AAPI Heritage Month: Kimberly Kam, ABOC, breaking barriers in banking

Following Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in May, Kimberly Kam, Senior Vice President and Sales Director for Union Commercial Services at the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago (ABOC), joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast. She discussed her journey as an Asian American in the financial sector, strategies for overcoming cultural challenges and her involvement in empowering entrepreneurs in low-income countries.

From her roots in China to her current leadership role at ABOC, Kam's career trajectory is one of adaptability and perseverance. She emphasized embracing cultural differences and building confidence in professional settings, particularly for minority professionals. Kam shared insights on overcoming gender bias and the importance of self-advocacy for AAPI professionals, urging them to distinguish their contributions using "I" statements alongside team accomplishments.

Kam’s focus shifted to ABOC's commitment to diversity and union-friendly practices. Her role is focused on expanding union-focused services beyond Chicago and driving measurable results. Kam discussed creating internal processes and reporting mechanisms that have led to exceeding performance targets. These new processes have allowed her and ABOC to better serve their union base and grow beyond the local Chicago area.

Finally, Kam discussed her involvement with Sunday, a nonprofit organization providing zero-interest loans to entrepreneurs in low-income countries. She described the initiative as a demonstration of how banking expertise can be leveraged for global social impact. Kam said the initiative empowers small business owners with life-changing loans and promotes economic development in underserved communities.

Listen to the full episode for more insights on breaking barriers in finance and making a global impact.