Jihyun Julianne Lee:
Co-Founder, Korea Chapter Co-Head
As a “dreamer, storyteller, and change creator”, Fireside is one of Julianne’s many dreams to build a community of leaders who care about making a positive impact in the world and who will lead the future of Asia with values of friendship, openness and respect.
“Fireside community is my board of advisers on life’s many questions, a source of insight about leadership, and a reassuring reminder that although we are from different cultures, we share the same values about creating a better future. Fireside is also about connecting like-minded individuals to create a vast network that will act as the underpinning of friendship and cooperation in Asia as we face the numerous challenges of our generation. But above all, something magical happens at each Fireside retreat – deeply moving and personal stories are shared; feelings of empathy reverberate; laughter abounds; and we all come out a bit wiser and closer. Fireside is all that is best about redefining success and happiness. As the African saying goes – if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
James Kondo:
Co-Founder, Japan Chapter Co-Head
James and other Fireside founders want to contribute to “make the rise of Asia a positive force for humanity”. Asia is growing economically, politically, and militarily. However, more power, in itself, does not make the world a better place.
“Fireside is, first and foremost, a community of Asian leaders who are committed to becoming better human beings. Unless Asian leaders exemplify positive values, the rise of Asia has little hope of contributing to humanity. For me, each Fireside is a ‘moment of truth’ – where I check in with my true self, reflect on my daily life, and get counsel from trusted friends. The transparency, honesty, and the genuine concern that we bring to one another is what makes this community unique in Asia. Each Fireside is also an opportunity to pause from our hectic lives to learn how to live a more healthy, authentic life. Sessions on various Asian traditions of meditation, arts, eating, and exercise are conducted so that we can put them into practice and share them with our friends. We also support cultural initiatives in each Fireside location so we can build stronger ties with communities that host us. Fireside is compelling to me because it places the responsibility of Asia on each of us – to be better human beings, to respect one another, to celebrate one another’s culture, and to dedicate ourselves to practicing and sharing with the world the very best that Asia has to offer. I have hope in the future of Asia because Fireside gives me that hope – of what it could be, and what we must make it to be.”
Joseph Kim:
Co-Founder, Korea Chapter Co-Head
Joseph sees Fireside as an opportunity for the leaders of Asia develop and grow together as people and as professional. A place where we can rely on one another for support and encouragement.
“As we ascend in our respective fields, there is decreasing opportunity for us leaders to gain support and encouragement from our peers. We all need someone to genuinely share our most difficult decisions, pains and joy. I see Fireside as the right place to do such things, among friends and colleagues. We can clearly and honestly share the things on our minds.”
Yat Siu:
Greater China Chapter Co-Head
By engaging leaders in Asia to learn, grow and create deeper friendships based on cultural exchange and mutual respect we are creating a trusted network of individuals in Asia who share a sense of altruism for the region.
“What does it mean to be Asian? Gaps already exist between our Asian identity vs. our National ones and as the region rises economically and politically these gaps continue to expand. Fireside represents to me a community of National leaders who are prepared to define being Asian as a positive and enlightening force and to bring out the best attributes and values of being Asian. In the process of our meetings and sharing we bridge these gaps through understanding, listening and friendship.”
Oliver Spiesshofer:
Greater China Chapter Co-Head
“Everyone is a foreigner – almost everywhere”. Oliver strives to create a network that fosters friendships and intimate cultural understanding across Asia. Extending our home from one single location to an Asian network through sharing, understanding and involvement will create the bridges that we will walk to a better future, for us and the people who surround us.
“Having left my home country in 1990, turning each location I moved to into a new home required to study new languages, understand cultures and to build new friendships. In a fast shrinking world, having a network which prime goal is to create cultural exchange and to build friendships across a whole continent is a dream come true. Challenging the perceptions of myself as well as of the countries that I visit while sharing through constructive discussions and strong friendships is an opportunity that I am very grateful for.”