AAPI Heritage Month: An Interview with Revenue.io’s Myche Tan

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Myche Tan, Data Engineer at Revenue.io, about the importance of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Here are some of her inspirational thoughts.

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?

AAPI month is an opportunity to share and celebrate AAPI culture, experiences, and stories. It is also a moment to be grateful to our predecessors for their influence and to remember their sacrifices.

Who do you look up to in the AAPI community?

I look up to every first-generation immigrant/parent. In my case, it would be my mom. I often hear stories about our parents’ sacrifices to provide better opportunities for their kids. Leaving your family behind and venturing into an unknown place with little certainty is daunting and challenging. There isn’t a guaranteed successful outcome, but they still take the risk in hopes of providing a better future. And for that, I want to say a huge thank you to them.

What’s something most people may not know about the AAPI community?

It is not limited to the big countries people often associate with Asia, such as China, Korea, Japan, etc. The month also celebrates people who descended from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia.

What would you like to highlight about your own heritage?

I am fortunate to be raised in Chinese and Filipino cultures, which also means enjoying two cuisines growing up. I always bring my Filipino and Chinese traditions with me, such as highlighting the importance of family and giving respect, especially to elders.

What’s it like being an Asian American woman in tech?

Being a woman in tech is already rare, but being an Asian American woman adds another layer of rarity. From personal experience, it is difficult to find another Asian American woman in the tech space. And I hope in the future, there will be more representation and diversity in this industry.

Which organizations would you like to feature for AAPI Heritage Month?

• Stop AAPI Hate
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice
• Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy & Leadership (APPEAL)
• National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum