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Breaking Through Barriers: My Journey from TV News to Tech to Agency Owner

Updated: Jun 3

Twenty years ago, I heard words that would forever shape my understanding of the media industry. A North Carolina TV station wouldn't hire me because, as they put it, "The focus group didn't respond well to the shape of your eyes." Just like that, my qualifications, experience, and passion were reduced to my appearance as an Asian American woman.


This wasn't an isolated incident. Throughout my early career in television news, I repeatedly found myself judged by my looks rather than my journalistic abilities. Each rejection, each microaggression, each time I was passed over for promotion while watching less qualified male colleagues advance—it all painted a clear picture of the glass ceiling that women, especially minority women of color, faced in broadcasting.


Christine Umayam, Mogul Media Consulting

Finding Inspiration in Limited Representation

Growing up, I rarely saw faces that looked like mine on television. Connie Chung stood as a solitary beacon—the only Asian American woman journalist with national prominence. I clutched onto her image, thinking, "If she can do it, maybe I can too." Little did I know how challenging that road would be.


This was two decades ago—before the #MeToo movement gave women a platform to speak out against discrimination and harassment. Back then, our voices were systematically silenced. We were expected to smile, be grateful for any opportunity, and never rock the boat. Meanwhile, white males dominated the airwaves, the executive offices, and the decision-making positions.


Perseverance in the Face of Prejudice

Despite these obstacles, I refused to let others' prejudices determine my worth or my future. I didn't just work hard—I worked double shifts when others wouldn't. I took on the assignments nobody wanted. I drove three hours to cover small-town news that others dismissed. I stood in blizzards during storm watch coverage while colleagues stayed warm in the studio. I even knocked on the doors of grieving parents who had just lost their child—some of the hardest moments of my career, but necessary to tell stories that mattered.


The thing is, I genuinely loved what I did. It wasn't just about proving myself—it was about delivering news that truly impacted our community. I was passionate about giving voice to people and issues that might otherwise be overlooked.


Eventually, my persistence paid off. I reached top 20 markets—an achievement that many journalists, regardless of background, aspire to but never attain. Each step forward wasn't just a personal victory but a small crack in that glass ceiling.


Transitioning to Tech: New Industry, Familiar Challenges

After years in broadcasting, I leveraged my communication skills and media experience to transition into the technology sector. I assumed the barriers might be different in this forward-thinking industry. In some ways, they were; in others, they were disappointingly familiar.


Tech presented its own version of exclusivity—different language but the same underlying biases. The "culture fit" conversations often felt like coded language for "people who look like us." The "meritocracy" narrative conveniently ignored the unlevel playing field that women of color navigate daily.


Yet again, I found myself working harder than my peers to prove my value. I educated myself on technology, learned new skills, and sought mentors who believed in my potential even when the industry seemed skeptical.


The Power of Decision-Making Authority

As I advanced in my career, first in news and then in tech, I gained something precious: decision-making authority. With each promotion, each new role with greater responsibility, I found myself in positions where I could influence hiring practices, team compositions, and company culture.


I never forgot what it felt like to be the only person of color in the room, to have my abilities questioned because of my appearance, to wonder if I would ever truly belong in these spaces. These experiences fueled my commitment to creating more inclusive environments.


When given the opportunity to build teams, I prioritized diverse candidate pools. Not as a box-checking exercise, but because I understood firsthand the wealth of talent that exists among women of color who are simply waiting for a chance to prove themselves.


The Mogul Media team

Building My Own Table

Today, as the owner of a marketing agency, I no longer have to ask for a seat at someone else's table—I've built my own. This position comes with both privilege and responsibility. I can create opportunities for others who face the same barriers I once did.


My agency actively recruits and develops talent from underrepresented groups. We've implemented programs specifically designed to support women of color in marketing and communications. Our client base is diverse, and we bring authentic perspectives to campaigns that reach multicultural audiences.


This approach isn't just morally right—it's good business. Our diverse team brings varied life experiences, cultural insights, and creative perspectives that drive innovation and help our clients connect with broader audiences. The financial results speak for themselves: diversity and inclusion directly contribute to our bottom line.


What I've Learned Along the Way

My journey from that devastating rejection in North Carolina to agency ownership has taught me several invaluable lessons:

  1. Resilience is non-negotiable. The path for women of color in any industry requires the ability to transform rejection into fuel for growth.

  2. Representation matters deeply. Seeing Connie Chung on television gave me permission to dream. Now, I strive to be that example for others.

  3. Speaking up changes systems. The silence expected of my generation has given way to more vocal advocacy, and workplaces are slowly improving as a result.

  4. Opportunity is the greatest equalizer. Women of color don't need special treatment—we need equal access to opportunities where our talents can shine.

  5. True diversity creates excellence. Teams with varied perspectives outperform homogeneous groups in creativity, problem-solving, and market understanding.


Moving Forward Together

The landscape has changed significantly over the past twenty years. The #MeToo movement, greater awareness of systemic barriers, and increased dialogue about representation have created momentum for positive change.


However, we still have a long way to go. Women of color remain underrepresented in leadership positions across industries. The intersectional challenges of gender and race continue to create unique obstacles.

As business leaders, we have a responsibility to accelerate progress. This means implementing equitable hiring practices, creating inclusive workplace cultures, measuring representation at all levels, and holding ourselves accountable for results.


For those currently facing the barriers I once did, I offer this encouragement: your unique perspective is your superpower. The very differences that some may use to exclude you are actually your greatest strengths in an increasingly global and diverse marketplace.


My journey from television news to tech to agency ownership wasn't linear or easy. But each challenge shaped me into the leader I am today—one who recognizes talent in all its forms and understands that true excellence comes from embracing our differences rather than erasing them.


The shape of my eyes didn't prevent me from seeing clearly what needs to change in our industries. And now, with the power to make those changes, I'm committed to creating a more equitable future where talent, not appearance or background, determines success.



The Mogul Media Consulting Difference

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Today, Mogul Media Consulting embodies everything I've learned throughout this journey. We're not just another marketing agency—we're storytellers who understand the power of authentic representation. Our team brings diverse perspectives to every campaign, helping brands connect with audiences that traditional agencies often overlook or misunderstand.


From digital strategy and content creation to media relations and crisis management, we leverage my background in journalism and tech to create marketing that genuinely resonates. What sets us apart is our commitment to both excellence and inclusion. We don't just talk about diversity—we live it in our hiring, our client relationships, and the stories we choose to tell.


At Mogul Media, we believe that the most powerful marketing comes from understanding the full spectrum of human experience, and that's exactly what our diverse team delivers every day.


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Mogul Media LLC is a woman and minority-owned small business certified by the SBA WOSB, SBA EDWOSB, WBENC, WA's OMWBE, DE's OSD and NMSDC. We are an approved state vendor for both WA and Delaware. WA DES Contract: 20422 and DE Contract #GSS25638A-Market_Adv.

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