Xerox Mentoring Sparks Change for Burmese Hotelier

by, Nancy Dempsey, Xerox PR

I am a member of the global PR team, live in Rochester, NY and help countless students, reporters and my team get the facts straight about Xerox

“It’s exciting to be useful,” Yin Myo Su declared, as she sat around a table with members of The Xerox Women’s Alliance last week discussing ways that women balance work and family responsibilities. Yin Myo Su, or Misuu as she prefers to be called, is excited about quite a lot, and with good reason. She is one of 25 women from 17 different countries visiting the U.S. as part of the month-long Fortune / U.S. State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Program on branding, advertising, communication, balancing work and family, mentoring, and environmental responsibility. The conversations flowed back and forth with employees curious to learn about Myanmar, and Misuu eager to hear how programs are developed and implemented at Xerox.

Misuu, with her husband, own and operate an eco-friendly Burmese resort . Her country, now known as Myanmar, is on the brink of dramatic change brought about by a new civilian government. These changes have led to the lifting of international sanctions, suddenly opening the country to a host of foreign investors and tourists. And it has brought a new awareness that Myanmar has a lot of catching up to do to move into the 21^st century. Misuu hopes to be on the forefront of this exciting wave of change.

Her resort now brings clean water to her village, and through employment opportunities, she hopes to bring a higher standard of living to her village. They raise much of the food used at the resort encouraging responsible farming and reintroducing a host of ‘heirloom’ produce. Work from local artisans decorates the resort and a library housed within offers guests and staff the opportunity to learn more about the culture, history and traditions of Myanmar.  Misuu is eager to learn more and do more to bring responsible development to her community and her country.

After completing the mentoring program next week, Misuu will return to Myanmar, to initiate her own mentoring events and programs, sharing the insights gained from her visit to the United States.

Her visit had a reciprocal and profound impact on those who had the opportunity to meet with this dynamic young woman. Her enthusiasm and passion were truly inspiring and energizing. The relationships forged here at Xerox will continue via the internet in the coming months.   “Don’t come to dinner when the table is set; come and help with the cooking” she urged. Her words, and her example, challenge all of us to examine what we personally can do to share our time, talents and treasure to make the world a little better.