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.

From playing basketball professionally to becoming CEO of the Charles Hayden Foundation, Sonni Holland joins our co-host, Andrew, to talk about the choices he’s made in his career that have led to an enriching life. Andrew learns about the difficult work of making critical decisions and the grace we must give ourselves when we make mistakes.

Grace Meng is the U.S. representative for New York's 6th congressional district. Today, Congresswoman Meng is joined by Jasmine, an eighth grader whose favorite subject in school is U.S. History and Government. Congresswoman Meng tells Jasmine about her upbringing in Queens and how growing up as the daughter of immigrants showed her the importance of accessibility and representation. Together, they discuss their vision for solutions to some of the biggest issues teens face today, such as climate change, gun violence and public school funding.

Niesha Foster is Vice President of Product Access, Global Health & Social Impact at Pfizer. Her work is focused on addressing patient affordability challenges and driving community engagement. Today, Niesha is joined by 8th grader, Carrera, to talk about what it means to be successful. In this episode, Carrera learns how the challenges she meets at every stage of life will require her to develop skills and come up with solutions that will propel her toward her own unique vision of success.