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Soon Yu (www.soonyu.com) is an international speaker and best selling author on…
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Soon Yu shared thisTim Boerkoel thanks for the support and shout out! Also appreciate the your guidance over the years. We are truly lucky to have Jenny Ming share her wonderful stories and insights!Soon Yu shared thisGreat leadership is shaped by experience, insight, and perseverance, and The Aconic Podcast, hosted by Soon Yu, captures these journeys artfully, celebrating the personal and professional journeys of iconic Asian and AAPI executives. Aconic was launched in the fall of 2024, in partnership with The Asian American Foundation, Gold House, and the Asian Alumni Chapter of Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Its debut episode featured Paraag Marathe, President of the San Francisco 49ers. Since then, it has featured leaders from OpenTable, Forward Party, Ancestry, KKR, Bain & Company, and Altos Ventures. We've found ourselves enthralled by the wisdom and honesty of each leader interviewed, as well as Soon's engaging interviewing style. We're happy to share one of Aconic's latest episodes featuring Jenny Ming, CEO of Rothy's, whose earlier career experiences included leadership roles at Charlotte Russe, Gap Inc., and launching Old Navy. Her interview touches on themes of immigration, resilience, and aligning endeavors with values. Congratulations to Soon and the Aconic team for creating such an inspiring and impactful series, and we look forward to hearing from the impressive slate of CEO and C-Suite executives you have lined up for the months ahead. #careeradvice #ceo #diversityinleadership #executiveinsights #thoughtleadershipAconic Podcast, Ep. 8: CEO of Rothy's, Jenny Ming, Hosted by Soon YuAconic Podcast, Ep. 8: CEO of Rothy's, Jenny Ming, Hosted by Soon Yu
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Soon Yu shared thishttps://lnkd.in/g2yMht2p I am excited to share my interview of my good friend Ho Nam on the Aconic Podcast to kick off 2025. We are so fortunate because Ho Nam was the first person in the room to support this podcast. He has given his time, money, and heart into making this important vision into a reality. Thanks for being a prototype in action, one that inspires all of us to face our challenges and hopes eveyday. YOU ROCK MY FRIEND!Episode 7. Ho Nam : Managing Director of Altos Ventures — Aconic PodcastEpisode 7. Ho Nam : Managing Director of Altos Ventures — Aconic Podcast
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Soon Yu reposted thisSoon Yu reposted thisWhen I was in business school, we studied organizational case studies featuring leaders like Howard Schultz, Jack Welch, and Sam Walton. While they've made a significant impact on our lives, their personal stories never truly resonated with my Asian American immigrant background. For almost two years my Other sister Denise Peck (Co-President of Stanford GSB Asian Alumni Chapter) along with The Asian American Foundation (Norman Chen), Gold House (Bing Chen), Altos Ventures (Ho Nam), and others worked on the project The Aconic Podcast and it’s now live. Aconic features candid conversations with successful AAPI icons who share their personal journeys of challenges and triumphs. The show delves into their experiences, including the obstacles they faced, the moments they hit rock bottom, how they overcame them, and the seminal moments of hope, frustration, determination, and achievement that led to their success. Through these stories, the pod explores the key lessons they learned and how they've used them to create lasting impact in their fields. These are the stories and lessons I wish I had access to early in my career. It’s empowering to witness and know that people who look like me, with similar cultural backgrounds, can attain success and do so in diverse roles beyond the typical expectations of being a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Episode 1 features a conversation with San Francisco 49ers President Paraag Marathe, hosted by Soon Yu (link in comment). Representation matters Because If we can see it, we can believe it. And if we can believe it, we can be it. #aapi #leadership
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Soon Yu shared thisIncredibly grateful to the community who helped us launch the Aconic Podcast today! Much gratitude... To Ho Nam, JD Miller, and Laura Sims at Altos Ventures for their generous support To Chris Loh, Denise Peck, Gagan Verma, and Kate Yang, PhD at the Stanford GSB Asian Alumni Chapter for incubating and nurturing this venture To Norman Chen, Joy Moh, Prisca Bae, and Jonathan Stone at The Asian American Foundation for their inclusive and extensive partnership To Bing Chen, Megan Ruan, Joseph Kim, William Zhou, and Neha Dayal at Gold House for their expansive and uplifting partnership To Paraag Marathe, Debby Soo, Andrew Yang, Deborah Liu, Manny Maceda, Joe Bae, Jenny Ming, Aftab Pureval, Michelle Wu, Tiffany Chang, Yamini Rangan, and Steve Chen for sharing their amazing stories And finally to Fiona Zwieb Nowottny, Mia Shay, and Brenden Yu of the Aconic Podcast team for making this a reality!Soon Yu shared thisWe’re thrilled to launch the Aconic Podcast, a groundbreaking new series that features candid conversations with successful Asian and AAPI icons who share their personal journeys of challenges and triumphs. We delve into their experiences, including the obstacles they faced and how they overcame them, as well as the seminal moments of hope, frustration, determination, and achievement that led to their success. Through these stories, we explore the key lessons they learned and how they've used them to create lasting impact in their fields. 🔊 Episode 1 is live now! Tune in to hear an exclusive conversation with San Francisco 49ers President Paraag Marathe and host, Soon Yu. From struggles to victories, this series offers a raw and inspiring look into the real stories behind the success. 🎧 Listen and Watch Now : https://lnkd.in/eBR7Zb_7 The podcast is brought to you by The Asian American Foundation, Gold House, and the Stanford GSB Asian Alumni Chapter Founders and sponsored by Altos Ventures. 🚀 You can listen on all major podcast platforms and watch on YouTube. New episodes drop every two weeks on Wednesdays!
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Soon Yu shared thisTina Paikeday thank you for all that you do for our community. It was an honor to collaborate on such a meaningful event. Much gratitude to the entire organizing team Denise Peck, Chris Loh, Michael Lin, Howard Ting, Dione Chen, Vicky Shum, Lan Nguyen, Paul Yee. humbled and energized!Soon Yu shared thisLast weekend I had the honor of leading a fireside chat with Deborah Liu, CEO of Blackstone backed Ancestry and public company board member at Intuit. We joined over 200 alumni at the sold-out Asian Alumni inaugural conference at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. One of the participants shared with us afterward, "Now I can SEE what I CAN be." We discussed how to increase representation of women and minorities on boards and in the CEO role through taking back your power, busting the myth of the dragon lady, and asking the question, "Why NOT Me?" Many thanks to so many who hosted the day including among many others Denise Peck, Chris Loh, Howard Ting, Soon Yu, Dione Chen, Allison Rouse, Norman Chen, Dave Lu, Buck Gee #leadership, #diversityequityinclusion, #board, #ceo
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Soon Yu shared thisMuch gratitude to Douglas Burdett for hosting me on The Marketing Book Podcast. Great fun talking about embracing good friction, the iconic ugly Stanford mascot, and much more. Click below to listen and laugh: https://lnkd.in/gNTqvvAd
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Soon Yu shared thishttps://lnkd.in/e-Fxz2xa Much gratitude to John Taschek for sharing the key ingredients behind the success of Salesforce's evangelist program. From living the "beginner's mindset," to leading a team of talented visionaries less focused on promoting the brand and more interested in how the "business of business" can improve the world, John's quiet leadership style helps Salesforce move an entire industry forward. Also special thanks to my good friends Vala Afshar and Brian Solis for their humble but KA insights on "why they do what they do." Looking forward to hearing from all the great evangelists Tiffani Bova, Peter Coffee, Frank Engelhardt, Steve Gillmor, Charlie Isaacs, Martin Kihn, Paolo Malinverno, Karen Mangia, Michael Maoz, Geeta Nayyar, Bruce Richardson, Mathew Sweezey, Jason Talwar, and Ed Thompson at next week's Dreamforce. #beginnermindset, #evangelists, #innovation, #dreamforce, #trailheadFrom A Team Of All-Stars To An All-Star Team - How John Taschek’s Evangelist Program Helps Salesforce Move An Entire Industry ForwardFrom A Team Of All-Stars To An All-Star Team - How John Taschek’s Evangelist Program Helps Salesforce Move An Entire Industry Forward
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Soon Yu shared thisLet's outline the 7 virtues of good friction together. Listen now and subscribe at LetsTalkLegacyPod.com. Thank you for having me on your podcast Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group! #legacy #iconic #friction #overcomefailures
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Soon Yu shared thisBig thanks to Jacob Cass and Matt Davies ⚡️ for having me on their "JUST Branding" podcast. Always thrilled to discuss the mystery of brands and their influence on people. #goodfriction #frictionbook #branding #innovation #influence #justbrandingpodcast #interview #podcast #people
Soon Yu replied to a comment
5mo
Dave Lu you laid the ground work and introduced so many of our guests to us…thanks for being there from the start!
Soon Yu replied to a comment
5mo
Tina Paikeday thanks for being such a wonderful host partner with me. Community is lucky to have you!
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Soon Yu liked thisSoon Yu liked thisWith deep gratitude and genuine excitement, I am honored to share that I'm stepping into the role of Co-President of the Stanford GSB Asian Alumni Chapter. None of this would be possible without the extraordinary foundation laid by our outgoing Co-Presidents, Denise Peck (MBA ’85) and Chris Loh (MBA ’91). Denise founded this Chapter in 2016 with a bold vision, and Chris has been an indispensable partner since 2020. Working alongside them has been a privilege and a profound learning experience that has shaped my own growth and approach to leadership. I have been deeply inspired by their dedication. They taught me that building community isn't just about organizing events; it is about taking tangible, consistent actions to ensure every member feels a sense of belonging. Their example inspired my own work in community building, and I am committed to carrying their legacy forward. My goal is to build on the strong foundation they have created. I am excited to partner with Jing Kuang and Michelle Lo in this journey ahead and know that together, we will continue to strengthen our community. To Denise and Chris: Thank you. Your impact will be felt for years to come. You'll continue being my inspirations! To Our GSBAAC leadership team and volunteers: Thank you all. I'm truly grateful for your support and contributions. Working with this group of amazing people brings me tremendous joy everyday. Howard Ting, Grace Tsai, Dione Chen, Soon Yu, Gagan Verma, Zerlina Hayes, Sabrina Yuan, Vivian Ho, Vivian Ling, Evan Young, Elizabeth Xu, Ph.D., Deepak S.,Euleen Chew, Joyce Zhang (Gray), Paul Yee, Kim Chan and many more. And I also want to give my deep appreciation to the Stanford University Graduate School of Business alumni relationships team for your unwavering support! Allison Rouse, Tom Albert, Kathleen Lehman, Stephanie Mishra. Look forward to continuing partnering with you to foster an even stronger and more connected community. To Jing and Michelle and our community. Let's continue the journey. Together, we can go far! #StanfordGSB #GSBAsianAlumniChapter #CommunityBuilding #AsianAlumni #Gratitude
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Soon Yu liked thisSoon Yu liked thisIn October, I made the difficult decision to leave Forrester after 10 years. Looking back on the past decade, I feel so damn lucky. Lucky to have occupied the privileged position of industry analyst, straddling the needs of buyers and promises of vendors, with a front row seat to the emergence of a new intelligence. Lucky to have been able to chase my curiosities and passions, researching the ethical dilemmas this new intelligence poses and potential remediations. Lucky to have been given a platform and the encouragement to fill it with my authentic voice. But most of all I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with colleagues who regularly inspired me with their intellect, their passion, their insight, their wit, and their grace. I am a better human being because of them. I spent the last three months writing a memoir. I have been in recovery for 13 years, and would never have been able to succeed as a Forrester analyst without the gift of sobriety. The memoir combines the two things I know best – AI and addiction – and is my attempt to help those who feel the hopelessness I did 14 years ago. I am just beginning the daunting task of finding an agent and publisher. If anyone has taken this journey before, I would love to learn from your experience. Please message me. As for what’s next after that, I don’t know. I have my own plans and preferences, but I learned long ago that those pale in comparison to what the Universe has in store. I’m all ears.
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Soon Yu liked thisSoon Yu liked thisMyPOV: Another year, another Davos. With 3000 official and 5000 unofficial VIPs convening high above the Swiss Alps, the beginning of the year marks a rite of passage for the C-Suite. Will this year's event spark real dialog? I want to hear from youMonday's Musings: Davos 2026 - In A Spirt of Dialogue, Conversation Starters For DebateMonday's Musings: Davos 2026 - In A Spirt of Dialogue, Conversation Starters For Debate
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Soon Yu liked thisSoon Yu liked this🎯 Woohoo! It's time to shoot! Headed to my first international tournament, Stage 3 of the 2026 Indoor World Archery Series in Taipei, Taiwan. 🇹🇼 I'm one of six archers representing the USA 🇺🇸, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the "youth" on the team, but not sure about the "experience" part either. 🤣 Either way, I'm here as an archery ambassador. There's something powerful about stepping onto an international range. 💪 It's not just about the competition. 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁. It's about being HUMBLE, knowing that there's always going to be someone better than you. But it's not about comparison. It's about your personal best, and 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂. From my years at Google, I got used to being uncomfortably excited. That feeling of stepping into the unknown is where growth happens. And as Wayne Gretzky would say, "𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝟭𝟬𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲." 🏹 ✍ What's one shot that you're willing to take to close out the year or kick off 2026 that feels both scary but exciting? Drop it in the comments. https://lnkd.in/gNSAagrEIndoor Archery World Series heads to Asia, and USA represented by youth and experienceIndoor Archery World Series heads to Asia, and USA represented by youth and experience
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Soon Yu liked thisSoon Yu liked this“This is the call in the middle of the night that you don’t want to get.” - Daniel Tani Dan Tani, former NASA astronaut, shares a time when Mission Control called him at a time they never do. Watch what happened at https://lnkd.in/gKp--K6d #NASA #Astronaut #SpaceStory #Storytime #Inspiration #AAPI #AconicPodcast
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Soon Yu liked thisSoon Yu liked thisIn her role as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the organization behind the Oscars), Janet Yang helped move AAPI stories from the margins to the mainstream. A quiet insider turned cultural trailblazer, she reshaped how Hollywood sees and celebrates Asian voices. A conversation about persistence, representation, and changing the industry from within. LISTEN NOW: https://lnkd.in/gPipPzjg Photos Courtesy of AMPAS
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Soon Yu liked thisSoon Yu liked this.@Constellationr announced the 2025 SuperNova Awards winners! 🚀 These trailblazers are redefining business transformation with bold innovation across AI, CX, data, work, and tech modernization. 🏆Meet the leaders shaping the future: http://bit.ly/4ox0lc4 #CCE2025 #DigitalTransformationCelebrating the 2025 SuperNova Awards Winners: Transforming Business for the FutureCelebrating the 2025 SuperNova Awards Winners: Transforming Business for the Future
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Soon Yu liked thisSoon Yu liked thisI may be able to live forever (or at least extend my lifespan) and so can you! After attending my Stanford Reunion Homecoming this weekend, I had a renewed sense of hope for higher education and science research across all fields. 🎓 One of the “Classes Without Quizzes” was 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝘁𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 with Michael Fredericson, MD, FACSM, Stanford Professor of Orthopedic Surgery. Sharing with you the 7 𝙋𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙮𝙡𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙚 to extend healthspan and lifespan: 👥 Social Engagement – Loneliness is a health risk. The connectivity of friendships will never die. 🧩 Cognitive Enhancement – Use it or lose it applies to brains too 🏃♀️ Movement & Exercise – Dr. Fredericson dispelled all excuses for not moving - even muscles that have atrophied can regenerate. Wild statistic: 25% to 30% of adults in the U.S. are physically inactive (source: CDC). “Sitting is the New Smoking” 🥗 Healthful Nutrition – Check out the mediterranean diet and don’t believe that all carbs are bad. Just avoid added sugars and processed foods. 🧘 Stress Management – There’s a reason why there’s so many trees and greenery on campus. Learning to disconnect from email and devices. 🙏 Gratitude & Reflection – No matter if it’s the best or worst of times, there’s always something we can be grateful for. We can draw on collective hope for the future. 😴 Restorative Sleep – This one is for all those entrepreneurs and folks who think 9-9-6 is sustainable. If you want to learn more, Stanford has free and helpful resources: https://lnkd.in/gVacRJud And for those SUPER NERDS 🤓 (and also because all posts must have something with AI) Below are some of my takeaways from "Making AI for Everyone" with Cynthia Bailey, Stanford Senior Lecturer/former White House AI Policy Advisor: 💸 Training AI costs millions, using it costs pennies. That's why this tech is spreading faster than we can regulate it. Over 1 billion AI daily users! 🧠 What makes AI powerful is exactly what makes it unpredictable. AI wires itself like your brain and figures out patterns we never programmed. 🌊 The best AI policy won't have "AI" in its title. We need robust social safety nets and real human connection to stay grounded. Even bowling leagues are part of that equation. 🤖 We need to be aware of the dangers of autonomous drones and robots that are acting without human supervision. How will this change future of mass shootings and gun control laws? Lots of gratitude to Howard E. Wolf, Javier Heinz, and the entire Stanford Alumni Association for pulling off another incredible homecoming. Running into Anne Gould from Stanford Travel/Study (who led that unforgettable Galapagos trip with my son) and reconnecting with volunteer superstars Ki Mun Kuehn, Reena K. Gulati, MD, MPH, Kate Rangel, Jay Lee at the reception with Jon Levin were highlights on the first day!
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