heritage and traditions of the Chinese New Year.


When her daughter became a middle-school student, Yee sought volunteer opportunities to teach her about “her rich Chinese heritage” and for the two of them to spend time together. She engaged in similar activities with her son.


Yee, whose work at IBM involves developing strategies in emerging markets such as in Brazil, India and China, says that when she wasn’t traveling she made family dinner at home a priority.


“IBM has been very supportive,” she says, adding that she tries to maximize her volunteer time through IBM as well. IBM encourages its 304,000 employees worldwide to speak at schools about science and technology during Big Blue’s eWeek, and she’s embraced that initiative as well.


Ask Jenny Ming how she has run a corporation, reared three children and juggled commitments to several boards and nonprofit organizations, and she’ll tell you it’s all about prioritizing and scheduling.


“I live or die by my schedule,” she says.


Ming is president and CEO of Charlotte Russe Inc., op- erating partner with Advent International Global Private Equity and director of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan.


“You really have to know what your interests are,” she says. “Early in my career it was all about family and career.”


She has three children, who are now adults—a 26-year- old daughter and 25-year-old twins. All have now graduated and are living on their own in New York and California.


She, too, spent her children’s formative years volunteer- ing at school activities.


Ming, who came to the United States from China when she was 9 years old, recalled a surprising conversation she had with her high-school-age daughter a decade ago: Her daughter said she considered her mother to be more Caucasian than Asian.


www.womenofcolor.net Jenny Ming


“Sometimes your child sees you differently than you see yourself,” said Ming.


That comment spurred her to become more involved in activities tied to her heritage. She now serves on the Committee of 100, a nonprofit organization of accom- plished Chinese Americans, and she is a trustee for the Museum of Chinese in America in New York.


She offers sage advice for young people considering whether they should volunteer.


“Only do the few things you can do and do it well,” she says, suggesting that it’s important to know when to walk away or step back and become less involved.


Despite the time and energy involved in each com- mitment, Ming views everything as an opportunity for growth.


“I have always, always learned something from every board I have sat on,” she says.


by Gale Horton Gay, editors@ccgmag.com WOMENOFCOLOR | SPRING 2011 7


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