# DLA Energy employees celebrate cultural heritage

/ Published May 22, 2023
FORT BELVOIR, Va., 
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have played a meaningful role in making America dynamic and diverse, Defense Logistics Agency Energy’s commander said in a virtual and in-person celebration of the groups’ heritage May 16 at the McNamara Headquarters Complex auditorium.

“We’ve had enormous contributions when it comes to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, industry and government,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas, who swapped his service’s crisp, blue uniform for a breezy “barong tagalog.”

                Defense Logistics Agency Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas poses for a photo with Kathleen Hanako Doherty, Strategic Planning Team lead for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, after an Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event May 16, 2023, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Doherty participated in a personal capacity as an Asian American federal employee and delivered the keynote address. Photo by Chris Lynch                            230516-D-HE260-2056                            Defense Logistics Agency Energy Commander Air Force Brig. Gen. Jimmy Canlas poses for a photo with Kathleen Hanako Doherty, Strategic Planning Team lead for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, after an Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event May 16, 2023, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Doherty participated in a personal capacity as an Asian American federal employee and delivered the keynote address. Photo by Chris Lynch            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Chris Lynch DLA PhotographerVIRIN: 230516-D-HE260-2056The Filipino American described his shirt as the traditional formal dress for men in the Philippines, where the weather is often too hot and humid for business suits. They’re typically made of pineapple fiber and are too fragile for standard washers and dryers.

Canlas highlighted achievements of Asian Americans who’ve defended the nation. Filipinos living in Louisiana sided with Americans to fight the British in the War of 1812. And one of the most decorated military units still today is the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, largely made up of second-generation Nisei Japanese soldiers.

“My grandfather was a Philippine Scout who eventually joined the U.S. Army during World War II. He was one of Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s drivers and was later captured and was a survivor of the Bataan Death March,” he said.

His father also served 20 years as a Seabee for a Navy construction battalion and did two tours in Vietnam.

“Both of these men instilled in me a sense of purpose and pride to give back to this nation, all in the name of freedom,” Canlas said.

The event, hosted by the DLA Energy Acquisition Workforce Development Team, also featured Kathleen Hanako Doherty, Strategic Planning Team lead for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, who participated in a personal capacity as an Asian American federal employee. She emphasized the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month theme, “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunities.”

The daughter of an Asian American mother from Japan and Irish American father from New Hampshire, Doherty shared three lessons she’s learned about good leadership by observing others, making mistakes and adopting others’ best practices.

The first is to be the best version of yourself and be authentic. Early in her career, Doherty thought being a good leader meant modeling the behavior of her leaders. But while they were extroverts, she’s a strong introvert, and pushing herself to be more talkative and outgoing – even when she didn’t need to – made her less successful.

“Eventually, I learned to value my own strengths, traits and idiosyncrasies and develop a leadership style of my own,” she said. “I’m getting a lot of praise for how I lead now.”

Lesson No. 2: Lead by example. Doherty discovered the best way to achieve a welcoming environment was to model behaviors she wanted to see in others. Wishing for more individual praise she’d become used to in a previous position, for example, she started publicly praising colleagues in staff meetings. It was infectious.

“Over time, I started to see my colleagues give individual praise. It was kind of cool to see that I could have that kind of impact,” she said.

                Nicholas Ignacio, division chief of the EProcurement Division for the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Procurement Process Support Directorate, moderates a panel discussion with Calvin Collosi, a DLA Energy deployment specialist, and Ju Young Lee, a DLA Energy contract specialist, during the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event May 16, 2023, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Vivian Kim, a DLA Energy management analyst in Hawaii, also participated virtually. Photo by Chris Lynch                            230516-D-HE260-2034                            Nicholas Ignacio, division chief of the EProcurement Division for the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Procurement Process Support Directorate, moderates a panel discussion with Calvin Collosi, a DLA Energy deployment specialist, and Ju Young Lee, a DLA Energy contract specialist, during the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event May 16, 2023, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Vivian Kim, a DLA Energy management analyst in Hawaii, also participated virtually. Photo by Chris Lynch            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Chris Lynch DLA PhotographerVIRIN: 230516-D-HE260-2034Being willing to learn and confront personal, unconscious biases was Doherty’s third lesson. Exploring the concepts of inclusion, equity and accessibility helped her realize she has a lifelong role in creating an environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of their background.

“It was hard to realize I wasn’t as open minded about things as I thought I was,” she added. “I had to contemplate a lot about who I thought I was and who I really wanted to be.”

She encouraged employees to turn feelings of discomfort into opportunities to understand others and learn.

A panel discussion among DLA Energy employees highlighted ways individuals can promote diversity and inclusion. Embrace other cultures, be accepting of individual differences and treat DLA team members like families were among key points shared by Vivian Kim, a management analyst who joined virtually from Hawaii; Calvin Collosi, a deployment specialist; and Ju Young Lee, a contract specialist.

The event concluded with a reminder from Gabby Earhardt, head of the DLA Energy Contracting Activity, that common threads unite Americans of all heritages.

“Thousands of people immigrate to the United States every year from different parts of the world to have access to opportunities. That is what’s known as the American dream. To make this a greater reality for all members of the DLA Energy family, I encourage you to recognize that we all share in a responsibility to do more and create meaningful change,” she said.

The next Acquisition Workforce Development Team event will be the DLA Energy Acquisition Workforce Symposium June 13-15.