In this episode, we sit down with Sammy, CEO of the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce, to explore her journey from growing up in a Vietnamese refugee camp to becoming a leader shaping regional economic and workforce development. Sammy reflects on the mentors and resources—such as the College Success Foundation—that helped bridge gaps for students without strong professional networks.

She shares her transition from a profit-driven mindset to mission-focused nonprofit leadership and explains how initiatives like the Workforce Discovery Lab connect students to local career pathways and mentors. Sammy also speaks candidly about the realities women face in leadership, from being talked over in professional spaces to the urgent need for childcare support for working mothers.

Throughout the conversation, Sammy emphasizes lowering barriers to access, uplifting diverse voices, and fostering a culture of mentorship, flexibility, and abundance. This episode is a powerful reflection on leadership rooted in community, advocacy, and creating systems where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

https://www.seattlesouthsidechamber.com/