Dear NAAAP members, friends, and sponsors: We hope you are doing well and getting ready for fall. At NAAAP, we are busier than ever organizing even more virtual events that offer our members and friends an opportunity to network and grow professionally.
Late last month, NAAAP National hosted its first virtual Leadership Conference connecting NAAAPsters from all across the country with experts sharing key insights on how to remain successful during this challenging time. If you missed a session or would like to review an interview, you can replay the entire conference in the comfort of your home by clicking here.
We have an exciting “Lunch and Learn” live webinar tomorrow at noon where we will bring diversity and inclusion leaders from various organizations together to discuss the importance of a diverse workforce and more. If you haven’t done so, register as soon as possible to save your spot as we are nearing capacity. Joining our live webinars offers the best experience, allowing you to ask a question and connect with the speakers. To watch any or all of the past webinars we have hosted, please visit NAAAP Philadelphia’s Youtube channel.
Because we believe giving back to the community helps us grow in all areas of our life, we will host our first in-person volunteering event on October 10th. In small groups and following social distancing guidelines, NAAAP leaders, volunteers, and sponsors will visit several healthcare organizations in the Philadelphia metro area to honor and recognize first responders and healthcare workers with deliveries of more than 500 lunches and personal protective equipment. Stay tuned for photos and updates on this project.
If you are seeking new job opportunities, don’t forget to visit our newly created site which lists openings from our sponsors. There are several openings from a variety of companies large and small including Independence Blue Cross; Karpf, Karpf & Cerutti, P.C.; Oakley Flooring; and WHYY. We are excited to have just added a number of corporate position openings at Wawa. Click here to see the latest job openings and don’t hesitate to reach out to other NAAAP members to network.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Wednesday, September 23, join to hear executives discuss the importance of Diversity & Inclusion within every organization. Insights will be shared on the benefits of hiring professionals from diverse backgrounds. Register here.
Tuesday, October 6, we will partner with EY to host a 1.8 CPE credit course on Data Privacy and the Future of Television. This continuing professional education course will help CPAs needing credits to maintain their license. For more information and to register please click here.
Thursdays, October 15, 22, and 29, the Philadelphia chapters of NAAAP, APFA, NABA, and IBA are teaming up to host this year’s 2020 Employee Resource Group (ERG) Virtual Summit Series: Building Unity Across ERGs: Allyship in Action. This three-part series is dedicated to promoting Diversity and Inclusion efforts in the workplace. Learn about how ERGs can collaborate and empower leaders to be change agents in their industry.
- October 15th: Mental Health and Well-Being
- October 22nd: How to be an Ally
- October 29th: Managing Unconscious Bias and Microaggressions
To register for the first workshop on October 15th (6 – 7:30pm), please click here.
NAAAP PHILADELPHIA LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: CINDY NG
Cindy Ng is a partner at Evergreen Financial Partners where she helps individuals, families, and business owners reach their financial goals through a broad spectrum of financial services, including long-term asset accumulation, preservation, and distribution strategies. Evergreen Financial Partners is a proud sponsor of NAAAP Philadelphia. Previously, Cindy served as the chief financial officer (CFO) of mid-size privately held companies, where she focused on protecting assets, managing risks, and securing the company’s financial future.
Passionate about giving back to the community, Cindy co-founded the Greater Philadelphia Cantonese Academy, a not-for-profit Chinese language school based in Rosemont, PA and has served on its board for over 15 years. Cindy has also served on the board of professional organizations and mentored young professionals and college students. She is the Executive Vice President of NAAAP Philadelphia’s leadership team.
1. What three traits define you? High integrity, goal-oriented, and forward thinking.
- High integrity – It’s a critical cornerstone of how I conduct myself in all personal and professional relationships.
- Goal-oriented – With a purposeful roadmap, I am driven to make progress and move toward goal achievement.
- Forward thinking – I look beyond the current circumstances and consider multiple possible outcomes.
2. What is your personal philosophy?
I believe in leading a balanced life and making time for my family, my profession, and giving back to the community. I think it’s important to make the most out of each of these and to enjoy the journey along the way.
Also, I have lived my life with a positive mindset, where the glass is always half-full. I think this outlook has brought me more smiles and helped me get through challenges more easily.
3. Ten years ago, who did you think you would be now?
I have spent most of my career in corporate executive roles, serving as chief financial officer in a number of privately held companies and successfully leading them through financial challenges and growth. I’ve always wanted to utilize these skills to also helping individuals as I’ve been handling personal finances for family friends and their businesses since my college days. Currently, I am in the next chapter of my career. In my financial services practice, I am extending my passion and applying my extensive financial experience to helping individuals, families, and business owners to achieve their financial goals at various stages of life.
4. What are you listening to/reading these days?
I enjoy a variety of podcasts and books. In addition to daily news, I listen to inspirational TED Talks and read Adam Grant’s writings on human and organizational dynamics. I also follow Bill Gates whom I believe is a great visionary, not only during his days in the technology world but also the wonderful work he has been championing to improve human lives through his philanthropy.
5. Where is your favorite place to be?
Spending time with my family wherever possible, either at home or at a chosen vacation spot, since we are all very busy.
6. Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
My family and I love to travel and spend time outdoors. I really enjoyed our trip to the Galapagos Islands where we saw stunning landscapes and unique wildlife, such as giant tortoises weighing over 700 pounds and beautiful blue-footed boobies, not seen elsewhere in the world.
7. What is your biggest aspiration?
Professionally, at this time, to grow a meaningful financial services practice that would help educate and improve people’s financial wellness. On the personal side, to be there for my family.
8. What does leadership mean to you?
Lead by example to achieve a common goal while elevating those around you. A leader must have the “we” and “us” mentality.
9. What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
I am a people person and enjoy the human relations aspects. I think I could work in human resources.
10. What is your favorite thing about volunteering at NAAAP Philadelphia?
I am very fortunate to be surrounded by a team of talented leaders who are looking to grow professionally and to give back to the community. I’ve also built wonderful relationships, shared knowledge and learned new skills through my active involvement at NAAAP.
LESSONS FROM LEADERS:
By: David To, Senior Project Manager at Independence Blue Cross and Vice President of Membership for NAAAP Philadelphia
Recently, I had the opportunity to interview two senior level executives, Patrick Yung, SVP, Corporate Development and Strategic Investments at Independence Blue Cross, and Will Luttrell, CEO of Amino Payments. Each shared how they grew their careers and what has been essential in developing relationships. Below are summaries of three key lessons I learned during our one-hour discussion.
- Networking is key to building influence and creating mutually-beneficial relationships. It’s important to know your value proposition or how you can contribute and help others. Once you understand this, you eliminate the idea that your networking activity is self-serving.
- The secret to being able to communicate and get buy-in from the majority to support your vision requires empathy along with interest in their success and well-being. In addition to these, you have to be authentic, transparent, and honest. Don’t forget to build trust.
- When planning your next career move, remember that there are different approaches. One is to determine what is important to you and gives you fulfillment; then, grow your career in that direction. Opportunities typically appear when you elevate your marketability. Ask yourself: Who are the people around me, and do I enjoy working with them? Another approach is to have a relentless work ethic and curiosity to solve problems, which can elevate your profile and increase the likelihood you’ll be considered for a promotion. Regardless of how you grow your career, when you see someone else who is successful, ask yourself: why not me? Then figure out a way to get where you want to be.
STORIES FROM OUR MEMBERS:
During the pandemic lockdown, Viviana Yang, NAAAP Philadelphia’s Vice President of Accounting & Finance and Professional Development, had extra time on her hands to focus on one of her favorite hobbies: crocheting. She shared that at the beginning of the lockdown most retail stores that sell yarns were closed, so acquiring the right type of yarn was challenging.
Over a few weeks, Viviana completed three woodland animals which she had planned to donate to a friend’s daycare. However, the delivery of her furry friends will have to wait until the daycare will allow visitors again. Additionally, Viviana crocheted a llama and a poncho as gifts for her daughter’s birthday. This year Viviana decided on the handmade gifts because her crocheting skills have improved. To keep the gifts a surprise, Viviana only crocheted after her daughter was in bed. She had many long nights of trial and error, mixed with creativity to complete her varied projects.
Two years ago, Viviana learned how to crochet to de-stress from the busy schedule of being a professional woman. She was constantly on-the-go, multi-tasking, juggling work and family duties, and her mind was used to nonstop thinking and planning. Viviana tried meditation, but it was difficult for her to practice it and completely clear her mind to relax and de-stress. Viviana found that crocheting requires only yarn and a hook, and the repetitiveness of the work allowed her mind to clear and slow down. According to Viviana, the best part is seeing her hard work and creativity come to fruition. Viviana learned to crochet by watching YouTube tutorials and joining crocheting Facebook Groups. The latter connects her with the crocheting community around the world.
RECOGNITIONS:
Community service is fundamental to NAAAP, so we want to highlight some of the good work of our fellow nonprofits and projects we have partnered with other organizations.
We are supportive of the great work the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia (AACCGP) is doing to support small business owners during this time. AACCGP recently sponsored a virtual program to help growing minority- and women-owned businesses learn about the essentials of exporting and doing business internationally. On September 22, AACCGP will be hosting a free virtual workshop for small business owners to hear directly from the IRS on topics critical to the success of their business. To help Asian-owned restaurants and grocery stores during the COVID-19 pandemic, AACCGP will also be extending their Asian Eats program through the end of the year. For more information about AACCGP, click here.
We want to congratulate SEAMAAC for their outstanding work in feeding hungry people in Philadelphia during the pandemic. Since March, SEAMAAC has distributed thousands of meals and food boxes to Philadelphians while encouraging them to vote and complete the census. Through partnerships with other local organizations, SEAMAAC provided more than 400 free COVID tests and helped raise nearly $500,000 to support small family- and immigrant-owned businesses in South Philly. For more information about SEAMAAC and to donate to their efforts, click here.