50 Leading Women: Lin Adi

In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.

Introducing, Lin Adi, Community Engagement Officer for Credit Union of Texas. If you live, work, volunteer, or frequent Plano, chances are high you have met Lin. As she represents the work and brand of CUTX, Lin has immersed herself in Plano’s nonprofit, business, and advocacy spaces. Whether there is a need to feed & entertain Plano’s students, show appreciation to the city’s first responders, or provide a place and platform to elevate fellow women in business and community causes, Lin has been there to provide.

1. Do you remember your first time attending one of our Women’s Division events? Tell us about that experience and what made you want to come back.

The first time I attended a Women’s Division event was in October 2021. That event was all about networking, going over every table and doing 30 sec introductions about myself and my job. This was a great way to learn about other people and to get connected with them.

I decided to come back the month after, it was totally different from the first time. The Plano Chamber had a great speaker at that time, I was very impressed, and I loved how every event was different and unique. Every time I go there, I’m excited to see what they will come up with and create.

2. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others

As a leader, I would provide visions instead of orders to the mangers. The managers would then sit with their team and work together to come up with creative ideas to best achieve that vision and project.

I would be a great supporter of my team. I’d make sure they know that I will always be there to back them and push them towards success. I would make sure that the managers are valuing their employees’ work and making sure that they have their best interests in mind.

I would also recognize team members for their work in front of other employees so they can feel how much they are appreciated and drive others to do the same.

3. How can women develop their leadership skills in the workforce?

By being diligent, finding a great mentor, and taking extra courses that help improve their skills.

4. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?

Motivating employees, inspiring them, and fostering enthusiasm for projects.

5. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader?

Connecting with the team by facilitating open communication, encouraging employee growth and development, helping others achieve their goal, and giving and receiving feedback.

6. What strategies could be used to promote inclusion in the workplace?

Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace has required:

• Acknowledging holidays for all cultures
• Mixing up the team
• Hiring people from diverse backgrounds to promote diversity
• Being aware of unconscious bias

7. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

Be diligent, follow the steps of my role model at work, have a mentor, and academically achieve a higher level.

8. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?

• Believe in yourself and your potential
• Set a short-term goal to meet a long-term dream
• Reinforce the importance of positive life skills

9. Who inspired you and why?

My grand inspiration was my grand father who studied at the Paris-Sorbonne University and came back home with a big dream, he worked hard to achieve his goal and became a great leader with a great reputation in the community.

I learned from him that nothing is impossible, with hard work the impossible will be possible.

10. What do you want to be remembered for?

• My communication skills and relationships
• My investment to the community: leave it better then when I found it
• acknowledging the team member’s effort by providing recognition to their efforts
• Being a great listener
• Being a leader that was loved by the people around her
• On the personal side…being a great mother