Courageous Crossroads

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Katie O'Hara is a dynamic leader and recent graduate of the Saïd Business School at the
University of Oxford. Based in the UK, she currently serves in leadership, overseeing the construction of the National Grid project, showcasing her strong leadership and strategic acumen. Katie brings a rich tapestry of experiences and a diverse background to her role, embodying resilience and intellect in every endeavor. As a dedicated mother, Katie balances her professional achievements with her personal life, proving her mettle as a formidable fighter and courageous individual. Her recent "Courageous Crossroads" podcast appearance highlights her insights and inspirational journey.

Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others.

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Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others.

Let's stay in touch:

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• Visit our website www.crossroadsapologetics.org

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Neeraj Doddamane is the Chief Strategy Officer at ShikshaLokam, an NGO dedicated to empowering leadership development in India’s K-12 education sector. At ShikshaLokam, Neeraj spearheads the organization's growth strategies and manages its national programs and major strategic initiatives, coordinating across multiple teams. Under his leadership, over 570,000 leaders have launched upwards of 389,000 projects aimed at improving educational environments for students.

Neeraj is currently furthering his expertise by pursuing a postgraduate degree in Organizational Leadership at the Saïd Business School.

Before joining ShikshaLokam, Neeraj was a Teach For India fellow and provided strategic consultancy to various nascent non-profits. Since 2018, he has been an active member of the Global Shapers Community, where he leads educational initiatives at the Bengaluru Hub.

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Bobby Folsom's journey is one of remarkable transformation. Hailing from Des Moines, his early life was marred by the challenges of drug and alcohol abuse, violence, poverty, and addiction. Surrounded by drugs from a young age, he became entangled in a world of criminal activity. Yet, Bobby's story is one of redemption and renewal. With unflinching honesty and without regret, he shares his experiences and the powerful lessons they hold. His narrative is a testament to courage in the face of overwhelming temptations and the hope that springs from trust in a loving God. Bobby's life is not just a tale of survival but a beacon of hope, guiding others towards a brighter future.

***WARNING*** This episode contains graphic language and adult situations. It is not recommended for all listeners

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Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others.

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John is a founding partner of Midwest Growth Partners, with a rich background in finance. He has been a Managing Director at The PrivateBank (now CIBC) and an investment banker at First National Bank of Omaha. John's expertise in M&A has earned him recognition as one of the top 40 M&A professionals under 40 by The M&A Advisor. He began his entrepreneurial journey at 14, owning and operating three small companies.

Educated at the University of Iowa, John holds a BBA, MBA, and JD. He was an Academic All-Big 10 selection and letter-winner on the football team. Beyond his professional achievements, John has served as a City Councilman for West Des Moines, a board member for various organizations, and is active in his church, St. Francis of Assisi.

John's wife, Brooke, co-founded "The Iowa Wave Shirt," a non-profit that has donated over $1.5 million to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, where John serves as a board member. Passionate about fitness, John's greatest joy is spending time with Brooke and coaching their four boys, Jack, Tucker, Hansen, and Hunter.

https://www.mgpfund.com/

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Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others.

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William Holmes, also known as "Will Keeps," hails from Chicago, Illinois. His childhood was shattered at the young age of seven when he suffered sexual abuse at the hands of his stepfather. The once safe haven of his home transformed into a place devoid of security and love. This trauma left Will confused, angry, and desperately searching for answers in the years that followed. His yearning was simple: a loving and protective family.

Unfortunately, many young boys facing similar circumstances struggle to find solace in their homes. Like countless others, Will sought a sense of belonging and protection in a gang. At 13, he joined the gang in Chicago, believing he'd found the "love" and "protection" he craved. Gang life initially offered a feeling of power, care, and security. However, this illusion quickly faded as Will witnessed the harsh realities of gang violence. At the tender age of 15, he watched a rival gang murder a friend. The trauma continued when a jammed gun spared him from immediate death, only to be brutally beaten and left for dead.

Miraculously, Will survived this horrific ordeal. It marked a turning point, igniting a passion for saving others from a similar fate. In his 20s, he moved to Des Moines, seeking a fresh start and a chance to shape his future and legacy. He envisioned a world where young people wouldn't have to endure the pain of neglect and insecurity. Determined to make a difference, Will began dedicating himself to his community and at-risk youth facing similar circumstances. He became a daily mentor through the ManUp Iowa program, empowering these young people to choose a better path – a path he wished he could have taken.

Will is the founder of Starts Right Here in Des Moines, Iowa, a program designed to serve youth in a supportive, empowering environment. All young people deserve a chance to rise above the circumstances they were born into and to reach their mental, emotional, physical, and economic potential.

https://startsrighthere.org/

http://shop.btpubservices.com/Title/9781947305779

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     Mamadou Baldé is the esteemed Market Leader and Managing Director for CBRE's Pittsburgh, PA, and West Virginia operations. In his role, he is responsible for overseeing real estate sales and support professionals across Pittsburgh, PA, and Charleston, WV. His strategic management encompasses all Advisory Services lines of business, including Property Management, Advisory & Transaction Services, Capital Markets, Occupier Outsourcing, Project Management, and Valuation & Advisory Services.

     Mr. Baldé's leadership is pivotal in driving growth within the Pittsburgh office, fostering a positive workplace culture that reflects CBRE's core values. He manages business operations, client relations, new business development, and related services for the market.

     Prior to his tenure at CBRE in 2021, Mr. Baldé held significant positions such as President of Fulani Millwork, Inc., Developer-In-Residence with ACTION-Housing, and Vice President and In-House Counsel at the Pittsburgh office of an International Commercial Real Estate Services Company. His diverse background also includes practicing law at a regional law firm in Pittsburgh.

     Mr. Baldé is a graduate of Liberty University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He is actively involved in the Pittsburgh community, serving on the Board of the City of Bridges Community Land Trust, American Diabetes Association, and is a past board member of The First Tee Pittsburgh. Married to Kelsie with a growing family, Mamadou is not only a strong leader at CBRE but also a mentor who is committed to making a positive impact both professionally and in his community.

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Sarif Hossain is a distinguished entrepreneur and philanthropist, currently serving as the Owner and Director of Pataka Group of Companies, a conglomerate renowned for its consumer goods, tea, and silk products in India. With a portfolio of prestigious academic credentials, including a PGDip in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oxford and an MSc in Marketing & Strategy from the University of Warwick, Sarif brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. He is a polyglot, fluent in English, Bengali, Hindi, Italian, and Arabic, and possesses expertise in governance, strategy, corporate team management, and marketing.

Sarif's business acumen has taken him to nearly 40 nations, where he has developed a keen interest in the analytical applications of culture and meta-analysis of global events. He is an active member of various prestigious organizations, including the Family Business Network and the Indo-British Scholars Association, and has contributed significantly to academic research and student support through his volunteer work and donations.

At Pataka Industries, Sarif has played a pivotal role in corporate rebranding and strategic planning, leading the company to become a major employer in India. He has also spearheaded product development and international client relations at East End Silks, earning recognition for outstanding achievement. In addition to his business endeavors, Sarif is dedicated to social responsibility, overseeing academic foundation monitoring and partnership maintenance for various CSR Trust Foundations, providing support to mission schools and students.

Sarif's multifaceted career and commitment to excellence make him a dynamic and inspiring figure in the business world.

Thank you for listening! We hope you feel inspired and encouraged by our conversation today. If you did, be sure to share this episode with others.

Let's stay in touch:

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See you in the next episode! Be blessed!