Formative

On this episode of Formative, Desmond Jackbir and middle schooler, Christian, talk about how we can merge our passions and make dream careers for ourselves. Desmond is a Director of Network Field Engineering at Verizon. He shares with us how he got to be working at Verizon for the past 25 years and why he believes technology is a reliable career that can be paired with any passion, from cooking to sports.

On this episode of Formative, Eileen Lehpamer and middle schooler, Sage, discuss the importance of stories—the ones on the news and the ones we tell ourselves about who we are and what we’re capable of. Eileen has been a television and radio reporter for decades in NYC, and she loves to travel the world. We hear about Eileen’s favorite stories she’s reported and her favorite quotes that she likes to remind herself of when she needs extra belief in herself.

On today’s episode of Formative, Larry Gallegos and middle schooler, Lyric, are joined in conversation. Larry is the Public Policy Manager at Lyft, and they bond over their love of law and debate. Larry and Lyric also talk about how one person can build a better future for generations to come, and how all it takes is someone who isn’t afraid of hard work.

Kathy Coughlin joins us today on Formative. Kathy is the Chief People Officer at Doherty Enterprises, a company focused on growing popular franchise restaurants like Panera Bread and Applebees. Joining Kathy is middle schooler and co-host, Gigi, who learns the importance of doing work with integrity. Kathy and Gigi talk about why we should enjoy the journey and not just wait for the reward and how the fruits of our labor will always come one way or another if we do good work.

Gregg Bishop  joins us today to kick off the eighth season of Formative! Gregg is the Executive Director of the Social Justice Fund, an organization with the ten year commitment to center its work around racial justice and economic mobility in Brooklyn. Joining Gregg is middle schooler and co-host, Viduni, who learns that doors close because other doors were meant to open. Gregg shares with Viduni his long curvy road to his current career and the importance of arming ourselves with necessary skills so that we’re prepared when opportunity comes.

To wrap up this season of Formative, we are joined by Ashley Parke, a content creator in the fashion space. Ashley tells us about how learning to find balance has always been a constant theme in her career from the very beginning, when she had a demanding full time job and a growing side gig. Ashley is joined in conversation by 8th grader and co-host, Nevaeh, who learns about getting your confidence from within and finding a healthy balance between living on and offline.

Dina Clark has always seen diversity and inclusion as a personal responsibility. 6th grader and co-host, Atef, joins Dina in conversation today to discuss Dina’s childhood pull toward inclusion and the different moments in adulthood that solidified her career path as the Senior Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion at Skanska, global construction and development company.. Atef learns that huge potential can be unlocked in a person if they feel they are given opportunities to be seen and heard.

Rio Vander Stahl’s childhood dream was to become a cellist in the ranks of the great Yo-Yo Ma. But his career didn’t turn out that way, which makes his story much more fun. On this episode of Formative, 8th grader and co-host, Lauren, learns that your career path doesn’t have to be linear and that your experience ends up being more magical when you’re not following a strict blueprint. 

Kristy Marmorato joins us on Formative today to discuss her journey from being a radiologic technologist to now serving as the Councilwoman for the 13th District of the New York City Council. In conversation with Councilwoman Marmorato, 8th grader and co-host, Lamiya, learns about the importance of taking matters into our own hands and how far we can go as long as we foster a strong community around us.

Courtney Helm has always been able to make her own way using the skills she’s developed as a toy designer. Today, she’s joined by 8th grader and co-host, Keyani, to talk about her business, Drip Accessory, an innovative brand making fitness terry cloth towels. Keyani learns how working on your craft can lead to unexpected great success and how you can always work really hard and make space for yourself being creative.