Prudential Presents Leaders Create Leaders Hosted by Gerard Adams

The youngest Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach in the United States, Haile Thomas is the 17-year-old founder/CEO of the nonprofit HAPPY. A health activist, Haile started HAPPY at 12 years old to address the need for free and affordable plant-based nutrition and culinary education in underserved and at-risk communities, as well as in schools and through annual summer camps. In this episode, Haile gives tips on eating more healthfully when busy and talks about the scary experience she encountered with her family that led her to change her lifestyle and begin her organization. She also speaks about how our overall health consists of more than just what we eat. At 17, Haile has spoken on international stages and continues to be an advocate for long-term health over the temporary and fleeting flavors of unhealthier foods.

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Miljana Vujosevic is a Vice President with the Impact Investments group at Prudential Financial, Inc. which has been investing to revitalize cities and support economic opportunity for individuals and communities since 1976\. The group originates impact investments across asset classes and impact sectors and also provides consultative services to PGIM Real Estate on potential real estate impact investments. As of December 31, 2017, the portfolio is over $700 million and the group has originated over $2.4 billion in impact investments over the past 40+ years. At Prudential, Ms. Vujosevic manages strategy, deal origination and portfolio management across several portfolios including structured products, U.S. fintech investments, charter school loans, pay for success projects and inclusive venture capital models. Ms. Vujosevic serves on the boards of two fintech companies, LendStreet and MyStrongHome. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in International Relations and Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She is a CFA charter holder. 

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Author, on-air personality, marketing professional, and the official Glambassador for the City of Newark, Lauren Craig writes monthly blogs for NewarkHappenning.com— the official travel and tourism site for the city. Her latest venture EWR Brand Water is a beverage brand that hopes, with its label which pays homage to Newark’s top institutions and destinations, that it reminds visitors and residents of everything Newark has to offer. In this episode, Lauren, also known as InAWordFab, talks about stepping into and owning your future. In particular, how she stepped into her self-given title of Glambassador of Newark and how she turned a one-off appearance on a Wendy Williams segment into a dating movement called I Am The Table. Lauren also talks about her career change to be able to do more freeing and inspiring work and how to tackle multiple creative ideas as a serial entrepreneur. 

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In mastering the craft of making art his business, Naturel has been able to collaborate with celebrities such as Jay-Z, LeBron James, Rihanna, and Swizz Beatz just to name a few. His talent and work is also sought after by sneaker brands like Nike and Puma to design special edition sneaker lines. In this episode, Naturel speaks on how to pitch and win the support and partnership of major brands. Having jumped out of the corporate window a number of times, he teaches how to make a strong financial plan as a creative entrepreneur. Naturel also mentions the necessary self-belief required and how he experimented to find his own unique style. 

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A two-time award-winning creator of the P.B.Soldier comic book series, Naseed Gifted is the founder of New Jersey’s very own Black Comic Book Festival “Khem Comic Fest.” He travels as a panelist for Full Spectrum: Why Color in Comics Matters and Using Comics to teach STEM. Also, the principal of Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, NJ, Naseed gives takeaways about balancing priorities as both an educator and a creative entrepreneur. In this episode, Naseed speaks on his early mornings and late nights and how he carves out time to be with his family or how he finds a way to bring his children into his work and teach them about entrepreneurship. He breaks down what led him to create the P.B.Soldier comic book and how he uses the series to empower students and teach them about STEM topics.  

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Growing up in a poor neighborhood in New York and raised by immigrant parents, John Henry grew up experiencing scarcity of material things but emboldened by an abundance of bravery and tenacity. Leveraging his experiences growing up as motivation, John started his first company when he was 18 years old. Within two years, he had successfully grown that company to a seven-figure business and then sold it by age 21. Next, John launched Cofound Harlem with the mission to incubate 100 companies in the historic neighborhood. He is also a partner at Harlem Capital Partners, whose goal is to change the face of entrepreneurship by investing in 1,000 diverse founders over the next 20 years. In this episode, John discusses how his upbringing motivated him and provided him the assets he needed for success. We also hear about his step-by-step process to landing a transformational mentor and why having a side hustle is the smartest move you can make as an aspiring entrepreneur. John is currently the host of Viceland's Hustle.

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Miljana Vujosevic is a Vice President with the Impact Investments group at Prudential Financial, Inc. which has been investing to revitalize cities and support economic opportunity for individuals and communities since 1976\. The group originates impact investments across asset classes and impact sectors and also provides consultative services to PGIM Real Estate on potential real estate impact investments. As of December 31, 2017, the portfolio is over $700 million and the group has originated over $2.4 billion in impact investments over the past 40+ years. At Prudential, Ms. Vujosevic manages strategy, deal origination and portfolio management across several portfolios including structured products, U.S. fintech investments, charter school loans, pay for success projects and inclusive venture capital models. Ms. Vujosevic serves on the boards of two fintech companies, LendStreet and MyStrongHome. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in International Relations and Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She is a CFA charter holder. 

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Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Andaiye Taylor has mastered the art of the side hustle.  As someone whose career has always followed two tracks, Andaiye founded the award-winning news platform BrickCityLive.com while simultaneously serving as head of content for the Clover brand at First Data.  In this episode, we discuss with Andaiye, a recipient of the Lars-Erik Nelson Prize for excellence in reporting and writing, how she built the Brick City Live from the ground up. Despite working with limited resources, and simultaneously keeping up with her day job, Andaiye tells the audience how she was able to create a thriving publication with multiple writers and an event technology platform. She also doles out tips on how to manage our health and wellness to bring our best selves to work. 

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After moving to New Jersey in high school and starting a career in reality TV, Brittany Jade realized that she needed to make a change. Feeling stifled by the lack of creativity she had while working in TV, Brittany decided to transition to working in audio and start an internet radio station from scratch. In this episode, Brittany Jade, founder and program director of the Newark Radio Co-Op, a digital radio station based in Downtown Newark, New Jersey, breaks down how she got her start by producing local podcasts and radio shows. Brittany discusses the invaluable resources she used while building Newark Radio Co-Op and the methods she used to gain courage and keep herself accountable to her goals. We also found time to address the gaps in diversity in podcasts and how the Newark Radio Co-Op addressed this by featuring an Urban Alternative music format mixed with live talk shows and podcasts by and about people in minority communities.

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This podcast series will interview thought leaders and influencers from all walks of life asking the tough questions around setting themselves up to win financially. Growing up, what advice did they get on saving? What were some lessons they had to learn the hard way? How did growing up less fortunate affect their saving and spending habits? What advice can they give to you on creating your future? Also, what level of bravery does it take to make that first step to changing your life? 

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