Move with Power

In this episode, Shirley and Esther sit down with Anya Kanyuka. Anya is the founder of fashion brand Mafia Swimwear, and has also graced the runways of the world's most prestigious fashion weeks as a model, from New York Fashion Week to Paris and Vancouver Fashion Weeks. In her career, Anya is also a biologist who has delved deep into the realms of scientific research, particularly in the fight against cancer, holding degrees in Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Toronto and a Master of Science in Bioinformatics, Systems Biology and Genomics from Ecole Normale Supérieure.

In this episode, we get a glimpse into Anya’s myriad roles and unique experiences, uncovering the incredible fusion of creativity, intellect, and passion that defines her journey. But that's not all—we also delve deep on important topics like personal growth, mental health, and the ongoing exploration of self-identity. Join us for a conversation that seamlessly connects the dots between Anya's multifaceted life and the broader themes that resonate with us all.

If you enjoyed this episode: subscribe on Spotify, follow us on TikTok (@powermoveorg), and join our growing base of members at ⁠⁠www.powermove.org⁠⁠ to stay connected with the latest and greatest of Power Move!

In this episode, we sit down with Kathryn Cross, the founder and CEO of Anja Health, a healthcare startup on a mission to democratize access to cord blood banking.

Join us as we explore Kathryn's founder journey in this episode!

In this week’s episode, Shirley and Esther borrow the lens of development psychology to examine self identity and personal career aspirations. With guest Anna Chen, an expert in human development, we delve into the impact of immigrating as children and growing up with career-focused mothers as role-models. We also explore essential aspects of mental health: forming authentic connections with coworkers, cultivating a healthy relationship with our work, and mastering the art of self-compassion.

Our guest, Anna Chen, was born in Guangzhou and raised in Vancouver. Anna prioritizes building meaningful connections and relationships. After studying communications at New York University, she pursued a master’s in developmental psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on the fundamental factors that influence one’s optimal outcome and wellbeing. Now building a career in recruitment consulting, Anna is also a content creator/storyteller for her WeChat Public Account LightBulbSparks and YouTube Account AnnaTravelingByFeet.

This episode – if we do say so ourselves – is a treasure trove of insights, offering a roadmap for personal growth, resilience, and a fulfilling life. Join us in this introspective episode, as we explore the boundless possibilities of human development, psychology, and mental well-being!

Subscribe on Spotify and follow us on Tik Tok (@powermoveorg), and join our growing base of members at www.powermove.org to stay connected with the latest and greatest of Power Move!

#selfdiscovery #selfcare #mentalhealth #careers #leadership

In this week’s episode, Shirley and Esther delve deeper into relationship building in our early 20s with our dear friend from Wellesley. With guest Jackie Xuan, a seasoned finance professional, we explore our shifts in life mottos, as well as various ways to forge meaningful bonds pre and post college. We also examine mental health practices and philosophical quotes that could potentially transform attitudes and outlooks for life during challenging times.

Our guest, Jackie Xuan, was born and raised in Inner Mongolia, China. After visiting the US at a younger age while supporting her mom's pursuit in academics, she decided to come to the United States for college. She majored in Economics and minored in Math at Wellesley College, and graduated as a part of the "covid class". Post graduation, she participated in a full-time rotational program at MassMutual in Boston, and eventually pivoted to corporate development at Apollo Athene in New York.

During her leisure time, Jackie participates in marathons, volunteers for various causes, and reads a variety of literature.  This episode is not only a reflection on the journey to fulfilling careers, but also a contemplation on interpersonal connections fostering in the Big Apple. Join us in this introspective and humourous episode, as we ruminate on meaningful connections building and life epiphanies through tough times!

Subscribe on Spotify and follow us on Tik Tok (@powermoveorg), and join our growing base of members at ⁠www.powermove.org⁠ to stay connected with the latest and greatest of Power Move!

#selfdiscovery #selfcare #mentalhealth #careers #leadership

In honor of World Mental Health Day, join us in this special podcast episode with Shirley and Esther as we update each other on our own well-being and how to break free from the stigma surrounding candid mental health conversations.

We share openly about what often gets in the way of opening the conversation on well-being with friends and family and how to embark on a journey toward greater understanding, compassion, and healing.

Stay updated by subscribing on Spotify, following us on Tik Tok (@powermoveorg), and joining our growing base of members at www.powermoveorg.com.

#mentalhealth #worldmentalhealthday #womenshealth

In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting an incredible guest speaker, Rhea Mehta, a woman in finance who has made their mark in the world of investment banking in the MedTech industry. We'll gain unique insights into Rhea's personal background and the path that led her to a profession that has traditionally been challenging for women to enter.

We'll also explore Rhea's experience as a graduate of a women's college and how it may have set her apart in the workplace and in other aspects of her life. Additionally, Rhea will share her experiences with mentorship, both within and outside the workplace, shedding light on what makes a mentor truly valuable.

Join us for an engaging conversation as we delve into the nuances of being a minority in certain professional spaces and how to navigate such dynamics effectively. Rhea will also provide invaluable insights into addressing and overcoming challenges related to power dynamics and various workplace cultures.

Stay updated by subscribing and following us on social media and joining our growing base of members on our website: https://www.powermoveorg.com/.

In this episode, we're talking about breaking barriers as women of color in the world of Opera — with an incredible guest, Cassie Chang. Join us as we explore the unique career journey in opera and delve into the challenges, triumphs, and the transformative power of diverse representation in this traditional art form.

Our guest, Cassie Chang, is a Canadian operatic soprano and a luminary in her field, as one of the Top 10 emerging young artists by the Canadian Opera Company Summer Intensive, the most prestigious producer of opera in Canada. She recently had her debut performance at the Lincoln Center in New York City and is currently making waves in the Met Opera and Canadian Opera competitions.

Join us as we chat with Cassie about her incredible journey, her experiences as a minority woman in the world of opera, and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the performing arts and beyond.

In this week's episode, we delve deep into a topic that resonates with so many of us as professional women — navigating gender biases and dynamics in the workplace, while being our authentic selves -- especially in male-dominated careers like finance. Today, we are on a quest to uncover strategies for not just excelling and leading as women in the workplace but also for embracing our authentic selves in the process.  And if that’s not punchy enough -- we are also exploring the vital balance between our ambitious career pursuits and our mental and holistic health, sharing some of our own favorite practices to ground ourselves in challenging work-life balance periods.

Our guest for this conversation is none other than Rosey Li. Rosey is a fellow alumna of Wellesley College and a true force of nature, making her mark not only in the world of finance but also in the creative and fashion industry. Rosey is an investment banker based in New York and also the co-founder of Studio Anatomique, a remarkable zero-waste, eco-friendly clothing brand known for its innovative machine-washable silk clothing. Rosey is sharing with us her insights on how the finance industry can become more inclusive to women, and her best tips for achieving a wellness reset.

Tune in as we discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating the complex gender biases and dynamics in the workplace, drawing inspiration from Rosey's journey, and exploring how we can all lead authentically while staying true to ourselves.

Welcome to the Move with Power podcast, where two young professional women talk about mental health and leadership in the workplace. Here, we share our personal stories - our mistakes and our growth - and bring in our favorite people and role models as guest speakers, to share our insights and learnings with other aspiring women leaders.

In this inaugural episode, Esther and Shirley introduce their background and their "why" for starting the Move with Power podcast and the broader Power Move platform. We go into detail on how our personal and professional journeys converged to make us who we are, our passion for building mental health and empowering women's leadership, and also share a bit more on our vision for Power Move.

Subscribe and follow us on socials to never miss a new episode! Thank you for tuning in.