DEI Champion Finalist
Director of Marketing
The Associated Management Company

1. Provide specific examples of how you championed diversity and advocated for equitable and inclusive policies and practices within your organization, local community, or the rental housing industry.

Duy has served on local, state, and national committees representing a Vietnamese American and immigrant perspective into decision paths creating a more inclusive culture. He became the first Vietnamese and Asian Executive Member on the board for PMA of West Michigan and the State association. He now serves as a guiding voice as the Past President after his tenure as Vice President and President for both West Michigan and the State.

Duy has taken his education and mentorship from NAA Leadership Lyceum, NAA Diversity Leadership Program, and the PMAM Leadership Lyceum to update the education provided to our local and state leaders in the PMAM Leadership Lyceum as their Committee Chair. One of his first actions was to reduce the barriers of entry for those throughout the state to allow all roles and backgrounds to enter the program through adoptions of online education and removal of unnecessary requirements to graduate. He also updated the education to include an entire class on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion so future leaders would understand that their actions impact everyone and that everyone needs to be invited to the table, have a chair at the table, discuss and be part of the decision-making process.

Duy serves as the co-chair of the HOMES Coalition, a Michigan-based LGBTQ+ advocacy group for seniors for housing and supportive services. He helps guide the coalition through obtaining support to get housing for LGBTQ+ seniors along with connecting them with resources.

2. Describe the impact of your efforts. Please include numbers of affected individuals (e.g., mentored, hired, promoted, etc.); programs or policies implemented; and any other relevant measurements of successful diversity efforts.

Duy became our PMAM Leadership Lyceum Chair for 2024 in August of 2023. He immediately implemented changes to the program to bring Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in as a main topic. In 2024 the PMAM Leadership Lyceum Program will invite 24 individuals to become a stronger, better, and kinder volunteer leader. Duy will lead the program alongside his diverse committee representing a wide range of experience and backgrounds.

He has worked alongside his Presidents at The Associated Management Company (TAMC) to develop and expand their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion statements to be displayed throughout social media and their website. It has always been part of their identity, but they needed to formalize what they do and how they do it impacting over 100 employees at TAMC.

Finally, as part of the Capstone project of the 2023 NAA Diversity Leadership Program Duy presented alongside Dominique and Joey on communication barriers within the multi-family housing industry. They presented a succinct plan to tackle an expansion to the application and blue moon lease to increase competitiveness against new competition along with increase value for our members. This was alongside the information and understanding of what the State Relay Services are and how we can partner with an amazing network throughout the United States to include those who are deaf, blind, hard of hearing, or a non-English speaking to obtain the necessary information to get housing. This program has the ability to impact hundreds of thousands of individuals through the US.