Career Safari

Early in her career, Amanda Koonjbeharry (Guyanese American) found herself in different leadership positions in her home state of Minnesota. As a public servant she led the statewide Super Bowl LII anti-sex trafficking committee. She was then the Director of Public Policy where she co-led several projects on public safety and policing during the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. In our conversation she reflects on her experience being a young government leader, racial disparities in Minnesota and the weight of being one of a few women of color in leadership. Watch full episode on YouTube Episode Edited by: Yamini Ranjan Music from: www.epidemicsound.com

Janine Hernandez's (Colombian American) story is equally about her journey back to herself AND all the amazing work she does as an author and book coach. Not many can say they wrote their first book at 12!

Yet while she was making her career dreams happen, she was also faced with one of the darkest moments of her life - finding herself in a relationship with someone that was verbally/emotionally abusive. Then as she left that relationship and healed, her creative spirit reached new heights.

In this episode we discuss - the signs of narcissistic abuse, writing her first book at 12 and pushing past the fear of becoming a published author.

Watch full episode on YouTube

For more information on domestic abuse: www.thehotline.org

Episode Edited by: Yamini Ranjan

Music from: www.epidemicsound.com

Our advice, listen to this episode and ask yourself, "What are you here to teach me?" That's because it doesn't take long for you to recognize the magic of Susan De Toledo Hulley(Brazilian American).

Within a few minutes of talking with her, you feel as if your soul is seen and being cleansed. Throughout her life, her goal has been to learn, connect and share with people. That has been evidenced by her fierce fight for human rights - including protesting the Vietnam war and being part of student led protests in Brazil in the '60s.

In this magical conversation we talk about: the importance of having hope, retiring from teaching and starting her healing/therapy practice. She also answers some audience questions: How do we overcome trauma?

Episode Edited by Yamini Ranjan

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

Before the recent upheaval in the tech sector, we had an all encompassing conversation with Emily Tsitrian (Greek-Armenian American) about the excitement and challenges of being in the tech community. Emily has led several teams at different tech startups. She reflected on her journey by writing, "Make Me the Boss: Surviving as A Millennial Manager in the Corporate World," to help first time managers successfully lead teams.

In our chat we discuss our experiences in the tech world - including the obstacles that prevent women and people of color from being hired to the risky decisions hiring managers make.

Watch the entire episode: YouTube

Episode Edited by: Yamini Ranjan

In our Season 2 premiere, we have a free-spirited conversation with Dr. Tiffany Ingram. Tiffany is so firmly rooted in her family's history and the legacy of being a Black Detrioter, it's no surprise that she has blossomed and continues to shine as bright as she does. At several points in her life she tenaciously took chances on building a new life for herself and creating safe spaces for others. We explored - why she loves doing "the most", her role as influencer on her platform Policy & Fashion - a space for plus sized professional women to thrive and what her doctorate research said about career advancement for African-American women. Watch the entire episode on YouTube Learn More Episode Edited by: Yamini Ranjan

Season Finale Dr. Christine Chin-Sim (Jamaican) found herself dealing with a major life change at 42. For the past two decades she was a devoted mother and housewife, but it was time to face her divorce and rebuild her life - and that she did!

In the years that followed, Dr. Christine got her PhD in Psychotherapy in Marriage and Family Counseling. Now with her growing YouTube community and practice, Leverage 4 Change, she helps people navigate relationships, attachment styles and changes in their life. She chats with us about her life changes and answers audience questions about relationships.

Episode Edited by: Yamini Ranjan

When someone's profession includes words like "dream builder" our ears perk up. Ariane Hunter was on a well respected path in her career. She studied information system, received her MBA and had the salary/benefits many people aspire to. But at some point, she realized she wasn't on her authentic path. Now 10 years later, as the founder of My Mentors Circle and a coach to dozens of entrepreneurs - she has never looked back. We talk about what finally made her start her own business, how she's helped people define and live a life of their dreams. We also ask her advice on how work is being redefined since the pandemic. Episode Edited by: Yamini Ranjan

Rediate Tekeste (Ethiopian-American) entered a new phase of leadership as Sr. Brand Director when she realized that everything we do ties back to our emotional intelligence and self-awareness. "You can't lead from a place of emptiness."

We explore why it's important to work through your emotions and triggers as you grow in leadership, the balance of working with creatives, and how she is giving Ethiopian-Americans an opportunity to reconnect with Ethiopia.

For More Visit Our Website

Episode Edited By: Women of Wayland Podcast

Dr. Illona Willken (South African) has reinvented her career more than anyone we've interviewed so far - from being a ballet teacher, school teacher, project manager in weapons and ammunition to ultimately becoming a medical doctor at 48. While she started her career journey not wanting to have a career at all - she quickly realized that if she and her children were to have a better lifestyle, she would have to be all in.

We have an introspective conversation about the difficulties of being a working mom to how her personal battle with chronic fatigue changed the course of her career. For more visit our website.

For many years Parry Burton was living her life as an actress and maî·tre d in Los Angeles. Like many people, the COVID-19 pandemic gave her a moment to reflect on where she wanted to put her creative energy and from there, her hair care company Naturally Parry was born. As a Biracial American, she dealt with struggling to embrace her curls and that curiosity led her to building her own business. In this episode we talk about what brought her to this moment, the beauty of being in a business partnership with her mother and flexing her muscles as a new entrepreneur.

Episode Edited By: @Women Of Wayland Podcast