Check Out Jack Toan’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jack Toan.

Hi Jack, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 1979, my family fled Vietnam in the cover of night. We board a small boat and head out to sea on a journey of hope for freedom and a better life. We arrived in Hong Kong after 60 arduous days at sea and was placed in the refugee camp along with thousands of other who took the same journey. We were there for nearly 8 months as my father applied for asylum in various countries. Meanwhile a pastor of a small church in South Carolina heard about the plight of these boat people and began working with his congregation of 35 families to begin the process of sponsoring a family of strangers. We arrived in Walhalla, South Carolina in September 1979 to begin our new life. Those formative years shaped my perspective of community and service to other. Our family relocated to Southern California in 1987 to reconnect with families who have by then settled in Orange County. I finished high school in Garden Grove and attended UC Irvine thinking about a career in medicine. Shortly after starting college, I very suddenly lost my younger brother to cancer. That experience was traumatizing but it also led me on a chaotic journey of self-discovery. I eventually got married and had kids. I went back to school to get my MBA and was lucky enough to land a job at Wells Fargo where my career in philanthropy and community development began. My 18 years at Wells Fargo allowed me to do some wonderful and impactful work in the community. I met so many amazing people along the way. Then COVID hit. That period of time sent me on another journey and I left Wells Fargo to join a nonprofit that served the homeless where I eventually became the Co-CEO. After a few years, I transition to starting my own social impact consulting business which led to my current role as the inaugural Executive Director to start and build the Asian American Museum at Great Park in the City of Irvine.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey here has not been smooth. As a child I had a bone infection that caused a lot of worry for my parents with a lot of hospital visits. I also grew up in the time of war. When we left as refugees from Vietnam my family left everything. Our boat almost capsized as we were at sea and the conditions of the journey as well as refugee camp was not ideal. During the first few weeks after arriving in the US, the congregation of the church had to patrol our house because there were people in that town who did not want us there. Growing up in a place where there were no one like me outside of my family was quite difficult. I tried to fit in the best I could but I stood out as the foreigner. Then we moved to Orange County where I felt more at home because there were others who looked like me. But I didn’t feel like I fit in well either because I was too Americanized. Even what appeared to be a great job in the corporate world had its challenges. Although I grew up in American, I was still rooted in my own cultural heritage, mentality and behaviors. I found myself bouncing off the “bamboo ceiling”. With homelessness, it seems like people who work in this space just runs in circle and trying to push a huge boulder up a mountain with both hands tied behind their back. Now, I’m on to a new challenge to help bring the vision of unity and belonging through the Asian American Museum. There will always be challenges but I’ve learned that the trials and tribulations we face along the way builds resilience and grit which happens to be the foundation for success.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Most of my professional career have been in the social impact sector with experience in philanthropy, community development and non-profit executive leadership. I’m a social entrepreneur whose mission is to create an equitable world by strengthening the power of nonprofits and social change initiatives to create meaningful societal impact. I have also served in many leadership positions on various nonprofit boards. My varied hands-on experience puts me in the center of the cross-section where business, non-profit, civic and entrepreneurial leadership converge. This allows me to have a unique and creative perspective to quickly understand problems and come up with novel solutions. I’m proud of the many initiatives that I have had the privilege to contribute too but I am most excited about my current role. As the Executive Director of the Asian American Museum, I get to work on a visionary passion project to create a space to anchor our Asian American identity and place of belonging for future generations. the entirety of my experience, knowledge and contacts are directed at this legacy project that will create positive impact for generations to come.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There so many people who have come into my life who deserve credit for helping mold me into a better person. My parents taught me about sacrifice and grit. The church community that sponsored my family made a huge impact on the type of person I am today. Their collective and individual kindness to help a refugee family taught me the power of community when they put belief into action. The handful of teachers who poured into me left lasting impressions. Of course my wife whose love and wisdom provides me encouragement in tough times. My four children inspire me. My pastor who helped set me back on the right direction after years of pain from the loss of my brother. My community of Godly men who lift me up when times are difficult. The president at Wells Fargo who I started my career under was an example of leadership excellence. She cared deeply for her team but held everyone accountable. My late friend who went through thick and thin with me and was always there when I needed him. My museum steering committee who is providing guidance for me on this current journey. I am blessed to have an abundant community of friends and colleagues who constantly cheer me on.

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacktoan
• Other: https://www.aamuseumgp.org