Spotlight: Christina Phangestu – From Jakarta to Georgia
This month, we honor the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Today, we’re proud to share the story of Christina Phangestu, CFO, whose journey from Indonesia to the United States reflects resilience, adventure, and a deep sense of cultural pride.
Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, Christina Phangestu grew up immersed in a rich blend of cultural heritage. The granddaughter of Chinese immigrants and the middle of three sisters, Christina spent her early years surrounded by family, tradition, and the colorful vibrancy of Indonesian life.
In 2002, she left Indonesia for the first time to pursue higher education in the United States. She enrolled at Pensacola Christian College in Florida, a decision made easier by its welcoming community and strong Indonesian student population. The transition, however, wasn’t without challenges. Christina arrived with only conversational English and limited exposure to Western culture, especially the food. “I had never even had American food before I came,” she recalls. “Everything was unfamiliar, from the meals to the way people interacted.”
With the help of her roommates, Christina adjusted to college life and grew more confident in her new environment. Through friendship and determination, she navigated cultural differences and language barriers, emerging with not only a degree but also the start to a new life in America.
While at college, Christina met her husband, and the two married in 2008. They now live in the suburb of Alpharetta where they are raising two daughters, ages 12 and 7. Though far from her birthplace, Christina remains deeply connected to her Indonesian roots. Her home is often filled with the comforting aromas of Southeast Asian cuisine, with beef rendang, Indonesia’s beloved national dish, holding a special place in her heart. “It’s nostalgic,” she says. “The flavors, the spices, they bring me back to my childhood.”
Christina takes great pride in sharing her culture with others. “Many people think of Bali as its own country,” she explains. “But it’s one of over 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia – an incredibly diverse, tropical nation with the fourth-largest population in the world.”
Though visits home are infrequent – her last trip was four years ago – Christina maintains strong ties with her and her husband’s families, who still live in Indonesia. Her story reflects the resilience and richness of the AAPI experience: a journey of identity, belonging, and celebration across continents.