As S4 Fellows, we've had the unique privilege of rotating through different teams within the organization, gaining invaluable exposure to the diverse career paths available in the dynamic world of digital advertising and marketing. This experience has allowed us to connect directly with industry leaders, absorbing their expertise and gaining insights that are shaping the trajectory of our careers. The networking and mentorship opportunities have not only deepened our understanding of the industry but have also equipped us with the skills and confidence to pursue impactful careers. Collaborating across teams and exploring a wide range of possibilities has truly prepared us to emerge as the next generation of leaders in this ever-evolving field. Check out the landing page for more insights on the program here.

Now that you know more about the program, we’d love for you to get to know us better!

Behind the Voices: Introducing Our Fellows and Their Stories

Keep up with the S4 Fellowship Program!

Applications for the 2025 recruitment cycle have closed, but we encourage you to watch this space. Stay connected and informed by following our company’s social media platforms—your go-to hub for the latest updates, insights, and inspiring stories. In the meantime, you can learn  more about the S4 Fellowship on our dedicated landing page.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month takes place in May because of two key dates: May 7 and 10. The former marks the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States, whereas the latter—also known as Golden Spike Day—recognizes the completion of the US transcontinental railroad, connecting East to West. Nearly twenty thousand Chinese immigrants supported the construction of this incredible project, working under brutal conditions in the Sierra Nevada for very little pay. It’s critical that they are given recognition for their courage, hard work and dedication, today and into the future.



The AAPI umbrella term represents cultures from the entire Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. AAPI Heritage Month is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions that individuals and groups of this descent have made to the United States—and there are many. From science, literature, art and sports to government, politics, activism and law, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have significantly contributed to and enriched various facets of American life. Over time, AAPI people, stories, and traditions have become more visible, with Michelle Yeoh taking home an Oscar for Best Actress, Bong Joon Ho winning Academy Awards for both Best Picture and Best Director for his film Parasite, Marvel launching its first-ever Asian superhero, and Kamala Harris becoming the first AAPI (and female) Vice President of the United States.



As our people spotlights show, representation matters—especially since AAPI people have such a long history in the United States. Records show that Asians first migrated to what is now known as the United States over 15,000 years ago, crossing the Bering Land Bridge that connected Asia with North America. This defeats the painful stereotype that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are perpetual foreigners, which entails the idea that they are inherently foreign, other and not truly American.



At Media.Monks, we empower our employees to build, innovate and work together as one team where everyone can feel like they belong and have a voice. Our focus is on fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment by treating people the way they want to be treated, encouraging colleagues to raise their voices, and working together to complement our differences and learn from one another. This ultimately helps create space for employees to share their unique identities and affinities and celebrate both contrasting and common life experiences.



In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month—and the fact that AAPI people are the fastest growing racial group in the United States—members of our AAPI community have come together to reflect on and celebrate their unique histories and heritage.

Nikki Azuma, Office Support Assistant

San Francisco, California

I’ve been with Media.Monks for: 

1 year.

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you? Why is it important?

AAPI Heritage Month is a chance for me to celebrate not only my heritage, but other people’s Asian heritage as well. For the longest time, being Asian wasn’t cool—and as I reflect about those early years, I realize that the lack of representation in American media was a huge factor in feelings of self-loathing. It wasn’t until anime really started making a mainstay that I started to appreciate and connect with my Japanese heritage. I think it’s really important to be proud of your heritage, to be able to share aspects of it with others in a safe environment, and to show respect to people who are from different cultures and upbringings. Often in discussing these things, we realize we have more similarities than differences!

What advice would you give to aspiring AAPI professionals?

My mom wanted me to graduate college, become a nurse and settle down with a nice Asian boy. Only one of those things happened. The choices I have made throughout my career have allowed me to discover what I really love and excel at: administrative work. Follow your heart, don’t feel like you’re trapped in a box of expectations, and have faith that the decisions you make will eventually work out. 

The theme for AAPI Heritage Month in 2023 is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” What does that mean for you?

It all starts with an opportunity, doesn’t it? I was given the opportunity to join this company, and now I feel like I’m thriving. My manager is amazing and gives me ample opportunities to make the office a better place than it was yesterday. Opportunities only take you so far though; it takes recognition and support from those who work both with and “above” you to be successful and make an impact. Every day, I am thankful that I was given this opportunity—but I also recognize that I was afforded some privileges that are not available to all people. The essentiality of recognizing privilege and using that to help uplift others allows me to feel more like “we advanced” versus “I advanced.”

How will you celebrate AAPI Heritage Month this year?

I will celebrate AAPI Heritage Month the same way I celebrate heritage every month: by developing a unique ethnic menu for our office’s lunch program, thereby supporting people of that heritage and promoting their brick-and-mortar restaurant (if applicable) by sharing information about it with our team. I often think about how I would like my heritage to be represented, and make sure to apply that same respect in representing another culture. So this month, we’ll be supporting all Asian-owned businesses!

Who inspires you from the AAPI community and why?

While not Asian American, I really love and respect Michelle Yeoh. I remember being in 6th grade, watching Wing Chun and realizing that being an Asian woman could mean kicking @$$. Watching her acceptance speech for winning an Oscar really deepened my love and respect for her, because she earned, deserved and most importantly OWNED that win.

Describe (if you have one) a moment in your family's story that can serve as an inspirational historical moment. 

I’m also half Chinese with strong females on the maternal side. My great-grandmother was a living legend. She lived through two world wars, watched us go from rotary phones to cell phones, and immigrated here as a paper daughter. She lived to be 109 years old, traversing the steep inclines of Chinatown until she was 95 and being in complete control of her faculties until she was 102. Her history of survival, struggles, and finally successes reminds me every day that I am also strong and that I can also overcome challenges.

Jeffrey Leong, VP Biz Ops

San Francisco, California

I’ve been with Media.Monks for: 

7 years.

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you? Why is it important?

AAPI Heritage Month represents an opportunity to learn about and celebrate the diverse cultures, histories and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. It's important to me to celebrate as many cultures as we can and show respect to all backgrounds.

What advice would you give to aspiring AAPI professionals?

Identify what goals you want to achieve and then create a roadmap to reach those goals. Separately, if it is important to you, embrace your cultural identity—your heritage is an integral part of who you are, and it can be a source of strength and inspiration in your professional journey. 

The theme for AAPI Heritage Month in 2023 is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” What does that mean for you?

It's important that we give opportunities at Media.Monks to folks of all different backgrounds. We seek to be a merit-based organization and this theme embodies that ethos.

How will you celebrate AAPI Heritage Month this year?

Food! My favorite way to celebrate my own culture and those of others is by experiencing cuisine with other people. 

Who inspires you from the AAPI community and why?

My parents and family for their work ethic, perseverance and unity. 

Describe (if you have one) a moment in your family's story that can serve as an inspirational historical moment. 

My grandmother was the first Chinese-American Woman to own her own real estate brokerage in San Francisco. My family and I are very proud of that and of all the hard work and determination that went into that achievement.

Vivian Huang, Senior Strategist

San Francisco, California

I’ve been with Media.Monks for: 

4 years.

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you? Why is it important?

AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect on our roots and honor our heritage. It's a time for us to come together and share our experiences as Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to celebrate our diverse histories and identities. It's an important time of the year because Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders contributed a lot throughout American history, but our accomplishments and contributions are often glossed over. As Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, it's our job to be vocal and proud about who we are and what we bring to society. 

What advice would you give to aspiring AAPI professionals?

Do not be afraid to go into a field that is “untraditional.” Culturally, we are often told that a career such as being a doctor or an engineer is the only path forward. While those fields are certainly respectable, they’re not the only option. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can be artists and entertainers and so much more—we have just as much right and talent as anyone else to exist in every industry. By breaking the mold, we can pave the way for future generations to explore things that they're passionate about and chase their dreams.

The theme for AAPI Heritage Month in 2023 is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” What does that mean for you?

“Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity” means improving access to executives and influencers for AAPI professionals. It's about breaking structural barriers as well as the misconception that AAPI professionals are hard workers, but not good leaders. It's also about creating a safe space and a platform for AAPI professionals to be more vocal and visible. This starts with organizations understanding the diversity of the AAPI workforce and what barriers or challenges we face, addressing mental health needs or concerns, and truly analyzing whether leadership within an organization is systematically alienating AAPI professionals.

How will you celebrate AAPI Heritage Month this year?

I love podcasts and I've started to listen to a new one—AsianBossGirl (ABG)—which is a podcast by three Asian women about the modern day Asian-American female experience. In addition to that, I will definitely try to support more local Asian-owned businesses and look to connect with fellow AAPI professionals as much as possible.

Who inspires you from the AAPI community and why?

Bernice Chao and Jessalin Lam. They're the co-founders of Asians in Advertising, which is a community created for AAPI professionals to foster connections and opportunities, thereby helping Asians elevate to higher positions within the advertising industry. In an industry that's traditionally been a “boys only club,” it's really great to see two Asian women, who are both in positions of leadership within their respective organizations, help bring an underrepresented community together.

Sterling Stovall, Art Director

San Francisco, California

I’ve been with Media.Monks for: 

3 years. 

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you? Why is it important?

I think AAPI Heritage Month is a special time when we can come together to celebrate everything the Asian community has done and how it continues to influence our culture today. It means a lot to me that we are continually seeing more and more Asian representation in our everyday lives, whether that’s in mainstream media or just in the workforce. It’s important because growing up, I didn’t really see as much representation happening, so it’s nice to see that progress is being made.

What advice would you give to aspiring AAPI professionals?

My advice would be to lean into your culture, take risks with what you can do, and be unabashedly yourself. The world and the workplace are a lot better when we have people bringing their unique personalities and perspectives to the table. Also, don’t base your status of success on where someone else is in their journey—we all walk our own timelines and that’s okay.

The theme for AAPI Heritage Month in 2023 is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.” What does that mean for you?

To me, this theme means that we’re trying to do better by giving qualified and deserving candidates the opportunity to succeed and represent our country—because right now, it still seems that diversity is a problem in our government representation. I can only hope that as we move forward into the future, we not only have more Asian representation, but our government is an actual representation of what our country looks like.

How will you celebrate AAPI Heritage Month this year?

I will celebrate by spending time with my family, watching a bunch of Asian-influenced movies, and eating delicious Asian cuisine.

Who inspires you from the AAPI community and why?

Growing up, I was always inspired by Jackie Chan. My mom introduced me to him when I was very young and I just loved how he infused his martial art movies with comedy. The fact that he was tough and silly at the same time was something that I really looked up to. It’s amazing to see his dedication to the art and all the work he puts into his stunts, no matter how much it takes to get the perfect shot.

More recently, the cast and crew of Everything Everywhere All at Once inspired me, because they took an insane concept and executed it to perfection with barely any budget. I love all the recognition and awards it’s getting and how it has blasted to the forefront of the entertainment industry.

Describe (if you have one) a moment in your family's story that can serve as an inspirational historical moment. 

My mom is an inspiration to me because she immigrated to the US from Vietnam when she was only 14. While she didn’t know the language, she was trying to spearhead a better life in the States. She worked hard to develop a life out here and raise her kids. She taught me the value of kindness and hard work and I’ll always love her for that. She makes me proud to be a Vietnamese American.

Originally, Hispanic Heritage Week was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson—established by legislation sponsored by Representative Edward R. Roybal—to recognize the influence of Hispanic Americans on the history and culture of the United States. Twenty years later, Representative Esteban Edward Torres sponsored legislation to expand that week into a month, a law that President Ronald Reagan signed in 1988.

Hispanic identity is a broad spectrum, and the timing of Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with a series of significant events, milestones and achievements across the community. September 15 is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores, when Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued a call-to-arms that triggered the Mexican War of Independence. This war ended with the independence of not only modern-day Mexico, but also Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16; Chile celebrates theirs September 18. Finally, Indigenous People’s Day, which honors the Indigenous populations of the Americas, falls under Hispanic Heritage Month in October.

While Hispanic Heritage Month offers a moment to reflect and celebrate the diversity of our community, we’ve built our culture around people-centric values designed to promote a sense of belonging and empower our people each day. Part of fostering an environment of inclusion means encouraging people to raise their voices. To that end, we support the creation of community groups like the Cultura.Monks, some of whom you’ll meet below. In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, they have come together to reflect on and celebrate the history of their communities.

Where are you located? 

Charlotte, North Carolina

How long have you been with Media.Monks?

Four months - I'm a newbie!

Tell us more about your role.

Embedded at Google, I support marketing efforts for Grow with Google through media planning and strategy. I work collaboratively to create advanced and holistic media plans to drive great brand/product awareness, content discoverability, viewership and ultimately conversion, resulting in a delightful user experience.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of extreme pride in my roots. This month represents and celebrates the resilience of all the people who sacrificed so much to leave their homes and chase a dream or a better life in this country. It means a celebration of merged races & cultures, resulting in so many beautiful people. It's a celebration of our roots, our homelands, our delicious food, our contagious music and everything else in between. The fact that Hispanic Heritage Month even exists is an honor. I am honored that my home country celebrates the contributions and impact of my fellow Latinos. 

What is a moment in history that has influenced your life or career, or that resonates with you?

As a Latina and first-generation American, the Obama election in 2008 will resonate with me forever. I was still a teenager at the time. Regardless of any political beliefs, seeing him win gave me hope. It inspired me to push boundaries and go further than the norm. He didn't only impact my life, but also inspired me in the professional realm. There have been MANY times throughout my career where I've been the only minority in the room.  It encouraged me to embrace all our cultural differences, because that's when we as a nation have the most positive impact. His impact on me was that through good, honest, hard work, you can essentially defeat all odds. It encouraged me that America was embracing change—in a good way. I wrote him a letter a couple of years ago detailing how he impacted me and my community—and I actually got a response back. His impact will resonate forever with me. 

Is there a Latinx or Latine leader, past or present, who inspires you?

Minerva Mirabal's life work was very inspiring to me. She was a political activist and one of the pioneers in the resistance movement against a corrupt dictator in the Dominican Republic in the 1950s. The UN observes International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on the 25th of November. The date marks the brutal assassination in 1960 of Minerva Mirabal, alongside her two sisters. There've been lots of great books and movies written about her—check out Julia Alvarez's (shout-out to her as well) "In the Time of the Butterflies." She's inspired me because of her courage and her tenacity: she dared to be brave in a man's world and actually made a difference. She was a mother and a family woman but still fought for her future and her country's. I think her story is super inspirational.

Where are you located?

Born, raised and currently reside in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles.

How long have you been with Media.Monks (If you came from a merged company feel free to include your time there as well)?

I just completed my first incredible year at the company!

Tell us more about your role.

My official title is Retoucher/Designer. Every day is a new challenge (which I love), and the position gives me the opportunity to learn new methods and keep advancing my skills. 

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

As a first-generation Mexican American, It gives me the opportunity to reconnect with my upbringing and be able to share in my culture and history with my kids.

What is a moment in history that has influenced your life or career, or that resonates with you?

I would have to say it would be discovering punk rock music. It not only taught me to question everything and be open-minded, but also the idea that I can do things myself. There are no set of rules in life that you have to follow, and discovering what you can accomplish on your own or with a group of like-minded individuals really inspires me to try new things.

Is there a Latinx or Latine leader, past or present, who inspires you?

I have no single person that I can list, but my main inspirations are of course, my family and all the hard work they put in for my brothers and me to have a better life. I'm also inspired by those around me who are accomplishing big things and knocking out some goals. I'm a huge believer in supporting each other and being there for those that believe in you!

Where are you located?

Santa Clara, CA (Bay Area)

How long have you been with Media.Monks (If you came from a merged company feel free to include your time there as well)? 

I’ve been at Media.Monks (formerly Firewood Marketing) for eight and a half years and counting!

Tell us more about your role.

After spending over seven years supporting embedded digital media programs for Google, I transitioned to the “Buy Team” to co-lead the Google media team on the agency side (non-embedded team). I help support a group of talented media planners, media buyers, operation leads, and analysts to identify, develop, and execute the right media program across a myriad of Google product teams.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Personally, Hispanic Heritage Month means awareness to our roots—an opportunity to reflect and commemorate milestones and accomplishments of Hispanic Americans over the course of our history. Also, it’s very important to assess where we stand today and ask ourselves, “Who are our biggest influencers through politics, education, leadership?” And how can we continue our journey to mark an impact for Hispanic Americans and all minorities?

What is a moment in history that has influenced your life or career, or that resonates with you?

For anyone, I feel the impact of being a parent deeply shapes your life. For all that have worked with me, you know about Katheryn!  But career-wise, learning of my passion towards marketing was the pivotal point in my career. I started my tech career in sales, but shortly after I changed my focus towards marketing for its flexibility to not only “sell” but influence brands, decisions, and our everyday lives. 

Is there a Latinx or Latine leader, past or present, who inspires you?

Sylvia Mendez and her family, for helping set the stage for Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954. Civil rights activists Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta for their contributions to the farmworkers’ movement, immigration reform and various other legislative action campaigns. In sports, Jim Plunkett, the first Latino to win the Heisman Trophy in 1970, and Tom Flores, the first Latino starting quarterback in professional football, who later became the first Latino head coach in professional football. I admire them all for their great courage and tenacity to change minds and perspectives, and for setting course for future generations.

Where are you located? 

San Francisco

How long have you been with Media.Monks (If you came from a merged company feel free to include your time there as well)? 

Over two and a half years now, originally from Firewood.

Tell us more about your role. 

I'm the Associate Director for P&E Developer on the Google Media Team. I work across 15 or so product areas, aligning digital media strategy and process to ensure campaign success! I am also on the board for the Pride.Monks community group.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? 

While I'm not a fan of Hispanic as a name for the community, I appreciate this moment as a way to honor and celebrate the contributions of my community in the context of American and world history. On a more personal note, it's really important to showcase the diversity within the community. Like Pride.Monks, Cultura.Monks is full of people from different countries, backgrounds and traditions. It's really great to see that spectrum represented, especially during this month.

What is a moment in history that has influenced your life or career, or that resonates with you?

Rita Moreno EGOT-ing is one thing that comes to mind for me. It's a great celebration of what Latinx excellence looks like in pop culture, and I don't think we give her enough flowers. On the flipside of that, Selena getting memorialized in her own film was a significant moment for the culture! Even people who aren't Latinx know who she is because of that movie. I think that release marked a moment for me when I really felt my culture was being represented in an authentic way.

Is there a Latinx or Latine leader, past or present, who inspires you? 

Aside from the above icons, I think Frida Kahlo is a great example of Latinx excellence. I do photography on the side, and I'm inspired by Frida's magic realism point of view that comes from a uniquely Mexican POV. Frida is also a gender fluid queer icon, so I really appreciate the intersectionality of their impact.