Today’s Meet the Team blog features Account Coordinator Khuluc Yang, who joined our team last summer following internships at the University of St. Thomas, City of Saint Paul and Goff Public.

Khuluc talks in her Q&A about starting her professional career at Beehive and how a growth mindset – a core Beehive value – has supported this journey. She discusses what makes her job fulfilling, who inspires her and what makes her feel appreciated and respected at work. Enjoy getting to know Khuluc!

What have you learned since you started working at Beehive?

Since joining Beehive right after graduating from college, I have gained invaluable personal and professional insights. I’ve learned that I can achieve anything when supported by a strong team that inspires me to be my best self, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and the willingness to ask questions.

By asking questions, I have deepened my understanding of complex concepts, challenged existing assumptions and identified new opportunities for my clients. Ultimately, curiosity continues to drive my professional journey.

What makes your job fulfilling?

I have always loved the opportunity to help tell clients’ stories. Working at Beehive has enabled me to do just that. I find it immensely fulfilling to help my clients share their unique stories and insights, especially when I witness the positive impact our work has on communities. A great example is our partnership with GiveMN: Beehive is the communications and media relations partner for Give to the Max Day, Minnesota’s largest day of giving. It was incredibly rewarding to amplify nonprofits and support GiveMN, which raised a record-breaking $37.1 million for 6,556 local organizations.

Who inspires you and why?

My grandmothers inspire me every day to appreciate life and seize opportunities. Both my maternal and paternal grandmothers fled to the United States from Laos after the Vietnam War, having faced persecution for assisting U.S. forces during the conflict. After my paternal grandfather was taken by the Viet Cong, my grandmother had to support herself and her two young children, including my father. She lived with me throughout my life and growing up with her as the matriarch of our family profoundly influenced me. Her resilience and determination as a single mother and refugee in an unfamiliar environment helped shape who my family and I are today. The Hmong story isn’t widely known, though this is changing as the community gradually rebuilds, driven by women like my grandmothers.

What are you doing right now to support your growth and development?

A key aspect of my personal development involves reflecting on my past work and identifying ways to improve. My supervisor, Marie, has been a tremendous advocate for me and an inspiring figure, supporting my achievements and motivating me to enhance every aspect of my professional work. She and the other account leads play a critical role in promoting continuous improvement and I aim to apply these key learnings throughout my work each day.

Stress, burnout and exhaustion are impacting employees everywhere. How are you handling this?

I highly value mental health and continuously seek to deepen my understanding of it. Beehive hosts well-being sessions that have been incredibly beneficial, and I’ve gained valuable insights from them. In our last Move Mindfully session, I learned mindful movements, stretches and prompts to help me take breaks and realign. In addition to the big group sessions, everyone on the Beehive team has extensive knowledge about well-being and mental health care, so I can always turn to them as a resource.

As a recent college graduate, I have found it wonderful to have a supportive team that recognizes the vital connection between wellness and work performance. When burnout strikes, it’s incredible to have a team that understands and is willing to help you through the slump.

What makes you feel respected and appreciated at Beehive?

Initially, as the newest and youngest member of the team, I found the environment somewhat intimidating. However, I quickly learned that Beehive cultivates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere where everyone is encouraged to reach their full potential, regardless of their age or level of experience. This commitment to supporting one another creates a strong sense of community throughout the Beehive.

I particularly value our onboarding process. Beyond an overview of tasks and responsibilities, it also included meaningful discussions about appreciation of languages and trust biases. Understanding how my colleagues prefer to receive feedback, and recognition helps bridge the gap between us and foster deeper connections. Recognizing the diverse backgrounds and experiences people bring to the table enhances our ability to work collaboratively and empathetically.

What benefits are most meaningful to you at Beehive? Why?

I truly appreciate our work–from–anywhere policy. I find myself at an interesting stage in my life, without a car, which makes going to the office on chilly days challenging. The ability to work from home frees me from worries about commuting, allowing me to focus more on my work. I really enjoy going into the office when the whole team is there, but on heavy writing days, settling in at my home office is the way to go.

One other great benefit! I love telling my friends and family about Beehive’s annual wellness dollars. With my wellness dollars last year, I started Muay Thai (a form of Thai boxing that incorporates elements from Muay Boran, the traditional Thai martial arts), an activity I’ve always wanted to try.