Ever since childhood, I’ve always liked school. After graduating from NYU with a degree in Metropolitan Studies, I felt unsure what my next steps would be. Influenced by my parents, I chose to attend Hofstra University Law School. Engaging with other students, including as President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), provided me with a sense of belonging and comradery where we could relate to each other despite having come from different backgrounds.

Initially, I struggled to find an area of law that I felt compelled to practice. It wasn’t until I took an employment discrimination class that I found my true calling. This topic spoke to me personally as an Asian woman, and I sought to use my degree to help others. My interest in employment law led me to a post-graduate job at a civil rights litigation firm, and then, the opportunity to become General Counsel for a prominent construction company. Being chosen for this role in a male-dominated field was a significant achievement for me and remains one of my proudest accomplishments. .

Later in my career, I accepted a position at Haugland Group as Vice President of Legal & Compliance so that I could spend more time with my two daughters. The family-like culture at Haugland was just what I needed. My advice to young women joining the workforce is to not be afraid to speak up, stand confident in your abilities, and only apologize when you do something wrong. In a predominately male environment, it can be intimidating to voice your opinion. This was a skill I developed over time. As an Asian woman, it made me realize how important it is to have representation in all spaces. As the construction industry starts to diversify its workforce, I’m proud that I can be a part of that change from within.