workshop team
Founder | Executive Director | Lead Story Coach
I constantly wonder how we create socially-conscious leadership that unites rather than divides. During my years in education, I heard stories from students that revealed the heart behind smiles, the burden behind hard work, the trauma behind negligence. These stories were not unlike my own. The ones I never told anyone. I created Listen for a Change so that others have the support to face and the courage to tell their stories. But more importantly, so that we all have a space to listen.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thaichu/
Board Member | Story Coach
I am a lover of storytelling in all forms: writing, film, theatre... Listen for a Change, however, added a new love of storytelling that pushed me beyond characters, cinematic views, and dialogue. It just requires me and my truth. I am a Bay Area Native with roots in Pittsburg and a heartbeat in Oakland. I use writing and education to fight for social justice, so it would only makes sense that I am a part of this organization that uses storytelling as a form to ignite change.
Board Member | Story Coach
I believe that every single person has an important and powerful story to tell. Over the past decade, I have had the privilege of traveling the country to tell stories and to coach others in their storytelling. I have always known of the power of stories, but I had never seen it so clear until I attended my first Listen for a Change event. I was forever...wait for it...changed, and I knew that this was a movement that I needed to be a part of.
Story Coach
People—and the essence of our individual and collective stories—are my passion. As a first-gen kid, I've seen firsthand how stories connect us. I believe storytelling allows people to feel seen and to be their best, most authentic selves. I bring this to life as a branding and recruitment professional and a county mental health board member committed to ensuring that first-person perspectives—and education—on social justice and mental health topics are more readily available to people across differences. I believe it's a pivotal time in our history to bring marginalized folks to the forefront, and I'm honored to work with Listen for a Change planting important seeds of story and connection.
Program Coordinator
Looking back, story time took form in many ways throughout my childhood: like reading The Baby-Sitters club aloud with Mom in our living room or as a witness to the adult dinner table where Dad and the Tito's led animated (read: loud) discussions in Tagalog. In both ways, I felt a strong sense of connectedness as both a storyteller and a listener. I have led with this feeling in both personal and professional ways, especially when inspiring volunteers to do mission-driven work throughout Chicago, New York City, and San Francisco. Returning back to my roots in the Bay Area and reconnecting with this community has been the most fulfilling part of being on the Listen for a Change team.
storytelling team
Podcast Producer
I am fascinated by people’s stories, particularly those that are right at the margin of public consciousness. I love consuming various storytelling podcasts like This American Life and Radiolab, because they feature relatable stories from distinct yet random places that demonstrate how connected we all are. After attending my first Listen for a Change event, I wanted to help the organization develop a podcast of its own to help amplify the storytellers’ voices and connect a wider audience to their powerful stories that can truly expand one’s perspective.
Event Photographer
As a photographer, I love exploring behind the camera; absorbed in seeing, creating and capturing stories. Documenting story hours for Listen for a Change is an enriching opportunity to make meaningful photos that can have an impact and help foster new, powerful and compassionate narratives.
Events Coordinator
It wasn't until I left my beautiful, but liberal sanctuary hometown of Madison, Wisconsin that I realized I in fact had not been truly listening to, rather than just refraining from interrupting stories that differed from my own. Joining the Listen for a Change team has taught me the immense value in respecting another's experience, opinions, and vulnerability, for in such divided times we must bridge, rather than widen our gaps.
Events Coordinator
Events Coordinator
One day back in 2016, I was scrolling though Facebook and saw an event that read "Listen for A Change: Immigration, Black Lives Matter, Transgender Rights." I was inspired by an event that encompassed such important and controversial topics in one setting, and I knew I had be a part of it. I've grown with this amazing community that I continue to learn from, and I continue to promote the power of storytelling with everyone in my personal life.
Video Producer
I am a firm believer in the power of photo and film to act as vehicles for social change, and I love Listen for a Change for bringing people together around that. I believe that everyone has a story to tell, and that their story has the potential to change someone else’s life. As the son of two immigrants, my multi-ethnic background drives my everyday life and is the lens through which I see and understand the world.
Video Producer
I am a photographer/videographer who grew up in Herndon, VA, a culturally diverse area which helped me develop a respect for people who are different from me from a young age. Through living in the Bay, I learned to not just sympathize with social issues and the challenges that many people face - I didn't want to be a bystander anymore. I’m lucky to have the opportunity to work with Listen for a Change, producing photo and video content to spread mission driven stories.
Marketing
Marketing Coordinator
One of my greatest motivators as a marketer is to expose the hard realities of my home country, Nicaragua, to a broader, global audience. I was born in and currently reside in a country that is full of injustice and corruption that most greatly impacts poorer and rural citizens. I feel our stories need to be shared. Listen for a Change has allowed me to use my skills and learn about storytelling as a medium to connect people through their stories.
Marketing Coordinator
I am an avid researcher of subjects concerning our society, the forces that drive it, and the relentless ability of people to come together and overcome challenges. Professionally, that has taken form as a researcher, writer, and marketer for emerging technologies that have the ability to upend and redefine power structures, opening doors and providing pathways towards equality. I believe the stories and experiences we share with each other have the ability to build relationships and bridges that mutually aid all of us as we seek whatever it is we value in whatever communities we identify support, love, courage, and inspiration.
Marketing Consultant
I believe in the power of clear, honest, and open-minded communication--the kind that breaks down barriers and moves faraway mountains closer together. My journey with Listen for a Change began when I shared a life-defining story on its stage, and in opening my heart, I've found countless connections and seen the profound and immeasurable ripples that stories have in the world. Every day, I strive to create barrier-breaking, connection-building, mountain-moving work with this organization. I know it works. I have been the recipient of its magic.
Marketing Consultant
I grew up in a bubble: I was born and raised in San Jose by Vietnamese parents who immigrated to America in the 1970s. I didn't speak English fluently until late grade school and all my friends were other middle class, suburban Vietnamese American kids. Growing up, I always sought new people with new perspectives, but I didn't know my world was so small until I was an adult. Being a part of the Listen for a Change community has allowed me to continue my journey. In times when our country is more divided than ever, Listen for a Change's mission is more important than ever. The surefire path to compassion is through listening. Keep your ears open and eventually your heart will follow.
Admin // Consultants
Operations Consultant
I believe in the power of a shared experience. In a time when we are reminded ever more frequently and readily about how we are different, I'm inspired by the Listen for a Change mission to unite our divisions with powerful storytelling. As a strategic partner, I'm thrilled to work with Listen for a Change to amplify the voices of the marginalized and encourage respect and compassion for one another in the face of the forces aiming to alienate.
Special Projects Consultant
I believe that if we only stop to hear others' stories, we'll be more compassionate, global citizens. Through my full-time job at Team4Tech, I bring technology professionals to under served communities globally to advance the quality of education and also bridge global understanding. Listen for a Change fulfills my passion in advancing understanding and work in social justice and I hope many more people are able to open their ears, hearts, and minds to powerful stories around them.