Having experienced firsthand the wide polarities in cultures, people, social statuses, and political regimes, Soo has always pondered the question, “Why does our perception of differences outweigh our perception of similarities?”
The most important lesson Soo learned through her journey of living in the diverse cultures of South Korea, Mexico, England, Japan, and the United States is that it is through our humanity that we connect. No matter how different people might look or speak, we all have the same basic human needs and desires – regardless of culture, race, or socioeconomic class. Seeing and connecting beyond external differences is the foundation for building a world of pervasive diversity.
Constructing diversity programs that employees embrace and buy into is one of the most vexing issues facing businesses today. For over twenty-five years during her U.S. corporate career, Soo acutely experienced many conflicts arising from diversity issues. In an environment with bottom-line pressures, racial preferential treatments, enforced diversity mandates, differing cultures and mindsets, and human emotions, it’s not difficult to understand why we’re confronting diversity challenges. Our lack of progress suggests it’s time to rethink how we confront these challenges.
Soo is passionate about advancing pervasive diversity and inclusion. And she believes we must broaden our horizons to search for alternate ways to achieve our diversity goals in a sustainable way. Her approach hinges upon advancing the forces that nurture human connection and unity while reducing those that erect mental and physical separations that divide and discriminate.
Soo earned an MBA from Darden School of Business, University of Virginia; a master’s degree in biochemistry from Boston University Medical Center; and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from College of Notre Dame of Maryland. In addition, she has a Leadership Coaching Certification from Georgetown University and is International Coach Federation certified.
Companies Soo has been affiliated with as an employee, strategy consultant, or executive coach include: Bell Canada; Booz, Allen & Hamilton; CNN/Turner; Comsat; ExxonMobil; Global One (Deutsche Telekom, France Telecom, Sprint Alliance); IBM; Inter-American Development Bank; Leo Burnett Worldwide; Mars; MetLife HealthCare; and Ogilvy & Mather.
Married for thirty-seven years with two grown children, Soo and her husband live in Park City, Utah.