Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month: Meet Melissa Chun

Tell us a bit about yourself. 

I started my rowing journey as a coxswain in high school and continued with the University of California (Cal) women's rowing program, eventually becoming a coach in Oakland, Calif. In 2012, wanting to give back to the sport, I became a USRowing referee. By 2019, I had advanced to the position of World Rowing Umpire.

In 2016, I was honored with the Mama Z Referee Award for contributions to rowing officiating. More recently, I served as the President of the Jury at the Pan American Games in Chile in October 2023.  Outside of rowing, I'm the Vice President of Strategic Engagement at Alucio, a software company serving the life sciences industry. 

Who is an inspirational person in the sport or your life, and why? 

Naomi Osaka, tennis champion exhibits confidence without attitude. She is grateful for where she is today and grateful for those who came before her. Her quote after she won the US Open still rings in my mind, "I would like to thank my ancestors because every time I remember their blood runs through my veins I am reminded that I cannot lose."  I'm grateful for the resilience and for my family and friends who blazed the way for me. 

I think about many of the rowers (coxswains/rowers) who came before me and paved the way to make involvement just pushed a little more. Many of them I have the honor of working with today as part of the referee corps. I still continue to learn tremendously from them – within rowing and outside of it.  

What do you envision for the sport of rowing 10 years from now? 

I look at the future of rowing and I believe it is so bright. There are many new faces, clubs (juniors and masters) popping up around the country. I see rowing as truly a diverse and multi-modal sport including traditional rowing down a 2K course, coastal rowing, and virtual (e-games). I envision LA 2028 will have our fastest athletes and the boat will have faces that represent our country.

My hope is that folks who are involved continue to give back and we continue to grow in the US. 

What is something you wish people in your boathouse understood about you/ about being AAPI in rowing?

Everyone has a story to tell and everyone is complex individual. Take the time to connect with someone a little deeper. They might surprise you.  

What advice would you give to a person who may be joining this sport for the first time? 

Rowing has given me far more than I ever expected. It has taught me invaluable lessons in goal setting, perseverance, and decisiveness. Above all, it has bestowed upon me lifelong friendships with people across the country and around the world, friendships I might never have made otherwise. It's a lifetime sport and there are many ways to stay involved! 

This year's theme for AANHPI Heritage Month is advancing leaders through innovation. How can the rowing world be more innovative about inclusion? 

Innovation in the rowing world entails embracing people's backgrounds and stories, listening, and learning before forming conclusions. You never know where great ideas come from. If we are willing to listen, we can continue to evolve, get better, and be inspired. Through the lens of AANHPI experiences, we can encourage everyone to recognize and value each other's skills, ensuring there's a place for all in the sport.