Compassion/

Compassion compels action.

For me, it’s not enough to just practice empathy unless there's an action that follows. Compassion compels action, because it appeals to our sense of humanity and our desire for meaningful connections; It allows us to direct our full attention to others so that we can listen actively, respond kindly, and act mindfully.

Curiosity/

Curiosity leads to understanding.

My constant curiosity is what I would say defines me the most. For me, it’s about wanting to learn in order to understand. It’s about being in a constant state of wonder—thinking ‘what if’ and stretching my imagination towards what could be possible. In my curiosity, I create opportunities to challenge myself, and others, to always dig deeper. 

Awareness/

Awareness acknowledges assumptions.

Actively practicing awareness is important to me, because it’s the practice of acknowledging my own assumptions and biases. It challenges me to be fully present in each moment, to observe the spaces I occupy, and to recognize the influences of different contexts.

Integrity/

Integrity is a reflection of my intentions.

For me, integrity is best embodied by the Hindu virtue asteya, which translates to ‘non-stealing’—an act of mindfulness, humility, and honesty. In all I do, I’m committed to creating space for others to shine—I only take credit for what is rightfully mine and ask only for the time and space that is needed, never more. This pushes me to constantly question whether or not my intentions are pure, just, and ethical.

Courage/

Courage welcomes challenges.

Courage is about leading with confidence, even in the face of uncertainty. It’s about fearlessly welcoming challenge and ambiguity. I practice courage on a daily basis by pursuing causes that I believe in and by being a relentless advocate and voice for the people I create for. 

Accountability/

Accountability means taking ownership.

By grounding myself in a strong sense of accountability and responsibility, I’m driven to consider the potential consequences of my actions and decisions, and to take ownership of these. My personal mission is to act with purpose—to shape the future I want by applying lessons from the past to the choices I make today and tomorrow.