SLĀ Foundation Presents The Power of Storytelling with Shane Adams

Danny De Los Santos is a Global Sales Enablement Manager at the technology company Cloudera. Danny came from the small town of Mercedes in the south of Texas. In this episode, Danny discusses his sexuality with Shane and struggles he’s faced because of it. Danny also talks about breaking out of the status quo when it comes to extracurriculars. He mentions how one of the best way to escape a bad situation is through obtaining an education, which is why he was the first in his family to go to college. He talks about his decision to deviate from his family of migrant farmworkers to pursue a marketing career that played to his creative strengths.

Shayna Dunitz is the Chief Operating Officer at the startup Central Athlete. Shayna talks about working in startups ever since she graduated from Ithaca College in New York and how she enjoys running marathons. Shayna and Shane discuss getting out of her comfort zone, taking initiative in business, navigating friendships, and becoming more involved in college. The two discuss how many people don’t consider themselves artists, athletes, or coders, but it’s never too late to try something new. They come to the conclusion that trying new things can result in finding a new career or favorite hobby.

Shayna Dunitz is the Chief Operating Officer at the startup Central Athlete. Shayna talks about working in startups ever since she graduated from Ithaca College in New York and how she enjoys running marathons. Shayna and Shane discuss getting out of her comfort zone, taking initiative in business, navigating friendships, and becoming more involved in college. The two discuss how many people don’t consider themselves artists, athletes, or coders, but it’s never too late to try something new. They come to the conclusion that trying new things can result in finding a new career or favorite hobby.

Vida Biggins is a Management Consulting Senior Analyst at Accenture, the world’s largest consulting firm. Vida talks with Shane about dropping out of high school, attending community college, and then graduating from the Ivy League college Columbia. She discusses how having determination and taking initiative opened up new possibilities for herself. Vida talks about how she turned her adversity into strengths and initiated conversations that helped her further her career. She discloses how she looked past all the negative words people had to say and used that to fuel her determination to succeed. She also talks about how happiness isn’t about doing the things that look good on a resume, but rather about doing the things that she’s passionate about.

Vida Biggins is a Management Consulting Senior Analyst at Accenture, the world’s largest consulting firm. Vida talks with Shane about dropping out of high school, attending community college, and then graduating from the Ivy League college Columbia. She discusses how having determination and taking initiative opened up new possibilities for herself. Vida talks about how she turned her adversity into strengths and initiated conversations that helped her further her career. She discloses how she looked past all the negative words people had to say and used that to fuel her determination to succeed. She also talks about how happiness isn’t about doing the things that look good on a resume, but rather about doing the things that she’s passionate about.

Jose Tamez is a Software Application Tech Support Associate Manager at Accenture, the world’s largest consulting firm. Jose talks with Shane about how he achieved his dream by overcoming the challenges of moving and cultural barriers, a serious health ailment, and a long-distance relationship. He discusses how change can open up new, unknown pathways, and can often times be for the better. Jose states many examples of setting an end goal and finding the little steps to take to achieve it.

Jose Tamez is a Software Application Tech Support Associate Manager at Accenture, the world’s largest consulting firm. Jose talks with Shane about how he achieved his dream by overcoming the challenges of moving and cultural barriers, a serious health ailment, and a long-distance relationship. He discusses how change can open up new, unknown pathways, and can often times be for the better. Jose states many examples of setting an end goal and finding the little steps to take to achieve it.

Lyric Wardlow is the Executive Director of her own non-profit, Yociety, and a Youth Specialist at Texas Network of Youth Services. Lyric sits down with Shane to talk about spending time in homeless shelters, being bullied, facing abuse from her father, and even dancing to pay the bills. She talks about how she was able to overcome these struggles with perseverance and determination. She tells Shane how her adversity made her a stronger person.

Lyric Wardlow is the Executive Director of her own non-profit, Yociety, and a Youth Specialist at Texas Network of Youth Services. Lyric sits down with Shane to talk about spending time in homeless shelters, being bullied, facing abuse from her father, and even dancing to pay the bills. She talks about how she was able to overcome these struggles with perseverance and determination. She tells Shane how her adversity made her a stronger person.

Nathan Ryan is the CEO and Founder of Blue Sky Partners and a Commissioner for the city of Austin. Nathan talks about his wide variety of careers, from going on tour as a professional drummer, to working at Disney as a graphic designer— all without a 4-year college degree. Nathan and Shane discuss the power of making network connections and how they lead from one job to another. He talks about starting his own consulting business from the ground up with the help of experienced friends.