Design Activism + Equity Diversity and Inclusion ERG
My purpose as a toy designer centers around designing inclusive toys to create social change through play - but I am equally very passionate about practicing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within the workplace.
As an EDI Lead, I organize and produce events to advance the dialog, foster inclusivity, and promote change. I lead a team of folks who are passionate about making change and an impact to the company culture by cultivating an inclusive and safe space for people to show up and be embraced as their most authentic self.
June 2023
A Conversation with...
the Trans Community
Spin Master EDI ERG - Los Angeles
Our Pride event this year centers around Trans Pride panel featuring three panelists: Jade Tseng (she/her) Senior Product Development Engineer at Spin Master, Katey Bright (she/they) Head of Creative Services at CAA, and Elias Naranjo (He/Him) Coordinator at The Laurel Foundation.
The panel was created to uplift the Trans Community in wake of the excessive attention towards the trans and drag community in the past year.
May 2023
Take Space, Breathe:
Mindfulness and Self Care for Creative Visionaries
Spin Master EDI ERG - Los Angeles
This year's AAPI heritage month, I wanted to focus on Mental Health. Working together with Charlotte Nguyen CMT-P, we brought together an event for people to unplug and practice self-care and explore mental health practices that can help us thrive no matter what we face.
As creative professionals and sensitive leaders with big hearts, we often excel in inspiring, caretaking, and leadership roles but tend to over-give and over-extend.
In this interactive workshop, Charlotte led us through a motivational journey with tools to help you recover from stress and burnout, and feel more inspired and emotionally healthy in your life and work!
February 2023
A Conversation with...
Jason Armond
Spin Master EDI ERG - Los Angeles
A Conversation With… Jason Armond explores the impetus of the L.A. Times BEHOLD project’s formation,
as well as the importance of accurate representation, allyship, and community immersion.
Jason is a staff photographer with the LA Times and
the driving force behind the visuals of BEHOLD, a project that uplifts and celebrates the Black community
of Los Angeles.”
Jason was also joined by Brian Feinzimer, freelance photographer and photo assistant for the BEHOLD
project & Armond Keys, restaurateur and participant in the BEHOLD project, to share their perspectives.
October 2022
Tastemakers & Changemakers: LA
Spin Master EDI ERG - Los Angeles
I organized and produced a celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month with food, drinks, dessert and entertainment. Mariachi Del Sur, a Los Angeles based mariachi band provided music.
Sad Girl Creamery, a Latina owned ice creamery owned by Sue Ellen. What makes Sad Girl Creamery stand out is the unique flavors she includes in her menu and how she opens up conversation around mental health with ice cream.
Drinks were served by YOLA Mexcal, which is distilled and hand bottled by an all female team in Oaxaca.
Ponchos Tlayudas is helmed by Chef Alfonso Martinez, who grew up in ’s Central Valley. Tlayudas is a regional dish from Oaxaca. Los Angeles is home to one of the largest Oaxacan communities outside of Mexico.
It was important to highlight these specific vendors to encourage one to learn more about Latinx & Hispanic culture and history - They have deeply influenced US culture and food and shaped Los Angeles.
September 2022
G's on Sundays x Hot Wheels
This idea all started from a spark over a breakfast burrito at George's Burger Stand on Saturday morning when I saw one of the car posters hanging on the wall.
G's on Sunday is an event in Boyle Heights that brings people together on a Sunday morning at the iconic George's Burger Stand.
I was very proud to see this event come to life after connecting the G's on Sunday team with the Mattel DEI team to collaborate on a Hot Wheels event for the Los Angeles community. This was everything I envisioned it to be!
May 2022
Tastemakers & Changemakers: Happy Hour with Vervet Cocktails
Spin Master EDI ERG - Los Angeles
We celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Month with some tastemakers and changemakers, AAPI business owners here in LA who are uplifting their communities through their company structure & product.
We had cocktails served by Vervet &
Accompanying the drinks, we had an array of dumplings and mochi donuts catered by Ms Chi.
May 2022
A Conversation with...
Jonathan Chang
Spin Master EDI ERG - Los Angeles
The last few years has been especially difficult on the Asian American community with the rising number of attacks on Asian people, especially our elders. During this time, I came across some illustrations on social media highlighting stories that didn’t make it to mainstream news. These beautiful illustrations honoring those we’ve lost due to xenophobia were created by Jonathan Chang.
Jonathan is a Los Angeles based multidisciplinary designer and illustrator. He believes in using design and illustration for good to enact positive social change for all communities. Jonathan illustrates portraits of victims of Anti - Asian hate & violence to share their stories and for them to be remembered.
February 2022
Celebrating Lunar New Year with Barbie & Renee
Mattel API ERG - Los Angeles
As the Lead of Culture & Community on the Asian Pacific Islander ERG at Mattel, I worked closely with the Barbie content team as a consultant on this vlog episode on Lunar New Year Traditions and pronunciations. I also got to include my mom who speaks Taiwanese Hokkien, as she lended her voice and knowledge to the team.
December 2021
APA Community Toy Drive
Mattel MADE ERG - Los Angeles
It is so important for us to give back to our communities.
The APA Community Holiday Toy Drive is a non profit event that strives to provide toys for low-income families in the Los Angeles Asian Community.
I am grateful and so lucky to have worked alongside the amazing 2021 board members of the Mattel API ERG: Sheila Tan, Christy Kim and Kittaya Wongchinda.
September 2021
The Southern Border:
Through the lens of a photojournalist
Mattel MADE ERG - Los Angeles
In partnership with the Latinx En Mattel ERG group, I organized and moderated a panel of photojournalists who covered the Southern Border to share their experiences and their photos they took along the way.
May 2021
A Conversation with... Tastemakers & Changemakers
Mattel MADE ERG - Los Angeles
I organized and produced a panel of Tastemakers and Changemakers across Los Angeles to talk about what "authenticity" means in Asian cuisine, equity and
May 2021
A discussion on Black & Asian solidarity
Mattel MADE ERG - Los Angeles
In partnership with the Black at Mattel ERG, I moderated a panel conversation on Black and Asian solidarity discussing racism, white supremacy and most importantly, solidarity.
On our panel, we welcomed Di Barbadillo, community organizer & NLG observer, Thu-Huong Nguyen-Vo, Asian American studies professor at UCLA and Mason Williams, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Mattel.
May 2021
Barbie: Close the Dream Gap
Mattel MADE ERG - Los Angeles
When approached with the question of which organization to partner with for AAPI Heritage month - AAPI Women Lead immediately came to my mind.
A kinder and more inclusive world starts with breaking down the barriers that keep girls from being heard. Research shows that starting at the age of five, many girls stop believing they can be anything. This issue is called the "Dream Gap"
We know that AAPI girls face additional barriers to overcome beyond gender stereotypes. In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, Mattel's Barbie Dream Gap project is making a donation to AAPI girls in partnership with AAPI Women Lead, a community based organization whose work focuses on ending violence and strengthening the platforms of Asian and Pacific Islander communities in the US through the leadership of women and girls.