The Spirit of Inafa’maolek: How a social media manager honors her roots in the workplace.

By Sissie Luo, Social & PR Manager

To many, Guam is a far-flung military outpost marked by national importance, a dot on the map made visible with a magnifying glass, a brief layover defined more by its geography than its people.

To me, Guam is home, and home is a melting pot of cultures, reinforced by a multitude of backgrounds, beliefs and values.

Inafa’maolek encapsulates the essence of CHamoru culture, which means restoring harmony, cooperation and mutual respect in relationships and community life. The literal translation is ‘to make’ (inafa) ‘good’ (maolek).

My upbringing as a daughter of Chinese immigrants on Guam was surrounded by a strong sense of community and resilience that has profoundly shaped who I am today.

My father’s understanding of the American Dream began when he fled political and economic upheaval in China. Without an understanding of English and American societal norms, he took a leap of faith and moved to Los Angeles, where he started as a busser in Chinatown. Later, he moved to Guam, where he met my mother and continued building a better life for his future children. This is a story not uncommon to Asian American immigrants.

My father taught me the importance of curiosity and risk-taking. He instilled in me the drive to explore possibilities beyond what I can imagine because when we remove the limits of our imagination, new doors open, and what once seemed impossible becomes achievable.

Guam taught me the importance of family, resilience, and pride in one’s heritage, even when it doesn’t look like everyone else’s. Moving to Atlanta for college and later to Chicago for work opened my eyes to new perspectives and helped me grow personally and professionally.

AANHPI Heritage Month is a time to reflect on my journey, to celebrate where I come from, the communities that raised me, and the presence of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices in spaces we’ve historically been left out of. It is also a time for me to recognize that this month celebrates a rich tapestry of heritages that I am only a small part of, and I have much learning left to do as I continue to explore, honor and uplift the diverse voices within the AANHPI community.

My identity informs the way I work, connect and think creatively. Having grown up bridging different cultures and communities, I naturally approach my work through a lens of empathy and curiosity. I ask questions, look for meaning and try to bring cultural sensitivity into everything I do. My background often helps me notice what others might overlook, and that perspective is a strength I bring to every room I’m in. I’ve also been lucky to build supportive relationships with colleagues who are open, inclusive and genuinely curious to learn from one another.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to see more workplaces and the advertising industry embrace diversity, not just as a buzzword, but as a source of inspiration, innovation and leadership. I’d love to see more AANHPI creatives and strategists leading the conversation, not just contributing. I’d love to see more AANHPI representation as the lead role in mainstream media, not just the sidekick, comic relief or background presence in someone else’s story.

To fellow AANHPI individuals, your story matters and your perspective is powerful. Keep challenging the norms and demanding more. And to allies, keep listening, asking questions and uplifting the voices around you.

As for me, I will continue to carry the spirit of inafa’maolek into every space I enter, honoring the values my island home has instilled in me.