Jonathan Kwong Elevates Diverse Leaders

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Jonathan Kwong started his legal career with a chip on his shoulder. As a first-generation lawyer and the son of immigrant parents, he came into the field feeling like he had something to prove as he navigated rooms filled with lawyers who didn’t look like him.

“Coming in as a young Asian American, there were multiple times when I’d be going out for a deposition and someone would be like, ‘Oh hey, you’re the IT guy, can you fix my computer?’” Kwong recalls. “It was kind of just like, ‘No, man, I’m about to depose the CEO of this company.’”

He continues, “It’s one thing [to experience discrimination and racism] growing up as a kid, but it’s another to be stereotyped as the IT guy after you graduate from college and law school. No, I’m not the IT guy. I’m your lawyer.”

Kwong uses experiences like those as fuel. Now as vice president and general counsel at KARL STORZ Endoscopy-America, he has not only hired one of the most diverse teams in the company but embarked on a mission to set them up to be leaders.

“Normally what I’ve seen across businesses is that we do a good job at diversity hiring at entry or lower levels, but as you start moving up the ranks, it thins out very quickly,” he observes. “That’s why we’re looking at what we have to do to build up the skill sets for folks to take on those leadership roles and determine how we create opportunities for people to shine and showcase their talent and their skills.”

In addition to taking on an executive sponsorship role for the Asian American Pacific Islanders employee resource group at KARL STORZ, Kwong empowers his team and his colleagues to be leaders by connecting them with opportunities to grow their skills and to build connections. That often involves connecting people with strategic projects in different areas of the organization as well as connecting individuals with other leaders who could help them reach their goals.

Kwong firmly believes that more diversity in the organization—and in the field—translates to better ideas and business outcomes at a company that’s focused on saving and improving lives.

“There’s diverse talent around the world and we want to leverage those different perspectives, cultures, and thoughts, and figure out how to maximize that across the organization,” he says.

Kwong’s passion for diversity stems from his mother. She came to the US from Taiwan; was a young, Asian woman working primarily in male-dominated industries like oil, banking, and real estate; and faced discrimination and sexism as she worked tirelessly for her family. Witnessing that, her challenges, and the positive impact his mother tried to have on the people around her inspired Kwong in more ways than one.

“There’s diverse talent around the world and we want to leverage those different perspectives, cultures, and thoughts, and figure out how to maximize that across the organization.”

Jonathan Kwong

“It really shaped how I see the world and how I want to help people rise and grow past the challenges that we’ve faced,” Kwong says. “Everything has been built by those before us, and I want to continue on that legacy.”

After getting a law degree from Boston College, Kwong started his career at a small litigation firm. He worked a couple of years as a litigation associate then realized his true passion was for “building things up, instead of breaking things down.”

That made him want to transition into an in-house role, a tough task in the aftermath of the Great Recession. He applied to over four hundred jobs around the world, got twenty interviews, five offers, and only one was in the Los Angeles area, where he and his wife were looking to raise their family. And he’s grateful for the love and support his wife provided him to take a risk and make a career shift to an in-house role.  

“I took the job and got lucky to be in the medical device industry, helping deaf people hear at Advanced Bionics,” Kwong says. “When you see a patient hear for the first time, you realize the work you’re doing is enabling a better quality of life.”

That began his love affair working in a mission-driven industry that he still calls home. After serving as counsel and a leader for nearly four years at Advanced Bionics, he transitioned to a senior legal role at Medtronic before becoming the first US lawyer for the Germany-based KARL STORZ.

Today, his global role is the general counsel for North and South America. Currently, he’s focused on maturing the company by growing the legal function across the US and internationally. He’s leveraging his influence and position in the company to elevate those around him, particularly those of diverse backgrounds who have immense talent but may not get the visibility they deserve.

“Jonathan is an industry leader with a bright future,” says Greg Levine, chair of Ropes & Gray’s global life sciences regulatory practice. “He brings a pragmatic approach to legal and compliance matters while consistently upholding his company’s commitment to ethics, honesty, and fairness. Jonathan also devotes significant time and focus on diversity initiatives. We are proud to partner with Jonathan and the KARL STORZ team on their mission to train and empower the next generation of diverse talent.”

Kwong’s career path has been a mix of luck, knowing his limitations, elevating others first, and relentless drive. He says those wanting to succeed in their careers shouldn’t fear taking on a challenge. “Apply to four hundred jobs to get one shot, and when you get the shot, own it,” he says. “Also, surround yourself with mentors and leaders, admit what you don’t know, and figure out a way to get that skill.”

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