Our Feature Spotlight
Dien Luu
Director, Consulting Services
The AAPI region is so large and diverse. We want to shine a light on the individual cultures of the region. Can you share a bit about yourself and your cultural heritage?
was born in Vietnam and came to the US when I was 7. I’m of Chinese and Vietnamese heritage, and various aspects of both cultures are part of who I am today, particularly an appreciation for family, community, and food!
How did you find your way to RiskSpan?
I had worked at Fannie Mae for over 20 years, in various roles and organizations, always looking for opportunities to enhance my technical skills and domain knowledge, solve problems, and grow professionally. My resume looks like that of a consultant and I been thinking about consulting for a while. When RiskSpan approached me with a consulting opportunity I jumped at it.
What is your Role at RiskSpan?
I’m a Director of Consulting, managing a team of four consultants who have projects at Fannie and Freddie. Besides the administrative stuff, a goal of mine is to help the team grow professionally in part by sharing my expertise and have regular meetings where the team members discuss what they’re working on, the challenges they’re facing, and we try to help each other with ideas and information. I also am engaged full time on a project with my client at Freddie.
How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
I wouldn’t say these traits are exclusive to Chinese or Vietnamese culture, and they’re probably more directly attributable to my mother, but I do feel the connection to those two cultures my pride in my work, my sense of obligation to help the community succeed, whether it’s my project team or a wider community, and appreciation of diversity, of people, culture, ideas, and did I mention food?
Do you or your family have any traditions that are especially important to you?
We celebrate the Chinese (and Vietnamese) New Year by gathering at my mom’s for home-cooked dishes and giving red envelopes with money to the kids. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also observed by my family and includes having mooncakes and tea. As with all traditions, it’s really about being with the people you love.
What at RiskSpan do you find most interesting?
I think it’s great that RiskSpan offers a great product in its award-winning Edge Platform and also offers client services, both supported by deeply talented, knowledgeable, and experienced professionals.
What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?
Culture is part of who we are, and while we all share the values and traditions that are uniquely American, it’s also good to celebrate diversity and the things that are unique about each of us.
This past year, there has been an exponential rise in hate-filled actions towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. What does showing up to support the AAPI community mean to you?
I think speaking out about racist actions, words, or expressions, whether they’re micro-aggressions or are direct, and especially violent interactions, is important. We, all of us, need to point out racism when we see it and make it clear that it will not be tolerated and will be subject to consequences.
What would be your advise to young men and women from the AAPI community?
Revel and take pride in your AAPI heritage, and don’t let anyone, including yourself, other you. We are all Americans and should take advantage of the opportunities this great country offers to fully live, be ourselves, expect to be treated and appreciated like everyone else, and contribute to our communities and our country.
Thank you Dien!
