Episode 208 – Finding Your Voice & Leading with Authenticity with Marina Bijnova
In this powerful conversation, Shivani sits down with global speaker and branding expert Marina Bijnova, founder of Brand of a Leader. Born in the Soviet Union, raised in Ukraine, and now based in Montreal, Marina’s life journey has been shaped by censorship, resilience, and the pursuit of radical authenticity.
She opens up about her childhood experiences of being silenced, her struggles as an immigrant teenager, and how those moments inspired her to help others discover their voice. Today, Marina works with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and leaders worldwide—guiding them to stand out, speak up, and lead with passion.
Together, they dive into:
The role of passion in personal branding and leadership.
How to build engaged, values-driven teams.
The importance of energy audits and aligning work with what fuels you.
Hard-won lessons from business partnerships, failures, and personal growth.
Why separating your identity from your business is essential.
Marina’s current pursuit of a master’s degree exploring the dark side of an exit.
This episode is for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone searching for the courage to own their story and lead with authenticity.