A First-Generation Chinese professional reaches out, and gives back

His role at Deloitte: Senior Manager, Supply Chain and Network Operations, Deloitte Consulting LLP. Mike’s journey to Deloitte a decade ago was traditional -- “but not so traditional,” he says. He grew up in Liaoning province in northeast China. After finishing his computer science studies in Beijing and Milan, he began supporting supply chain solutions as an IT consultant in Italy but realized he missed the human perspective. As Mike was completing his MBA at the University of Tennessee, a Deloitte leader visiting his campus spoke so passionately with Mike about his depth of experience that he realized Deloitte was where he wanted to be. “He was such a great example to me of a Deloitte leader – inclusive and open-minded, and insistent that my experience should be part of the organization,” he says. “I realized this was my dream job.” Mike joined Deloitte in 2013 and is now a Senior Manager in Atlanta, supporting supply chain and procurement in the Technology, Media & Telecommunications industries, and thinking through ways Generative AI can help.

Purpose in action: Shortly after coming to Deloitte, Mike joined the Chinese Services Group and credits the group’s leaders for taking time to coach him. But when Mike became a Senior Manager, he realized something. “I started to look around at all our fantastic leaders who wanted me to be successful, but I didn’t know any first-generation Chinese leaders at Deloitte who could be my role model,” he says. He joined the East Asian Consulting Cohort, now known as the East/Southeast Asian & Allies Community, where he met people with similar backgrounds, accents, and perspectives. “It was a game changer for my perspective and career,” he says. “I found a new way to network.” He was able to connect with dozens of first-generation Chinese leaders at Deloitte, and all appeared eager to support or be a sounding board for Mike. Now, a decade into his career at Deloitte, he strives to do the same for others. “I want to continue to work for Deloitte because it’s helped me feel enabled, a first-generation Chinese professional, to live my purpose,” he says. In 2022, he attended Deloitte’s annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community summit and is a role model for junior professionals. “Someone reached out to me, and I’m super inspired to be a role model as a Chinese professional with a strong accent,” he says. Outside Deloitte, Mike works to lead within his community. He sits on the board of a national non-profit organization and is passionate about mentoring future Chinese-American business leaders. “I give back,” he says.

His impact: Inclusive leadership is top of mind for Mike every day, as is his work with the East/Southeast Asian & Allies Community , the members of whom he calls family. “For me, inclusive leadership is to be open-minded to everyone– when you can cultivate a culture to continue to lift up everyone,” he says. And Mike’s approach is simple: ask for help. “It’s a sign of strength, not weakness. No Deloitte leader ever said no to me when I asked them for 30 minutes of their time.”