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Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
In May, we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions and accomplishments of people of the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia and Polynesia. May marks the anniversaries of two significant historical events in the United States: the first Japanese citizens who immigrated to the U.S. in 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, many of its tracks laid by Chinese immigrants.
This year's theme for AAPI Heritage Month is "Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity." To show our support of Asian and Pacific Islander leaders, we’re excited to share the stories and experiences of those on our team. Read on to learn more about and celebrate the diversity and achievements of our own AAPI community.
Jade Yee – Senior Accounts Payable Specialist
Jade was recently promoted to Senior Accounts Payable Specialist after joining Enlivant two years ago. Her parents immigrated from Guangdong, China to Detroit and settled in Chicago. Jade was raised in a Chinese household with her two older siblings, and her parents taught them fluent Cantonese and inherited cultural traditions from their backgrounds. In her spare time, Jade loves to take road trips and traveling to the Holy Land in Israel and Palestine and visiting Japan is on her bucket list.
Is there a certain aspect of your culture you deeply align with?
I feel that I am deeply aligned with the customs and traditions of my Chinese culture – from celebrating the Lunar New Year Festival for 15 days (each day signifying its importance) to paying our respects to our ancestors during the Qingming Festival. I am always truly excited to share my experiences and knowledge regarding the traditions that were set forth from my family to others, so that they can also understand and appreciate the holidays.
Also, the Cantonese language helps keep me connected. I may not be able to write in Chinese, but being fluent in Cantonese allows me to fully appreciate more of the stories that come from our elders and to be able to share their experiences with others is an awesome way to continue our ways of life.
Is there a piece of media (movie, podcast, tv show, etc.) or business that features members of the AAPI community that inspires you? How?
The movie and the cast of ”Everything Everywhere All At Once” inspires me, especially the cast. It reminds me to never give up – that even though things look bleak, just one opportunity, one chance can flourish into something big. It also inspires me to help others to realize their goals and dreams to become reality. Like the quote: “Dreams are something you have to believe in. I almost gave up mine. To all of you out there, please keep your dreams alive.”- Ke Huy Quan.
This year's theme for AAPI Heritage Month is "Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity." Can you recall a time in your life where you were given an opportunity that helped advance you in either your personal or professional life?
A long time ago at my second job, my supervisors always pushed and gave me the opportunity to advance in my professional life. I was able to work my way through being that quiet and reserved employee to becoming a trainer for their AP department.
This position gave me the opportunity to become more comfortable in speaking and the confidence to share my knowledge and teach new trainees. From there I was given more opportunities, from assisting in a newly formed call center to becoming a Senior Lead.
Jacqueline "Jackie" Haffmann – Care Services Manager, Pinicon Place
Jackie has worked as Care Services Manager at Pinicon Place in Anamosa, Iowa, for two years. Jackie does not know her actual birthday, birthplace, or birth name. Born mixed-race Korean and a girl, her mother would have been dishonored by her family, so Jackie was taken to the Holt Orphanage where she was given a name, birthdate, and birthplace: Lee, Keum Hee, 5/11/1965, Seoul, Korea.
Jackie has been married 11 years to her supportive husband, Andrew. They enjoy taking cruises together and visiting their children, and they are excitedly expecting the arrival of a baby granddaughter in October.
What does inclusion mean to you? What can leaders do to advocate for inclusion in the workplace?
Inclusion means to accept everyone no matter their religion, race, gender, sexuality because there is something “unique” about everyone. As people, we bleed the same blood and breathe the same air that makes no one superior over anyone else.
It is my duty to be loving and caring to everyone. I want everyone at Pinicon Place to feel included in all aspects of their job, life, and people. As a nurse, I try to get to know all my Resident Care Partners and Certified Medication Aides to understand what makes his/her live life to the fullest – family, sports, traveling or whatever brings him/her joy.
How does this year's AAPI Heritage Month theme of "Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity" inspire you to advance your personal or professional life?
I feel that God had in store for me to be a nurse because I love to help people, learn their stories and backgrounds, and what has made them succeed in their life thus far. I worked at the local hospital for 18 years and I hope to continue my career for many years to come. I hope that as I learn and grow with Enlivant that I can hopefully advance my career here to help be the best person and give the best care to my residents and their families.
I want to continue to grow and help Pinicon Place be the best place for seniors and their families through our Mission, Vision, and Values.
Listen to our AAPI Heritage Month soundtrack on Spotify!
Sanjay Kansupada – Regional Executive Director
Sanjay has been with Enlivant as a Regional Executive Director for three years and in senior living for many. Sanjay’s family is from the state of Gujarat in India, and his father came to the United States to further his education. Sanjay strives to teach his 8-year-old son cultural rituals by focusing on the fundamentals: Education, Kindness, and Respect of Seniors. Throughout his career, Sanjay has honored his culture of respecting seniors and used Hinduism as a “library” of information to assist residents through all stages of life.
What does inclusion mean to you? What can leaders do to advocate for inclusion in the workplace?
Inclusion to me is the appreciation of differences and I think Enlivant does a great job of this. I grew up in a great small town in Uniontown, Ohio, and I was the only South Asian in the school. I was fortunate that the experience I had was nothing but awesome. I never felt like outsider. In many ways I grew up very Indian at home, then learned about MTV at school!
Is there a piece of media (movie, podcast, tv show, etc.) or business that features members of the AAPI community that inspires you? How?
I watched the movie Gandhi when I was 9. I remember watching with my parents and seeing them cry (something I didn’t remember them doing ever). It began a lifelong study of how Gandhi was amazing force of change. The biggest I take away from him, was not his nonviolence stance (though super important), it was his ethically manner of managing people and ideas. He was one of the original Servant Leaders!
I recently saw Life of Pi at Broadway. Seeing a stage with most Indian actors was surprisingly pleasant and even my son made note of the actors.
This year's theme for AAPI Heritage Month is "Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity." Can you recall a time in your life where you were given an opportunity that helped advance you in either your personal or professional life?
I have been in senior living for 25 years. The two supervisors I have had and my current Regional Operations Director have been incredible in growing and learning skills that have made me a better manager and leader.