I joined Visa in 2011, and after exploring different teams in our Ashburn, VA office, found my way to the Global Specialized Support group. Our team assists Issuers in implementing the Visa Token Services.
Today, I am Director of Token Enrollment at Visa, but that's not all I am. I'm also proud to be of mixed Asian, European and South American descent. I'm fortunate that Visa encourages me to bring my whole self to work every day, and during the month of May, celebrates our Asian Pacific community during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
My Background
My father is 100% Japanese, and my mother is of Italian and Bolivian descent. Both of my parents were proactive about sharing their cultures with me - food, language and more. When I started elementary school, I actually only spoke Japanese and Spanish … however, my English has improved since then!
Growing Up Japanese
I had an amazing cultural upbringing, but it did come with challenges. I remember feeling different as a child, and wanting to feel "normal" like everyone else. My classmates packed PB&J sandwiches or pizza for lunch, while I had Onigiri (Japanese rice ball) stuffed with fish or pickled vegetables. But today, those Japanese foods remind me of how grateful I am for my diverse background. I meet up with my father and younger brother as often as possible to cook Japanese recipes, and I love having the opportunity to share traditional cuisine with my friends and teach them about my heritage.
