Ana Paola Lara Serrano

Employee Value Proposition (EVP) Specialist

Ana Paola
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Starting as a trainee at 1-StopAsia taught me that even the smallest ideas can spark meaningful change. What began as a side project in community engagement has evolved into a full-time role where I now lead our Employee Value Proposition efforts. I’m passionate about creating a workplace where people feel genuinely excited to come to work. My goal is to help shape a culture where everyone feels seen, valued, and motivated to do their best.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me cooking, getting lost in a good book, or running with my dog—because a healthy work-life balance is just as important as a great workplace.

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Interview

How many languages do you speak? Please write them in a list. Which is your mother tongue?

Spanish (Mother tongue; I can speak it in my sleep, literally!) English (I speak it well enough to convince Siri that I’m a native) French (Not bad, but I might accidentally order a baguette and get a croissant. It’s a work in progress!)

What is your favorite sport or hobby in your free time? Why is it so? Any interesting stories on it?

I have a passion for cooking, and my culinary skills extend beyond just Mexican cuisine, I also find joy in creating delicious Italian and Japanese dishes. I take pride in my cooking, and if I may say so myself, my meals are quite the treat!

Top 3 things we don’t know about you? Might be something funny, quirky or strange 🙂

  1. I find relaxation in embroidery and knitting, basically anything handcrafted
  2. Animals hold a special place in my heart. If I could, I would have a zoo.
  3. I love to sing, and I really wish I could do it well

What was the most surprising thing you learned about Asia while working here?

During my time here, I was fascinated to learn that while in Mexico we have superstitions about certain things, in Korea, there’s a belief about the potential dangers of using an electric fan. It’s intriguing how cultural beliefs can vary so much, but at the same time they are so similar.

Favorite book or a book that changed your mindset and why it did?

While I’m a huge fan of Oscar Wilde, the book that shaped my perspective since childhood is “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach. It taught me to see the world differently and to cherish the things I love. I would also like to mention “How to Steal Like an Artist” – by Austin Kleon, a text that helped me keep my motivation and urge myself to be creative always.

Your most extreme experience so far in your life/biggest challenge in your life?

I’m not an extreme person, but the first time I flew on a plane I felt like I was waiting for it to do stunts in the air. It was a mix of fear and excitement, and definitely an unforgettable experience. As I got older I became quite a fan of traveling by plane, more for the places it would take me not for the turbulence.

Your top 3 goals in professional life for the next 10 years

In the next decade, as I step into my 30s:

  1. Develop myself further to become a leader within the organization.
  2. Pursue a Master’s Degree in a field related to marketing or administration.
  3. Continue making positive contributions to the company and perhaps explore the possibility of starting my own.