Curious Monica

The lack of a traditional background in business did not stop young Scott Sassa from dreaming of a future in Hollywood. He didn't like school nor wanted to finish college but he loved learning and was determined to find a path for his dream career - even if that meant calling the same office every day until they gave him a chance for an interview.

Today, Scott is renowned for disrupting numerous industries as an intrapreneur, establishing large-scale businesses within corporations. As an American entertainment executive, he has occupied several high-level positions in prominent entertainment companies such as Turner Broadcasting System, NBC, Hearst, and El Rey Network. He also ventured into the realm of social media with his role at Friendster before its widespread popularity. Currently, he serves as the Chairman of MILK Makeup, delving into the realms of beauty and skincare. Throughout his various roles, he is reminded that leadership is a journey marked by adaptation and persistence. His eagerness to learn, embrace new challenges, advocate for himself, and consistently show up demonstrates his audacity to share his contributions with the world.

This May, as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are thrilled to showcase Scott's inspiring journey into his media, beauty, and business. Connect with Scott Sassa on his site, email, or LinkedIn.

Seeking inspiration? Subscribe to Curious Monica by InnovatorsBox, where host Monica H. Kang interviews trailblazers forging new paths to create positive change. Explore more at curiousmonica.com.

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From the outset, Jean H. Lee harbored a clear passion for journalism. Yet, breaking into a field devoid of faces resembling her own posed challenges. Undeterred by the lack of representation, Jean persevered, eventually emerging as one of the foremost journalists of her time. Over her 20-year tenure with the Associated Press, she not only achieved remarkable success but also secured unparalleled access to North Korea—a feat few could boast. Spearheading the opening of the Seoul and Pyongyang Bureaus, Jean made history as one of the first Korean Americans to oversee both South and North Korea's coverage, solidifying her status as a leading authority on the region.

Jean H. Lee's journey exemplifies resilience and determination in the face of adversity. As a seasoned journalist, she has garnered acclaim for her incisive reporting and unparalleled insights into North Korea. From navigating safety concerns to establishing a bureau in an enigmatic nation, Jean's story is one of unwavering commitment to her craft and an unyielding pursuit of truth.

This May, in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we celebrate Jean's remarkable achievements and her invaluable contributions to journalism. Connect with Jean Lee on LinkedIn and JHLeeMedia.com to delve deeper into her inspiring narrative.

For more stories of courage and innovation, subscribe to Curious Monica by InnovatorsBox, where host Monica H. Kang engages with trailblazers shaping positive change. Explore further at curiousmonica.com.

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Geronimo Carlos Ramos III believes that the most rewarding journey is returning to your passion, regardless of the twists and turns along the way. Today, his culinary adventure is enriched by collaborations with Michelin-star chefs and prestigious events, such as the Tiger Woods Hero Golf tournament in the Bahamas. While food and people have always been central to Geronimo's story, the full picture of the chef and content creator he is today only came into focus later in his career.

Growing up in L.A., Geronimo developed a deep appreciation for food and community service from his family, who prioritized serving others. However, as an immigrant family wanting him to have the best opportunities, they initially questioned the viability of a career in cooking when he first expressed interest in becoming a chef. This uncertainty pushed Geronimo to explore diverse fields such as business, psychology, product management, technology, and design, leading him to discover the power of social entrepreneurship. Over time, he realized that all his experiences and passions ultimately tied back to his core love for food and people. He shares insights into honing his craft and managing his day as a chef, content creator, and product designer in the tech industry.

This May, as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are thrilled to showcase Geronimo's inspiring journey into his true passion as a chef. Connect with Geronimo Carlos Ramos III on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Tag him or send him a direct message to say hello. Seeking inspiration? Subscribe to Curious Monica by InnovatorsBox, where host Monica H. Kang interviews trailblazers forging new paths to create positive change. Explore more at curiousmonica.com.

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Sheena Yap Chan is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Asian female leaders in the workplace. Through her role as author and podcast host of "The Tao of Self-Confidence," she has engaged with over 900 Asian female leaders, reshaping our understanding of leadership and self-confidence in professional settings.

Her journey began with a simple yet powerful question: why aren't people who look like me speaking up? Motivated by a desire for representation, Sheena, an active writer and influencer, entered the media and podcasting arena to address this gap. In our conversation, she shares insights into managing her time and projects, highlighting how she continually cultivates confidence to inspire and empower others. She emphasizes the profound connection between vulnerability, authenticity, and self-confidence, a thread woven through her journey and the stories of many others.

This May, as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we are thrilled to spotlight Sheena's courageous role as an innovator, contributing to the empowerment of AAPI voices. Connect with Sheena Yap Chan on any social media platform, and don't miss her podcast and book, "The Tao of Self-Confidence." Sheena hails from the Philippines and currently resides in Toronto, Canada. Seeking inspiration?

Subscribe to Curious Monica by InnovatorsBox, where host Monica H. Kang interviews trailblazers forging new paths to create positive change. Explore more at curiousmonica.com.

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Not knowing what lies beyond can lead to thrilling adventures if you remain curious and open-minded, as Jeff Kirschner discovered firsthand.

After college, Jeff explored various paths driven by his love for learning. From bartending in San Francisco (SF) to embarking on a year-long backpacking journey worldwide, his diverse experiences shaped his journey. Upon returning to SF, Jeff's curiosity and broad perspective guided him to meaningful opportunities in advertising and startups. However, it was a simple yet profound question from his daughter—"Why is there trash in the middle of the woods?"—that sparked his mission to combat litter.

Witnessing the pervasive issue of litter in seemingly eco-friendly neighborhoods inspired Jeff to take action. As the Founder of Litterati, he has built a global community dedicated to achieving a litter-free world through creative storytelling and documentation. For over 12 years, Litterati has collected over 1.9 million pieces of litter across 185 countries, advocating for tangible solutions to address this pressing issue.

Jeff's journey highlights the power of curiosity and storytelling in leadership. Join us in celebrating his efforts this Earth Day and learn how you can contribute to the movement. Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn and follow Litterati on social media.

Ready for more inspiring stories? Subscribe to Curious Monica by InnovatorsBox, where host Monica H. Kang shares empowering interviews. Visit curiousmonica.com for more.

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When did you last pause to notice a bird soaring in the sky? Our conversation with Monica Iglecia will encourage you to take a closer look.

Meet Monica, a passionate bird scientist and conservation biologist dedicated to preserving bird habitats. As the U.S. Coordinator for the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture in Portland, Oregon, she leads large-scale conservation efforts, fostering collaboration and innovation to protect our Earth and its ecosystems.

Monica shares her journey, highlighting the diverse experiences that have fueled her curiosity and resilience. This Earth Day, join us in celebrating Monica's dedication to bird conservation and her leadership in wildlife sustainability. Connect with Monica Iglecia on LinkedIn and learn more about her organization. Ready for inspiring stories?

Subscribe to Curious Monica by InnovatorsBox, where host Monica H. Kang shares empowering interviews. Visit curiousmonica.com for more.

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Zach Johnson, a fifth generation family farmer from West Central Minnesota, saw a gap in awareness about farming and agriculture. In 2016, he launched his idea of documenting and sharing his farming journey online. Today, his YouTube channel, "Millennial Farmer," boasts over a million subscribers, where he showcases daily life on the family farm and promotes positive farming practices.

I first discovered Zach's work at a Google office, where his channel was recognized for its creative use of YouTube. Eight years later, his impact remains significant. We delved into his journey to understand how we can better advocate for farmers and grasp the importance of agriculture. Join us in celebrating Zach Johnson, "Millennial Farmer," for his inspiring mission this Earth Day.

Learn more about his work on Curious Monica and our website, curiousmonica.com.

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Dr. Aubrey R. Paris grew up loving science and science fairs. Curiosity drove her to identify problems and approach them with innovative thinking, a hallmark of scientific problem-solving. While exploring various avenues in science and innovation, she recognized an opportunity to merge her interests and pursue a career in science diplomacy. What exactly is science diplomacy? Aubrey is eager to delve deeper into this topic and share her journey that led her to her current role as the Senior Policy Advisor on Gender, Climate & Innovation in the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues (S/GWI) at the U.S. Department of State.

Today, she spearheads policy and public diplomacy initiatives at the intersection of gender and climate change. Reflecting on her journey, she attributes her success to her passion for innovation, storytelling, and community building, qualities she encourages others to embrace by trying something new. Join us in celebrating Aubrey R. Paris's inspiring journey into sustainability.

Learn more about her work on Curious Monica and our website curiousmonica.com.

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If you truly believe in something, don't ever let go of it. Don't let not having a playbook stop you. Rahama Wright is here to tell you to go pursue your dreams because the best paths will not have a playbook given to you.

When young Rahama first noticed a problem in the shea market, she wanted to do something about it. Volunteering in the Peace Corps and working in Mali, West Africa inspired her to create a businsss with a social mission that empowers women and children. She noticed that so many women harvesting and making shea butter were underpaid and in poverty, while global consumers were paying a high price for the goods. She realized she can be a problem solver by shaking up the system. Her business, Shea Yeleen, markets and distributes high-quality unrefined shea butter produced by women's cooperatives in West Africa, offering U.S. consumers a natural skincare line that is fairly-traded and ethically produced.

As Rahama continues to shake up the industry and systems for equity with high-quality products, she is rethinking entrepreneurship and social impact as well. We're excited to celebrate her journey as an innovator as we celebrate Women's History Month. Please connect with her on LinkedIn and check out her site to learn more.

For more inspiring stories, subscribe to Curious Monica by InnovatorsBox, where host Monica H. Kang shares compelling narratives. Visit curiousmonica.com for more.

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Sometimes, it seems like the universe throws obstacles in our path, but how we respond is ultimately up to us. Growing up in a hotel wasn't abnormal for Sadhna Bokhiria when she immigrated to Connecticut. Her parents owned the hotel, so it was normal for her to clean the rooms and live there. Her classmates didn't think so, and made sure she knew about it. Despite facing injustice and discouragement, such as a professor dismissing her dreams of becoming a teacher, Sadhna refused to be deterred. Her response was a resolute "watch me" whenever someone told her she couldn't do something.

Today, Sadhna is the Founder & CEO of KIRIA Research, an advisory firm for the biotech and pharmaceutical industry that specializes in studying health systems. Her firm is responsible for advising clients who collectively brought in over 283 billion dollars in revenue in 2023. Known for her quick wit and authentic leadership, she is revolutionizing cancer treatment by integrating psychosocial factors and humor into patient care. Recognizing the healing power of laughter, she delved into the study of stand-up comedians, interviewing over 600 to understand how humor impacts psychology, physiology, resilience, and leadership. Committed to giving back, Sadhna partners with healthcare institutions like Banner Health, Mayo Clinic, and Phoenix Children's Hospital to provide housing for cancer patients traveling to Arizona for treatment. In India, she creates scholarships for underprivileged children, particularly girls, to access education and opportunities beyond societal challenges.

Sadhna's message is clear: Don't let anyone stop you from pursuing your dreams. As we celebrate female innovators for International Women's Day, we're honored to share Dr. Sadhna Bokhiria's courageous journey. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

For more inspiring stories, subscribe to Curious Monica by InnovatorsBox, where host Monica H. Kang shares compelling narratives.

Visit curiousmonica.com for more.

Click here for the episode shownotes, video, mentioned resources, episode transcripts, and more.