Post by ITW

As we continue to celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we’re sharing stories from leaders of ITW’s Asian Professionals Engagement Network (APEN). By building community, encouraging connection and championing inclusion, these colleagues are helping create workplaces where people from all backgrounds can thrive. Meet Sandip Sura, electrical engineer at MTS Systems Corporation in Minnesota and co-chair of APEN's midwest chapter. Through his involvement with APEN, Sandip helps bring colleagues together through opportunities that encourage connection, collaboration and career development. Q: When have you felt a strong sense of belonging at ITW? What made that moment meaningful? A: Working with team members in Minnesota and our MTS India office to create a video showcasing our Diwali celebrations and sharing what the holiday meant to each of us created a strong connection between teammates across two continents. Colleagues I had never met before came together to celebrate an important cultural tradition, and it became the highlight of our APEN event. Eight months later, I had the opportunity to meet some of those colleagues in India, and they welcomed me like family. That experience showed me ITW is more than a workplace — it’s a place where I can grow personally and professionally. Q: What have you learned through APEN about leadership, culture or yourself that you carry into your everyday work? A: Growing up, I was often the only person of Asian descent around me, so I tried to blend in and avoid standing out. Through APEN, I’ve learned to embrace and take pride in my culture and heritage. Being part of a global enterprise has shown me that our unique backgrounds and perspectives are valued. Understanding different cultures helps us build stronger relationships and work more effectively with colleagues and customers from around the world. #ProudToBeITW