May 22, 2025 

COUNTRY Financial® Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: A Q&A with Apoorva Pathak and Sara Grimm 

In the month of May, we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have played in our shared history.

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Apoorva Pathak, Data Governance Manager, and Sara Grimm, Technology Manager, share their personal experiences and how others can join in the celebration.

Tell us a little about your personal connection with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month  

Pathak: “I was born and raised in a small town in central India, which had a rich culture of its own but was also influenced by neighboring states. My advanced education took me to a cosmopolitan city in southern India, where I experienced cultures from across the country, which were different from those in my hometown. India is a country with many cultures, languages, and cuisines, which often change every 100 miles you travel. The People's Linguistic Survey of India identifies 780 languages, signifying unity in diversity. Several years later, I moved to the USA for a job, which expanded my exposure to many more cultures, bringing new experiences and challenges. Spending my life in different geographies has provided me with the opportunity and ability to appreciate different cultures and heritages. I have a unique connection with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, as it is a time to celebrate the culture, history, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.”

Grimm: “I was born in India; my parents still live there. I now live in Georgia with my husband and kids. We are a mixed-race household. As a family, we celebrate Indian festivals like Holi (Festival of Colors), Diwali (Festival of Light), and incorporate the cultural practices and the food in everyday life. My kids have had more questions through their preschool and elementary years on why we do what we do when it comes to cultural practices, and I enjoy playing the role of their cultural ambassador. I also recruit my mom and dad to educate them through stories and personal experiences during our weekly video calls and when they visit.”

How do you celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and what are some ways others can participate?  

Pathak: “India is a culture of celebrations, so for me, I celebrate heritage throughout the year. Some jokingly say there are more Indian festivals than the number of days in a year. One of the widely celebrated festivals in May is Buddha Purnima, which celebrates the birth anniversary of Buddha. In June, International Yoga Day 2025 emphasizes the importance of yoga in promoting holistic health and well-being. COUNTRY Technology recently had an Indian Heritage celebration, where there was a lunch and learn session sharing information about various Indian festivals. Recently, Holi (Festival of Colors) was celebrated by the Bloomington-Normal community, where everyone, irrespective of their culture, was welcome to join in the festivities. During Holi, it is customary to throw colored powder on family and friends to show love and respect for one another—a tradition that represents togetherness, friendship, and a prospering community. This event was also highlighted on the Multicultural RG Viva Engage page. These examples are a testament to our COUNTRY Value of Inclusion, which states that we work together to create a culture in which all voices are heard, and everyone's contributions are valued. This is what makes COUNTRY a special place to come to work.”

Grimm: “My daughter’s preschool has a “Surprise Reader” event this week, where I will be reading Festival of Colors by Surishtha and Kabir Sehgal. It’s a book about spring festival in India: Holi/Festival of Colors. I am excited about this opportunity. This is a great idea if you are a reader, to try a book by an Asian author in your preferred genre. I recommend books by Namrata Patel. She captures diaspora well in her writing. You can also try a new Asian restaurant or find a simple recipe online that you might cook with your family. There are Netflix recommended shows for this month to learn more about Asian and Pacific Islander culture. The possibilities are endless, if we stay curious!”

As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the stories and insights shared by Pathak and Grimm remind us that cultural heritage is not just something to honor in a single month—but a rich, living experience that shapes who we are, how we connect, and how we grow together.

Media contact

news@countryfinancial.com