Home: Los Angeles, CA. Age: [Shrugs] Joan Collins was right, age really is just a number. Birthplace: Blantyre, Malawi. Organization: Winston & Strawn LLP. Title: Partner and Trial Lawyer. Alma mater: UCLA, Yale Law School. Languages spoken: English, Mandarin Chinese.
Current project(s): Empowering and inspiring girls and women by publicizing stories of female trailblazers through moderating oral history/interview series. Serving as mentor for my alma maters and various other organizations and professional associations. Latest recognition: Appointed co-chair of the firm’s global Winston Asian Leadership Initiative (WALI) which closely works with our Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Latest accomplishment: Appointed to the Board of Directors of Five Acres- the Boys and Girls Aid Society of Los Angeles. Hobbies: Animal rescue and supporting animal welfare charities; food, travel, art, movies and music. Recent adventure: Trying to raise baby chicks.
What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Authentic. What is at the top of your bucket list? Creating and running a non-profit foundation that helps people and animals. How do you relieve stress? Watching videos and reading stories on The Dodo, listening to music, taking a walk. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Cultural/historical sites. What is your go-to workout? Hiking or kickboxing.
What movie have you repeatedly watched? To Kill a Mockingbird. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? My parents. They made sure their children had opportunities they never had and they are exemplars of sacrifice and service. What is the best advice you received growing up? Have a sense of purpose and strive to add value in whatever you do, so that you leave the world a better place than when you entered into it. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Maybe not so modern, but I cannot live without my coffee maker! What is your go-to source of news and information? The New York Times, the Washington Post, the Associated Press, Reuters, the Wall Street Journal, Politico . . . I’m a news junkie!
What change would you like to see in the world?
Less hate and polarization and more love and understanding.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Increasing leadership opportunities and positions for women, people of color and other underrepresented individuals in the legal profession. What widely held belief do you reject? You can’t teach old dogs new tricks. What mega-trend most excites you? Artificial intelligence. What mega-trend most concerns you? Artificial intelligence.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Ali Wong. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in Heaven? My father. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A teacher. What object would you save first from your burning home? Family photo albums (I know, I should digitize them already). How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? At a lakeside picnic full of favorite foods, drinks and desserts, along with good conversation, lots of shared laughs and good memories with family and close friends. What advice would you give your younger self? Don’t think so much. Sometimes it’s okay to just BE. Enjoy the frivolity of youth while you can, for it will be gone sooner than you think.
Personal motto: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel" (Maya Angelou). Favorite quote: “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience” (Eleanor Roosevelt). Desired epitaph: She tried her utmost to live a life worth living (and had a good time trying).
