The Leadership Dance: Advocating for Asian Americans with Norman Chen (Ep. 5)

Release Date: December 9, 2024

In Episode 5 of The Leadership Dance, host Alisa Sue Lynch engages in a profound conversation with Norman Chen, an accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and activist. As the CEO of the Asian American Foundation (TAF), Norman brings over three decades of experience spanning entrepreneurship, healthcare, venture capital, and community leadership across the United States and Asia. This episode delves into Norman's personal journey, his advocacy for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, and the impactful work of TAF in combating anti-Asian hate and fostering representation.

Early Life and Cultural Identity

Childhood Experiences at ECCFC

The conversation begins with Norman and Alisa reminiscing about their formative years at the East Coast Chinese Family Camp (ECCFC) in the Poconos during the 1980s.

Alisa Sue Lynch [01:05]: "Having grown up in the mostly white suburbs in Delaware, that was the first time my sister Margo and I were surrounded by other Asian Americans like us."

Norman reflects on the significance of ECCFC in shaping his sense of identity and belonging.

Norman Chen [01:32]: "Experiencing that deep sense of belonging during that one week each year gave me a glimpse of what it must have been like for others to feel accepted, connected and understood every day. I was jealous. That powerful feeling has stayed with me and in many ways has guided and shaped my path throughout my life."

Navigating a Predominantly White Environment

Both Norman and Alisa discuss the challenges of growing up as Asian Americans in predominantly white communities, facing microaggressions and feeling different.

Alisa Sue Lynch [02:26]: "Other kids can be cruel. And they would call me names, you know, pull on their eyes... So when I went to ECCFC and met people like you, it was seeing other Asians like us, but seeing so many different types of Asians."

Norman Chen [03:20]: "The name calling, the eye pulling... these are things that you and I and others remember our whole lives. So they really do have a lasting, you know, impact on us."

Professional Journey and Cross-Cultural Experiences

From MIT to Hong Kong: Shifting Paths

Norman shares his academic and professional trajectory, highlighting his pivot from a pre-med background to business and eventually moving to Hong Kong.

Norman Chen [05:03]: "I got this incredible summer internship at Procter and Gamble in China... it just showed you how exciting Asia was. The rise in consumerism and the power of brands like Procter and Gamble and other brands."

Experiencing Cultural Duality

Living in Hong Kong for two decades provided Norman with a unique vantage point on cultural identity, where he felt both part of the majority and distinctly American.

Norman Chen [08:55]: "Being Asian and American made me stand out, frankly, in both countries and in both cultures. But in a way, it gave me unique access and appreciation of both cultures."

Transition Back to the U.S.: Family and Identity

After 20 years in Asia, Norman and his family moved back to the United States to provide their children with a balanced cultural upbringing.

Norman Chen [11:02]: "We wanted our kids to develop some sense of what it's like to live in the US... They were getting really spoiled with all the nannies and all the help in Hong Kong."

Overcoming Barriers in Corporate America

Facing the Bamboo Ceiling

Norman discusses the challenges of ascending to executive levels in corporate America as an Asian American, addressing the pervasive "bamboo ceiling."

Norman Chen [13:13]: "Despite being in Asia, where all the staff were Asian, the country heads were almost all white Americans or Brits. And so that was, you know, disappointing."

Strategic Career Moves

To navigate and overcome biases, Norman strategically aligned himself with organizations that valued performance over background, emphasizing objective metrics for success.

Norman Chen [13:58]: "In fields like fund management... it really what matters is your performance. And I think that's one lesson learned is just really finding those careers, such as investing, where it doesn't matter what your background is, it really what matters is your performance."

Alisa Sue Lynch [14:40]: "If you're not in the right environment, you need to change your environment."

Advocacy and Leadership: Founding Launch and TAF

Establishing Launch: Addressing Racism and Representation

In response to the surge in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, Norman co-founded Launch, aiming to address racism, representation, and resource issues within the AAPI community.

Norman Chen [15:13]: "We created a study called the Status Index, which is basically the first study in over 20 years about perceptions of Asian Americans by all communities in this country."

The Status Index Study: Unveiling Stereotypes

Norman highlights the startling findings from the Status Index, revealing a significant lack of recognition for prominent Asian Americans and pervasive stereotypes.

Norman Chen [18:29]: "Over half of Americans could not think of a prominent Asian American to this day."

Norman Chen [18:31]: "These are people that have been in Hollywood for a long time and have played stereotypical Asian roles, like martial artists or maids."

Launching TAF: A National Platform for Advocacy

Building on Launch's foundation, Norman assumed the role of CEO at TAF, a leading national organization dedicated to enhancing safety, belonging, and prosperity for the AANHPI community.

Norman Chen [19:45]: "TAF was formed in 2021... with initiatives in anti-hate and safety, in education and narrative change, and also in representation or resources."

Combating Anti-Asian Hate: Insights and Actions

Persistent Threats Amidst Decreased Visibility

Despite reduced media coverage, Norman underscores the ongoing prevalence of anti-Asian hate, supported by alarming statistics from TAF's studies.

Norman Chen [22:16]: "40% of our community members in New York and Seattle have experienced either a verbal or a physical attack because of their race."

Building a National Anti-Hate Network

TAF collaborates with over 56 partners nationwide, providing essential support services to victims and fostering a unified response to hate incidents.

Norman Chen [22:42]: "We provide funding for partners to support victims with legal, medical, and financial assistance, and help them share best practices."

Enhancing Representation: The Asian Corporate Directors Conference (ACDC)

Addressing Boardroom Underrepresentation

Norman introduces the Asian Corporate Directors Conference (ACDC), co-sponsored by TAF and Russell Reynolds, aimed at increasing AAPI representation on corporate boards.

Norman Chen [31:15]: "Among Fortune 100 companies, roughly 2.5% of boards have 0 Asian Americans on them. So a huge underrepresentation."

Strategic Partnerships and Future Goals

Through collaboration with firms like McKinsey and organizations like Ascend, ACDC seeks to build a robust pipeline of AAPI talent for board positions, ensuring diverse and inclusive leadership.

Norman Chen [31:57]: "If you have a seat at the table at the top, you can actually influence the right kind of decision-making to support full diversity within your workforce."

Personal Passions and Leadership Lessons from Sports

Basketball as a Leadership Mirror

Norman shares his passion for basketball, emphasizing how the sport serves as a medium for building relationships and assessing character.

Norman Chen [35:25]: "Basketball... I really get a sense of what kind of person they are, you know, just from playing basketball."

Integrating Sports into Advocacy

TAF incorporates basketball into its programming, hosting events like celebrity basketball games to foster community engagement and camaraderie.

Norman Chen [36:57]: "We have an Asian American celebrity basketball game at the Barclays Center... it brings together prominent Asian American ballers and our staff."

Advice and Reflections: Staying True to Oneself

Balancing Passion and Strategy

When reflecting on his career, Norman emphasizes the importance of aligning one's interests, skills, and opportunities while staying true to personal values.

Norman Chen [38:51]: "Stay true to what you want to do, what you think you're good at, and where you see opportunities, and hopefully things will work out."

Embracing Multiple Careers

Norman advocates for the fluidity of career paths, encouraging individuals to pursue diverse interests and make impactful choices across different sectors.

Norman Chen [40:34]: "I've been fortunate to pursue different areas of interest based on what I thought was most important to me at the time."

Future Directions and Continued Advocacy

Maintaining a Nonpartisan Approach

TAF remains committed to its mission regardless of political landscapes, striving to support the AAPI community through safety, belonging, and prosperity.

Norman Chen [29:28]: "The overall mission for CAF hasn't changed at all. We're still working on safety, belonging, prosperity."

Expanding Initiatives and Partnerships

Norman underscores the ongoing efforts to expand TAF's reach through various initiatives, ensuring comprehensive support and representation for the AANHPI community.

Norman Chen [34:06]: "There's a lot to be done... we're working in multiple areas and I can guarantee there's something within the TAF portfolio that is of interest to anyone out there."

Closing Thoughts

The episode wraps up with heartfelt acknowledgments of Norman's impactful work and his dedication to advocating for the Asian American community. Alisa encourages listeners to support TAF and engage with its initiatives to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.

Alisa Sue Lynch [41:22]: "Your advocacy and leadership are making a real difference for Asian Americans. I'm excited to support you in any way I can."

Key Takeaways:

1. Cultural Identity and Belonging: Early experiences in culturally homogeneous environments significantly shape one's sense of identity and belonging.

2. Navigating Professional Barriers: Strategic career moves and aligning with performance-driven organizations can help overcome biases and barriers like the bamboo ceiling.

3. Advocacy Through Data and Community Building: Conducting research like the Status Index and building national networks are crucial in addressing stereotypes and anti-Asian hate.

4. Representation Matters: Increasing AAPI representation in corporate leadership is essential for inclusive decision-making and harnessing the community's economic potential.

5. Personal Passions as Leadership Tools: Engaging in sports and other passions can foster relationships, assess character, and enhance leadership skills.

6. Staying True to One's Values: Balancing personal interests, skills, and opportunities while remaining authentic is key to a fulfilling and impactful career.

Norman Chen's journey exemplifies the intersection of personal growth, strategic leadership, and passionate advocacy, offering invaluable insights for aspiring leaders and advocates in the Asian American community and beyond.