2022
CMO
ASIAN
LEADERS Worth Watching
TM
INTERNATIONAL
AWARD
Zarina Lam Stanford
No One Does It Better than the Best You
Education: MBA, Southern Methodist University; BA, University of North Texas; and Stanford University Graduate School of Business Asian Leadership Program Company Name: Bazaarvoice Industry: Technology Company CEO: Keith Nealon Company Headquarters Location: Austin, Texas Number of Employees: 1,255 Words you live by: Integrity. Be you. Have fun. Be relevant. One team. Who is your personal hero? My mother, Lai-Tak What book are you reading? Show Your Worth by Shelmina Babai Abji What was your first job: Proposal writer, InteCom, Inc. Favorite charity: I don’t have a favorite charity. Interests: Travel, Zen gardens, and Ikebana Family: I am the youngest of 5 siblings, and I have two sons who now live in Brooklyn, New York
24
2022 Second Quarter
Born and raised in Hong Kong, I am a spirited and energized entrepreneur, and a believer at heart. I thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments, with change as an energizing element. As a teenager, right after high school graduation, I left Hong Kong for the United States in pursuit of higher education and growth, armed with two pieces of luggage and just enough cash for one semester’s tuition and living, which my mother, Lai-Tak, had saved for me. After being undecided regarding my major for my first two years in college, I landed in journalism and learned my most important life skill—one that would launch my career and enrich my life, then and now—asking the critical question to uncover the story beneath. Below are some of my thoughts and advice to share with my younger self and others: 1. Be one who envisions bold possibilities and delivers measurable impacts: In my personal life and my career, I exercise an entrepreneurial spirit—a can-do attitude coupled with positivity—to envision, execute, and deliver. I lead with the principles of seeing the possible, being relevant, getting things done, and having fun all at the same time. 2. Be one who dares to grow: Beyond passion, optimism, taking charge, and creativity, a leader has limits. By virtue of being a leader, he or she leads—the situation, the people, the business, and oneself. I believe in continuous learning and adapting for growth. Leadership is also a team sport, but as leaders, we need to continue to dare ourselves, our colleagues, our company, and others to grow. • Self-leadership: Leading self is equally as important as leading others; growth is about creating a compelling vision that mobilizes believers • Seeing potential in others and daring them to grow • Building lasting teams: Growth is a team sport; building lasting relationship and teams will be key 3. Be one who has a voice: Speak up when you have something that can advance an idea, a conversation, an approach, a belief, a business concept, or a mission. As an Asian female, petite and with English as a second language, this didn’t come easy for me. I am thankful for my mother who taught my siblings and me to believe in ourselves. I am grateful for having amazing mentors and sponsors over my entire career, particularly during my formative years at IBM. I have been blessed by amazing cohorts and teammates and youngsters to stay current. 4. Be proud of your heritage and who you are. No one does it better than the best you. 5. Don’t forget to stop to smell the roses, have fun, and celebrate.
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