In honor of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we’re shining a light on API women executives whose legacies are ones of leadership and resilience.

Here, Chief Members in our API community share five of the remarkable role models who have inspired them to become the leaders they are today.

Patsy Takemoto Mink, Former U.S. Representative

“Patsy Takemoto Mink — the first woman of color and first Asian American woman elected to Congress — is a huge role model for me.

“Coming from my hometown of Maui, she faced not only sexism but also racism at every step of her education and career, from being forced to live in segregated dorms in college to being barred from sitting for the Hawai'i bar exam because she was married. Despite (and more, importantly, because of) the challenges she faced, she persevered and became a powerful advocate for some of the most important legislation of the 20th century, including co-authoring the Title IX legislation which transformed opportunities for generations of women who have come after her.

“Growing up in Hawai'i, it meant the world to see an Asian American woman making headlines and leading with such gravitas and energy. Congresswoman Mink gave local girls like myself the courage to believe that those who looked like us could lead and, in fact, change the world.”

— Emily Fong Mitchell, Former President & General Manager, Ball Aluminum Cups, Ball Corporation

Kim Ng, Former General Manager, Miami Marlins

“When I think of leadership and resilience, Kim Ng is one of the first people that comes to my mind. She became the first woman general manager of a major American sports team. She understood her strengths well and used them to identify key talent, improve team performance. and lead the Miami Marlins to their first playoff performance in nearly two decades. And when the organization was unwilling to recognize the impact of all she had done, she didn't just accept the insult and keep her head down. She left and charted her own path and is now the commissioner of the AUSL and working to build opportunities for women to have a bigger share in athletics.”

— Tammy Lee, Founder & Fractional COO, RIA Strategic Implementation & Execution

Janet Yang, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

“Early in my career, I didn’t have many Asian American role models to look up to. Janet Yang, producer at Oliver Stone’s production company, was a breakthrough force in the entertainment world and a source of inspiration. Her dedication to bringing diverse stories such as the ‘Joy Luck Club,’ celebrated authenticity, challenged stereotypes and amplified Asian American experiences to a global audience. Her legacy is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the belief that stories have the ability to transform minds and build bridges of community.”

— Karen Tsai, Vice President, Global Localization Services, Lionsgate

Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize-Winning Journalist and Co-Founder, Rappler

“Maria Ressa is fearlessness in the face of power. She’s a role model for all women because of her conviction and resilience. For API women in particular, Maria shows what it means to tell the truth, stand tall, and refuse to be erased.”

— Lisa Angulo Reid, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Dear Flor

Dr. Mignon Loh, Director, Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research, Seattle Children’s Research Institute

“The first person who came to my mind as a role model is Dr. Mignon Loh, Director at the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Research,at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. As the leader of the center, she focuses on improving clinical care for children with cancer. She prioritizes the health and lives of patients and their families. She supports and mentors her faculty of physicians and scientists conducting research that will lead to new and better treatments for pediatric cancers. Mignon leads with kindness, resilience, and innovation. She volunteers her time to support my organization, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, and chairs a committee to select the next generation of Clinical Investigators — physician-scientists specially trained to bridge the gap between the clinic and the laboratory to improve the diagnosis and treatment of all cancers.”

— Yung Lie, President & Chief Executive Officer, Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation