In their own words: Maggie Chan Jones on AAPI Month

In 2018, after spending more than 20 years in the tech industry, primarily in big tech, I founded a company called Tenshey Inc., whose mission is to advance diversity in the workplace. Throughout my career, I didn’t really see a lot of women or ethnic minorities in leadership roles. And that was the reason I wanted to make it a mission of mine—to help increase the number of women and diverse leaders. (“Tenshi” means “angel” in Japanese.)

[Editor’s Note: Chan Jones was the first woman to become the Global Chief Marketing Officer for SAP, the world’s largest enterprise application software company. In 2017, she was named one of Forbes’ Top 20 World’s Most Influential CMOs. She has also held key positions at iconic tech companies such as Microsoft and Level 3 Communications. In addition to serving on the USTA Board of Directors, she also serves on the board of directors for three global tech companies.]

With Tenshey, we have Women Sponsorship Programs that look to foster a culture of inclusion in companies, and we help to elevate diverse talent through executive and career coaching. I’m proud to say that Tenshey has been recognized by Inc. Magazine with the 2021 Best in Business award, and by Diversity Journal with the 2020 Innovations in Diversity Award.

I’ve had a lot of mentors throughout my career, but what’s also been key for me—and others—are “sponsors.” Mentors are the people who shine the light at the door for you; sponsors are the ones who kick the door open for you. In the corporate setting, if you do your work and keep your head down, it is not enough to get you to the top. But what will propel you forward is getting recognized for your work and getting recognized for your potential. At Tenshey, we work with organizations to foster executive sponsorships of high potential diverse leaders. This also applies in the tennis world, too. How do you help someone grow into a professional leadership role at a club, organization or company, or into general management? You need sponsors to really help open those doors.

I know that in my career, I wouldn’t have gotten to this point without sponsors. When Covid hit, I took time to write a book about how sponsors help. In “Decoding Sponsorship,” I share the stories and lessons I’ve learned throughout my career, how “sponsorship” has played such a key role in my and others’ careers, and how it multiplies the influence when it comes to cultures of belonging, diversity, equity and inclusion.

For me, personally, Asian-American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a good reminder of my own Asian culture and upbringing and how it has helped shape who I am today. I think diversity, equity and inclusion are so important in all things—in tennis, in the USTA itself, in all businesses and organizations. This is where we are our strongest. I’m so proud of the diversity we have on the USTA board and of our mission to make tennis and the USTA look like America.

Tennis is so many things for me. It’s a great way to get unplugged from my work. It’s terrific physical exercise and mental wellness, and it sharpens my thinking when it comes to business challenges. But it’s also very social—the friends I’ve made through tennis have become my support system, and I am part of their support system. I’m so grateful for this sport and the opportunities it affords, and I’m especially grateful that I’m able to give back through service on the USTA national board.

[Editor’s Note: Other honors Chan Jones has received include Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business (2021) by Asian American Business Development Center, Women of the Decade in Marketing, Branding and Communication (2018) by Women Economic Forum; and Woman of the Year (2014) by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications.]