Consultant Spotlight: Vicky – From Hong Kong to the Big Apple: A Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

Astawa Alam
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November 12, 2024
Consultant Spotlight: Vicky – From Hong Kong to the Big Apple: A Journey of Resilience and Reinvention

A Tale of Two Cities and Five Continents

In the bustling streets of Hong Kong, a young girl dreamed of possibilities beyond the horizon. That girl was Vicky, and little did she know that her life would become a masterclass in resilience, spanning continents and transforming challenges into stepping stones for success.

The Art of Starting Over

At sixteen, Vicky found herself transplanted from the familiar skyline of Hong Kong to the towering structures of New York City. Armed with basic English and unwavering determination, she stepped into a New York City public high school—a universe away from everything she knew. Each day was a lesson in courage, each interaction a chance to build what she now calls her "thick skin," a trait that would serve her well in the years to come.

But Vicky wasn't just surviving; she was laying the groundwork for thriving. While her peers focused solely on academics at New York University, she orchestrated a demanding symphony of two-hour commutes, part-time work, and a double major in finance and marketing. Every dollar earned wasn't just funding her education; it was investing in her independence.

Dancing with Corporate Giants and Startup Dreams

Citi became the stage for Vicky's first corporate performance, where she quickly proved her mettle. From vendor management to crafting marketing strategies for credit and debit solutions, she was building a reputation for excellence. But life had other plans—her husband's career called them to Los Angeles, and Vicky saw not an interruption, but an opportunity.

In the dynamic world of startups, she discovered a new rhythm. Gone were the structured processes of corporate life, replaced by the exhilarating chaos of cold-calling and business process design. Each day brought new challenges, and Vicky met them all with the adaptability she'd learned as a teenage immigrant.

When the recession hit, Vicky returned to Citi, but this time with an upgraded toolkit. Her talent earned her a coveted spot in Citi's Global Talent Development Program, whisking her away to Australia. There, among the kangaroos and corporate boardrooms, she mastered the nuances of cross-cultural business dynamics, adding another layer to her ever-expanding skillset.

The Pause that Refreshed

Success, however, came at a price. At the peak of her corporate ascent, Vicky's health forced her to make a difficult decision—to step away from the career she'd built. But true to her nature, she turned this challenge into an opportunity for reinvention.

Two years later, refreshed and renewed, she reached out to Blend, a consulting firm from her past. "I was connected with Lori Murphy and we hit it off immediately," she recalls with a smile. "The four-month assignment turned into three and a half years. I absolutely love being a consultant."

Today, at Visa's U.S. Client Marketing team, Vicky orchestrates a perfect blend of corporate strategy and startup agility. Her projects are as diverse as her background, ranging from strategy development to creative execution and sponsorship activation.

The Three Wise Leaders

Like all great stories, Vicky's journey has been shaped by meaningful encounters. Three mentors stand out in her narrative, each contributing to her philosophy of leadership. These weren't just managers; they were beacons of authentic leadership who showed her that power and approachability could coexist, that respect and results weren't mutually exclusive.

Wisdom for the Journey

When aspiring consultants seek her guidance, Vicky offers wisdom distilled from her unique journey. "Understand why you want to pursue a consulting path and what you hope to achieve from the experience," she advises. It's not just about making a change; it's about making the right change for the right reasons.

A New Chapter Unfolds

Today, Vicky's story continues to evolve in unexpected ways. The health challenge that once paused her career has led her to Classical Pilates, transforming not just her recovery but her future aspirations. Now training to become a Pilates instructor, she's preparing to help others navigate their own health journeys.

A recent fortune cookie offered her this wisdom: "Doing what you love is freedom. Loving what you do is happiness." It's a message that resonates deeply with Vicky's approach to life and career. While she may not have a fixed destination in mind, her journey continues to be guided by clear intent and an unwavering focus on growth.  

From the streets of Hong Kong to the boardrooms of New York, from corporate excellence to consulting success, Vicky's story is more than a career trajectory—it's a testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and the courage to embrace change. As she looks to the future, one thing is certain: wherever her path leads, she'll approach it with the same determination that carried her across oceans and helped her build bridges between cultures, companies, and communities.

A Tale of Two Cities and Five Continents

In the bustling streets of Hong Kong, a young girl dreamed of possibilities beyond the horizon. That girl was Vicky, and little did she know that her life would become a masterclass in resilience, spanning continents and transforming challenges into stepping stones for success.

The Art of Starting Over

At sixteen, Vicky found herself transplanted from the familiar skyline of Hong Kong to the towering structures of New York City. Armed with basic English and unwavering determination, she stepped into a New York City public high school—a universe away from everything she knew. Each day was a lesson in courage, each interaction a chance to build what she now calls her "thick skin," a trait that would serve her well in the years to come.

But Vicky wasn't just surviving; she was laying the groundwork for thriving. While her peers focused solely on academics at New York University, she orchestrated a demanding symphony of two-hour commutes, part-time work, and a double major in finance and marketing. Every dollar earned wasn't just funding her education; it was investing in her independence.

Dancing with Corporate Giants and Startup Dreams

Citi became the stage for Vicky's first corporate performance, where she quickly proved her mettle. From vendor management to crafting marketing strategies for credit and debit solutions, she was building a reputation for excellence. But life had other plans—her husband's career called them to Los Angeles, and Vicky saw not an interruption, but an opportunity.

In the dynamic world of startups, she discovered a new rhythm. Gone were the structured processes of corporate life, replaced by the exhilarating chaos of cold-calling and business process design. Each day brought new challenges, and Vicky met them all with the adaptability she'd learned as a teenage immigrant.

When the recession hit, Vicky returned to Citi, but this time with an upgraded toolkit. Her talent earned her a coveted spot in Citi's Global Talent Development Program, whisking her away to Australia. There, among the kangaroos and corporate boardrooms, she mastered the nuances of cross-cultural business dynamics, adding another layer to her ever-expanding skillset.

The Pause that Refreshed

Success, however, came at a price. At the peak of her corporate ascent, Vicky's health forced her to make a difficult decision—to step away from the career she'd built. But true to her nature, she turned this challenge into an opportunity for reinvention.

Two years later, refreshed and renewed, she reached out to Blend, a consulting firm from her past. "I was connected with Lori Murphy and we hit it off immediately," she recalls with a smile. "The four-month assignment turned into three and a half years. I absolutely love being a consultant."

Today, at Visa's U.S. Client Marketing team, Vicky orchestrates a perfect blend of corporate strategy and startup agility. Her projects are as diverse as her background, ranging from strategy development to creative execution and sponsorship activation.

The Three Wise Leaders

Like all great stories, Vicky's journey has been shaped by meaningful encounters. Three mentors stand out in her narrative, each contributing to her philosophy of leadership. These weren't just managers; they were beacons of authentic leadership who showed her that power and approachability could coexist, that respect and results weren't mutually exclusive.

Wisdom for the Journey

When aspiring consultants seek her guidance, Vicky offers wisdom distilled from her unique journey. "Understand why you want to pursue a consulting path and what you hope to achieve from the experience," she advises. It's not just about making a change; it's about making the right change for the right reasons.

A New Chapter Unfolds

Today, Vicky's story continues to evolve in unexpected ways. The health challenge that once paused her career has led her to Classical Pilates, transforming not just her recovery but her future aspirations. Now training to become a Pilates instructor, she's preparing to help others navigate their own health journeys.

A recent fortune cookie offered her this wisdom: "Doing what you love is freedom. Loving what you do is happiness." It's a message that resonates deeply with Vicky's approach to life and career. While she may not have a fixed destination in mind, her journey continues to be guided by clear intent and an unwavering focus on growth.  

From the streets of Hong Kong to the boardrooms of New York, from corporate excellence to consulting success, Vicky's story is more than a career trajectory—it's a testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and the courage to embrace change. As she looks to the future, one thing is certain: wherever her path leads, she'll approach it with the same determination that carried her across oceans and helped her build bridges between cultures, companies, and communities.

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