The month of May is both Asian Heritage Month in Canada and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the US, a period for recognizing the contribution and influence of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) heritage to the history, culture, and accomplishments of North America.
With 41% of the global workforce identifying as a person of color*, lululemon is committed to uplifting diverse voices and identities and inspiring those of all diversities to embrace their cultural values. lululemon is proud to honor this month within its North American collective and shine a spotlight on leaders who exemplify the spirit of the API community and foster cultures of inclusion, innovation, and empowerment within the organization.
Among these inspiring leaders is Mandy Bhullar, Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Action (IDEA), a driving force behind building community and partnerships at lululemon. Bhullar’s leadership supports programs like lululemon’s People Networks and the Women Of program, which provide safe spaces for individuals of underrepresented identities and their allies to connect, grow, and support one another both personally and professionally.
As a South Asian leader, Bhullar embraces her cultural values and background as sources of strength, shaping a leadership style rooted in collective wellbeing, attentive listening, and fostering a sense of belonging.
“Embracing my authentic self in leadership positions has broadened my understanding of what it means to lead and empowers me to enrich the environments I’m part of with my cultural perspective,” said Bhullar. “As leaders of truly diverse teams, we will not share the same experiences or identities as every team member, but we can strive to understand them through curiosity and transparent communication.”
Jenny Chang McMullen, Senior Vice President of Store Development, has powerfully supported the elevation of lululemon’s real estate strategy over the years. Under her leadership, the store development team has been able to achieve numerous exciting milestones, from developing lululemon’s first experiential store in Chicago’s Lincoln Park, to bringing its Disney Springs store to life.
When reflecting on the influence of her API identity on her leadership journey, Chang McMullen holds the values instilled in her by her upbringing closely, which guide her to approach people and challenges with care and respect while leading with honesty and directness.
“At times many Asians feel conflicted in either living up to or going against the expectations associated with the label of model minorities, whether it be through not having the courage to speak up and offer a different perspective or too willing to defer to authority over creating your own path,” said Chang McMullen. “My leadership approach has evolved over time as I have come to realize how privileged I am to be amongst the few API leaders in a leadership capacity, especially within my industry. I take this responsibility seriously and strive to be the best version of myself as I represent my community.”
This year, in partnership with the Asian People Network, lululemon is hosting a series of internal community spotlights and learning workshops aimed at highlighting the API experience in North America. These initiatives are part of lululemon’s ongoing commitment to developing programs and initiatives that cultivate a culture of inclusion where diversity is celebrated, equity is the norm, and action is the commitment.
*This percentage includes data from North America, EMEA, Australia and New Zealand. Other parts of Asia are typically excluded when measuring lululemon’s racial employee data.