
CEO of Ancestry, Deb Liu, Hosted by Soon Yu
10/23/24 • 39 min
1 Listener
On this episode of the Aconic Podcast with Soon Yu, we speak with Deb Liu, CEO of Ancestry, a senior executive in Silicon Valley. Deb shares her story of overcoming the challenges she faced as an Asian-American woman, reflecting on her upbringing in South Carolina and the discrimination she encountered. She delves into her mission of being a creator, connector, and problem solver. Highlighting her professional milestones, including founding Women in Product, Deb discusses her evolution from 'version 1.0' to 'version 2.0'. She emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills, adaptability, and continuous learning in achieving long-term success. We also touch on the significance of mentorship, personal growth, and finding fulfillment in the present moment.
01:13 Overcoming Challenges and Breaking Barriers
03:39 Personal Mission and Faith
06:05 Growing Up Asian
09:58 The Power of Adaptation and Growth
13:49 Learning Interpersonal Skills
17:28 Embracing Extroversion at Work
20:40 The Power of a Learning Mindset
23:42 Finding New Motivations
25:09 The Importance of Mentorship
28:00 Learning to Love Yourself
33:23 Turning Setbacks into Opportunities
37:22 Embracing the Present
On this episode of the Aconic Podcast with Soon Yu, we speak with Deb Liu, CEO of Ancestry, a senior executive in Silicon Valley. Deb shares her story of overcoming the challenges she faced as an Asian-American woman, reflecting on her upbringing in South Carolina and the discrimination she encountered. She delves into her mission of being a creator, connector, and problem solver. Highlighting her professional milestones, including founding Women in Product, Deb discusses her evolution from 'version 1.0' to 'version 2.0'. She emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills, adaptability, and continuous learning in achieving long-term success. We also touch on the significance of mentorship, personal growth, and finding fulfillment in the present moment.
01:13 Overcoming Challenges and Breaking Barriers
03:39 Personal Mission and Faith
06:05 Growing Up Asian
09:58 The Power of Adaptation and Growth
13:49 Learning Interpersonal Skills
17:28 Embracing Extroversion at Work
20:40 The Power of a Learning Mindset
23:42 Finding New Motivations
25:09 The Importance of Mentorship
28:00 Learning to Love Yourself
33:23 Turning Setbacks into Opportunities
37:22 Embracing the Present
Previous Episode

Founder at Forward Party, Andrew Yang, Hosted by Soon Yu
In this episode, host Soon Yu interviews Andrew Yang, entrepreneur, founder of the Forward Party, and former 2020 presidential candidate. They discuss Yang’s stereotypical upbringing as the son of Taiwanese immigrants, his struggles with identity, and the challenges he faced in his early career. Yang shares his journey from a scrawny, picked-on geek to a resilient, transformative leader, emphasizing his experiences in startups, teaching, and running for president. The conversation delves into the systemic issues in U.S. politics and Yang's advocacy for universal basic income and political reforms like ranked-choice voting. They also touch on the importance of personal growth, resilience, and contributing to society. Throughout the discussion, they highlight the significance of overcoming failure, building empathy, and the need for more diverse representations of success within the Asian American community.
00:59 Andrew Yang's Early Life and Challenges
05:39 Fighting Stereotypes and Physical Fights
09:43 Career Beginnings and Law Firm Experience
16:07 Entrepreneurial Journey and Early Failures
34:33 The Decision to Run for President
37:14 The Process vs. Outcome Mindset
40:22 Financial Struggles and Entrepreneurial Journey
48:01 Asian American Representation in Politics
52:20 Advice for Aspiring Leaders
56:04 Championing Universal Basic Income and Political Reform
01:01:29 Reflections on Failure and Success
01:08:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Next Episode

CEO of KKR, Joe Bae, Hosted by Soon Yu
In this episode of the Aconic Podcast, hosted by Soon Yu, we welcome Joe Bae, CEO of KKR. Joe shares his journey from immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, growing up in a predominantly white community, and developing a passion for music which later transitioned to finance. He speaks about his rapid career progression, starting at Goldman Sachs and joining KKR. Joe discusses his significant contributions to Asian markets, his approach to inclusive and localized business strategies, and breaking the 'bamboo ceiling'. He also elaborates on his role in founding the Asian American Foundation (TAAF) amidst the rise of anti-Asian hate during COVID, focusing on education, representation, and resource allocation for the AAPI community. This episode highlights Joe’s dedication, adaptability, and his ongoing impact on the AAPI community. (Please note, this episode was originally recorded in May 2024 and some numbers are out of date at the time of the episode premiere).
02:44 Joe Bae's Humble Beginnings and Family Background
03:52 Growing Up as a Minority in America
06:25 Joe Bae's Passion for Music
10:48 The Importance of Adaptability and Dedication
12:38 Joining KKR and Early Mentorship
16:11 Expanding KKR's Business in Asia
18:32 The Formation of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)
29:00 TAAF's Mission and Achievements
38:14 Future Goals and Personal Reflections
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