Hi, I’m Usa Lee Prompongsatorn.

I am the first of my Thai Chinese family born in the United States. I am a bridge across cultures with a mashup of intertwined experiences across our Asian ethnicities. A bridge from my Chinese lineage to ancestors I have never met and as a granddaughter and cousin to my family in Thailand. I am the jungles and villages of my parents in Betong, Rayong, and Chantaburi. I am the ocean and rivers of Asia, and the waters of Southern California beaches. I am from the textile factories of Downtown Los Angeles and the suburb of Norwalk. Now in my late 40s, I understand the uniqueness of being Thai, Chinese, and American as I am not 100% one or the other but a mix of everything and all that is in between. I traverse boundaries and live in liminal spaces. Because of this, it has taken me time to discover who I truly am beyond all the categories assigned to us by race, gender, sexuality, class, nationality, and the many assessments we put upon people. I am learning how to be my more authentic self through a better understanding of the developmental challenges created because of the cultural, political, and social systems that inform who we believe we are and who we believe we can be.

My explorations in spirituality, healing, and sociopolitical development are the foundation of how I approach my life as a friend, partner, and community member. My experiences as a nonprofit executive, coach, and thought leader inform my approach. I am discovering the roots of my belongingness, and on this journey, I hope to support others to find what belongingness means to them. I am entering a new phase of my personal life caretaking for my parents. My caretaking experience also heavily informs my perspective. I’m learning new ways to relate to my father who has alzheimers and my mother who is his primary caretaker. Alot is lost in translation between our Thai and Americanness, but we are learning to navigate through the complexities of aging and the change of family roles. It’s important to me to hold meaningful relationships and relate through humor with friends, family, in professional and spiritual communities. You can find me on my bright yellow Ebike, baby tigre, riding along the beach in the South Bay of Los Angeles. I love the feeling that comes from wanderlust – allowing myself to lose myself in the moment. I spend time cooking nourishing meals and trying out new recipes to support my hormonal health. I’m often documenting my experiences through photography because I find aliveness in capturing memories through digital snapshots and making funny little videos for social media.

Learn more about me on LinkedIn.