Brenda is a diverse public relations professional, communicator, and storyteller with nearly a decade of experience working with major corporate brands, well-regarded foundations and nonprofits.

Vietnamese roots. Michigan made. Chicago curated.

My parents immigrated to the U.S. during the Vietnam War. The boat that carried them across the ocean was meant only for fishing and shallow waters. When my mother shares this story of desperation, her eyes water, and she uses a crumpled tissue to dab her tears.

In the U.S., my mom and dad never slept. Mom was a cook in a run-down restaurant for those who wanted ‘cheap Chinese.’ Dad bused tables, scrubbed pans, and toilets from one restaurant to another. At night, they crawled outside, the fabric on their knees earning grass stains; picking worms to sell to fishermen for a few extra dollars the next day.

Their American dream? To save up for their children’s education in America.

As a second generation Asian American, I fulfilled their dream, and earned my M.S. in business communications from Grand Valley State University and B.A. in communications with a specialization in public relations from Michigan State University.

Now, it’s time for me to fulfill my own dreams. My dream is to put people first in the world of PR and communications while prioritizing the voices of those who have traditionally been unheard.

The stories that I share revolve around social impact, diversity and inclusion, and people. My parent’s have a powerful story that’s worth telling, and I believe you do too.