1. What led you to the role of the new San Leandro Community Manager at Chase?
I have always had two different passions when it came to my career. Being in finance for over 20 years, I’ve always been motivated to be an expert in the fundamentals of financial success. My other passion has been supporting my community, including my family. Being able to put those things together in my new role as San Leandro Community Manager has been a great opportunity. Diversity has also been a huge part of my career and I’m excited to be working with different communities across the Bay Area and provide resources and expertise to people who need help to reach their financial goals.
2. What are some challenges you’re seeing for the San Leandro Community?
San Leandro is one of the more affordable places to live in the Bay Area, and there is a big demographic of Black and Brown communities who unfortunately are getting pushed out of areas where they have been living due to the rise in rent and housing prices elsewhere. Additionally, I have noticed that overall there’s a lack of education surrounding personal finance, such as the basics of credit, saving and budgeting. Having grown up in a family where struggling was a normal part of my life when it came to finances, I’m now dedicated to helping my local community break those barrier and bring the financial tools and guidance needed here locally.
3. How will you make an impact in the local community and help them overcome their obstacles to achieving financial success?
Home ownership is a huge focus for me. The journey to achieving home ownership is a long one and my goal is to host a series of literacy events for the community on home ownership, among other important financial topics. On a monthly basis, we’ll be inviting the local community to our East 14th and Bayfair branch locations to learn about some of these financial gaps we’re facing, provide education, financial literacy and support.
4. Who has been a role model for you throughout your career?
My role model is my mom. Although she struggled with finances, she always made it a point for my brothers and sisters and I to be responsible with our finances. She taught me to value three important things in life – family, health and wealth – and the importance of tying all of those things together. Also, as an immigrant, the amount of hours she worked gave me a sense of what grit is. Because of my mom, I learned how to be a diligent, responsible and respectful person.
5. Can you share some advice for others in the community who are trying to pursue their financial dreams?
My biggest advice is always be optimistic. Never feel you can’t reach the goals you set for yourself. It’s going to take diligence, with budgeting and saving, but investing time and being financially healthy will pay off. If you really want to develop your financial health, it’s going to take effort, consistency and time. Additionally, leverage these resources that we’re providing the community, this is where it can really start.
6. What has helped you get to where you are today in your career?
Be mindful of the audience that you’re speaking to and find ways to tailor your services to meet their needs. I always ask myself, ‘what can I do to submerge myself in helping them find success?’ I advance in my career when I better the people that I serve. Now as the San Leandro Community Manager, my success is the success of this community.
7. How can the local community get involved and benefit from financial resources through the work you’re doing?
We have some upcoming public financial literacy events open to the public. During the third Wednesday and Thursday of each month, we’re hosting classes and workshops on financial literacy at the East 14th (1601 East 14th Street, San Leandro, CA 94577) and Bayfair (1320 Fairmont Drive, San Leandro, CA 94578) branches respectively. During these workshops, we’ll be focused on topics ranging from budgeting and credit basics to home ownership and small business support. I’m also looking to connect with local organizations who want to bring financial literacy programs to their networks. Additionally, we’re planning an event in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month this coming May in San Francisco, so stay tuned around that. Reach out to me at [email protected] for any questions or help registering for our upcoming financial literacy classes!
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