Tiffany Yu - TEDx Speaker and Disability Advocate
Leader to Learn From: July 2022
July 6, 2022
In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities. In July of that same year, the first Disability Pride Day was celebrated in Boston.
32 years later, as we celebrate Disability Pride Month and honor the uniqueness of each person in the disability community, The Thirlby Company is honored to recognize Tiffany Yu as our July 2022 Leader to Learn From.
Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, and a content creator with 160k+ followers across her different platforms. Yu served on the San Francisco Mayor’s Disability Council from 2019-2022 and was a 2020 Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit.
At the age of nine, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father. Years later, this devastating event would lead to her becoming one of the most respected disability leaders and advocates across the globe.
“When I reflect on leaders who render me speechless by their level of courage, wisdom, and impact, Tiffany is at the top of my list” says Margie Thirlby, founder of The Thirlby Company LLC. “I first met Tiffany in 2018 at a women’s retreat in Mexico and she changed my life within four days. Today, her work continues to shape me into a better leader and human. I watch Tiffany’s TEDx Talk several times each year to recenter on my values and the impact I want to make in this world. It’s hard to capture Tiffany’s essence - she’s simply remarkable.”
OUR INTERVIEW WITH TIFFANY
You have shared that you are on a mission to tell the story of how your obstacles are the greatest thing that’s ever happened to you. When was the moment that you first decided to tell your story?
This didn’t happen overnight. I still remember getting invited to speak on a student panel when I was a senior in college at Georgetown in 2009. It was the first time I shared my origin story about how I became disabled in a car accident, as well as the trauma and grief that was associated with it. It was through that experience that I realized how powerful it was to be able to share my story, and also serve as a model for other people to do the same and know that their stories are valid as well. And I think a big part of sharing that story was part of my own healing journey. I have learned from Brené Brown that a big part of vulnerability and healing happens through emotional sharing, whether it’s writing, or story telling, through whatever medium works for you.
As you’ve navigated the disability advocacy space during the pandemic, what has been your most important learning?
The most important learning for me was how much the pandemic reinforced why I do the work I do. As all of us went into social isolation, it reminded me of how disabled people are some of the most socially isolated and excluded people out there. When we think about our overall well being, it’s the combination of our mental, physical, and social health. Our social health is having social connection and healthy relationships.
How would you define confidence?
Confidence is about liking who you are and knowing that you are worthy and valuable just because you exist, and that you have gifts to impart on the world.
How would you define your mission or purpose in life?
My mission is to lead by example for what it looks like to be unapologetically yourself. I am on a lifelong journey to explore what it means to be disabled and live well. As a function of doing that, I can empower others to really be themselves and know that your own thriving and success is a model for other people who resonate with different aspects of your identity or story.
What is your greatest superpower as a leader?
One of my values is a love of learning. As a leader, I am really passionate about growth and seeing my team members grow in one way or another.
What is something that might surprise people about you?
I am pretty introverted and am a little bit socially awkward in person. So as someone who speaks as a living and creates a lot of social media, I think that might surprise people!
What have you learned about vulnerability, in the context of leadership?
Vulnerability is at the root of connection and relatability. And as a leader and someone who tries to lead with vulnerability, it’s been important for me to model that for my team. Showing up in those softer moments are actually what make us stronger.
What advice would you have for someone who is struggling or feeling stuck right now in their life or career?
If you’re struggling or feeling stuck, that is not the end of your story. Life is filled with ebbs and flows and that is part of the human experience. There’s a quote from Francis Weller that I really love: “The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them. How much sorrow can I hold? That’s how much gratitude I can give.” So while you’re in it, it’s going to be hard, but that isn’t the end of your story - it’s just one piece of it on your journey to the next triumph or achievement or win.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
I would tell younger Tiffany that her voice matters, and her story matters, and that the world is waiting for her to just be herself.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
My word for this year is play. I think it’s a great word not only for this year, but something I want to instill in my life as a reminder that even when things are hard, it’s important to make time and space for play, fun, and joy.
Thank you, Tiffany! We are grateful for your time and in awe of you.
About Tiffany Yu
Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride; the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, a monthly micro-grant that has awarded $59.5k to 60 disability projects in 10 countries; and a content creator with 160k+ followers across platforms. She served on the San Francisco Mayor’s Disability Council from 2019-2022 and was a 2020 Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit. At the age of 9, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father.
Tiffany started her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and has also worked at Bloomberg and Sean Diddy Combs' REVOLT Media & TV. She is a 3x TEDx speaker and spoke on 5 sessions at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos. She has been featured in Marie Claire, the Guardian, and Forbes.
You can follow Tiffany’s work on LinkedIn, on Instagram @imtiffanyyu, on Twitter, or connect with her though her website.
About This Feature
Leaders to Learn From is a standing feature in The Thirlby Company’s monthly newsletter that recognizes leaders in our community who embody our company’s core values. You can learn about our other honorees here, or subscribe to our newsletter to receive this feature and more inspiring content in the future.
