I was selected for Leadership Austin’s Emerge program: https://leadershipaustin.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Emerge-18-2025-Class-Roster-Final.pdf

I’m grateful for being chosen and appreciate the support from the Leadership Austin team. I have a ton of ideas about Austin and Central Texas. This platform gives me a place to test some ideas and collaborate with a diverse group of like-minded community leaders. To get there I’ll need to maintain a beginner’s mind. This concept is translated from the original word, Shoshin, which comes from Zen Buddhism. 

A few ideas have popped into my mind for exploration during this 9-month program:

1. Assisting with youth entrepreneurship programs by leveraging past experience working as a volunteer with Build.org. Build is a game-changer in California and on the East Coast where entrepreneurs and professionals can mentor and help launch future business leaders. https://build.org/launch/
2. Increasing social impact by the tech sector of the economy in the Austin area. I’m involved with nonprofits like Austinfree.net that help bridge the divide between the haves and have-nots. More zip codes show extremes of wealth and poverty from the influx of tech workers. There are a handful of corporate programs and nonprofits in this space to keep up. Northern California was an extraordinary place to find work-life balance and give back to the community. Austin needs more philanthropy and infrastructure for tech companies and professionals to be engaged with the community.
3. Addressing healthcare challenges through wellness programs. Texas (like most other states) has severe challenges in healthcare access. I’m not a fan of the healthcare system and prefer other ways to maximize wellness such as through pranayama and yoga. Why can’t yoga be offered in educational and corporate settings? Pranayama and yoga are much lower cost and have minimal side effects compared to the pill popping lifestyle which doctors and pharmaceutical companies want every Texan to embrace. https://customersuccessforgood.com/2017/06/30/yoga-as-public-policy/