Breaking Boundaries Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:39:44 -0400 https://breakingboundariesbyumesh.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Breaking Boundaries yes 2d53c855-bad3-5725-9718-ed517e7cddb8 Umesh Lakshman episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Umesh Lakshman https://storage.buzzsprout.com/9uwrr2y57knu9drv5yvn2cng8zt1?.jpg Breaking Boundaries https://breakingboundariesbyumesh.buzzsprout.com E6. Nilu Rafsanjani, Artist, Bodybuilder, Powerlifter, Personal Trainer and coach E6. Nilu Rafsanjani, Artist, Bodybuilder, Powerlifter, Personal Trainer and coach In this episode, I am honored to host Nilu Rafsanjani, an accomplished artist, personal trainer, and activist. We get into a lot of "red zone" topics in this episode- mental health, depression, hormonal imbalances such as PMDD, suicide, religion and atheism, beauty, sexism, objectification, body dysmorphia, and being the other. We also talk about the fitness industry, bodybuilding, powerlifting, Performance enhancing drugs, and also how social media affects our perception of what good is supposed to look like. 

]]> In this episode, I am honored to host Nilu Rafsanjani, an accomplished artist, personal trainer, and activist. We get into a lot of "red zone" topics in this episode- mental health, depression, hormonal imbalances such as PMDD, suicide, religion and atheism, beauty, sexism, objectification, body dysmorphia, and being the other. We also talk about the fitness industry, bodybuilding, powerlifting, Performance enhancing drugs, and also how social media affects our perception of what good is supposed to look like. 

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-11341381 Tue, 20 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0700 2754 1 6 full true E5. Jennifer Boicic, Director, Strategic Alliances, ServiceNow E5. Jennifer Boicic, Director, Strategic Alliances, ServiceNow As a first-generation Peruvian American, Jennifer Boicic, has over 14 years of advocating for and opening doors for the next generation of Latinx talent into the tech space.  Throughout her many roles as a sales engineer, management, and now Director of Strategic Alliances at ServiceNow, Jennifer mentors and develops Latinx talent into reaching and fulfilling their own professional goals.  She is the founder and co-leader of ServiceNow’s first-ever global Latinx ERG and spearheads several culturally relevant professional and personal development opportunities for her fellow colleagues.  When she is not directing and managing multi-million partnership deals, she travels the world, celebrating the richness of different cultures.

Jennifer Boicic has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from University of Southern California (USC) and an MBA from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).  She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her fierce, yet very loving, family.


]]> As a first-generation Peruvian American, Jennifer Boicic, has over 14 years of advocating for and opening doors for the next generation of Latinx talent into the tech space.  Throughout her many roles as a sales engineer, management, and now Director of Strategic Alliances at ServiceNow, Jennifer mentors and develops Latinx talent into reaching and fulfilling their own professional goals.  She is the founder and co-leader of ServiceNow’s first-ever global Latinx ERG and spearheads several culturally relevant professional and personal development opportunities for her fellow colleagues.  When she is not directing and managing multi-million partnership deals, she travels the world, celebrating the richness of different cultures.

Jennifer Boicic has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from University of Southern California (USC) and an MBA from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).  She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her fierce, yet very loving, family.


]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-10534187 Tue, 03 May 2022 00:00:00 -0700 1974 full false E4.4 Soundbites: Your responsibility to the future generations E4.4 Soundbites: Your responsibility to the future generations Ep4: soundbites: Your responsibility to the future generations with Alejandra

]]> Ep4: soundbites: Your responsibility to the future generations with Alejandra

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-10377460 Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:00:00 -0700 149 full false E4.3 Soundbites: Parenting while embracing your identity E4.3 Soundbites: Parenting while embracing your identity Ep4: Soundbites: Parenting while embracing your identity with Alejandra

]]> Ep4: Soundbites: Parenting while embracing your identity with Alejandra

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-10377446 Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:00:00 -0700 547 full false E4.2 Soundbites: Everyones journey of acceptance is different E4.2 Soundbites: Everyones journey of acceptance is different Soundbites with Alejandra: Everyones journey of acceptance is different

]]> Soundbites with Alejandra: Everyones journey of acceptance is different

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-10377433 Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:00:00 -0700 318 full false E4.1 Soundbites: Alejandra: What can men do better as Allies? E4.1 Soundbites: Alejandra: What can men do better as Allies? Soundbite clip from Episode 4 with Alejandra: What can Allies do better?

]]> Soundbite clip from Episode 4 with Alejandra: What can Allies do better?

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-10375754 Mon, 04 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0700 226 full false E4. Alejandra Montano. PRIDE leader, Latin America Cisco E4. Alejandra Montano. PRIDE leader, Latin America Cisco Alejandra Hernández-Montaño. Alejandra is dedicated to sharing her journey as a LGBTQ+ professional and parent and was recently named one of the LGBTQ+ community’s most influential leaders in Mexico by Expansión Business Magazine. 
Alejandra is a Customer Delivery Leader by day but an activist full-time. 
In 2018, she founded and co-led the Mexico Pride Chapter, through growth into a flourishing community. I am proud to have a friend in Alejandra and her a guest on Breaking Boundaries.

]]> Alejandra Hernández-Montaño. Alejandra is dedicated to sharing her journey as a LGBTQ+ professional and parent and was recently named one of the LGBTQ+ community’s most influential leaders in Mexico by Expansión Business Magazine. 
Alejandra is a Customer Delivery Leader by day but an activist full-time. 
In 2018, she founded and co-led the Mexico Pride Chapter, through growth into a flourishing community. I am proud to have a friend in Alejandra and her a guest on Breaking Boundaries.

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-10022180 Tue, 08 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0800 3324 1 4 full false E3.3 Soundbites: What can Allies do better? E3.3 Soundbites: What can Allies do better? Soundbite clip from Episode 3 with Sara Saihati: What can Allies do better?

]]> Soundbite clip from Episode 3 with Sara Saihati: What can Allies do better?

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-9412474 Thu, 21 Oct 2021 19:00:00 -0700 232 full false E3.2 Soundbites: My take on being the only in the room E3.2 Soundbites: My take on being the only in the room Soundbite clip from Episode 3 with Sara Saihati: My take on being the only in the room

]]> Soundbite clip from Episode 3 with Sara Saihati: My take on being the only in the room

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-9412468 Thu, 21 Oct 2021 19:00:00 -0700 140 1 3 bonus false E3.1 Soundbites. Diversity Hire→ the term and how it marginalizes good talent E3.1 Soundbites. Diversity Hire→ the term and how it marginalizes good talent Soundbite clip from Episode 3: Diversity Hire→ the term and how it marginalizes good talent

]]> Soundbite clip from Episode 3: Diversity Hire→ the term and how it marginalizes good talent

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-9412428 Thu, 21 Oct 2021 19:00:00 -0700 200 1 3 bonus false E3. Sara Saihati. CTA YoPro Board member with a unique journey into tech E3. Sara Saihati. CTA YoPro Board member with a unique journey into tech We are back!
Our featured guest for Episode 3 is Sara Saihati
I am super happy to bring a speaker with a different perspective around diversity, inclusion, and a journey for a woman in tech to all of you. With herself being bi-cultural and Muslim, we get into some very interesting topics through the discussion on perception. She is a list of firsts in her domain and am proud to have Sara Saihati who is one of the board members on the young professional's board of Colorado technology association as my next guest. 

]]> We are back!
Our featured guest for Episode 3 is Sara Saihati
I am super happy to bring a speaker with a different perspective around diversity, inclusion, and a journey for a woman in tech to all of you. With herself being bi-cultural and Muslim, we get into some very interesting topics through the discussion on perception. She is a list of firsts in her domain and am proud to have Sara Saihati who is one of the board members on the young professional's board of Colorado technology association as my next guest. 

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-9340603 Tue, 12 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0700 2776 full false E2: Claudia Santamaria. Chief legal counsel, Cisco Mexico E2: Claudia Santamaria. Chief legal counsel, Cisco Mexico Our featured guest for episode 2 is Claudia Santamaria.

She is the legal counsel in charge of Cisco Mexico for the past 8 years and currently leader of Women of Cisco Mexico and Community impact Mexico. 
On personal note she is a wife, housewife and mother of Twin girls 3 years and a half.

We talk about her journey prior to taking on leadership role in the DEI space and some of the key impetus points for that shift to lead. We discuss stories of allyship and how to develop allies as well as common challenges women face in the corporate world.

Claudia is a phenomenal leader and truly does not hold back any commentary. Transparent and Thought provoking.

thank you for tuning in! 
 

]]> Our featured guest for episode 2 is Claudia Santamaria.

She is the legal counsel in charge of Cisco Mexico for the past 8 years and currently leader of Women of Cisco Mexico and Community impact Mexico. 
On personal note she is a wife, housewife and mother of Twin girls 3 years and a half.

We talk about her journey prior to taking on leadership role in the DEI space and some of the key impetus points for that shift to lead. We discuss stories of allyship and how to develop allies as well as common challenges women face in the corporate world.

Claudia is a phenomenal leader and truly does not hold back any commentary. Transparent and Thought provoking.

thank you for tuning in! 
 

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-8306758 Wed, 14 Apr 2021 06:00:00 -0700 2591 1 3 full false E1.4 :Sound bites: Impostor syndrome, fear and authenticity E1.4 :Sound bites: Impostor syndrome, fear and authenticity Impostor syndrome. A very well discussed topic in the public domain but we chat here about how its not just a gender issue but also could be due to cultural calibration and could hop over the gender line. 

]]> Impostor syndrome. A very well discussed topic in the public domain but we chat here about how its not just a gender issue but also could be due to cultural calibration and could hop over the gender line. 

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-8236958 Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:00:00 -0700 288 1 2 full false E1.3 :Sound bites: Allyship focused ERO's E1.3 :Sound bites: Allyship focused ERO's The value of having an employee resource organization around allyship and building male allyship is crucial to a companies journey to a more diverse and inclusive future. On this clipI explain how such an organization can bridge organizational priority and actionable steps.

]]> The value of having an employee resource organization around allyship and building male allyship is crucial to a companies journey to a more diverse and inclusive future. On this clipI explain how such an organization can bridge organizational priority and actionable steps.

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-8236940 Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:00:00 -0700 56 1 2 full false E1.2: Sound bites: Organizational value of an ally ship resource organization E1.2: Sound bites: Organizational value of an ally ship resource organization Sound bites from discussion with Antonette:
Sound bites: Organizational value of an ally ship resource organization

]]> Sound bites from discussion with Antonette:
Sound bites: Organizational value of an ally ship resource organization

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-8236931 Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:00:00 -0700 200 1 2 full false E1.1 Soundbites: Allyship Do's and Dont's : suggestions E1.1 Soundbites: Allyship Do's and Dont's : suggestions Discussing 3 things that we can all do as allies

]]> Discussing 3 things that we can all do as allies

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-8236916 Mon, 29 Mar 2021 19:00:00 -0700 131 1 2 full false E1. Antonette Ligons, Director, Diversity and Inclusion 2K games E1. Antonette Ligons, Director, Diversity and Inclusion 2K games To launch off the program/podcast we interview Antonette Ligons who I had the pleasure of knowing during my tenure at Cisco. Antonette was the original founder of an employee resource group called "Men for Inclusion" within Cisco.

We talk through Race, her journey being a woman of color, her struggles, and tipping points as well as other cultural stereotypes and how it drives discussion around privilege and power.

You can find more information on both me and the program at www.breakingboundariesonline.com. If you know anyone or would like to be featured on this podcast, please drop me an email to umesh@breakingboundariesonline.com  

]]> To launch off the program/podcast we interview Antonette Ligons who I had the pleasure of knowing during my tenure at Cisco. Antonette was the original founder of an employee resource group called "Men for Inclusion" within Cisco.

We talk through Race, her journey being a woman of color, her struggles, and tipping points as well as other cultural stereotypes and how it drives discussion around privilege and power.

You can find more information on both me and the program at www.breakingboundariesonline.com. If you know anyone or would like to be featured on this podcast, please drop me an email to umesh@breakingboundariesonline.com  

]]> Umesh Lakshman Buzzsprout-8161269 Thu, 18 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0700 2500 1 2 full false Breaking Boundaries Trailer Breaking Boundaries Trailer The goal of #breakingboundarieswithumesh is to interview everyday heroes to share their learnings, wins, and struggles in the search for a more diverse and inclusive landscape, both within and outside the workplace. 
My hope is that through these discussions, all of you can see that each and every one of us can do something to be a part of this journey to a more inclusive tomorrow.
We would love your support and feedback as we embark on this journey.

]]> The goal of #breakingboundarieswithumesh is to interview everyday heroes to share their learnings, wins, and struggles in the search for a more diverse and inclusive landscape, both within and outside the workplace. 
My hope is that through these discussions, all of you can see that each and every one of us can do something to be a part of this journey to a more inclusive tomorrow.
We would love your support and feedback as we embark on this journey.

]]> Umesh Buzzsprout-8146070 Mon, 15 Mar 2021 12:00:00 -0700 78 1 1 full false