Meet Our CEO: From New Beginnings to Redefining Access
In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, ASSETS is highlighting stories of leadership and entrepreneurship across the community. This series begins with ASSETS CEO, Maian McCauley, whose story reflects both personal history and a broader vision for access.
In 1975, following the fall of Saigon, Maian McCauley’s family fled Vietnam under the cover of night in search of safety and opportunity.
After several months in refugee camps, their journey brought them to the United States through Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania. A network of churches, including Mennonite and Episcopal congregations, came together to sponsor their resettlement, helping a large, multi-generational family begin again in an unfamiliar place.
That history is foundational to how Maian sees the world today.
A Foundation Built on Sacrifice
At 19, Maian’s mother was working to help support her family when her father made a difficult decision. He asked her to step away from work and pursue a college education, committing to carry the financial burden himself so she could focus on building a future.
While learning English, she enrolled at Millersville University and earned a degree in mathematics, becoming the first Vietnamese woman to graduate from the university. That moment reshaped what was possible for the entire family.
A few years later, Maian’s father followed a similar path. After arriving in the United States in 1979, he worked on a Mennonite farm before enrolling in college, eventually continuing his education at Temple University and becoming a dentist.
Shaped by Experience
Growing up within that environment instilled a deep understanding of what it takes to create opportunity from limited access.
The path forward for Maian, was not always clear or easy. Even with hard work, doors did not always open equally. That reality, combined with her experience as a young single mother, reinforced how complex and challenging the journey to stability and success can be. These experiences continue to shape how Maian approaches leadership today.
Redefining Access
For Maian, access is not a single resource. She views it as a combination of education, guidance, mentorship, and relationships. It means ensuring that entrepreneurs are not navigating their journey alone, but instead have support systems that help them move forward with clarity and confidence.
Her perspective is shaped by experience. She understands that for many entrepreneurs, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, the challenge is not just starting a business. It is knowing where to begin, what steps to take next, and how to avoid costly missteps along the way. In her view, creating access means addressing those gaps directly.
Creating a Place to Start
Under Maian’s leadership, ASSETS is designed to be more than a resource. It is meant to be a starting point. Her focus is on creating an environment where entrepreneurs feel supported, encouraged, and confident in their decision to take the next step. Whether someone is exploring an idea, launching a business, or working to grow an existing one, the goal is to ensure they feel equipped to move forward.
That sense of belonging and clarity is not incidental. It is intentional, and it plays a critical role in the early stages of any entrepreneurial journey.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Maian’s vision for ASSETS is clear and practical. She wants ASSETS to become the first place entrepreneurs think of when they are ready to act on an idea or take their business to the next level. That could mean accessing training, connecting with the right people, or navigating the process of formalizing a business.
Her focus is on removing barriers and simplifying the path forward, so entrepreneurs can spend less time navigating systems and more time building what they set out to create. Because in her view, having the right support at the right time is what turns potential into progress.
Want to Get Started?
If you have a business idea or are looking to grow, ASSETS can help you take the next step with the tools, guidance, and support needed to move forward.
