Tomorrow kicks off Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which occurs annually in the month of May. This month, we honor and recognize the invaluable contributions of AAPI communities across generations. Through our value of inclusion, the Asian Social Professional Innovative and Resourceful Employees (ASPIRE) employee network group strives to elevate our leaders within Protiviti while aligning to the company’s Inclusion program and reinforcing Protiviti’s mission, values, and targeted outcomes by:
- Promoting an inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters open communication and the sharing of stories. All employees are encouraged to engage and contribute.
- Building sustained partnerships with community and business organizations to amplify our members voices and address common lived experiences.
- Advocating cultural awareness in the firm and across our communities.
- Emphasizing the broader organizational benefits of diverse perspectives, such as richer discussions, better decision-making, and a more vibrant corporate culture which are enhanced by the contributions and perspectives of employees from all backgrounds.
- Celebrating and recognizing AAPI professionalism and excellence by highlighting the accomplishments, leadership, and contributions of Pan Asian professionals within the firm and the broader community.
This year, our theme is to build purposeful community through sharing our stories. As we continue to move forward, we are focusing on professional development while celebrating the richness of our diverse communities. This month, we are sharing unique stories that define our collective history and ensure that the experiences of AAPI individuals are preserved and celebrated. Through this, we honor the past, enrich the present, and build a future that reflects our vibrant cultural heritage.
Leadership Spotlight
This May, we had the pleasure of catching up with Skyler Huynh, who is a Consultant for the Dallas office.
What does ASPIRE mean to you?
ASPIRE means a few different things to me. First, it creates a meaningful opportunity to meet new colleagues, build genuine friendships, and expand my professional network by connecting with a diverse group of Asian professionals both within Protiviti and beyond the firm. These connections help foster collaboration, shared learning, and a stronger sense of belonging.
Additionally, ASPIRE represents a supportive community where I can feel seen, heard, and encouraged, both in and outside of work. It provides a space to share experiences, celebrate cultural identity, and support one another’s personal and professional growth. Through this sense of community, ASPIRE not only strengthens relationships but also helps create an inclusive environment where people can bring their authentic selves to work and feel empowered to thrive.
What made you volunteer for ASPIRE, and how has it impacted you?
What initially made me volunteer for ASPIRE was my desire to get more involved and build meaningful connections when I first started at Protiviti a few years ago. I was looking for an ENG that would help me meet new people, make friends in my local office, and feel more connected beyond my day‑to‑day client work. ASPIRE felt like a natural fit, especially as a space where I could engage with others who shared similar experiences and interests.
Volunteering with ASPIRE has also given me the opportunity to express my creativity by helping plan and execute events. Being involved behind the scenes has allowed me to contribute in a way that feels both fun and impactful, and it’s been rewarding to see those efforts help foster connection within the firm. Since joining, ASPIRE has become a place where I can step away from the fast pace of client work and dedicate time to something lighter, more creative, and meaningful to Protiviti’s culture. Outside of volunteering, I’ve also really enjoyed attending ASPIRE events, which have helped me continue building relationships and feel a stronger sense of belonging within the firm.
What is something fun / interesting you’ve done recently?
Earlier this January, I had the chance to travel to Viet Nam for three weeks, partly to celebrate a close friend’s wedding (I was one of the bridesmaids!) and mostly to spend time in a place I consider my second home. Being Vietnamese, our culture and traditions include many meaningful elements, but at the heart of it has always been food and gathering around a meal with loved ones. That’s something I really leaned into during my time in Viet Nam, and there were way too many favorite meals to choose from. I ended up making a collage of some of my favorite foods I had while I was there.
AAPI Heritage Month Events
Below are a few ways on how we plan to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at the company, highlighting our culture and connecting it to life at Protiviti to create a lasting impact.
- Sharing Stories: Building Purposeful AAPI Communities – In partnership with Robert Half’s Asian Professionals for Excellence (APEX) employee network group, ASPIRE is hosting a special AAPI Heritage Month event focused on the power of storytelling and community. We are excited to welcome a globally recognized TED Talk speaker, author, and entrepreneur known for his “100 Days of Rejection” journey. Through humor and honest reflection, Jia will share personal stories that reframe the fear of rejection and inspire greater confidence, resilience, and meaningful human connection.
- Ted Talk: Level Up: Rethinking Life as a Video Game – In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, ASPIRE is hosting a Leader Talk with David Ngu, Associate Director. Daniel will focus on resilience, cultural identity, and the importance of community. Through personal reflections on growing up Chinese and navigating cultural commonality and disconnection, the discussion will explore how these experiences shaped his consulting skills and approach to building meaningful connections.
- Mindful Moments: An AAPI Wellness Initiative – ASPIRE is hosting a community service Campaign designed to raise awareness of mental health and well-being within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. The initiative combines education and culturally relevant wellness programming to help reduce stigma, normalize conversations around mental health, and encourage self-care practices.
Protiviti proudly supports AAPI communities, empowering our employees to reach their full potential. Happy AAPI Heritage Month from us to you!
