The CuriosityBased Team
The team
The CuriosityBased team is committed to helping people realize the power of curiosity to build trust, respect, and a collaborative spirit.We practice what we teach, and the keyword is “practice” because collaboration is constantly a work in progress.
Who we are
We represent a diversity of disciplines, including history, social work, engineering, food science, and business administration, as well as cultural backgrounds, which is reflected in our native languages: Mandarin, Korean, Burmese, Vietnamese, and English. This diversity influences our approach to our work. We are also a certified Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise.What we can do for you
We design professional development experiences that foster belonging and inclusion. We conduct original research, as well as draw from others, especially content from women and people of color. We can help teams quickly build trust through creating small group sessions that allow for open discussion and mutual accountability. We don't do large trainings or webinars. We serve our clients through virtual and in-person learning experiences, workshops, meeting design, and facilitations. If you need strategic planning or program evaluation combined with team building, we have partners who can help.Who we serve
We work with clients who believe change and progress moves at the speed of trust and they need to invest time and resources into building relationships. Our clients appreciate our high touch approach and bring us in for multiple small-group sessions across their organizations, usually starting with their leadership team. They understand there is no single right answer, there is always more to learn, and the journey is more valuable than the destination.Our clients include companies from a wide range of industries, such as tech, real estate, nonprofits, and wineries. While we primarily work with teams and companies, we hold public sessions for individuals too.
How we approach learning
We push people to get uncomfortable because that is when the learning starts. Through working with us, you’ll deepen your individual and team capacity for collaboration, inclusion, trust, and, of course, curiosity.Team Members
Julie Pham, PhD
Founder and CEO
I’m always looking for the question behind the question.
I decided to take my 15+ years of community-organizing, including building a cross-sector collaboration fellowship for the tech industry, founding an ethnic media coalition, running a Vietnamese-language newspaper, and mobilizing small business owners in South Seattle, combined with my 8 years of academic research, to start this consulting practice focused on fostering curiosity, collaboration, and inclusion in the workplace.
My approach to belonging and inclusion has been informed by having lived as an expatriate in Asia and Europe and having grown up as a refugee in the US. Though I don’t consider myself a DEI expert, I have deep experience in motivating people from diverse personal and professional backgrounds to connect and collaborate. I developed some of the content used in our workshops when I created the Ion Collaborators Program at Washington Technology Industry Association.
I have designed and led workshops, lectures, and conferences, ranging from 6 to 350 people and has been invited to speak to audiences from diverse industries around the world, from Yangon, Myanmar to Bratterboro, Vermont. As a writer and speaker, I’m known for my willingness to get vulnerable, to reframe the way we look at common assumptions, and to offer practical advice combined with a thought-provoking call to action.
I love hosting dinner parties (even virtual ones), reading fiction and nonfiction, and talking to friends while walking.
You can read more about my background on LinkedIn.
Judy Lee, PhD
Researcher
I am always curious about how things work and how things are related to each other.
I first joined the team to run a cross-sector collaboration fellowship as a project manager and researcher. I have had privilege to work with fellows and to learn building diverse teams and a well-executed collaborative process within the teams. As a trained researcher, I bring insights based on quantitative and qualitative data analysis and theories in business, sociology and economics.
I am originally from South Korea but lived in three different states in the US. Living and working in different countries first made me to realize what it means to belong, be included, and be oneself. I also have worked in different sectors and industries to gain diverse experience and to go beyond my comfort zone. Those experiences made me more curious and open, and I learned sharing stories with one another is powerful along the way.
I like walking while exploring different parts of the city, yoga, reading books, and TalChum (Korean mask dance).
You can read more about my background on LinkedIn.
Hnin Johnson, MSW, MPA
Project Manager
I am always the one in the group asking, “Why?”
I joined the team first as a Masters of Social Work practicum student in 2018. There were people who doubted me when I shared my dream years ago of getting a master's degree. I completed my second master's degree in public administration in 2021.
I’m the project manager for the team. I ensure things run smoothly behind the scenes by creating timelines, Gantt and flowcharts, and checking in on people. I appreciate a good problem to solve.
I am passionate about being as inclusive as possible, so don’t be surprised if I ask you about your accessibility needs.
I came to Seattle from Myanmar via Utah and Singapore, though I haven’t lived in my home country since I left for college. My first real job was in semiconductors and I still love playing with tech gadgets of all kinds.
I make desserts, meditate, and do yoga with Jessica Skye on the iPad Fitness app in my spare time.
You can read more about my background on LinkedIn.
Vera Zhong
Consultant
Even when I don’t say anything, I usually have many questions popping in my head.
I first joined the team as a consultant while working on my MBA. It is such an awesome opportunity where I am able to apply my marketing book knowledge in real life. It is also a ‘once in a lifetime’ chance to see a new team starting from ground up. I support the team whenever I can, i.e. market research, zoom jay, etc.
I am naturally curious about other people, culture and history. I may strike up a conversation with ‘Where are you from?”
I myself came to the United States from China. I am a trained food scientist. You may hear me pointing out the key ingredients of food products quite often - don’t hesitate to ask ‘What are you talking about again?’.
I believe diversity is the best stimulus to innovation. I also believe differences can be the sparks for new insights.
I enjoy hiking, working out, Netflix and making plans.
You can read more about my background on LinkedIn.
Linh Huynh, MSW
Learning and Development Specialist
I like to explore the surrounding information of a thought.
As a naturally curious person, I enjoy talking and learning from others as it provides me an opportunity to learn about their stories and for me to gather a more holistic understanding of their thinking processes. Not only that, I continue to learn more about myself through these conversations as I reflect on my own thought processes and views of this world.
Within the CuriosityBased Team, I serve as the learning and development specialist I bring insights to the iterative process of workshop, assessment, and meeting design development as well as facilitate workshops. Before CuriosityBased, I’ve worked mostly with youth within nonprofits and educational settings.
I was born and raised in Seattle: I attended Garfield High School and then attended the University of Washington for my undergraduate and graduate studies. Now, I currently reside within the Bay Area. It has been great to explore and learn about a new city along with the people and culture there.
In my spare time, I enjoy watching anime, practicing my Vietnamese, and making tea drinks.
You can read more about my background on LinkedIn.
Mikaila Culverson, MSW
Digital Content Manager
How do we blend different ideas and perspectives to create outcomes that are uplifting, inclusive, and functional in this world? That process is where my curiosity is.
I believe that social difference inspires personal and communal growth. Each individual has their own story that produces unique ideas and perspectives. It is only through conversation and engagement that we can begin to understand another person’s story.
I am originally from the PNW and grew up in Olympia, WA. I spent many years living in Northern Nevada as well, where I enjoyed the mountainous landscape and completed my undergraduate studies. I moved home to the PNW in 2015 and began a career in social work. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work at University of Washington, Seattle and joined the CuriosityBased team as a practicum student. In addition to being a student, I work as a therapist serving children and families in the PNW.
In my spare time I enjoy reading anything and everything, creative writing, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.
You can read more about my background on LinkedIn.
