First, a little bit of context.
When we first about your potential leave from Beam - Kelly, Dru and myself had the idea to make you a little scrapbook, where we could collect notes from fellow Harmonies... Then Kelly had the brillant idea of creating a special Harmo-Zine just for you.
Dru helped us create a form that we sent out to Harmonies to collect notes and pictures for you, and recommending “songs that remind you of Vi”
When I tell you I nearly cried multiple times while compiling everyone’s notes for you!! I hope you know how loved you are, how deep the impact you made on everyone you touched during your time at Beam. Truly nothing but positivity. You’ve really made our community feel like a safe space.
I hope you know how much I appreciate you, your mentorship, our friendship. As I struggled with navigating through this seemingly scary corporate world, and this felt obligation to filter myself. You gave me an outlet to truly be myself. You made me feel seen and heard, and inspired me to want to do more. You remind me of the importance of taking time to look back on everything I/we have achieved in the last year.
And while I’ll miss seeing your profile picture when I hear the little ping of Teams... I’m so proud of you for making this decision, to step away and take time for yourself. I can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds for you!
I hope you enjoy Harmo-Zine: Vi’s Edition.
- Nong Kath
Song Recommendations:
Fate - (G)I-DLE
Shooting Star - XG
One of my core memories of us brainstorming Whole Foods opportunities in the Chicago Mart Kitchen booth. I have always admired your dedication to strategies of the brands and accounts as well as your relationships with our extended BSI Family. I will miss our bonding at NALM, CLF and being in too many photos for leadership :) I will forever carry a $20 in my wallet as we might not be as lucky each time for Schultz to bail us out!
Wishing you all the best in this new chapter - I cannot wait to catch up and here more of what you have explored and excelled at. Your positive vibes and dedication are contagious and while we will all miss you - your legacy of leadership will continue on.
- Emily LeValley
Song Recommendation:
Angelina Jordan - Bohemian Rhapsody
Vi shared two impactful stories: one about coming out, and another about the role a church played where many members of the congregation were hearing impaired. Both stories showed how rich and emotional a life Vi leads and were inspiring to tap into the power of our personal experiences.
Song Recommendation:
Always Rising, NIKI, Rich Brian & Warren Hue - Lisa Li
oh gosh, we never met but in you, I’ve always felt trust, kindness and support. Thank you for leading by example. Thank you for sharing your story to change lives :) I am going to miss you and I hope our paths will cross again. If and when you head over to Singapore, know that you’ll always have a friend here. All the very best!
With love, Winnie Chng Dearest Vi,
It’s been tea and tears from the beginning. Thank you for being a role model for what an amazing friend, leader and mentor looks like - I have become a stronger, more resilient person through your wisdom and support - I am beyond grateful. I know our friendship stretches beyond Beam, so this is not goodbye - and I’ll be seeing you soon.
Thank you for everything x Nat
Song Recommendation:
Chris Stapleton - Weight of Your World
Whilst I’ve joined Beam last than a year and did not work with Vi closely, she left a warm impression during the first Harmony call I joined.
Song Recommendation:
Supermarket Flowers by Ed Sheeran - Molly Wang
Vi - thank you for your leadership in standing up Harmony! You’ve made an incredible impact in creating a more inclusive culture and environment at Beam Suntory. It has been so great to know you over the years. Best of luck in your next chapter!
Malilyn Chen
Chi Vi, it has been such a pleasure to get to know you and hear your stories. It was so nice knowing I had a fellow Vietnamese friend in the organization with a similar background growing up. Wishing you all the greatest of successes and most importantly, *happiness*. I loved seeing you open up and sharing more about yourself so authentically and hope that you can continue to share with the world as you are so wonderful!!
From the moment we met, I knew you were cool. A big glass of Bookers in your hand. The thing I always have appreciated about her is that every time you see her, she is always happy to see you. So much positivity and fun. She will be missed.
David KearnsVi
Vi - Thank you for SHOWING UP in that beautiful and amazing way that you do! Thank you for being a leader, champion, advocate, ally, partner, collaborator at Beam Suntory and co-conspirator in our WBENC Nashville shenanigans! You will be missed but know that we’re all rooting for you and know you are going to do big things in your next chapter!
Rosa Botello
Vi - You have made my experience at Beam Suntory an amazing one. You took me under your wing and showed me the category ropes while my team was backfilling roles. We came up with some killer presentations for retailers like Weee!, Whole Foods, and DoorDash. Our multi-hour lunch in Austin felt like minutes while we geeked out over similar interests as well as our upcoming presentation. You’ve introduced me to great team members and have always made me feel like I was part of a group. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and you are an inspiration, both professionally and personally. I wish you the best after Beam Suntory; I know you will do amazing things!
Katie DiBartoloSong Recommendation:
Lucky by Dehd,
Shatter by Maggie Rogers, Mean Streets by TennisVi - you will forever be my shot contest partner. Don’t ever stop believing, that at any point, you could beat me. There’s always that small chance....
Eli JohnsonSong Recommendation: Extreme - More Than Words (our first guitar song together)
Vi, it was so nice to get to know you over the short period of time I’ve been at BSI. Thank you for making Harmony such a warm and inviting community. Your presence will be missed, but I hope you enjoy your sabbatical and that you’ll find inspiration in new experiences!
Talia Tay
It’s hard to imagine a Beam Suntory without you. Your contributions to not only our company and our culture, but to building a safe community for so many, will have lasting impacts. I’m honored to have had the opportunity to work with you on so many meaningful projects. One in particular that stands out in my mind is the message we sent to the organization following the events that unfolded during the pandemic and #StopAsianHate movement. I remember how beautifully honest and pointed you were in those conversations to make sure we responded and stood with our Asian community during a time when many were feeling scared, hurt and hopeless. Your perspective was so thoughtful, powerful and invaluable - and opened my eyes to how our colleagues were, and had been, feeling. You spoke out on their behalf with such poise, strength and deep empathy. I believe it was largely because of you, and our other Harmony leads, that the message resonated and reaffirmed for so many what they were feeling, and made our people feel seen and heard. I’m truly honored to have worked with you, learn from you, and grow with you.
You have been a constant light at Beam Suntory, and you will no doubt continue to shine in whatever comes your way. I wish you nothing but the best in this next chapter of your journey - and that your cup is filled with what makes you happy. Cheers to you, my friend!
All the best,
Emily (Your Partner in Comms)A few things come to mind when I think of Vi...
1 - Our Denver trip will be something that will forever make me giggle. From the late-night walk to thinking you had a 11:30pm date to staying up until 2am to talk in colors. I just laugh a little every time I think about it. Talk about really getting to know each other during this trip. It was a lot of fun!
2 - OC Pride! North county versus South county!
3 - Carpooling to LA. Why suffer the traffic alone when we can suffer from traffic together?
Vi, you’ve quickly become such an impactful person to me. Thank you for being so lovely and easy to talk to. Our conversations always bring me joy. Excited for your next adventure!
Vi! You were so welcoming ago, thank you! You to lunch at Yang Sing remember how you during that lunch role model! Thank BSI by being authentically your next chapter.
- April Chen Vi, Always you you Wishing forget Cheers, Carlo
Hi Vi - thank you so much for always being an inspiring community.
My best memories with you were the 2023 NY Lunar the following online coffee chat. You were so welcoming ask for a coffee chat. In the coffee chat, you kindly giving me professional advice (the broader use of in the organization!). Before joining Harmony and Beam to have such a great community. By the way... stepped up to a sub-committee for member support practice and further enhance Harmony for the members,
Let’s keep in touch! Please please let me ping you Thank you & Skal Skal Skal for your next chapter, Ryo
welcoming when I started at BSI 4 years You were there on my first day and we went Sing next to the SF Office. I will always were sticking up for women in our industry and since day 1 have been such a great you for inspiring so many in your time at authentically you! I wish you all the best in
- Nichola VillafanaAlways appreciated your composure and how you approached the work and relationships you built over the last 15 years. Wishing you the very best, and please, don’t forget about us ;).
Cheers, Carlo
inspiring and welcoming leader of our
Lunar New Year event when I first met you and welcoming that I didn’t need to hesitate to kindly shared your personal stories while also of Customer Solution data has been growing and interacting with you, I never expected way... I am happy to inform you that I have support - I would love to keep your spirits and members, organization, and society.
I travel to the West Coast :)
I have appreciated every minute we have been able to share even though it has been brief. I am honored for the opportunities I’ve had to get to you know you and so happy for you to pursue what is right for you. Thank you for being a gentle soul that brings calmness to all the chaos that running an EIG bring!
- Hiroko TeshikawaraSong Recommendation:
“Nando demo” (no matter how many times)by my favorite Japanese band, Dreams Come True. Though it is an upbeat song, it speaks to the resilience and tenacity that is within us (internally, quietly) which remind me of Vi.
The impact you’ve had on me cannot be contained in words. Thank you for being an amazing human being - for your kindness, your warmth, your intelligence, and your wisdom. Thank you for making space for me and for offering a part of yourself. I appreciate everything and wish you so much good fortune in your future.
- Ellissa CrowinSong Recommendation:
Little Things - Adrian Berenguer
Vi - there’s not enough space for me to jot down our memories. I can’t thank you enough for being a great mentor and advocate throughout the years. You’ve led by example and heart and taught me what it takes to be a great leader. Your authenticity and genuine love for the team was apparent and for that I will be forever grateful!
Corinne WetmoreSong Recommendation:
I’ll never forget the late-night text between me, you and, Jason reminiscing on all the classic hip hop and R&B songs! Lastly, having the Notorious Perry Dean come out and rap during our Chicago team meeting was PRICELESS!!
“Chi” Vi, you are the reason why I am here at Beam Suntory. You already know how I feel, but I wanted to reaffirm how grateful I am for having you as a manager, mentor, and most importantly a friend. As I look back the past 5 years, we truly changed the culture, or at least got people buzzin about snearkers lol But in all seriousness, thank you for creating a positive vibe at work. You not only put together a “dream team” but also created a family among our team. I look forward to taking everything you taught me and carrying on your legacy, while creating my own. I’m sure we will talk soon, especially on our Podcast! (everyone like & sub) P.S. You know I had to drop your grails on here! Wishing you all the best on your next adventure!
-JasonSong Recommendation:
Erykah Badu, On & On; Coolio Gangsta’s Paradise; A Tribe Called Quest Can I Kick it?; Notorious Perry Dean :)
“It’s hard for me to imagine what Beam Suntory … Harmony … small moments in my life without you. Vi, I wish you the best of luck when you enter the next chapter in your life. Please know that I am always rooting for you and have your back.”
It’s hard to put into words just how much your presence in my life has meant to me. From the moment we first met, you welcomed me into your world with open arms and made me feel like part of the family. And over the past three years, you’ve continued to be a constant source of inspiration and support, always pushing me to be my best self and never letting me settle for anything less. I’ll never forget the way you included me in that first NASM trip (2022), or the countless times you’ve spoken up for me and introduced me to our colleagues. Your passion for our community and commitment to making a difference are truly contagious, and I feel lucky to have been a part of it all.
But more than anything, I want to thank you for being you. For sharing your stories and struggles, for listening to me and encouraging me, and for always being your authentic self no matter what. Your transparency, your honesty, and your unwavering support have made all the difference in my life, and I am forever grateful.
As you embark on your next adventure, I know that you will continue to do great things and make a difference wherever you go. And I will always be here cheering you on, every step of the way. Thank you for being my friend, my sister, and my inspiration. I am so grateful for you, and I will always cherish our time together.
With love and gratitude, Dru
Song Recommendation:
See You Again - Charlie Puth & Wiz Khalifa
Vi. You are one of the reasons why I wanted to be more involved with Harmony and why I wanted to do better and be better. You welcomed me into Harmony with your arms and heart wide open and made me feel like family from the start. I am so grateful and blessed to have crossed paths with you, my only regret is that it didn’t happen sooner. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a light and for being you <3
I wish you all the happiness, success, love and everything good on your next journey…you deserve it all
Song Recommendations:
• Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
• Beautiful by Christina Aguilera
• Live Your Life by Rihanna
- Jenniffer Talavera
Vi has been an amazing colleague and friend for almost 13 years. We instantly clicked and, until Harmony had not worked together directly. We’ve developed a deep connection and friendship over the years. Our creation of Harmony only solidified that relationship further. She’s leaving us “technically” but will always be a part of the Harmony family, our Harmony history, and Beam Suntory. I’m forever grateful to have her in my life and cherish all the moments we have spent together as fellow employees. I look forward to many more moments and experiences together. I wish for her to give herself the same grace, love, and care she has given us all for the past 15 years she’s been at Beam.
With love, Kelly
Song Recommendations:
• My Boo by Usher (inside joke)
• Best Friend by Saweetie and Dojo Cat
• True Colors by Cindi Lauper
all
that you do, the same without you!
