Jonathan Balin
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of AAPI communities across the country and within our own organization. At Acuative, we’re proud to highlight the diverse perspectives and experiences that help shape our team and strengthen our company culture.
As part of this celebration, we’re spotlighting Field Engineer Edwin Fabian to learn more about his background, career journey, and experiences. We’re excited to share his story and the insights he brings to the Acuative team.
How would you describe your cultural background and the role it has played in shaping who you are today?
As a proud Filipino Canadian, my cultural background has greatly shaped both my personal values and professional journey. Filipino culture taught me the importance of resilience, humility, hard work, respect, and strong family values.
These qualities became the foundation of my career as I pursued opportunities internationally and built a life across different countries and cultures. My journey began in the Philippines, continued through more than 20 years of professional experience in Saudi Arabia, and eventually brought me to Canada, where I now work for Acuative as a Field Engineer. Living and working in different parts of the world helped me become highly adaptable, culturally aware, and committed to continuous learning and growth.
"Being a Filipino Canadian reminds me to stay grounded, grateful, and dedicated to representing my community positively through professionalism and service."
How has your background influenced your approach to your work or career journey?
My background has strongly influenced my approach to my career by teaching me perseverance, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning.
A major part of my professional growth came from my career in Saudi Arabia, where I spent over 20 years working in IT and network engineering roles supporting enterprise, telecommunications, and government-related environments. During that time, I worked on large-scale networking and infrastructure projects involving Cisco technologies, wireless systems, routing and switching, network troubleshooting, and customer support. I also collaborated with multicultural teams and supported high-profile environments including projects connected to the Royal Saudi Air Force and Ministry of Defense. Those experiences strengthened both my technical expertise and my ability to work effectively under pressure while managing customer expectations and complex implementations.
Today, I continue applying those experiences in my current role as a Field Engineer, where I support enterprise network infrastructure, lead customer cutover activities, coordinate with vendors and project teams, and help ensure successful deployments and customer satisfaction. My international career journey taught me that success comes from remaining adaptable, staying committed to learning, and always being willing to embrace new challenges.
Have there been mentors, role models, or community influences that helped guide your professional path?
Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work alongside talented engineers, mentors, and leaders who helped shape my professional growth.
Many of the mentors I worked with during my years in Saudi Arabia taught me the importance of discipline, technical excellence, teamwork, and professionalism in the IT industry. I was also inspired by many fellow Filipinos working abroad who demonstrated resilience, sacrifice, and dedication while supporting their families and building successful careers internationally. Seeing Filipino professionals succeed globally motivated me to continue improving my skills, earning Cisco certifications, and embracing leadership opportunities in my field. My family has also been one of my greatest sources of inspiration and support throughout my journey.
Can you share a moment in your life where your cultural identity felt especially meaningful or influential?
One meaningful experience was working on major IT and networking projects in Saudi Arabia alongside professionals from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds. In those environments, I became proud to represent Filipinos through hard work, reliability, adaptability, and professionalism.
As a Filipino professional working internationally for many years and now as a Filipino Canadian, I’ve seen firsthand how respected Filipinos are around the world for their dedication and positive attitude. Continuing my career in Canada reinforced the importance of diversity and multicultural collaboration in today’s global workforce. It reminded me that our cultural identity can be a strength that helps us connect with others and contribute meaningfully in any environment.
Have there been any challenges or misconceptions you’ve experienced related to your identity, and how have you navigated them?
Like many immigrants and internationally trained professionals, one challenge was adapting to different cultures, communication styles, and workplace environments while proving my capabilities in highly technical roles.
Working abroad in Saudi Arabia and later transitioning to Canada required flexibility, patience, and the willingness to continuously learn and adapt. At times, there can be misconceptions about immigrant professionals or assumptions about what roles they can achieve. I navigated those challenges by focusing on professionalism, technical excellence, certifications, teamwork, and consistently delivering quality work. My international experience taught me resilience and helped me develop confidence in working with diverse teams and customers across different cultures and industries.
What message would you share with younger AAPI professionals entering your field today?
To younger AAPI professionals entering the IT industry, my advice is to stay committed to learning, remain adaptable, and believe in your abilities.
Technology evolves rapidly, so continuous education, certifications, and hands-on experience are essential for growth and success. Do not be afraid to start small and build your career step by step. My journey began in IT support and eventually expanded into enterprise networking, wireless infrastructure, and international projects across Saudi Arabia and Canada.
As a Filipino Canadian who spent over 20 years building a career abroad before continuing my journey in Canada, I’ve learned that resilience, humility, adaptability, and hard work can open opportunities anywhere in the world.
"Be proud of your identity, continue growing professionally, and use your experiences to inspire others along the way."