“Problem-solving is one of my many duties. Having people with different backgrounds can lead to better problem-solving with a richness of opinions,” said Christina Ting. “What I enjoy the most about my job is working with a very diverse team.”

Ting’s team is comprised of 50% women and 50% men, and most of her team members come from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences. “I am very honored to be part of this Maintenance Planning and Reliability team,” she shared. Ting is a Maintenance Planning and Reliability Manager for the SFPUC’s Wastewater Enterprise. Her role is to provide guidance and support to the Maintenance Planning and Reliability Team, serve as a focal point for problem-solving from Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering personnel, maintain the reliability of the computerized maintenance management system, and develop a quality review process for data entered into the system.

“By interacting with people with diverse cultures, it allows me to understand, learn, and empathize with the differences amongst our beliefs, languages, life experiences, and perspectives,” she explained. “Making me more aware of the importance of celebrating, recognizing and accepting our differences leads to increased compassion instead of judgment. Varied perspectives and lenses of looking at the world lend to innovative thinking, making us stronger not only as a business but as a country.”

Ting immigrated to America as a teenager and grew up in a Chinese household where her culture’s traditions and emphasis on the value of hard work, education, and duty to family greatly shaped who she is today. For her, Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month is a time for all Americans to recognize and celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Apart from other ethic theme months, the uniqueness of the AAPI month is exceptionally diverse, with many different languages, cuisines, and beliefs in the AAPI community.

Ting reflected that anti-Asian hate is a symptom of ignorance and fear that has persisted in America since the 1800’s. While it is not a new phenomenon, she has found it very alarming that such animosity has resurfaced throughout during the pandemic.

“My most personal concern is my elderly parents. It impacts not only their physical health, but their mental health as well,” Ting explained. “Walking in their neighborhood was the only routine exercise that they enjoyed very much, but are no longer comfortable doing. They have been traumatized by the horrible news of violence against the Asian elderly. America is supposed to be the land of freedom. It is saddening to see so many Asian Americans, especially the elderly being affected by this racist and violent behavior.”

Ting encouraged that change is possible as communities come together to stand and speak out against racism, discrimination and violence. “The AAPI and larger communities of color need to continue to be outspoken, strong, and united in our voice and actions against all forms of hate and ignorance,” she urged. “In regards to recent acts of violence against Asians, the organized San Francisco and Oakland Chinatown neighborhood patrol is an excellent community effort to provide a sense of safety and security for merchants and the elderly.”

She shared that other ways to lift up AAPI communities are by supporting local and community-based organizations and educating people about the rich history and the contributions of APA individuals to America. Ting further encouraged using social media to raise awareness and educate those in social circles, and to make sure to fact-check and cite sources.

“It is necessary to educate our next generation about the history and contributions of the AAPI and all communities of color in the classroom,” she shared. “Teaching them the full history of racism and its present manifestations and having open discussion in the classroom can open the door to more extensive conversations about truth, justice, healing, and reconciliation.”