34 for 34: Growing API Leaders with Me

Greetings family and friends, thank you for taking a moment to visit LEAP fundraising page.

My birthday is coming up on June 21, and this year, I’m celebrating a little differently.

I’m turning 34, and I’m inviting 34 people to give at least $10 to support the work I care deeply about, which is growing leaders in our Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) communities.

As a Hmong American born and raised in the Midwest, leadership wasn’t always something I saw reflected around me. I grew up navigating spaces where our stories, voices, and lived experiences were often overlooked or misunderstood. And yet, it’s those very experiences that shaped my commitment to this work.

At LEAP, I have the privilege of supporting and developing leaders who are deeply rooted in their communities. These are leaders who carry culture, resilience, and vision into spaces where decisions are made. Through programs like LEAP Impact, LEAP Advance, and LEAP Exceed; I’ve seen firsthand what happens when people are given the space to lead from who they are: they don’t just succeed individually, they create ripple effects that strengthen entire communities.

This work is personal to me. It’s about ensuring that future generations of API leaders don’t have to question whether they belong at the table, but instead feel equipped, confident, and empowered to shape it.

LEAP’s philosophy, “Keep Your Values. Develop New Skills.®”, reflects what I’ve come to believe in my own life and leadership. 

So for my 34th birthday, I’m asking for your support.

If you’re able, consider making a gift of $10 (or more!) to help me reach 34 unique donors. Every contribution supports leadership development, community empowerment, and a more equitable future for API communities across the country.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. And for believing in the power of leadership rooted in identity, culture, and purpose.