Celebrating AANHPI Month: Employees Share Stories about Culture & Career

May marks the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in the U.S. and Asian Heritage Month in Canada. The observance is a time to honor the rich histories, traditions, and contributions of these communities. It is also a reminder that Asian culture is not monolithic—each country and community bring something vibrant and unique to the whole.

At Blackbaud, we are fortunate to have colleagues from various Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander backgrounds, each with their own stories and experiences. Though AANHPI Heritage Month is informing the timing of our corporate observance, our aim is for all employees of Asian descent across the globe to feel included, seen, and celebrated.

This year’s National AANHPI Month theme, “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation,” pays homage to the trailblazers who have shaped AANHPI history and continue to influence our collective future. In alignment with this theme, a handful of employees across the company are sharing how their culture and career experiences have shaped their professional growth and influenced the career development of others. We hope you enjoy reading these inspiring stories.

Do you think your own childhood may have influenced your career choice? Is there anything in your upbringing that you would say helped contribute to your career success or the role you’re in now?
A large part of my childhood was spent in a boarding school in India which served students from various economic backgrounds―from the ultra-rich to the very poor. That gave me a view into the lives of those in need and those who were endowed with a lot. It has helped me serve at Blackbaud, which is a mission-driven company like no other, connecting those who have with those who need. It has over 40 years of rich history in social impact and every year 100B+ dollars are donated, granted, and invested through our platform. In general, I think technology exists for making lives better for people around the world, and in every role I have served at, I have strived to create that purpose.

How do you believe your personal values and leadership style have influenced the professional growth and development of others throughout your career?
Humility is a large part of my value system. That has shaped me in developing an adaptive leadership style that entails leading from the front or serving from behind as the situation might demand. We are a team that comprises members from various backgrounds who bring their own perspectives and experiences into the mix. My role as a leader is to nurture those strengths and help them blossom further into productive attributes that help the cause of Blackbaud and its customers. A large part of the organization that we have built over the last couple of years has been founded around that philosophy of enablement and empowerment. That should not only help Blackbaud with immediate results, but also set us up for long-term success.
– Sudip Datta, Chief Product Officer

 

How do you think your own childhood may have influenced your career choice? Is there anything in your upbringing that you would say helped contribute to your career success or the role you’re in now?
Growing up in a family where my grandparents and parents started with very little, could not afford a college education, and achieved success through hard work, instilled in me the value of perseverance and resilience. Their journey taught me that success is not just about where you start, but the effort, dedication, and passion you put into your career.

What aspect of your identity do you take pride in bringing to your role?
As an Asian American woman, I take great pride in bringing a unique perspective and a diverse set of experiences to my role. My identity has shaped the way I approach problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership, allowing me to contribute a nuanced understanding of cultural diversity and inclusion to the workplace. One aspect I particularly value is the importance of building community and fostering connections. As a former high school teacher, I prioritized developing meaningful relationships with my students and witnessed the power of community building as it developed trust, collaboration, and a sense of belonging. I carry this with me every day in my role and aim to build deep connections in both my professional and personal life.
– Jenny Nakamura, Senior Director, K-12 Strategic Partnerships, Corporate Impact

 

How do you think your own childhood may have influenced your career choice? Is there anything in your upbringing that you would say helped contribute to your career success or the role you’re in now?
When I was very young, I had strangely specific dreams to either become an aeronautical engineer or an inventor. I was never great at math, but I always liked tapping into the creative side of solving problems. It influenced my career, as I work on solving problems for our users so that they can help do good work in their communities.

During your professional journey, what has been the most memorable career opportunity you’ve experienced?
I had the chance to participate in a health hackathon with Thomas Jefferson University when I was starting my career. I teamed up with a Ph.D. in Immunology (who created her own rabies vaccine), neuroscientists, and neural engineers on a project that won first place! We spent a full weekend using a makerspace, creating prototypes, and crafting a pitch deck. It was an inspiring space that encouraged me on my journey into UX.
– James Chun, Senior User Experience Designer, Product Technology Group