Animal Welfare Professionals

 View Only
Expand all | Collapse all

Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

  • 1.  Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-06-2021 09:59 AM
    Ariel Zhang with her adopted dog Cricket


    Recording Now Available!
    Join Maddie's Fund for an open, informal 30-minute conversation and Q+A with @Ariel Zhang, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Animal Foundation. Hosting the talk is @Mary Ippoliti-Smith, one of Maddie's Fund's executive leadership team members.

    About Ariel: As a young immigrant who moved across multiple continents and countries, Ariel watched her parents work hard to start something better for their family. They had no roots or connections in the US but that made Ariel recognize, in her words, a "world of opportunities." But those came at a steep price - one that forged Ariel's determined drive for compassion among humans and animals.

     

    Come away inspired to promote lifesaving by engaging your local community through global language. Afterwards, continue the conversation with Ariel right here on Maddie's Pet Forum. Ariel will be monitoring this post for the next couple of weeks so please leave your questions or comments here!


    #EducationandTraining
    #MarketingandSocialMedia
    #OrganizationalManagement
    #PeopleManagement

    ------------------------------
    alison gibson
    ------------------------------
    ​​


  • 2.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-06-2021 12:48 PM
    Thank you to Maddie's for starting the Crucial Conversation series and having me to speak! Looking forward to the dialogue to come.

    ------------------------------
    Ariel Zhang
    The Animal Foudation
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-27-2021 01:05 PM
    I just wanted to say thank you again to @Ariel Zhang for having the courage to speak up and share your story! On that morning call when you spoke up about the increase in violence against Asian-Americans, you said some comment about feeling invisible and I felt that in my soul because that's such a recurring feeling for me. I was half asleep that morning and didn't expect to be in tears on one of our usual animal welfare zoom calls but there I was! There are so many points you made in the video today and later talking with Mary that I was over here snapping and nodding my head in complete agreement with.

    One thing that sticks out to me is you said that in asian culture, we're so used to "being silent and working hard" because that's what our parents taught us.  I grew up in California with my Filipino mother and my Puerto Rican father. With my dad being in the Navy and on deployment all the time, my mom was the one running the show and had to learn how to adapt to life in the States. I can think of so many instances where my Mom had me on the phone at a young age, calling to order pizza because she was embarrassed of her accent and how people would treat her. And so many instances in my adult life where I've been straight up disrespected because of my height or my ethnicity or legit once an employer said to me "you and your asian-ness" and I just said nothing. Finding the courage to speak up and use my voice has always been a challenge after being raised to stay quiet and don't challenge authority. Any tips or advice for when/how to address those moments? 

    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-27-2021 01:32 PM
    Hi Charlotte! First of all, thank you so much for your words. I also grew up on a family where I took on responsibilities early because my parents and grandparents were embarrassed of their accent or even just their lack of understanding of western norms.

    I want to acknowledge that not everyone is in a position of privilege where they can speak out even if they want to. It's hard to push back on an employer because those power dynamics are certainly not equal. However, if you do want to and can speak out, I'd encourage you to find those that will empower you to do so. Even when I wrote the message to Mary, the call ended at 9am and it took me until 2pm to click send. I talked it over with my husband and went back and forth on whether to push the send button because there were repercussions of my presence in animal welfare had Mary not reacted so graciously.

    I'd recommend speaking out in a respectful way and being the bigger person. If you come from a place of respect, then if they choose to not react well then that's 100% on them. I think Asian people are quite mentally tough given our upbringing to hold our tongue but if we can use that strength to be the bigger person but still hold others accountable then we can make progress.

    I hope the session today helps you find the courage to speak out because your message gives me courage to continue speaking out. If we can continue to inspire each other and give each other strength then we can overcome. Please reach out anytime if you just need some validation on what you're feeling or empowerment to speak out.

    ------------------------------
    Ariel Zhang
    The Animal Foundation
    azhang@animalfoundation.com
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-28-2021 02:24 PM

    Ariel,
    Thank you for braving the outcome and pushing that Send button to Mary.  I can imagine how scary that was and am so thankful you did it. I have learned so much from you taking that chance. 

    When Mary mentioned your email and followup discussion on the Monday call, I had the same realization she did. I had been reading the articles and watched the news about the anti-Asian sentiment and actions and was horrified but I did not make the connection that it should have been called out on the previous Friday call. After Mary brought it to our attention on the call, the light bulb went off. How could we have not discussed it? I am learning and will continue to learn. I commit to do better.

    I also appreciate this thread between you and @Charlotte Otero (she/her) so much. It brings home to me again that I don't know what I don't know. You both talked about feeling invisible which is heartbreaking. I work with Charlotte on a daily basis and she is an intelligent, extremely capable woman who deserves to be seen and heard. My impression of you is the same. Because of this conversation, I am now aware that this exists and can help change it. 

    Hearing from both of you that your parents and grandparents asked you to be their voices because they were embarrassed of their accents and how people would treat them is something I hadn't ever considered. It makes me sad that you, your families and so many others had (and have) to experience that even to this day. I'm hopeful that the discussions and changes we are starting to make today will make this a thing of the past.

    I'd like to share a quote I read a few weeks back. It was shared on social media so I don't know who​ wrote it but I really love it:

    "​​If someone is speaking to you in a foreign accent, they are smart enough to know two languages and were brave enough to do their job in their second." 

    Thank you again for sharing your voice and experience with us! 



    ------------------------------
    Kim Domerofski (she/her)
    Manager of Partnerships & Collaboration
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-30-2021 02:45 PM
    That's a beautiful quote Kim! I'm inspired these days of language immersion schools that start in kindergarten. A whole generation of children will soon grow up and make our local communities even more open to immigrants and be better able to connect with the rest of the world.

    ------------------------------
    Ariel Zhang
    azhang@animalfoundation.com
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-26-2021 03:01 PM
    I'm really looking forward to this convo tomorrow! See you all tomorrow at Noon 🕛🙌🏻

    ------------------------------
    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-26-2021 03:22 PM

    Yes!  Ariel's story is not to be missed. She is a most compelling speaker with a fresh perspective.  There will be time for Q+A as well as the follow-up discussion right here on Maddie's Pet Forum. 

    See  you there!



    ------------------------------
    alison gibson
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-27-2021 12:36 PM

    What an amazing Candid Conversation series. Thank you so much Ariel for your powerful perspective and for sharing your story today.



    ------------------------------
    Sharon Fletcher
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-27-2021 12:49 PM
    Thank you Sharon! I'm looking forward to more of this series also!

    ------------------------------
    Ariel Zhang
    The Animal Foudation
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-27-2021 12:55 PM
    I can't seem to find the follow-up discussion, but I wanted to say thanks so much for doing this!  I wasn't sure if any of it would apply to me in my volunteer work in animal welfare-- I helped start/manage the first spay-neuter and TNR program in Montenegro, as part of a US-based non-profit.  But Ariel not only confirmed that we are on the right track in our work, but opened my thinking about some other approaches we might try!

    Cultural change is a long, slow process!  Once you acknowledge cultural change is what we're all working on--changing ourselves and our culture to be more kind and compassionate, welcoming, respectful and humble--it makes it easier to listen, to understand, to share and build relationships which provide a path for change. 

    Thanks again!


    ------------------------------
    April King
    Kotor Kitties
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-27-2021 03:02 PM
    Hi April!  Thank you so much for watching the program and for your very astute comment.  You found the right place to continue the conversation with Ariel.  We're sorry that the  link wasn't clearer during the program.  You are spot on about cultural change taking a long time....we have so much to learn from people like you and Ariel!  We hope you join us again next month for another Candid Conversation - watch this spot for more info coming soon! ​

    ------------------------------
    alison gibson
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-28-2021 09:20 AM
    Hi April! I'm so glad you were able to find value in the session. I love that you called out humility. I think we're all trying to figure this out together and having the humility to admit we can make mistakes and still move forward together is so important. Thank you for being a part of the change!

    ------------------------------
    Ariel Zhang
    azhang@animalfoundation.com
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-30-2021 09:00 AM
    Thank you, Ariel!

    I was blown away by your story and appreciate all you've shared. It can be difficult to open up for so many reasons, including the risks mentioned. Also, just putting yourself out there opens you up to the court of public opinion, which isn't always favorable. I'm so glad you took the risk and made your voice heard so members of the community, who are all valued, feel safer to do so. 

    On the eve of AAPI heritage month, I also want to celebrate the life of a human and animal welfare shero, Valerie Louie. Best Friends' Julie Castle wrote a special tribute shortly after Val passed away of COVID-19 in November 2020. She was a nurse, single-mother and, as this NY Times article states, a foster and matchmaker to thousands of dogs: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/17/health/covid-rescue-dogs.html. I feel lucky to have met her while we promoted a dog in her care back in 2018. 

    If you have any recommendations for folks to learn more about the Asian experience, please share! PBS is always a great resource: https://www.pbs.org/specials/asian-pacific-american-heritage-month/


    ------------------------------
    Irene Chansawang
    Maddie's Fund
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Candid Conversation with Ariel Zhang and Mary Ippoliti-Smith on April 27 @ 12n PT / 3pm ET

    Posted 04-30-2021 02:49 PM
    Thanks for sharing those linkes Irene! Another resource that was shared by our Board Chair is Better Allies. Every Friday they send a newsletter of five ways we can be better allies to all marginalized people and helps open my brain at the end of the week. She shares ideas from readers and so it's not just her voice but inclusive of backgrounds, ideas, and groups of marginalized people. https://betterallies.com/

    ------------------------------
    Ariel Zhang
    azhang@animalfoundation.com
    ------------------------------