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From Hong Kong to Chicago to San Francisco, from Stanford to Salesforce.com to Hearsay Social, my professional life has certainly been filled with its fair share of ups and downs. Without a doubt, I would not be where I am today without the inspiring and intelligent role models and mentors that have helped me along the way.

Here are a few of the people who inspire me every day:

1) My parents

I was four when my family arrived in the U.S. from Hong Kong. Growing up in Chicago as a first-generation immigrant presented me with many challenges, from basic cultural differences to the language barrier. My school didn’t have a bilingual program, so they originally placed me in special classes for kids with speech impediments.

In spite of these obstacles, my parents encouraged me every step of they way. My father, an electrical engineer, helped nurture my interest in science and math early on, paving the way for my degrees in computer science. And my mother, a teacher, likewise motivated me to never stop learning and to always push myself harder. I have them to thank for offering me such a strong foundation for growth.

2) My colleagues at Hearsay Social

From the beginning, my co-founder Steve Garrity and I sought to hire employees from diverse backgrounds and experiences because we believed that would lead to better business decisions, greater creativity, and innovation. I’m immensely proud to say we were right, with the added bonus that I get to work with people who teach and inspire me every day. Nothing beats working alongside people who are passionate, creative, and laser-focused on coming together to build something bigger than themselves. We’re changing the world.

3) Great mentors like Sheryl Sandberg

You probably know Sheryl Sandberg as the COO of Facebook and driving force behind the incredible lean in movement, challenging women everywhere to be ambitious and courageous in their careers. To me, she is a dear friend and personal and professional inspiration.

After being too shy to approach her when we were both at Google, I was fortunate enough to have a second chance to connect with Sheryl a few years ago at a conference. That meeting ignited a supportive relationship that has led me to write a book about Facebook, start Hearsay Social, join the Starbucks board, and now lean in like she has to help other women.

She inspires me not because of the incredible work she does at Facebook, but because she does so in balance with her family life, while being a tremendous and giving friend, and now as an outspoken advocate for women.

In fact, I could write a very long blog post series about the long list of wonderful mentors who have touched my life-- from H.C. Liu when I was a college intern at Goldman Sachs Hong Kong to Alberto Savoia when I interned at his startup Agitar to Shona Brown at Google to George Hu, Kendall Collins, and Ariel Kelman at Salesforce.com to Craig Weatherup, who I have the privilege of serving alongside on the Starbucks board of directors.

And last, but certainly not least...

4) My husband

I’m incredibly lucky and humbled to have my parents, the Hearsay Social team, Sheryl, and countless others helping me, challenging me to be the best I can be every day.

Who or what is your professional inspiration?