It’s all about the connections and relationships – between people from a variety of fields, walks of life, and levels of experience – that make the biggest impact and is what makes SASE the special place that it is. So says Randy Hsu, who originally started volunteering with SASE because he wanted to learn more about leadership. And yes, while he discovered along the way what he sought, by joining a chapter, meeting officers, and getting into event planning, the more important outcome of his volunteerism became the relationships. “Through SASE, I had the opportunity to create space for people to continue building longlasting bonds with one another and practice the leadership skills they want to develop,” Randy explained. “I next joined the regional team because I wanted to help provide people with a good experience through SASE as a way of paying it forward, and it means I get to continue to meet cool people!” 

Randy’s path at SASE was surely inspired by one of the very first people he met at his first regional conference, Dennis Hirotsu. Randy calls Dennis’ storytelling ability and his passion to give back to his community two of his superpowers, and he is drawn in by Dennis’ ability to relay his story of making the most out of the opportunities presented to him. Similarly, finding positivity in any situation and challenging himself to present in the best way possible for others has been guided through his relationship with Mentor Matt Diaz, whom he first met in 2016, when Randy attended the Collegiate Retreat. This opportunity led to a sushi dinner with Matt and Khanh, yielding invaluable time with organizational leaders and time spent sharing sound career advice. Matt has been a sort of mentor ever since, who encourages Randy to regularly ask himself, “What I can learn and what experience can I get out of any situation?” That’s a gift, he feels, that is always worth re-gifting. 

As with any meaningful friendship, having fun together is also an important part of Randy’s commitment to SASE. As Randy fondly remembers from the SASE Midwest Team retreat in 2017, which was his second as the Regional Coordinator, “It was a time that really illustrated for me that one of the reasons we do things is because we care for people and want to make a difference. Team bonding, trips to the beach, an escape room, games, and just spending time together is what allows us to connect and be friends. That rooted my affinity and connection with my team, and it’s something I strive to embody in the years going forward. These events are so important, especially for someone transitioning and forming new connections, like a student, while also recognizing the importance of work-life balance.