Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: A Journey of Resilience and Hope
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time to celebrate our roots, honor our journeys and help others rise. It’s about remembering where we came from while continuing to shape where we’re going, together.
Celebrating Chinese New Year at Hilti North America offices with the AAPI ERG.
A Journey of Uncertainty and Hope
As a teenager, I fled my country with my brother, embarking on a journey of uncertainty. 13 days at sea with 128 others, little food or water, we clung to hope. We endured starvation, fear and the unknown, sacrificing everything that was familiar in search of freedom. Reaching a refugee camp was only the beginning. When I finally stepped onto American soil, I did not speak a word of English. Everything felt foreign: conversations, street signs, even people. However, I was determined to build a future.
School became my training ground. Learning the English language, adapting to a new culture and figuring out where I belonged was not easy. I knew education was my path to opportunity. I held onto my heritage while learning to blend into a new world. The balance of preserving my roots while embracing change has shaped me both personally and professionally.
Just as I had to adapt, learn and push forward in the early days, my career journey has required the same resilience and hunger to grow. Today, I feel humbled and privileged to work for an organization that truly cares about its people, not just in words, but through action.
API Community Service at the Storehouse Community Center
Hilti’s Commitment to Employee Development and Culture
Hilti goes above and beyond to invest in its people. From my very first day, I’ve felt genuinely supported, whether through onboarding, self-paced learning or hands-on training that helped me navigate an entirely new industry. I’ve had access to mentorship, business and product education. As well as leadership development at every stage and a wide range of opportunities. This included professional workshops, lunch-and-learns and formalized professional development programs. That commitment to development has made a lasting impact on my journey and helped me grow with confidence.
Hilti’s support extends far beyond the workplace. One of the most meaningful aspects of our culture is the company’s encouragement to give back to the community. Through our dedicated community service hours, Hilti empowers team members to make social impact by volunteering their time toward causes each of us care about. Whether it’s mentoring students, supporting local nonprofits or helping during times of crisis, we’re encouraged to step up and make a difference. That alignment between values and action is something I deeply respect and am proud to be part of.
Volunteering with Hilti team members.
Mentoring and Community Involvement: Giving Back
Asian Heritage Month keeps me grounded. It reminds me of the strength of my own journey and the responsibility to help others rise. Mentoring high school students through Big Brothers Big Sisters and staying involved in community projects that address urgent needs is the reason I give back. I know what it feels like to need support and not know where to turn.
These values guide me daily, not just at work or in the community, but at home as a parent. I want to instill the same resilience, gratitude and determination in my children. My hope is that they grow up proud of their roots and are inspired to use their voices to uplift others.
Celebrating Diwali at the Hilti North America office in Plano, Texas.
Shaping the Future Together
I’m honored to have the opportunity at Hilti to serve on the leadership team of our Asian American & Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (AAPI ERG), where we build community, raise awareness and foster allyship. One way we foster community is by sharing our culture. We host celebrations like Diwali and Lunar New Year in our Plano and Tulsa offices. These events are inclusive as they bring together both members and non-members, creating a fun and meaningful way to share the traditions behind the celebrations, through food, stories and connection.
Throughout the year, we also host member meetings with team members from across North America, supported by Executive Sponsors. These sessions give members an opportunity to hear from leaders and share their own cultural experiences, challenges and lessons learned. We encourage open dialogue while learning about different Asian traditions and stories. We’ve also organized community service events that help bring people together while giving back to the communities that we live and work in. Partnering with other ERGs has helped us expand our reach. Our AAPI ERG is open to people from all walks of life and backgrounds. It’s about creating space to connect, grow and appreciate the rich diversity within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, while building stronger allyship across the organization.
My journey has taught me the power of perseverance and I carry those lessons into how I lead, collaborate and support others in the workplace. Our stories matter. Through them, we inspire change, build bridges and shape the future - together!
Kat with her team, along with the Head of Quality for F&P.
Explore Opportunities at Hilti
At Hilti, we are committed to fostering inclusion and creating opportunities for our team members to connect and develop long-lasting careers with impact. Learn more and explore our opportunities in North America and worldwide here: Jobs | Hilti Careers
