Micron Technology Senior Director for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) Kia Hiang Tan oversees DEI for the Asia Pacific region. She creatively redesigned an employee community volunteering program in Singapore. As a model program, it has led to similar programs across the APAC region that achieved 80% participation in 2022. Kia spearheaded a committee to focus on Micron Gives initiatives, such as the Inspiring STEM education in girls and the young. Another initiative provides training and guidance on diverse leadership skills for high-potential technical leaders who become inclusion ambassadors.

At Micron, Kia supports the principle that everyone plays a part in the DEI journey, from frontline employees to the CEO. Forty-three percent of Micron’s workforce participates in the company’s 10 global employee resource groups (ERGs), exceeding the gold standard of 20% participation (according to DDR Advisors). The ERGs are Micron’s ambassadors of inclusion and align their strategies with business plans, including attracting critical talent at career fairs and sharing experiences with job candidates. Kia’s leadership strengths are empathy, resilience and tactfulness. She believes that active listening is crucial, and her diverse experience in different roles from finance to HR business systems has enabled her to establish trust with employees and leaders at all levels of the organization.

Favorite Quote: Everyone deserves to be treated respectfully regardless of their differences. Everyone should be valued for who they are and what they bring, all should have an equal chance to grow and thrive. Humanity is the foundation of our existence; empathy is what we should practice. — Anonymous