Coming To America

Zhou Fang (she/tā/她)

Intersectional Group, LLC (COBID certified)

Intersectionality Practitioner, Leadership Consultant, Intersectional Living Coach

Zhou Fang is the founder and principal consultant of Intersectional Group LLC, a leadership, people and culture practice with a focus on intersectionality, empathy, compassion, intentionality, as well as curiosity. 

Zhou is also an Intersectionality Practitioner (IG: @intersectionalliving). She works with folks who are willing, excited, and ready, to learn about and practice intersectionality, intentionality, restoration, and healing. 

Zhou is a passionate advocate for pay transparency and equity, mental wellbeing, immigration reform, and climate justice, as well as a committed ally for the LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities.

Currently, Zhou serves on the board of Portland HR Management Association, as well as a thoughtleader for the Policy Committee at Women’s Foundation of Oregon. She is also the producer and host of The Intersection, a podcast program about intersectionality, identity, leadership, and personal journey.

Outside of work, Zhou is a proud dog and plant parent and a comedy and horror movie enthusiast. She appreciates good food and loves to travel. 

Zhou can be reached at [email protected]. You can connect with her on LinkedIn as well. 

Intersectional Group is a leadership practice that uses the framework of intersectionality, as well as the help of technology, empathy, compassion, and curiosity. It emphasizes on the importance of making EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) part of a company's business and strategic planning, instead of an add-on or stand-alone function. Intersectional Group builds relations and works with clients based on their needs.

Intersectional Group is a COBID Certified Business in Oregon.

Audio and video work (non inclusive):

1. The Intersection podcast 

2. Profiles in Leadership ft. Zhou Fang

3. Exploring Intersectionality with Zhou Fang

4. Transforming Workplace Mental Health

5. Pioneering the Future of Inclusion

6. Spirituality, Intersectionality, and Doing Good with Zhou Fang

7. Bridging Cultures with Zhou Fang

8. Pay Transparency & The Gender Pay Gap with Zhou Fang

Jack Phan came to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1978 and has built a career as a serial entrepreneur, startup mentor, investor, and entrepreneur-in-residence in the Portland metro area. He’s the former CEO of an AI SaaS company and is currently building EvolveIQ, a platform designed to help early-stage founders launch and grow their startups. Jack lives in Vancouver, WA with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, playing music, and building his digital AI twin.

Lou Radha. 

Grew up in congo from age 2 to 17. Born In Boston, MA on June 30th (Congo 🇨🇩independence day😊) 1976 while Congolese parents were going to school.

He is a consultant, inspirational speaker.

Co founded a school in the congo 🇨🇩 serving underprivileged children…24 years strong 💪🏿

Came back to US in 1993 to Ashland OR

Married  for 18 years

Two boys 17 and 11

Traveling, learning anything and eating good food and mangoes 🥭 

Simon was born in Staffordshire, in the English Midlands and grew up in Germany and SE England. He attended university in Wales, Edinburgh, Durham and later Chicago. Simon was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. In 1995 he got the opportunity to serve an Episcopal Church in Troy, NY. Since then he has served congregations in Tigard, Corvallis and Salem, Oregon. Simon is currently a chaplain and community partnership advocate for Church @ the Park, a religious non-for-profit based in Salem that provides resources, shelter and community for people experiencing homelessness and those on the margins. 

Simon is divorced with three grown up children. He proudly became a naturalized US citizen in 2011

Stefano is the founder of Smile Solution LLC, a company dedicated to enhancing workplace creativity, bonding, and well-being through humor-driven experiential training. With over 20 years of international experience in comedy and facilitation, Stefano has been living in the US for 10 years, has 2 daughters and a wonderful wife, he's cinema freak and loves magic and Martial arts.

https://www.stefanoiaboni.com

In this special episode of Coming to America, we welcome Niisai Botchway, a Ghanaian musician whose life has been shaped by rhythm, resilience, and remarkable journeys.

Niisai first came to the U.S. in 1974 as a member of Hedzoleh Soundz, a groundbreaking Afro-jazz group introduced to American audiences by none other than Hugh Masekela. Before international tours and studio sessions in Nigeria and the U.S., the band was a nightly fixture at the legendary Napoleon Club in Accra.

We talk about:

The early days of Ghana's live music scene

Recording their first album (twice!)

Touring the U.S. with Masekela

Returning to Ghana, and later to Portland in 1991 at the invitation of Obo Addy, another Ghanaian music legend

Finding community and balance as an immigrant, musician, and longtime valet at OHSU

🎶 And for the first time on this podcast—Niisai plays live music! A beautiful reminder of how art travels with us, no matter where we go.

This is more than a story about immigration—it’s a tribute to the global language of music and a life well lived between cultures.

Aida Rivas is an Executive Coach and seasoned Program Management professional with over 25 years in the tech industry.

Parents immigrated from Honduras to the U.S. when she was a little girl. Aida has lived on both coasts and in the heart of the country, but California has been home for most of her life—until recently, when she moved to Portland, Oregon.

Aida loves exploring food from different cultures and has been bringing people together through international potlucks with neighbors since 2001.

linkedin.com/in/aidarivas

I this episode of our  Immigrant podcast, I am interviewing Sonia Collier who immigrated to the US from Stockholm, Sweden in 1987.

She started her advertising career at the Shalek Agency in Los Angeles and was recruited to Wieden & Kennedy in Portland, OR 1991.

1999 she joined Adidas and finished a 22-year career with them end of 2020. She lives with her partner Joe in Portland, Oregon.

In this episode of Coming to America, we sit down with Elisabeth Tschalaer, who moved from Switzerland to the U.S. at just 17 to study in California. Now, after 32 years in Portland, she’s built a life as an artist, journeyman painter, and business owner of Painting Blue Skies.

But this episode isn’t just about immigration—it’s a ride through topics like impulsive politics of democracy, influence of geography, WWII, dark matter, Calvinism, famine, California, colonialism, and civil rights movement. 

Did you know Switzerland has no official capital city and was one of the last countries in the world to grant women ...? listen to find out.

Buckle up—this is one episode you don’t want to miss! 🎧

#ComingToAmerica #Podcast #SwissInAmerica #ImmigrantStories #ArtAndCulture #WomenInBusiness #HistoryMatters

https://paintingblueskies.com/

Welcome to Episode 15 of Coming to America: Austrian in the USA. In this episode, we sit down with Birgit Hayden, whose journey from Salzburg, Austria, to the heart of Northeast Portland, tells a story of courage, adaptation, and cultural fusion.

Birgit arrived in the United States in January 2001, spending her first six months in Seattle before moving to Portland in September 2001 with her American husband. Over the years, she has built a vibrant life in her new home and has raised three wonderful children, now aged 21, 19, and 16.

Professionally, Birgit is making her mark in the commercial insurance industry. Adding to her impressive resume, since December 23 she has also served as the Austrian Honorary Consul for Oregon—a role that perfectly blends her deep roots with her commitment to her new community.

Beyond her professional and consular responsibilities, Birgit embraces a colorful array of hobbies. Whether she's sewing intricate designs, gracefully gliding on the dance floor during ballroom sessions, or enjoying a cold beer with friends after an exhilarating day of skiing or hiking, she embodies the spirit of living life fully.

Join us as we explore Birgit’s unique journey, discussing the challenges and triumphs of merging two worlds, and celebrating the beautiful blend of traditions and modern life. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that our stories of migration and adaptation are what truly connect us, no matter where we call home.

Tune in now for an insightful conversation that celebrates heritage, resilience, and the art of embracing life’s diverse experiences.