can help us find renewed strength amidst the most difficult circumstances.

Petra was vacationing in Khao Lak, Thailand in December 2004, with her fiancé Simon when the Indian Ocean tsunami hit. Simon was swept away by the current and never seen again, while Petra broke her bones and was told she might never walk again. Barely a year after the tsunami, and still recovering from her physical and emotional wounds, guess what she did? She went back to Thailand. She set up the Happy Hearts Fund with the vision of rebuilding schools and the lives of young victims of natural disasters. She told me that by giving, “you can heal faster emotionally, but also physically. You can have an impact on many lives and you can bring joy to the lives of others. There’s a selfish element in it, really. When we make someone happy, we become even happier.”

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AM: You have told people to take some time to write down their special purpose and that this simple act will increase the likelihood of their words turning into action. Why is this true?

JS: One thing a lot of very successful selfimprovement writers—Anthony Robbins, Zig Ziglar and so on—go on and on about is the importance of having written goals. A written goal brings clarity, focus, direction, and serves as a powerful reminder to keep yourself on the right track.

AM: What is a philanthropy advisor?

JS: As a philanthropy advisor, I work with my clients to help them channel their wealth, power, and influence towards social good. I wear multiple hats: strategy consultant, family advisor, personal career counselor, connector, and event planner all rolled into one. My approach is that my clients’ philanthropic endeavors should not only be making a positive impact, but are also personally rewarding, fulfilling, life-changing, and enjoyable.

AM: What will be your legacy?

JS: I hope to be remembered as someone who used her gifts to do good in the world.

AM: When did you know you wanted to write this book? How long did it take you?

JS: I had a “flashing light bulb moment” one day in May of 2012, that I should write a book about how giving changes the life of the giver. I didn’t actually start writing it until the following year, and all in all the project took about two and a half years. I did not know anyone in the literary industry when I started, and it took a while navigating that. As a firsttime author who had not written anything longer than my college thesis, I truly did not expect to be published by Penguin Random House.

AM: Is there really a science to giving?

JS: Yes, experiments show evidence that the “joy of giving” has a biological basis in the brain. Altruism is hardwired in the brain and is pleasurable: • Through MRI technology, we now know that when we give, two brain reward systems work together: the midbrain VTA, which is the same part stimulated by food and sex, and the subgenual area, which is the area stimulated when humans see babies

and romantic partners.

• The benefits are not just mental but also physical. The euphoric feeling we experience when we help others is what researchers call “the helper’s high,” the powerful physical sensation associated with helping others.

• Volunteerism and wellness expert Allan Luks looked at the physical effects of giving experienced by more than 1,700 women who volunteered regularly. The studies demonstrated that a full fifty percent of helpers reported feeling “high” when they helped others, while forty-three percent felt stronger and more energetic.

An astonishing thirteen percent even experienced fewer aches and pains. As the runner’s high happens when a runner’s endorphin levels rise, the helper’s high happens when people perform good deeds.

In other words, the helper’s high is a classic example of nature’s built-in reward system for those who help others.• Research from Carnegie Mellon University shows that volunteering for at least two hundred hours per year (four hours a week) dramatically lowers blood pressure in older adults. High blood pressure, or hypertension, triggers a chain reaction in adults that often leads to morbidity due to cardiovascular conditions.

• Research from Carnegie Mellon University shows that volunteering for at least two hundred hours per year (four hours per week) dramatically lowers blood pressure in older adults. High blood pressure, or hypertension, triggers a chain reaction in adults that often leads to morbidity due to cardiovascular conditions.

• “Every day, we are learning more about how negative lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of exercise increase hypertension risk,” says Rodlescia S. Sneed, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology at Carnegie Mellon’s Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. “We wanted to determine if a positive lifestyle factor like volunteer work could actually reduce disease risk. And the results give older adults an example of something they can actively do to remain healthy and age successfully.” Sneed and her team studied 1,164 adults between the ages of fifty-one and ninety-one from across the U.S. The participants were

“A written goal brings clarity, focus, direction, and serves as a powerful reminder to keep yourself on the right track. ”

OLAN MONTGOMERY

AM: What is the end result of your book?

What do you want readers to do?

JS: I hope that people will give not until it hurts, but until it feels great. That’s the message of TGWTH.

interviewed twice, in 2006 and 2010, and all had normal blood pressure levels at the first interview. Volunteerism, various social and psychological factors, and blood pressure were measured each time. When evaluated four years later, the results showed that those who reported at least two hundred hours of volunteer work during the initial interview were forty percent less likely to develop hypertension than those who did not volunteer. The specific type of volunteer activity was not a factor; only the amount of time spent volunteering led to increased protection from hypertension.

AM: What is the best advice someone gave you?

JS: Don't ask yourself what the world needs.

Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

AM: What are three things that we do not know about you?

JS: That as a child I was so shy to the point that my classmates thought I was mute.

Recently I learned that’s called “selective mutism.” That traveling is one of my greatest passions, and I have been to 37 countries.

That I am obsessed with the color pink.

AM: Who inspires you?

JS: Animals. They have so much love to give.

For more information on Jenny Santi, please visit www.jennysanti.com

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F

FEATURE

Glenn Sugiyama: A Visionary in the Collegiate Arena

BY CATHERINE LAW

SPORTS FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME Glenn Sugiyama graduated from Michigan State University and received his Master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, where he became assistant basketball coach at the age of twenty-seven. Sports was always in his life growing up. His passion for basketball linked him to each step of his career. According to Sugiyama, “when I was younger and had passion for basketball, that helped lead to the assistant basketball coaching opportunity. One thing really led to another in my career. If I hadn’t been a basketball coach, I would never have gotten involved with the Chicago Bulls. If I hadn’t been involved with the Bulls, I wouldn’t be leading a sports practice for a global executive search firm today. So pretty much things happen in life for a reason.”

Not only did he play and coach basketball, Sugiyama also sat on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Bulls. As member 16 |

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of the Board, he says “my job was to assist the chairman in the overall operations of an NBA franchise that included the major areas of marketing, finance, and basketball operations.”

If Sugiyama were to put together a sports dream team, who would be on the team, and who would be the coach? He did not have to think too hard on this, since he “was fortunate that my fantasy became reality in being involved with the Chicago Bulls during their championship run. We had one of the greatest players of all time (Michael Jordan), one of the greatest owners of all time (Jerry Reinsdorf), and one of the greatest coaches of all time (Phil Jackson).” His experience with the Chicago Bulls was “a better training ground for an aspiring sports leader.”

Sugiyama has sat on the Japanese American Service Committee (JASC) Board of

Directors for over two decades, where he also serves as Santa Claus at the annual Holiday Delight. The event is traditionally held on the second Saturday of November. This year, Sugiyama had a touching request. He asked one of the children what he wanted for Christmas and the child said “Peace on Earth.” “The response really struck me.”

THE POPULARITY OF COLLEGIATE SPORT RECRUITING Sugiyama has been pursuing the college space in the last few years, because DHR’s “sports practice works with any sports-related entity, whether it is corporate sports, professional sports teams and leagues, or collegiate sports . . . Collegiate sports has received more public attention because of the many coaching and athletic director hires that we’ve completed for high profile programs.”

PAUL SAKUMA

JEREMY WITTEVEEN

Glenn Sugiyama serves as Managing Partner and Global Sports Practice Leader in the firm’s Chicago office. Described by Forbes magazine as “one of the most influential men in college athletics,” Glenn Sugiyama is credited with building one of the largest and most renowned sports practice groups in the world. For over ten years, he has been placing talent in professional sports organizations and for the top academic institutions in the United States and around the world, including senior sports executives and head coaches. Mr. Sugiyama is considered a human capital expert in the sports industry, and is frequently asked to share his opinions and insights in the media, and speak about his experiences internationally. At twenty-seven, Mr. Sugiyama became one of the youngest directors of a major US pro sports team when he was named to the board of directors of the former world champion Chicago Bulls. Prior to the Bulls, he was a Division I college basketball coach. Before joining DHR International, Sugiyama was vice president and account director for Leo Burnett USA, and a former director of North American business development at iLeo, Leo Burnett’s Marketing Services group.

Sugiyama began his career as director of marketing, advertising, and sales for a regional restaurant company. He made the successful transition from marketing to finance and operations when he ran a nine unit / 700-employee chain as president and CEO. Since then, Sugiyama has served as EVP of a 5,000-employee service company and president of a real estate development company. In addition, he has served on the Advisory Council of the University of Illinois—College of Business and the Board of Directors of the Japanese American Service Committee. Recently, Sugiyama was named one of the “Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business” in the US. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

From left to right: Jim Harbaugh (former Head Football Coach at Stanford University), Glenn Sugiyama, Bob Bowlsby (former Athletic Director at Stanford University)

“Being able to promote diversity in pools of candidates is a critical focus of every search in any industry.

Having diverse search consultants helps to facilitate that focus.”

ma hopes to see more people of color in this arena, as “being able to promote diversity in pools of candidates is a critical focus of every search in any industry. Having diverse search consultants helps to facilitate that focus.”

Sugiyama outlines the search process: 1—Being hired by the client; 2—Conduct an audit; 3—Visit campus; 4—Research; 5—Candidate is screened 3 times; 6—Show time; 7—You are hired. According to Sugiyama, each client’s search is different. “Sometimes we do a coaching search and it has to be completed in just a few days. . . When we are doing an athletic director or other sports executive search, it is usually a more conventional search, which can take thirty to sixty days.”

If you are interested in becoming a recruiter in any industry, Sugiyama says, “It is very important to have worked in a specific industry.” For example, “to manage a collegiate sports search at DHR International, you need to have work experience in a college athletic department. There are so many intricacies and so much that goes on behind the scenes on a daily basis, that to be a strong resource to our client, we believe it is important to have specific industry experience.”

DON FERIA

COURTESY OF GLENN SUGIYAMA

Sports recruiting has been a public affair with much secrecy due to the fact that “people have such a great interest in, and passion for, sports in this country.” It makes Sugiyama’s job hard, as he has to protect the confidentiality of the candidates, making sure this information is not leaked out during a search.

Out of the ten College Sports’ Top Search Consultants, Sugiyama and Ted Gregory were the only men of color. Sugiya-

Cuonzo Martin (Head Basketball Coach of the University of California at Berkeley) and Glenn Sugiyama

WWW.ALIST-MAGAZINE.COM | 17

spiration is his parents, “because I always believed in them, and my wife and kids, because they always believed in me.”

Sugiyama gives this advice: “No matter

who you are, I think you should always have pride, self-confidence, and a willingness to compete. If you have those things, you will always do your best in life.”

“No matter who you are, I think you should always have pride, self-confidence, and a willingness to compete. If you have those things, you will always do your best in life.”

HERB BENENSON

THE FAMILY Both of Sugiyama’s children played sports in high school and have a passion for sports and competition. His son played basketball at USC, and his daughter graduated from Notre Dame. Both colleges are known for their sports, but “time will tell if sports becomes a part of their future.”

Forbes magazine may have described Sugiyama as one of the most influential men in college athletics, but his passion lies not only with sports, but with his family. His in-

Sonny Dykes (Head Football Coach at University of California at Berkeley) and Glenn Sugiyama

5 Things About Glenn Sugiyama The majority of his family lives in Hawaii and his favorite foods to eat are local Hawaiian plate lunches On a typical day in his life involves two or more flights and spending more than eight hours on his cell phone He never leaves the house without his cell phone and his charger His father lost his citizenship during the Second World War and was sent to an internment camp His mother was a little girl in Honolulu who watched the bombs drop on Pearl Harbor For more information about Glenn Sugiyama, please visit www.dhrinternational.com

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The Multi-Hyphenated Erman M. Baradi

ENTERTAINMENT

BY CATHERINE LAW

CHRISTIAN PANGILINAN

Virginia Beach-based Erman M. Baradi has become entertainment’s go-to guy behind the scenes, rubbing elbows with the industry’s hottest actors, agents, managers, publicists, producers, directors, and writers. Having an identity in both the film and music world, Erman, at just twenty-five, has made great impact early into his entertainment career. In October, he was featured on the popular app Crowdfire as a social media success story, and in November was named "Who's Next in Hollywood" by NXUP Magazine. This past fall he produced his second Hollywood event, The Rel/event Series Part I, which highlighted the industry's most buzzed about individuals and projects in 2015-2016. On board were commercial talent agent Liz Dalling (Ruby Rose, Kerry Washington, Tom Hardy, Chris Hemsworth, Henry Cavill), film producer Lauren Shuler Donner (X-Men: Apocalypse, Deadpool, Gambit), and casting casting associate (Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow). The Rel/event series Part II takes place in LA this April and features the likes of executive producer Tommy Harper (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), screenwriter Doug Jung (Star Trek Beyond), co-producer Alex Ott (Suicide Squad), and casting director Kerry Barden (Spotlight, Jessica Jones).

“I love telling stories, so ultimately I'd want that to be my bread and butter. Stories can change the world.”

E

rman M. Baradi is multi-talented: he is a screenwriter, he reads scripts, he interviews individuals from the entertainment industry, he is an industry event planner, he is a manager, and he is an actor who will always have roots in Virginia. According to Baradi, “No Malice from The Clipse was the first person in the industry to give me a chance.

I'll always have an emotional connection to Virginia.”

If Baradi had to choose from just one of his many roles, he would be a screenwriter. “I love telling stories, so ultimately I'd want that to be my bread and butter. Stories can change the world.” You will find him either writing,

checking his email, holding Skype sessions, or using the Internet for his projects.

Baradi’s family supported his career choice because his parents love movies. He started screenwriting at sixteen, and he is still nervous when people read his material.

Currently, he works with Emmy-nominated artist T.O.N.E.-z, who is known for the theme song from the series Justified on FX, and who asked Baradi to co-write an idea for a short. “I sent him a first draft,” said Baradi, “and was nervous for an hour as I waited for his feedback. Mind you, he knows me very well, yet I was nervous about his opinion on it.

Being in the industry, he's read many scripts

so he knows what to look for. He called me back and said it was really dope. I don't care how long you've written. You're never going to like your old stuff and will always feel selfconscious when being read.”

So what was the worst criticism that Baradi received about his screenwriting?

“Silence. The worst reply from someone reading your screenplay is no response at all.

I pitch to agents and producers from time to time and they enjoy the synopsis enough to ask for the full script. Then months go by and nothing.”

The entertainment industry is tough, and Baradi says you need to “be courageous.

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HOLIDAY 2015/2016

MYLES OZO MYLES OZO

It's kind of like the dating world. No one will give you a chance if they don't know you exist. Let yourself be known.”

Another piece of advice he offers is “to boost your social media,” which means you need to make industry friends on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. Baradi also suggests starting “something that would

get industry pros involved. I started an entertainment event series so I could connect with Hollywood producers and writers and managers and casting directors.”

Switching to his other hat as an entertainment interviewer, Baradi has talked to about two hundred interviewees. He says the top five interviews that have left an impression with him were: Fifth Harmony, producer Angela Kang of The Walking Dead, producers J Miles Dale of The Strain and Gary Pearl of Jane the Virgin, and film producer Gavin Polone, who also manages Conan O'Brien. Honorable mention would go to Jessica Pimentel of Orange is the New Black. These interviews left an impression with Baradi because “the most impactful interviews are the ones where we stay in touch.”

Wearing hat Number Three, Baradi is an industry event planner. This year he planned The Three Cities Festival which was in May and Rel/Event. “They were my first events on my own, so the process was definitely nerve-racking, especially when I'm putting together while in Virginia. Three Cities Fest was a collaboration I did with Vents Magazine. The concept was holding panels in three different cities whole doing a digital film festival.” This meant having panels in New York and Los Angles on back

to back weekends—not easy to do, but he accomplished the task. The first Rel/Event was headlined by film producer Lauren Shuler Donner, who has upcoming films like X-Men: Apocalypse, Deadpool, and Gambit in 2016. Baradi also had people from Empire, The Flash, Supergirl, Arrow, Batman vs. Superman, and so much more, and it was “definitely a successful night.”

Rel/Event II is set for April 8, 2016, in Downtown Los Angeles, where Baradi will have speakers from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Trek Beyond, Suicide Squad, Thor: Ragnarok, top celebrity agents and managers, and more. It is not an event to miss. In January, you will also catch him at Sundance producing an event alongside the International Screenwriters' Association where he will be reaching out to celebrity guest speakers. “2016 will be huge. I may be working with brands in the clothing and liquor worlds,” he says, “so keep your eyes and ears open for more to come.”

With so much to do at every turn and always busy, what will be his legacy? “I'd like to be known as a multi-hyphenate who broke ground for Asian Americans,” says Baradi. When you look up the word ‘multihyphenate,’ the definition is: a person who has (or is known for having) several main occupations, or a person with a hyphenated profession, e.g. singer-songwriter, actordirector, but especially a person with several such roles.

Working is one thing, but Baradi is also a proud Filipino, and is passionate about his Filipino-American hip hop dance crew. “I don't have a whole lot of time to choreograph like I used to, but it's one of my top hobbies.”

His dance crew has performed backup for some of the biggest names in the Philippines.

“The most impactful interviews are the ones where we stay in touch.”

In the end, after all the networking with celebrities, writers, filmmakers, and producers, his parents are the ones that inspire him the most. “It's cliche to say, but I promised them a mansion one day.

Every year I'm that much closer to a career breakthrough. I'm sticking to that promise.

It gives me something to strive for.” So watch out for this multi-hyphenated individual!

He’s taking the entertainment industry by storm.

For more information on Erman M. Baradi, follow him on Twitter @erman_la WWW.ALIST-MAGAZINE.COM | 23

We are unique individuals. We are a tight-knit team. We are independent thinkers. We share a common mission: to fight crime, to protect America’s security, to contribute to the nation’s Intelligence community, and to make our world better. Discover why now, more than ever, there is no other career like an FBI career.

FBI Special Agents We seek these professionals for the investigative role of an FBI Special Agent: • Attorneys • Certified Public Accountants • Network Administrators/IT • Engineers • Detectives • Scientists • Computer Scientists • Cyber Security Specialists • Military • Fluent Speakers of Foreign Languages (currently most sought - Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Russian and Farsi) • and other disciplines.

You must hold a Bachelor’s degree, have 3 years of professional work experience, and be: • 23 to 36 years of age; • available for any assignment in the FBI’s jurisdiction; and • in excellent physical condition and able to pass a rigorous physical fitness test.

FBI Professional Staff Careers Our Professional Staff careers include: Intelligence Analysts • Linguists • IT Specialists • Computer Scientists • Cyber Security Specialists • Scientists • Administrative Assistants • Accountants • Electricians Sci •E Engineers • Human Resources Specialists • Security Officers • Electronics Technicians • Tradesmen • and many more.

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TODAY’S FBI. IT’S FOR YOU.

Al FBI employees must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete FBI background investigation, All drug test, and polygraph as a prerequisite for employment and to receive an FBI Top Secret dr Security Sec Clearance. The FBI is an equal opportunity employer and supports workforce diversity and inclusion. inclus

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Ranked among the best places to work in government, the FDIC offers the excitement and pace of a private sector career, with the security and benefits of the Federal government. An inclusive atmosphere and incredible support for employees are what earned us #1 ranking in pay

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and benefits and family-friendly culture in government. We have opportunities for smart, dedicated people ready to serve the United States.

Serve your nation and strengthen its future. Apply for a career with FDIC today. www.fdic.gov/about/jobs FDIC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Some quick facts about Galena: it is the second most visited city in Illinois, Chicago; 75% of their buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places and it is the location of Ulysses S. Grant’s home.

MIKE BURLEY

How did this happen? Yuanzhang “John” learned that there was a contest to win an all expense paid wedding by entering a video on YouTube on why they should win (you can watch their video here: https://youtu.be/bF8ApwpRqGA?list=PLq8Sri9Ebmponb14CBbhVGKd3chVOI1H) Their video earned over 23,000 views which made them the winners.

MIKE BURLEY

Who would want to be married in front of thousands of people and 5,000 candlelit luminaries in December? Well, Yuanzhang “John” Zheng and Ruiying “Claire” Zhang did on December 12th in Galena, Illinois but it was done with a twist – they were married in Vignette’s storefront window. It was during Galena’s Living Windows and Night of the Luminaria.

John and Claire would “love to share the whole story with everybody and appreciated Galena's lovely people who gave us a perfect wedding.”

Watch their wedding here: https://youtu.be/4lp12iSdXV0

WWW.ALIST-MAGAZINE.COM | 25

ENTERTAINMENT

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MIKE BURLEY

WEDDING IN A WINDOW

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We are a proud sponsor of the National Association of Asian American Professionals As the world’s largest home improvement retailer, we have the unique opportunity to foster, enrich, and celebrate the diversity that exists within the communities in which we do business.

We are committed and thankful for the opportunity to serve the changing demographics and needs of the communities that have embraced The Home Depot for over 30 years.

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M

MUSIC

Talking Music, with Andy Suzuki

BY JENNIFER SUZUKAWA-TSENG

Andy Suzuki is the vocalist, guitarist, and pianist of the New York-based band Andy Suzuki & The Method. His sound is a harmonious blend of folk, rock, and blues. He has performed at major US festivals including SXSW and CMJ, as well as notable New York City stages that include Bowery Ballroom and Joe’s Pub.

“

There’s one specific recording that was very important to me,” Andy Suzuki shares.

This very recording shifted him away from his R&B, hip hop, and break dancing interests and set him on his current folk-inspired path. From growing up singing Usher, Boyz II Men, and Dru Hill, Suzuki pivoted into listening to, and cherishing, folk singers such as Amos Lee and Patty Griffin.

“It’s a Jason Mraz recording,” Suzuki explains. “It’s a live recording of his earliest material before he got big.” Suzuki received this influential recording back in high school from a friend. Titled Live at Java Joe’s, this recording was set in a little café that Mraz used to perform at in San Diego.

“I need to do this. I need to make this.”

That was Suzuki’s reaction upon hearing the recording. As for why it was so impactful, Suzuki describes how “it was just unlike anything I had ever heard before.” He further explains how “it was so raw and his vocals were so haunting and the lyrics just seemed like poetry to me. Like every lyric had some secret.”

A memorable lyric for Suzuki is from the song “After an Afternoon.” The lyrics go “I bare my windowed self untamed and untrained.” Upon first read, lyrics such as this appear to be cryptic codes yet to be deciphered. “I don’t even know what that means, and to be honest, chances are, he doesn’t even know what it means,” Suzuki comments. “But it doesn’t matter. It just got me thinking.”

SCHOOL DAYS Born Andrew Akira Avram Suzuki, the singer has one Japanese and one Hebrew middle name. Raised in the Washington, DC area, Suzuki was brought up in a biracial household and spoke a healthy mix of Japanese and English. Growing up, Suzuki watched Japanese cartoons such as Doraemon and Anpanman, in addition to celebrating Hanukkah.

Suzuki attended Sidwell Friends School and sang in an a cappella group called Consensual Sound. It was during his time in this group that Suzuki realized that he could sing as a soloist. An unforeseen event turned

into an opportunity for Suzuki when one of the seniors in the group left for a college trip without informing the other members. The budding singer volunteered to sing the solo and the concert went successfully. Suzuki then thought to himself: “This? I could do this.”

Suzuki’s interest in music in high school is apparent, as he taught himself to play piano and gave a concert for his senior project. He notes how this then “blossomed into taking jazz piano lessons at Brown University,” where Suzuki went to college. “I actually majored in economics,” he notes. “An economics degree from Brown is a decent back-up plan if I ever want to stop this crazy thing.”

Nevertheless, Suzuki took piano courses throughout his time in college, where he met his jazz piano teacher, who Suzuki cites as a mentor. “He was practicing piano for literally like 10 hours a day and I was just in awe of that,” Suzuki recounts. “And that kind of inspired me. I got to put in so many hours.”

JACKIE HO

“I actually majored in Economics … An Economics degree from Brown is a decent back-up plan if I ever want to stop this crazy thing.”

METHOD IN MADNESS In addition to “the pursuit to create something beautiful,” Suzuki is inspired by the process of songwriting itself. “Recently, I’m trying to think about songwriting not just writing from my perspective, but from the perspective of other people and/or other objects.” Suzuki offers an autumn sweater as an example. “You only need me when it’s cold out. You shut me away in a drawer. Shut me away in the basement for half a year.”

Changing perspectives like this allows him to be inspired by out-of-the-box things.

As for his creative process, Suzuki explains how it is a very melody-driven process. “Above all, I’m a singer, so it’s a lot of humming and singing nonsense words over chords that I come up with on guitar or piano.” Suzuki describes how his laptop is filled with his recordings and how he would listen through the recordings and select the most promising content. He notes

how occasionally words would pop out and he would “realize what the song is about.”

Suzuki explains how the lyric-writing process is an “intensive process with many drafts” that requires him to sift through and “really dig in lyrically.”

Suzuki’s development lyrically is evident in his stylistic trajectory. “I went from very abstract lyrics,” he explains. “Now I just feel like the most poetic lyrics are very straightforward. Almost conversational.”

He elaborates on this, stating how he wants his lyrics to be “very honest, not a hidden meaning thing.”

While hidden meanings may not be what Suzuki strives for in his lyrics, his band name has a playful inside joke that will fly over the heads of non-musicians. “So this is kind of a little joke for our fans who are in the know,” Suzuki reveals. “There’s a Suzuki Method, which is a method of learning classical music by ear. Usually violin and piano, for the most part. But that’s called the Suzuki Method.

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Andy Suzuki & The Method was one of the first things we thought of. Then we came up with like three hundred more names and we were like, ‘let’s go with the Suzuki Method.’”

He comments how this process of picking a name is similar to the songwriting process.

“We come up with a good idea and then try to come up with twenty other better ideas and then pick the best one.”

MUSIC FIRST “Andy Suzuki & The Method is me and whoever I happen to be playing with that day,” Suzuki explains. When recording the band’s full-length album, Born Out of Mischief, in 2013, Suzuki was joined by Jason Gorelick and Kozza Babumba. The trio successfully crowd funded their goal of $44,000 on Indiegogo to produce the album. Standout track, “Keep Me Running,” was premiered on Billboard.com and NPR has recognized Suzuki to be “blessed with a velvet voice that competes with that of any radio soul star.”

The appeal of Suzuki’s music is probably most vividly captured during the band’s three-week tour in Brunei. “We were the first international artist to come for a public performance in like ten years, so we were a huge news story,” Suzuki recounts. “They called us The Beatles of Brunei.”

As the band graced the front page of the newspaper for days in a row, Suzuki notes how this experience was unique as the band was “the ‘it’ thing of the moment.” The band acquired a strong following there, as the fans embraced the nicknames “Methodonnas” and “Methodons.”

Regarding the reason underlying the success of the album Born Out of Mischief, Suzuki expresses the utmost importance of putting music first. “Doesn’t matter what your Instagram looks like. Doesn’t matter if you get that one little festival that’s like a small town festival. If your music is amazing, everything that you want to happen will happen. But you need to put in the time to make your music amazing.”

In addition to prioritizing music, Suzuki is very reflective and is an ardent believer in goal setting. On his phone, Suzuki routinely refers to a document called Manifesto—a long collection of mottos that he wrote with a friend. “I try to read it a couple times a month to make sure I’m living life the way I want to.”

“If I had to sum up Manifesto in one sentence, and it’s many paragraphs, I would say, ‘it’s never too late to be awesome.’” The optimistic and diligent approach that Suzuki embraces in life is also evident in his attitude towards regrets. “I don’t really like the word ‘regrets,’ ” Suzuki shares. “I just see them as learning opportunities.”

As with any artist, musicians face challenges and moments of doubt. In grave instances such as those, Babumba, Suzuki’s main writing partner, frequently says, “If it were easy, everyone would do it.” That phrase serves as the band’s motto and helps them overcome challenges that arise.

UPCOMING EFFORTS Currently, Suzuki is working on the next album, which he describes as “a little bit folky, a little bit bluesy, a little bit country, but with

a little electronic.” He states how they have “written over thirty new songs and the goal is to record five of them.” The process is very exhaustive and they are not rushing to select the best tracks. “I’m just letting the music take its shape.”

On a non-music note, Suzuki shares how his first aspiration was to play in the NBA. “Basketball was my first love for sure,” Suzuki professes. When the Jeremy Lin sensation, often referred to as “Linsanity,” happened in 2012, Suzuki was in awe. “That was amazing.

There was nothing better.”

Bringing it back to the music, Suzuki reveals how his dream would be to feature Jeremy Lin in one of his music videos. In the midst of working on his upcoming album, Suzuki takes a moment to reflect on the band’s growth. “To see it grow from nothing,” to seeing “people who know all the songs and singing at concerts. Stuff like that, it just keeps you going.”

With a new album on the horizon and a recently released music video for his song “Lucy (Devil Song),” Suzuki appears to be hard at work. “I always said I would stop when it was no longer fun, but it’s still fun just to see the growth.” Armed with his Manifesto, an enduring band motto, and the drive for excellence, perhaps that music video with Jeremy Lin isn’t too far away.

For more information on Andy Suzuki & The Method, please visit www.andysuzukimusic.com

“If your music is amazing, everything that you want to happen will happen. But you need to put in the time to make your music amazing.”

JACKIE HO

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100 PROUDLY PRESENTED

BY BUICK

For more than a century, Asians have overcome obstacles to make significant contributions in both the United States and Canada. Their contributions have added tremendously to the success and prosperity of North America. NAAAP is a leadership development organization that provides a broad range of professional and educational services. It is only fitting then, that NAAAP recognizes leaders who exemplify our vision and mission. NAAAP is paying tribute to these leaders through the NAAAP 100 Recognition Program.

For a full list of NAAAP 100 honorees, visit www.naaap.org/ programs/naaap-100/

RONALD W. CHANG

Ronald W. Chang is the President of UPS Capital, a long-time advocate for developing Asian leaders, and a supporter of numerous diversity initiatives. r. Chang has worked for over two decades at UPS, with an early role in 1991 as a supervisor in Finance and Accounting. In 1996, he moved to Singapore to become Controller of the Asia Pacific Region, where he was responsible for a $700 million book of business, comprised of twelve subsidiaries and countries spanning across Asia. In 1999, UPS relocated Mr. Chang to London to become Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions, Treasury for Europe and Asia, where he worked on cross-border acquisitions, joint ventures, currency hedging, and debt placements. When Mr. Chang was asked to become Vice President of Finance for UPS' Pacific Region in 2005, he assumed responsibility for one of the corporation's largest business units. His promotion to Global Head of M&A and Intellectual Property in 2007 marked an expansion of his strategic role, for which he led an M&A team to fulfill his acquisition vision while working with investment banks and the UPS Board of Directors. Mr. Chang's service as Vice President of Strategy at UPS Capital in 2013 was quickly followed within a year to his promotion as the President of UPS Capital, which offers financing and insurance services to protect companies from risk and manage cash in their supply chains.

As an individual of Korean descent, Mr. Chang has also volunteered his time to uplift the Asian community and promote inclusion in general. He has mentored and served as a role model to his fellow coworkers at UPS, helping to shape the company's Asian talent development initiative and diversity leadership program. In 2010, Who's Who in Asian American Communities recognized Mr. Chang with a Leaders & Legends Award for his influential contributions.

Mr. Chang has also volunteered his time and supported several community organizations, including the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), and the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP). Mr. Chang earned his Masters Degree from Pepperdine University and lives with his wife and two children in Atlanta

COURTESY OF RONALD W. CHANG

M

30 |

HOLIDAY 2015/2016

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TAMMY NGUYEN LEE

Tammy Nguyen Lee is President and Co-Founder of Against The Grain Productions and is an award-winning producer and filmmaker, professional actor, and philanthropist.

B

COURTESY OF ALBERT WONG

orn in Saigon, Mrs. Lee fled Vietnam on a boat when she was less than three months old and spent over a year in a Hong Kong refugee camp before being reunited with family in Dallas.

ALBERT WONG

Lieutenant Commander Albert Wong is the President of AKW Global Enterprises, a judge, an advisor, a diplomat, and a community leader.

B

orn in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, Mr. Wong immigrated to Canada in 1971. Immediately after receiving his Canadian citizenship in

After graduating near the top of her class from an International Baccalaureate program with intensive training in theater and music, she declined a scholarship to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts to be closer to family, matriculating at the esteemed Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University (SMU). As an undergraduate, she was a leader in several Asian organizations, and her short films Lunar Cycles and First Slow Burn were screened in various film festivals across the country. Mrs. Lee also reigned as Miss Asian American Texas from 1999-2001. Soon afterwards, she earned her M.F.A. at UCLA while producing films and continuing her work as a professional actor and spokesmodel. In 2005, Mrs. Lee co-founded the nonprofit Against The Grain Productions, which is dedicated to Asian Americans in the arts and has raised funds for orphanages in Vietnam and given scholarships to emerging Asian leaders. Her documentary Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam has won numerous national and international film festival awards and has brought attention to the aftermath of what has been called "one of the most humanitarian efforts in history."

For over a decade, Mrs. Lee has made a tremendous impact in her local community through ongoing charitable and civic efforts. Mrs. Lee serves as an educator in promoting awareness around poverty, Asian culture, and female leadership, with key roles at the SMU Hegi Family Career Development Center and the SMU Meadows Alumni Advisory Council. In 2010, Mrs. Lee was honored with a Distinguished Alumni award, and in 2012, she received the NAAAP DFW Leaders of Excellence Award. Her work on the Board of Directors for Women in Film Dallas and her close work over the past four years with NAAAP DFW have made her one of the most wellknown and respected leaders in the Dallas Asian community. Mrs. Lee lives in Dallas with her husband, their two daughters, and their miniature schnauzers, Oscar and Emmy.

1976, he became one of the first Asian Canadians to join the Canadian Armed Forces. For over 35 years, Mr. Wong has served as an officer and has been recognized as one of the top public affairs professionals within the military for strategic communications, issues of national security, and emergency management. Mr. Wong has also served on a number of UN peacekeeping missions in Africa and worked with President Karzai and his team to help stand up the government in Afghanistan. In addition to leading AKW Global Enterprises, his management consulting and communications company, Mr. Wong is the Chief Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, a Citizenship Judge for the Greater Toronto Area, a member of the Regimental Senate, and a Reserve Public Affairs officer.

Mr. Wong has dedicated a significant portion of his personal time to mentoring and helping others in Canada and abroad. He has acted as a mentor and served as a highly sought-after speaker for the Asian Canadian community, especially for those interested in military service. While in Afghanistan, he raised funds for orphanages and schools for mentally handicapped children and began initiatives to aid in the healing of post-traumatic active and veteran military. He served as the Chair of the Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals and Businesses which raises funds for community initiatives. For his various efforts, Mr. Wong has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Canadian Forces' Decoration, the Canadian Peacekeeping Service medal, the Vice-Regal Commendation, the United Nations Eritrea medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal, the Chinese Canadian Legend award, and most recently in June 2015, the Transformation for Public Service award.

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Unleash your leadership potential by joining NAAAP, and participate in ongoing professional development, community service, and networking programs. Connect with like-minded leaders at local, regional, and national events.

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