In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Shannon Russell, Strategic Leadership and Team Facilitator, entrepreneur, author, speaker, and host of the Build Better Teams podcast.

Shannon shares her journey from a 16-year career in television production to entrepreneurship, business ownership, team facilitation, and coaching women through career transitions. Together, they explore how our identities evolve through different seasons of life and how those changes often require us to rethink what success, leadership, and fulfillment look like.

The conversation begins through the lens of intersectionality, examining how roles such as daughter, first-generation college graduate, television producer, entrepreneur, leader, and mother have shaped Shannon's career decisions and leadership approach.

They also explore the importance of human connection in today's technology-driven workplace, why meaningful collaboration matters more than ever, and how creative approaches like LEGO® Serious Play help teams communicate, solve problems, and build stronger relationships.

At its core, this episode is a reminder that careers do not have to follow a single path. Sometimes the most meaningful opportunities emerge when we allow ourselves to pivot.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How identity and life transitions influence career decisions
• Moving from television production to entrepreneurship
• The role of motherhood in redefining success and priorities
• Why career paths are rarely linear
• Lessons learned from building and selling a successful business
• Human connection in an increasingly digital workplace
• The power of creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning
• Building stronger teams through communication and trust
• LEGO® Serious Play and its impact on leadership development
• Advice for professionals considering a career transition
• Why there doesn't have to be only one path to success

About the Guest

Shannon Russell is a Strategic Leadership and Team Facilitator certified in LEGO® Serious Play methodology, founder of Build Better Teams Consulting, and host of the Build Better Teams podcast.

She works with organizations to strengthen communication, improve collaboration, and facilitate strategic planning through hands-on, human-centered experiences. Shannon is also the founder of Second Act Success®, where she coaches women navigating career transitions and entrepreneurship.

Her background includes 16 years as a television producer in New York and Los Angeles, building and selling a successful franchise business, authoring Start Your Second Act, and helping leaders and teams move forward with clarity, creativity, and confidence.

About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, and changemakers, Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the stories, challenges, and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives.

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Reflection Question

What part of your story might be preparing you for a future opportunity you haven't considered yet?

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In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Amy Lenius for a conversation about identity, self-worth, personal growth, and the many layers that shape how we define success.

Amy shares how the different roles she has held throughout her life—from daughter, partner, entrepreneur, speaker, coach, and leader—have influenced how she sees herself and the work she does today. Together, Lola and Amy explore how our identities evolve across different seasons of life and how those experiences shape our leadership, career decisions, relationships, and personal fulfillment.

Throughout the conversation, Amy reflects on her journey through chronic illness, healing, personal development, and coaching. She shares how those experiences challenged her assumptions about achievement and ultimately led her to redefine success from the inside out.

A central theme in this episode is the courage to let go of what is merely "good" in order to create space for something more aligned.

Because sometimes the next level of growth is not about becoming someone new.

It's about reconnecting with who you already are.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The many identities and roles we carry throughout life
• How lived experiences shape our definition of success
• Chronic illness, healing, and personal transformation
• Why self-worth and self-belief matter in personal growth
• Entrepreneurship, leadership, and building an aligned life
• Letting go of identities that no longer serve us
• The connection between habits, consistency, and fulfillment
• How personal growth evolves through different life seasons
• Defining success beyond external achievement
• Creating a life that reflects your values instead of expectations

About the Guest

Amy Lenius is the Director of Group Coaching at Next Level University, Professional Speaker, Event Coordinator, MC, and a Next Level Certified Personal Development & Success Coach.

She helps individuals define success from the inside out by focusing on self-worth, self-belief, consistency, and personal alignment. Through coaching, speaking, and leadership development, Amy helps people reconnect with themselves, build sustainable growth, and create lives that feel meaningful, fulfilling, and authentic.

About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through reflective conversations and personal storytelling, Dr. Lola Adeyemo highlights the journeys of professionals navigating layered identities while creating meaningful impact in their careers, communities, and lives.

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• Share it with a colleague, friend, or leader navigating change or transition

• Leave a review to help others discover the show

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Reflection Question

What definition of success are you currently living by—and did you choose it yourself?

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Nicole shares how growing up with two educator parents—working at opposite ends of the educational spectrum—shaped her understanding of difference, support, and human potential early in life. She also reflects on navigating the workplace with hearing loss in one ear, and how invisible identities often influence professional experiences in ways people may never fully see.

Together, Lola and Nicole explore the concept of the “mental load” and the invisible work expectations that women disproportionately carry at home and at work. From emotional labor and non-promotable tasks to organizational bias and sponsorship, this conversation unpacks how high-performing professionals can become exhausted even as they are overlooked for leadership opportunities.

Nicole also shares insights from her book, Slightly Taboo Topics: Things Women Should Talk About But Don’t, and offers practical strategies for recognizing hidden labor, setting boundaries, and building stronger sponsorship relationships within organizations.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Growing up between different educational and social realities
• Invisible identities and navigating hearing loss in professional spaces
• Why “mental load” creates invisible exhaustion for women
• The difference between promotable and non-promotable work
• How invisible expectations shape burnout and leadership perception
• Why women are often over-mentored but under-sponsored
• The importance of sponsorship in career advancement
• Recognizing bias in workplace systems and leadership structures
• Practical ways to push back against hidden labor expectations
• Building healthier, more inclusive leadership cultures

About the Guest

Nicole Johnston is a former global sales and marketing executive with more than 30 years of experience leading within major organizations across international markets. Today, she works in executive coaching and leadership development, helping professionals navigate leadership, visibility, communication, and organizational growth. She is also the author of Taboo Topics: Things Women Should Talk About But Don’t.

About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace. Through reflective conversations and personal storytelling, Dr. Lola Adeyemo highlights the experiences of professionals navigating layered identities across corporate, entrepreneurial, and leadership spaces.

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Hanna shares how her own journey was shaped by family history, entrepreneurship, creativity, motherhood, and years of working in male-dominated corporate environments. She reflects on what it meant to feel like an outsider, the cost of trying to fit into systems that were not built around her natural way of thinking, and how those experiences shaped the work she does today.

Through this conversation, we learn more about her intersections and leadership journey, and we also explore a bit of Hanna’s work—BrainShift, nervous system regulation, and the idea that culture is not just strategy—it is biology in action.

A central theme in this episode is presence under pressure.

What happens when leaders operate from survival mode?
How does pressure shape communication, decision-making, and culture?
And what becomes possible when leaders learn to notice their own internal signals before reacting?

Hanna offers a powerful reminder that leadership is not only about performance or strategy. It is also about presence, self-awareness, trust, and the ability to lead from a regulated place.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How family history, entrepreneurship, and creativity shaped Hanna’s leadership lens
• What it feels like to be an outsider in a male-dominated corporate environment
• Why survival mode shows up so often in workplace culture
• The connection between nervous system regulation and leadership behavior
• Why culture is not just strategy—but biology in action
• How trust, values, and presence shape leadership impact
• Why leaders often carry shame, guilt, and pressure beneath the surface
• A simple breathing reset for leaders who feel overwhelmed or reactive
• How Hanna’s lived experiences continue to shape her coaching and consulting work

About the Guest

Hanna Curman is an international speaker, founder of BrainShift, certified in brain-based coaching, and an author on leadership and mental health. Her work helps leaders and organizations understand how pressure, nervous system regulation, and behavior shape transformation, culture, and sustainable performance. Connect with her on LinkedIn HERE.

About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace. Through thoughtful conversations, Dr. Lola Adeyemo invites leaders to reflect on how their layered identities shape how they navigate, lead, and create impact. Connect with her on LinkedIn HERE.

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• Continue the reflection on Substack for a deeper dive

Interested in being a guest?

Please fill out your details, and we will reach out if there is a fit.

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Rachel shares a deeply personal journey, from growing up observing human behavior in her mother’s salon to quickly rising through corporate leadership roles—and eventually experiencing burnout that forced her to pause and rethink how she was showing up in her work and life.

Through this conversation, we explore how intersectionality shows up not only in visible identities but also in internal drivers like high standards, people-pleasing, and the pressure to perform.

A central theme in this episode is the distinction between capability and capacity.

Many leaders focus on building skills and doing more—but often overlook the importance of restoring energy, recognizing internal signals, and creating the conditions for sustainable leadership.

Rachel offers a powerful reframe:

"Sustainable leadership isn’t just about what you can do.
It’s about how well you can continue to show up."

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How early life experiences shape emotional awareness and leadership
• The connection between high performance, people-pleasing, and burnout
• What happens when leaders ignore their internal signals
• The difference between capability (skills) and capacity (energy + resilience)
• Why pushing through works—until it doesn’t
• The role of nervous system awareness in leadership
• How small daily practices impact long-term performance
• What leaders can do to create cultures where people feel energized and supported
• How the way people feel at work directly impacts performance and culture

👤 About the Guest

Rachel Edmondson Clark is a UK-based executive coach, facilitator, and founder of Elevar, a leadership development consultancy focused on sustainable high performance that serves people, performance, and the planet.

With over two decades of experience, her work sits at the intersection of energy, identity, and behavior—helping leaders understand how their nervous system, lived experience, and internal narratives shape their leadership.

🎙️ About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace.

Through conversations and reflections, Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the insights and leadership lessons that help professionals not just survive—but truly thrive.

Each episode invites leaders to reflect on how their layered identities shape how they navigate, lead, and build impact within organizations.

⭐ If This Episode Resonated

• Share with a colleague or leader
• Leave a review to help others discover the show
• Continue the reflection on Substack for a deeper dive

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Yosi shares a deeply personal journey—one shaped by early experiences of being labeled as “not enough,” navigating limiting beliefs, and ultimately transforming those experiences into a foundation for curiosity and growth.

Through this conversation, we explore how intersectionality extends beyond visible identity—into the internal narratives we carry about ourselves, our capabilities, and what we believe is possible.

From his early career in technology to executive leadership roles and eventually into coaching, Yosi’s journey highlights how technical expertise, emotional awareness, and behavioral understanding intersect to shape leadership.

A central theme in this episode is curiosity.

What happens when we shift from assuming we understand—to questioning what we might be missing?

This conversation challenges leaders to rethink how assumptions, communication styles, and cultural differences influence workplace dynamics—and how greater awareness can transform how we lead.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How early labels and belief systems shape leadership identity
• The intersection of technical expertise and people leadership
• Why knowledge alone doesn’t translate into behavior change
• The role of curiosity in leadership and communication
• How assumptions impact workplace relationships and conflict
• Insights from working across global teams and cultures
• Why “what if I’m wrong?” is a powerful leadership practice
• The difference between knowing something and embodying it

👤 About the Guest

Yosi Kossowsky is a seasoned executive coach with over 18 years of experience, complemented by more than 30 years in executive leadership roles, including Chief Technology Officer and Senior Director of Talent Management.

He specializes in leadership development, personal growth, and effective communication, integrating neuroscience and organizational development principles to help leaders navigate complex challenges, build high-performing teams, and drive meaningful change.

🎙️ About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace.

Through conversations and reflections, host Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the insights, challenges, and leadership lessons that help professionals not just survive—but truly thrive.

Each episode invites leaders to define intersectionality in their own words and reflect on how their layered identities shape how they navigate, lead, and build impact within organizations.

⭐ If This Episode Resonated

• Share with a colleague or leader
• Leave a review to help others discover the show
• Continue the reflection on Substack for a deeper dive

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Julie shares her journey as a Vietnamese-born refugee raised in the United States, and how that experience continues to shape how she understands belonging, communication, and opportunity in the workplace.

Through her story, we explore the intersection of refugee identity, culture, and leadership—and how these layers influence the way professionals navigate environments that are not always designed with them in mind.

This conversation also introduces a powerful shift in how we think about migration through the lens of “push and pull” factors, offering a deeper understanding of how and why people move—and how those experiences show up in the workplace.

Julie also reframes code-switching as strategic communication, and shares insights from her work on the “Seven Forms of Respect,” highlighting how respect is not universally defined—but shaped by lived experience.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• The difference between refugee and broader immigrant experiences
• “Push vs. pull” factors and how they shape identity and opportunity
• How code-switching can function as strategic communication
• Why success should be defined by how it feels—not just how it looks
• The importance of asking for help in career growth
• Managing energy vs. managing time
• Why respect is experienced differently across identities and cultures

👤 About the Guest

Julie Pham is a Cambridge-trained social scientist, TEDx speaker, and founder of CuriosityBased. She works with organizations to build stronger workplace cultures through curiosity, communication, and a deeper understanding of respect.

Her TEDx talk: Curiosity as a Practice

Video Resource: 15-min overview on 7 Forms of Respect

🎙️ About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace—helping professionals move from navigating systems to shaping them.

⭐ If This Episode Resonated

• Share with a colleague
• Leave a review
• Continue the reflection on Substack — where I share a deeper perspective on this conversation

Send us Fan Mail

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Daniel shares his journey growing up with limited socioeconomic resources, navigating life as someone who is blind, and managing invisible disabilities including chronic pain and mental health challenges. Together, we unpack how these overlapping identities shaped not only how he experienced systems—but how he now works to transform them.

Through his story, we explore the intersection of disability, socioeconomic background, faith, and leadership—and how these layers influence access, opportunity, and the way people are perceived in professional spaces.

This conversation also challenges common assumptions about who experiences barriers—and how those barriers show up. What may not be visible on the surface often carries the most weight.

Daniel reflects on navigating education systems that were not designed for him, building a career despite significant access barriers, and ultimately founding the Peaces of Me Foundation to address the root causes of exclusion through community education and systems change.

At its core, this episode is not just about accessibility.

It is about how we define capability.
How we interpret difference.
And what it truly means to create environments where people can thrive—not in spite of their identities, but through them.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How disability—both visible and invisible—shapes lived experience and leadership
• The role of socioeconomic background in access to education and opportunity
• Why many workplace barriers are rooted in bias and inaccessibility—not ability
• The gap between how people are perceived and what they are actually capable of
• What it means to navigate systems that were not designed with you in mind
• How pain, adversity, and lived experience can evolve into purpose-driven leadership
• Why accessibility is not separate from inclusion—but central to it
• The importance of moving from awareness to action in building inclusive systems

About the Guest

Daniel Hodges, JD, MHA, is a thought leader on accessibility and authentic inclusion of people with disabilities. He is the President and Co-Founder of the Peaces of Me Foundation, a nonprofit focused on transforming society through community education, professional training, and resource connection to break the stigma surrounding disabilities.

Living with multiple disabilities himself, Daniel brings both lived experience and professional expertise to his work—helping organizations build solutions that are sustainable, practical, and human-centered.

About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace. Through conversations and reflections, host Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the insights, challenges, and leadership lessons that help professionals not just survive—but truly thrive.

Each episode invites guests to define intersectionality in their own words and reflect on how their layered identities shape how they lead, navigate systems, and create impact.

Connect & Learn More

Learn more about Daniel’s work: https://www.peacesofme.org/ 

Connect with Daniel Hodges.

If This Episode Resonated With You

⭐ Share with a colleague or leader
⭐ Leave a review to help others discover the show
⭐ Reflect on how your own intersections shape how you experience the workplace

Send us Fan Mail

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Natalie shares her journey as a first-generation professional, a Caribbean African American woman, and a legal expert who has worked across employment law, HR compliance, and diversity leadership. Through her story, we unpack how early career experiences—including moments of exclusion, misalignment, and workplace trauma—can influence not just career decisions, but how individuals see themselves within systems.

This conversation moves beyond surface-level career advice and into the deeper reality of what many professionals experience but don’t always name—how workplace environments can leave lasting impacts, and what it takes to move from survival to intentional reinvention.

Together, we explore how individuals can navigate these moments with more clarity, build support systems that extend beyond traditional mentorship, and make career decisions that align with both identity and long-term impact.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How intersectionality shapes leadership, adaptability, and workplace navigation
• Natalie’s journey into employment law and how she found her niche in workplace advocacy
• The difference between workplace stress and workplace trauma—and why it matters
• How early career experiences can shape confidence, self-perception, and decision-making
• Why leaving a role doesn’t always break the pattern—and what to address first
• The concept of a “Personal Board of Directors” and how to build one
• Key indicators of broken workplace cultures that professionals should recognize early
• Practical ways to navigate misalignment, career pivots, and workplace challenges
• How to approach career decisions with intention—whether staying, leaving, or pivoting

👤 About the Guest

Natalie Holder is an employment lawyer and executive coach who helps professionals navigate workplace trauma and transition toward more aligned and impactful careers. She is the founder of QUEST Employment Initiatives, where she combines legal expertise, HR insight, and leadership coaching to support both individuals and organizations.

With experience spanning employment law, Chief Diversity Officer roles, and global HR compliance, Natalie brings a unique perspective on how workplace systems function—and how individuals can navigate them more effectively.

🌍 Resources Mentioned

🔗 Strategic Pivot Assessment (Free Tool):
A quick 5-question assessment designed to help professionals evaluate their readiness for a career pivot and gain clarity on next steps.  

🎙️ About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace. Through conversations and reflections,host Dr. Lola Adeyemo highlights the insights, challenges, and leadership lessons that help professionals not just navigate—but thrive.

Each episode invites leaders to define intersectionality in their own words and reflect on how their layered identities shape how they lead, grow, and make decisions.

⭐ If This Episode Resonated

• Share it with a colleague or leader
• Leave a review to help others discover the podcast
• Explore more conversations on leadership, identity, and belonging

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Sabrina shares her journey from growing up between Mexico and the United States to leading as CEO of Palo Alto Software, reflecting on how her bicultural identity shaped her sense of belonging, voice, and leadership over time. Navigating spaces where her identity was often misunderstood, she learned to move from questioning where she fit… to owning who she is without apology.

Through her story, we explore the intersection of identity, career decision-making, and leadership development—and how pivotal moments, like choosing discomfort or rejecting expected paths, can redefine the trajectory of a career.

This conversation offers a deeper look at how leadership is not only built through experience, but through how we interpret the environments we move through—and the choices we make within them.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How bicultural identity shapes belonging, voice, and leadership

• The experience of navigating spaces where identity is not immediately visible

• The shift from questioning identity to owning it unapologetically

• Sabrina’s “elevator moment” and how it changed her career path

• Why career paths are often shaped by decisions that don’t make sense at the time

• The importance of relationships and human connection in career growth

• Why showing up consistently is often more important than perfection

• How risk-taking early in your career can shape long-term success

• The evolving expectations of leadership across generations

• Navigating leadership as a working parent without compromising your values

About the Guest

Sabrina Parsons is the CEO of Palo Alto Software, where she has helped millions of entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses. She also serves as Chair of the Oregon Growth Board, contributing to statewide economic strategy.

Born in Mexico City and raised between cultures, Sabrina brings a unique perspective to leadership shaped by her bicultural identity, experience as a woman in tech, and journey as a working parent. Her work focuses on helping individuals and organizations build with intention, clarity, and purpose.

About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace.

Through conversations and reflections, Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the insights, challenges, and leadership lessons that shape how professionals navigate, lead, and build impact within organizations.

Each episode invites leaders to define intersectionality in their own words—and reflect on how their layered identities influence how they show up in their work.

If this episode resonated with you:

⭐ Check out Dr. Lolas reflective deep dive on Substack

⭐ Leave a review to help others discover the show

⭐ Share with a colleague or follow for more conversations on leadership, identity, and workplace culture

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Adriana shares her journey from Bogotá, Colombia, to U.S. corporate spaces and how those early experiences shaped how she learned to communicate, show up, and make sense of the unspoken rules of the workplace.

As her career evolved, so did her perspective—moving from navigating those systems to understanding the human behavior behind them, and eventually to helping organizations think more intentionally about how culture is actually experienced.

Through her story, we explore the intersection of immigrant identity, voice, and visibility, and organizational systems—and how those layers continue to shape the way she leads today.

This conversation offers a closer look at how leadership is not just developed through experience - but shaped by how we interpret and respond to the environments we move through.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• How immigrant identity shapes communication, confidence, and workplace navigation
• The transition from observing systems to understanding human behavior within them
• Why doing good work is not always enough to be seen or advanced
• How voice and visibility evolve over the course of a leadership journey
• The gap between stated workplace values and lived employee experience
• Why culture is always being shaped—whether intentionally or not
• What it means to move from adapting to systems to influencing them

About the Guest

Adriana Vaccaro is an entrepreneur and organizational culture strategist, and the Founder and CEO of Culture Redesigned. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, her work focuses on helping organizations align people, performance, and culture through a deeper understanding of human behavior and workplace systems.

About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today’s workplace. Through conversations and reflections, host Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers insights, challenges, and leadership lessons that help professionals not just survive in the workplace but truly thrive.

Each episode invites leaders to define intersectionality in their own words and reflect on how their layered identities shape how they navigate, lead, and build impact within organizations.

If this episode resonated with you:

⭐ Check out Dr. Lola’s reflective deep dive on Substack
⭐ Share with a colleague or leader
⭐ Leave a review to help others discover the show

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Julia C. Rock — keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and executive coach — to explore how layered identities influence leadership journeys and workplace dynamics.

Julia shares how growing up as a first-generation American with Caribbean immigrant parents from Barbados, combined with her faith background and experience navigating corporate America as a Black woman, shaped how she approaches leadership, visibility, and resilience.

Before becoming an entrepreneur and leadership advisor, Julia built her career in financial services and the energy industry, where she managed global teams and oversaw billions in operational responsibilities. Along the way, she discovered that leadership growth often comes from raising your hand for the assignments others avoid and learning to take up space in rooms where your voice matters.

Together, Lola and Julia unpack powerful lessons about career ownership, sponsorship, burnout prevention, and the future of work.

This conversation offers practical insights for professionals navigating leadership while balancing identity, ambition, and wellbeing.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

✔ How immigrant upbringing and faith shaped Julia’s leadership mindset
✔ Why raising your hand for difficult assignments can accelerate your career
✔ The difference between mentors and sponsors — and why both matter
✔ Why visibility and taking up space are critical leadership skills
✔ How burnout often stems from misaligned expectations and lack of boundaries
✔ Practical strategies for advocating for yourself at work
✔ Why leadership in the future workplace requires human skills alongside technology

Key Leadership Insight from Julia

“You are the CEO of your career and your life. Focus on what you can control, and don’t let the obstacles you can’t control define your path.”

About Our Guest

Julia C. Rock is a keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and certified executive coach dedicated to transforming workplace dynamics and helping leaders create environments where employees can thrive.

Julia has managed and scaled global teams across industries, navigating challenges like burnout, disengagement, and inequality. Her work focuses on helping leaders simplify leadership, build strong workplace cultures, and develop practical approaches that improve team performance and retention.

Her personal leadership journey has empowered her to coach and mentor over 1,000 professionals and leaders in building meaningful and fulfilling careers.

Connect with Julia Rock

🌐 Website:
https://leaduncomplicated.com 

📰 Julia’s Substack: Leadership, Uncomplicated, where she shares daily insights on practical leadership and how organizations can create environments where employees feel seen, heard, and valued.

Continue the Conversation

If this episode resonated with you:

⭐ Follow Thriving in Intersectionality deepdive on Substack
⭐ Rate and review the podcast
⭐ Share this episode with someone navigating leadership in today’s workplace

About the Podcast

Thriving in Intersectionality explores the real experiences of professionals navigating the workplace with layered identities — including immigrants, first-generation professionals, working parents, veterans, and more.

Through conversations and reflections, host Dr. Lola Adeyemo uncovers the insights, challenges, and leadership lessons that help professionals not just survive in the workplace — but truly thrive. 

Send us Fan Mail

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In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo welcomes Limor Bergman Gross, a former Director of Engineering with over 20 years of experience in the tech industry and host of the podcast From a Woman to a Leader.

Limor shares her leadership journey across continents, reflecting on the transition from hands-on engineering work to managing teams and eventually stepping into strategic leadership roles. Along the way, she discusses how identity, culture, and life experiences shaped her decisions — including navigating her career as a woman in tech, relocating internationally, and balancing leadership growth with motherhood.

Together, Dr. Lola and Limor explore the identity shifts that often accompany career advancement, why many high performers struggle when transitioning into leadership roles, and how professionals can become more intentional about designing their careers.

This conversation offers practical insight for professionals navigating leadership growth while managing the complex intersections of identity, ambition, and workplace culture.

In This Episode

• The leadership transition from technical expert to people leader
• How intersectional identity shapes leadership experiences in tech
• Navigating career growth as a woman in a male-dominated industry
• The impact of motherhood and personal life on leadership decisions
• Why intentional career planning matters earlier than we think
• The difference between mentoring, coaching, and sponsorship
• Why asking questions and seeking feedback accelerates growth
• How managers can better support diverse career paths on their teams

About Our Guest

Limor Bergman Gross is a former Director of Engineering with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. She has led engineering organizations across continents, scaled global teams, and guided professionals through the shift from technical execution to strategic leadership.

She is also the host of the podcast From a Woman to a Leader, where she shares real leadership journeys and practical frameworks that help women in tech grow into executive impact.

Today, Limor coaches ambitious women in technology into leadership roles and speaks globally on leadership development, visibility, influence, and career growth.

Connect with Limor Bergman Gross

Podcast
From a Woman to a Leader
https://limorbergman.com/podcast 

Website
https://limorbergman.com 

LinkedIn
Limor Bergman Gross

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is a workplace inclusion strategist, speaker, and founder of EQImindset and the nonprofit Immigrants in Corporate Inc.

Through her work, she partners with organizations to design inclusive workplace communities and leadership ecosystems that strengthen belonging, engagement, and organizational performance.

Her podcast Thriving in Intersectionality explores the real experiences of professionals navigating leadership through layered identities, including immigrants, women, first-generation professionals, and other underrepresented leaders.

Resources & Community

Immigrants in Corporate
https://www.immigrantsincorporate.org 

EQImindset /Employee Resource Groups (ERG) Resources
https://www.eqimindset.com 

Listen & Share

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps others discover these conversations and continue building workplaces where everyone can thrive.

🎧 Listen and reflect:
What leadership shift might your career be asking you to make next?

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In this powerful conversation, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Victoria Pelletier — corporate executive, board director, author, and public speaker — to explore what it truly means to lead as your whole self.

Nicknamed the “Turnaround Queen” and “CEO Whisperer,” Victoria has spent more than two decades driving business transformation, leading global teams, and navigating the path to the C-suite. But behind the titles is a deeply human story of resilience, identity, and intentional growth.

Victoria shares how her lived experiences — growing up in the child welfare system, overcoming early trauma, rising to executive leadership at 24, and navigating her identity as a queer leader and parent — shaped her leadership philosophy.

Together, Lola and Victoria unpack:

• How childhood adversity can shape executive resilience
• The pressure of being the only woman — and the youngest — in the room
• Why armor might help you rise… but vulnerability helps you lead
• The evolution from “Iron Maiden” leadership to whole human leadership
•  How inclusive leadership drives performance — not the other way around
• Why board service matters and how to think about building a portfolio career

This episode challenges the outdated belief that strength and empathy are mutually exclusive.

Whole human leadership isn’t soft.
It’s strategic.
It’s sustainable.
And it’s the future of leadership.

About Victoria Pelletier

Victoria Pelletier is a 20+ year corporate executive, board director, bestselling author, and professional public speaker. She has served as COO at 24, President at 35, and CEO at 41. She is the author of The Power of Whole Human Leadership and Influence Unleashed, and is passionate about helping organizations transform culture, leadership, and growth.

Connect with Victoria:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriapelletier/
Website: https://victoria-pelletier.com/

Connect with Host Dr. Lola

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is a speaker, consultant, and founder of EQI Mindset and Immigrants in Corporate. She partners with organizations to build cultures of belonging through strategy, storytelling, and inclusive workplace communities.

Dr. Lola's Website: www.drlola-adeyemo.com   Dr Lola's Linkedin
 

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In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with award-winning author, tech leader, and podcast host Sheekha Singh to explore immigrant ambition, women in tech, burnout, and redefining success beyond hustle culture.

Born and raised in India, educated in the United States, and now based in Canada, Sheekha brings a global immigrant lens to leadership and high performance.

She is the author of:

• Unburnable Ambition — a practical, reflective guide for overachievers who want to win without burning out.

• The IT Girl — winner of the 2021 Dan Poynter Global Ebook Award (Gold) in Technology/Engineering.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The immigrant perspective on burnout
• Cultural expectations and pressure to succeed
• Women in tech and representation gaps
• H1B transitions and cross-border leadership journeys
• Why overcompensating leads to exhaustion
• How to advocate for yourself without playing the victim
• Boundaries as a leadership skill

Sheekha’s core belief:
Ambition doesn’t have to cost you your peace.

If you are an immigrant professional, a first-generation leader, a woman in tech, or someone navigating layered identities in the workplace, this episode will resonate.

🔗 Connect with Shika Singh

Podcast: Rise and Tell with Shika
Books: The IT Girl and Unburnable Ambition
Website: shikasingh.com

🔗 Connect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlolaadeyemo/
Website: Www.Drlola-Adeyemo.com

Belonging isn’t just a bonus — it’s a catalyst for sustainable growth.

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Oksana shares her powerful journey as an immigrant who grew up during the fall of the Soviet Union, spent formative years separated from her mother, and later rebuilt her life in the United States. She also speaks candidly about becoming a teen mom, navigating divorce and blended family life, and how those lived experiences shaped her approach to leadership.

Together, Lola and Oksana explore what it means to lead with humanity, build cultures that last, and grow your career through value — not just time in role.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Oksana’s immigration story and how resilience shaped her leadership style
• Becoming a teen mom and navigating career growth simultaneously
• The pivotal manager who gave her a chance — and why mentorship matters
• Why career growth is about impact and value, not tenure
• How to build your voice beyond your employer’s brand
• Treating people the way they need to be treated
• Why culture is difficult to replicate — and why it matters more than ever
• Practical advice for professionals looking to advance in today’s workplace

About Our Guest

Oksana Lukash is a Chief People Officer, business owner, and leadership advisor who’s spent 20+ years helping teams scale, survive chaos, and actually enjoy working together. She blends strategy with psychology, candor with compassion, and believes culture is the only real competitive advantage.

When she’s not building high-performing teams, she’s challenging leaders to think bigger, speak up, and stop settling for mediocrity.

Connect with Oksana

Website: https://oksanalukash.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksusha45/
Business: People, Culture, You, LLC

Connect with Lola

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQI Mindset and founder of Immigrants in Corporate. She partners with organizations to build cultures of belonging through ERGs, strategy, and storytelling.

Website: https://www.drlola-adeyemo.com
Community: https://www.immigrantsincorporate.org
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlolaadeyemo/

🎧 Want to take a deeper dive and engage?

Listen now and reflect via Substack.
 

What lessons from your journey are shaping how you lead today?

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What if leadership isn’t about constantly pushing forward — but about pausing long enough to reflect?

In this solo episode, Dr. Lola Adeyemo shares a simple framework that has shaped how she thinks about growth, career pivots, and impact:

Learn back. Lead forward.

Drawing on conversations with past guests and her own journey across science, consulting, and workplace inclusion strategy, Lola explores how the strongest leaders don’t just accumulate experience — they make meaning from it.

Through three powerful stories, you’ll hear how curiosity, values alignment, and community responsibility shape sustainable leadership.

If you’re entering a new season, considering a pivot, or rethinking what leadership looks like for you, this episode will help you move forward with intention.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why reflection is a leadership skill

• How non-linear careers often lead to the greatest impact

• The difference between achievement and alignment

• Why leadership eventually becomes service to others

• 3 practical ways to design your next chapter intentionally

Guests & conversations referenced

Dr. Meklit Workneh
From Ethiopia to Stanford to Moderna, Meklit shares how curiosity and courageous pivots shaped her path into biotech leadership and AI-driven clinical trials.

🎧 Listen: Dr.Workneh's Episode Link

Funmi Onamusi
A people-first executive leader who models how values alignment — not title chasing — creates sustainable, integrated leadership. 

🎧 Listen: Funmi's Episode Link

Ukeme Awakessien Jeter
Engineer, lawyer, and mayor, Ukeme shares how belonging and representation inspired her to move from personal success to civic impact.

🎧 Listen: Mayor Ukeme's Episode Link

3 Takeaways to apply this week

1. Audit the beliefs you’re still carrying

2. Lead from integration — your lived experience is an asset

3. Build community intentionally — leadership isn’t solo work

Connect with Lola

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is a speaker, consultant, and founder of EQI Mindset and Immigrants in Corporate, helping organizations build cultures of belonging through ERGs and workplace community strategy.

Website: www.drlola-adeyemo.com 
LinkedIn: @drlolaadeyemo

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Karen brings more than 15 years of experience across Fortune 500 organizations including American Express, Sara Lee, U.S. Cellular, and Ulta Beauty, with a career rooted at the intersection of leadership development, change, and organizational effectiveness. She is also an executive leader at NextUp, a nonprofit dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders.

Together, Lola and Karen explore leadership not as theory, but as lived practice — examining how feedback, identity, privilege, and psychological safety shape the way people experience work.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• How Karen understands intersectionality through her lived experience as a Black woman leader in corporate America

• Why psychological safety is foundational — especially when conversations get complex or uncomfortable

• What giving and receiving feedback looks like when development is the real goal

• How privilege and identity influence access, perception, and opportunity at work

• Why networking and influence matter more than ever for career growth

• What professionals should focus on now as the future of work continues to evolve

• How leaders can develop talent while building cultures that actually work in practice — not just on paper

Karen also shares powerful personal stories that illuminate how leadership, privilege, and humanity intersect in ways that no framework alone can explain.

This is a thoughtful and practical episode for leaders, HR and DEI professionals, and anyone navigating their career while carrying layered identities — with insights you can apply immediately this year and beyond.

About Our Guest

Karen Jones is the founder of Sacred Leadership Solutions and a leadership and organizational effectiveness consultant with more than 15 years of experience designing and delivering learning and development experiences that produce sustainable outcomes. She is known for creating psychologically safe environments where people can grow, learn, and lead authentically. Karen currently serves as an executive leader at NextUp, a nonprofit focused on advancing women and building inclusive leadership pipelines.

🔗 Learn more about NextUp: https://www.nextupisnow.org 
🔗 Connect with Karen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-jones-36785b18 

🎙️ Connect with the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is a leadership strategist, speaker, and CEO of EQImindset, partnering with organizations to build inclusive cultures through ERG strategy, leadership development, and belonging-centered systems. She is the creator and host of the Thriving in Intersectionality podcast, where she amplifies the voices of leaders navigating layered identities in today’s workplace.

🔗 Explore all podcast episodes & resources:
https://www.DrLola-Adeyemo.com/podcast 

🔗 Connect with Lola on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlolaadeyemo/ 

For Leaders & Organizations

If this conversation resonates and you're looking to strengthen leadership development, ERG strategy, or inclusive culture within your organization, explore Dr. Lola’s consulting and workshops through EQImindset.

🔗 https://www.eqimindset.com

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In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Olufunke Olufon — communications strategist, TEDx speaker, and founder of IWA Consulting — for a rich conversation on purpose-driven communication, leadership presence, and navigating career pivots without shrinking who you are.

Olufunke’s career spans some of the world’s most influential institutions — from directing executive communications at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to serving as a spokesperson at the World Bank, to leading transformation-era communications at EY. Across industries and continents, her work has helped translate complex ideas into narratives that move people to action.

Together, Lola and Olufunke explore what it means to show up with layered identity in corporate America, how culture shapes leadership, why relationships are career currency, and how the Yoruba concept of “IWA” (character) becomes a powerful lens for brand, reputation, and credibility.

This episode is for anyone navigating reinvention — especially professionals who want to communicate with clarity, lead with confidence, and align their voice with their purpose.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear

• What intersectionality means in real life — and why it matters at work
• The experience of navigating corporate America as a Nigerian woman
• Why culture and language shape how we lead, communicate, and take risks
• Olufunke’s nonlinear career pivot from chemical engineering to international relations
• How to know when it’s time to pivot (and stop waiting for permission)
• Why clarity is a career advantage — not a luxury
• The power of relationships as “career currency” (the human way)
• IWA (character) and why reputation is simply character revealed
• The cultural connection question: why Funke brings Nigerian jollof rice to work

About the Guest

Olufunke “Funke” Olufon is a communications strategist, TEDx speaker, and founder of IWA Consulting, where she helps mission-driven leaders and organizations find, refine, and amplify their authentic voice. Her work spans global communications, executive positioning, and narrative strategy across major institutions including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, and EY.

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is a workplace inclusion strategist, author, speaker, and CEO of EQImindset, and founder of Immigrants in Corporate Inc. She helps organizations build communities of belonging through strategy, storytelling, and systems change.

Connect + Next Steps

For HR & DEI Leaders (ERG/BRG strategy support, workshops, or fractional partnership): 📩 Lola@EQImindset.com

For Immigrants & First-Gen Professionals:
Join the free community: www.immigrantsincorporate.org

Go deeper on Substack (extended reflections + community):

Connect with Funke / IWA Consulting:

• Website: www.iwaconsults.com

Keywords

Intersectionality, workplace inclusion, communication strategy, leadership, cultural background, career pivots, authentic voice, Yoruba culture, corporate America, storytelling, purpose-driven leadership, mentorship, relationships, entrepreneurial journey, IWA Consulting.

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Their story spans deployments, parenthood, medical transition, entrepreneurship, and faith — offering a raw, inspiring look into what it means to rebuild after service and create a business grounded in health, community, and lived experience.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

• The Intersections That Shape Them
  From race, culture, faith, service, and parenthood to caregiving and entrepreneurship — how identity has guided every chapter of their lives.
• Military Life as a Dual-Service Family
  Navigating deployments, relocations, raising three children, and finding stability in community support networks.
• Rebuilding After Medical Retirement
  How Tahnohn’s MS diagnosis shifted everything — identity, purpose, and the path forward.
• The Origin Story of NutFrusion
  Born from necessity: clean-ingredient trail mixes and fruit chips created to support health during a major life transition.
• Entrepreneurship with Purpose
  How they’ve built NutFrusion into a beloved local brand while balancing full careers, teaching, parenting, and community leadership.
• Advice for Young Professionals
  Community-building, understanding your strengths, embracing pivots, asking for help, and leading with authenticity.

Meet the Guests

Tahnohn Hayes – U.S. Navy Veteran & Founder, NutFrusion

A Navy veteran whose career was cut short by a sudden MS diagnosis, Tahnohn rebuilt his life one decision at a time, ultimately founding NutFrusion — a handcrafted snack company focused on flavor, clean ingredients, and wellness. Through entrepreneurship, he reclaimed purpose, control, and a mission to serve others through nourishing food.

Sherry Hayes – U.S. Navy Veteran, UCSD Lecturer & Operations Leader

Sherry served 21 years in the Navy, advancing from Hospital Corpsman to Environmental Health Officer, with assignments across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Today she is a Continuing Lecturer at UCSD Rady School of Management, a project management & public health expert, and the operations backbone of NutFrusion.
Her certifications include PMP, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, CPH, and she is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach.

Support Their Veteran-Owned Business

NutFrusion – Handcrafted Trail Mixes & Fruit Chips

Website: https://www.nutfrusion.com
Instagram: @nutfrusion
Facebook: NutFrusion
LinkedIn (Sherry): https://www.linkedin.com/in/servewithexcellence

📘 Featured Resource: Military Shoppers Guide

Tahnohn and Sherry are featured in the 2025 Military Shoppers Guide, a curated collection of veteran-owned businesses, gift ideas, and resources designed to support military families and entrepreneurs.

👉 Download the 2025 Military Shoppers Guide (PDF)

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is an Inclusive Workplace Strategist, author, and CEO of EQImindset. She helps organizations build communities of belonging through ERG/BRG strategy, leadership development, and storytelling.

Connect with Dr. Lola on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

✨ Your intersections are powerful. Your story matters. Keep thriving. — Dr. Lola Adeyemo

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From the U.S. Air Force to nearly three decades in corporate America to doctoral research on corporate board diversity, Dr. Dorsey’s story is a masterclass in clarity, reinvention, and using lived experience to create impact.

He brings a rare intersection of perspectives as a veteran, a Black executive, a turnaround specialist, a multi-board member, a global search leader, and now a portfolio-career strategist whose work is centered on leadership, governance, and generational impact.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

✅ Identity & Intersectionality in Leadership

How Dr. Dorsey’s intersections — from military service to corporate leadership to academia — inform how he shows up, leads, and serves today.

✅ Three Career Chapters & the Power of Reinvention

A journey from the Air Force ➡️ corporate executive ➡️ board strategist and researcher — and why he calls this season not retirement, but rewirement.

✅ Education Beyond the Classroom

Why he earned his bachelor’s degree in his 40s, how he completed an MBA surrounded by other executives, and what it means to be a lifelong learner in the real world — not just on paper.

✅ Becoming a Turnaround Specialist

How investing in himself, reading voraciously, and studying his craft helped him lead large teams, solve people/product/process problems, and transform underperforming business units.

✅ What a Portfolio Career Really Is

He breaks down how he built a career that includes board service, executive advising, writing, speaking, consulting, and research — all aligned under a single theme of leadership and governance.

✅ Reflection, Pruning & Finding Your Joy

His philosophy on reflection, identifying what energizes you, pruning what doesn’t, and uncovering your “secret sauce” to guide your next chapter.

✅ Reverse Engineering Success

Why successful people do what others won’t — and how clarity + intentional action can make your goals inevitable.

✅ Food, Culture & Conversation

What he would bring to share with colleagues — and how even a simple meal can spark connection, inclusion, and rich conversation.

About the Guest

Dr. Keith Dorsey is a board strategist, researcher, and executive advisor with decades of leadership experience across military service, corporate America, executive search, and governance. He is the author of The Boardroom Journey and has published work in Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review, Forbes, Directors & Boards, and more.

Dr. Dorsey holds a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from USC and an MBA from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Dorsey on LinkedIn
🔗 Explore The Boardroom Journey

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is a workplace inclusion strategist, author, and CEO of EQImindset.
She helps organizations strengthen ERG/BRG programs and build cultures of belonging through strategy, storytelling, and systems change.

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Adeyemo

Want to Go Deeper?

For HR & DEI Leaders:
Need ERG/BRG strategy support or fractional partnership?
📩 Lola@EQImindset.com

For Immigrants & First-Gen Professionals:
Join the free community for networking, resources, and peer support:
👉 www.immigrantsincorporate.org

Want to Dive Deeper into this Conversation and Engage?

Follow on Substack for extended reflections, storytelling, and community insights tied to every episode. Your story matters. Keep thriving in your intersections.
— Dr. Lola Adeyemo

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Support the show

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, this episode celebrates service, transition, and purpose-driven leadership through a conversation that bridges military, corporate, and public service spaces.

Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Cinnamon Clark — a U.S. Navy veteran, Chief Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Officer at the California Department of Justice, and Chair of the San Diego Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission — to explore what it really takes to make inclusion actionable.

From maintaining aircraft in the Navy to leading equity initiatives for global corporations to shaping equity policies for one of the largest justice departments in the country, Cinnamon’s story demonstrates how leadership, courage, and curiosity can open doors not only for oneself but for everyone who follows.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

✅ What “Inclusion as a Verb” Looks Like
Cinnamon shares how inclusion happens through daily choices — the way we ask, listen, and lead — and why it’s everyone’s responsibility, not just a DEI department’s.

✅ From “Only” to “Opening Doors”
One of the first women integrated into shipboard squadrons, Cinnamon turned isolation into advocacy — clearing pathways for others, including the first enlisted woman to complete Naval Special Warfare training.

✅ Equity vs. Equality — The Boots Story
She illustrates the difference between equality and equity with a memorable lesson from her military days: same-sized boots don’t mean the same fit.

✅ Intersectionality as Leadership
Why every leader needs to understand intersectionality as a competency — the ability to pause, ask questions, and see the full context before reacting or judging.

✅ Transitioning from Military to Corporate to Civic Leadership
Cinnamon walks through her evolution from aviation electrician to global DEI advisor and state executive, offering insights for professionals navigating their own career pivots.

✅ The Power of Curiosity and Self-Belief
Her message for emerging professionals: stay curious, say yes to opportunities that stretch you, and never measure your success against someone else’s timeline.

✅ Food, Culture, and Connection
How something as simple as sharing a meal — becomes a bridge for belonging.

About the Guest

Cinnamon Clark is a retired Chief Petty Officer with over 20 years in the U.S. Navy. She has since become a respected diversity and inclusion leader, serving as Chief Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Officer at the California Department of Justice and Chair of the San Diego CEOC.

Her career spans military service, corporate consulting with McLean & Company, and state leadership — all centered on embedding equity into systems, structures, and culture.

🔗 Connect with Cinnamon on LinkedIn

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is a workplace inclusion strategist, author, and CEO of EQImindset, where she helps organizations build communities of belonging through strategy, storytelling, and systems change.

💬 Connect on LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Adeyemo

Want to Go Deeper?

Follow Dr. Lola on Substack, where each episode continues through reflection, storytelling, and community discussion.

For HR & DEI Leaders: Do you need ERG or BRG strategy support? Connect with Dr. Lola to explore fractional partnership or organizational workshops.Lola@EQImindset.com

For Immigrants & First-Gen Professionals: Join the free community at www.immigrantsincorporate.org for networking, resources, and peer support.

✨ Your story matters. Keep thriving in your intersections.
— Dr. Lola Adeyemo

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Dr. Lola Adeyemo sits down with Chris Thorne, a U.S. Navy veteran turned business and community leader, to explore what leadership looks like beyond the uniform. Chris shares powerful lessons from his 30-year military career and his journey into executive leadership as CEO of the North San Diego Business Chamber.

Together, they unpack the layers of identity, resilience, and community that shape purposeful leadership today. This conversation reminds us that every leader carries more than a title—they carry stories, intersections, and lived experiences that inform how they serve others.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

✅ How military service shapes purpose and leadership in civilian life
Chris reveals why he joined at 17, what kept him serving for three decades, and how those experiences translate into building thriving business communities.

✅ The power of community in building connection and legacy
Hear Chris's profound perspective: "Life is a terminal disease. Immortality is having a positive impact on others that grows long after you're gone—whether anyone remembers your name or not."

✅ Why intersectionality matters in leadership and belonging
From growing up in Arizona to becoming a Navy Corpsman running with Marines, Chris breaks down how we're all "blankets made of different fibers"—and why understanding that depth in others changes everything.

✅ Chris's transition from service to civic and business impact
The real story of transition—from stepping out of the Navy to leading HR consulting, standing up the Gary Sinise Foundation's San Diego presence, and becoming a chamber CEO.

✅ Advice for emerging professionals on self-belief and finding their place at the table
"I am so incredibly impressed with this next generation. You deserve to be in that room. You deserve your seat at that table. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

✅ The Chili Philosophy
Why Chris's signature slow-cooked, blazing-hot chili is the perfect metaphor for patient, intentional leadership.

About the Guest

Chris Thorne is the CEO of the North San Diego Business Chamber and a retired U.S. Navy veteran. Named 2024 CEO of the Year for Business Nonprofit and recognized among San Diego's 500 Most Influential People for four consecutive years, Chris leads with a deep commitment to service, strategy, and community impact.

🔗 [North San Diego Business Chamber]
🔗 [Connect with Chris on LinkedIn]

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is a workplace inclusion strategist, speaker, and CEO of EQImindset, where she helps organizations build communities of belonging through strategy, storytelling, and systems change.

🌍 Learn more: www.lolaspeaker.com
💬 Connect with Lola on LinkedIn: [Dr. Lola Adeyemo]

Want to Go Deeper?

Follow Dr. Lola on Substack, where she explores key concepts from each episode and invites reflections and community engagement!

Join the Conversation

For HR & DEI Leaders: Need employee resource group(ERG) or business resource group support? Connect with Dr. Lola on LinkedIn for strategy, storytelling, and inclusive workplace community building.

For Immigrants & First-Gen Professionals: Join our free community at www.immigrantsincorporate.org for career support, networking, and resources with peers who understand your journey.

Your story matters. Keep thriving in your intersections.

Dr. Lola Adeyemo.

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To close out Global Diversity Month, Thriving in Intersectionality presents a special storytelling episode — three powerful stories of courage, transition, and belonging shared live during the “Belonging Beyond Borders” virtual event on October 29, 2025, hosted by Immigrants in Corporate Inc.

In this reflective and inspiring episode, host Dr. Lola Adeyemo brings together voices from around the world whose immigrant journeys redefine what it means to succeed, to belong, and to be seen. Through stories of reinvention, purpose, and resilience, these storytellers remind us that belonging is not something we wait to find — it’s something we build together.

This conversation is a tapestry of humanity — honest, layered, and full of hope — and a fitting close to Global Diversity Month.

What You’ll Hear

🌍 Redefining Success Beyond Immigrant Expectations
How Ambition, Family, and Cultural Pressures Intersect for Global Professionals.

💫 Courage in Transition
Stories of starting over, navigating identity, and pursuing growth in unfamiliar spaces.

💖 Owning Your Worth
The power of self-acceptance and belonging without needing to prove your value.

🤝 Community as Catalyst
Why shared stories are essential to building inclusive workplaces and societies.

About Our Storytellers

✨ Bami Iroko — Redefining Success Beyond Immigrant Pressures
A marketing and communications strategist, talent manager, and creative consultant, Bami helps brands and artists tell impactful stories that connect across cultures. Her work bridges marketing, entertainment, and technology, championing inclusive innovation and responsible AI. Bami’s story explores the invisible expectations placed on immigrant professionals — and the liberation of defining success on your own terms. Her new book, “All In: Choosing Faith over Fear,” is available now on Amazon. 

🔗 Connect with BAMI IROKO on LinkedIn:  📘 Link to her book. 

✨ Joe Kyaw Kyaw Htin — Courage in Transition
A globally experienced chartered accountant from Myanmar, Joe has led internal audit and finance teams across Asia and the U.S. His story reflects the resilience of rebuilding a career abroad and the quiet strength that comes from choosing growth over comfort.
🔗 Connect with Joe Kayw Kyaw Htin on LinkedIn

✨ Raneen Rheem — The Power of Self-Worth
As CEO of RISE (Refugee Immigrant Student Embassy), Raneen empowers refugee and immigrant youth to lead with confidence and purpose. A student of Political Science and Human Rights at the University of Iowa, she reminds us that belonging begins when we stop trying to prove our value — and start embracing it.
🔗 Connect with Raneen Rheem on LinkedIn

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQImindset and founder of the nonprofit Immigrants in Corporate Inc. She helps organizations move inclusion from intention to impact through strategy, storytelling, and workplace communities. A scientist-turned-ERG strategist, speaker, and author, Lola is passionate about amplifying the voices of leaders and professionals navigating layered identities at work.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Lola Adeyemo on Linkedin

Join the Conversation

If today’s episode resonated with you:
⭐ Please rate and review the podcast to help others discover these stories.
📲 Share your takeaways and tag us on LinkedIn @ThrivinginIntersectionality podcast
🌍 Immigrant and first-gen professionals: Join our free community at www.immigrantsincorporate.org for career support, networking, resources, and to be a part of our monthly events.

Keep thriving in your intersections — your story matters.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

From canceled contracts to failed partnerships and unexpected career pivots, Dr. Lola opens up about her own experiences with “false starts” and how they’ve shaped her leadership, courage, and clarity.

She reminds us that fear and foresight can often feel the same — but one holds you back, while the other prepares you to begin again. Through storytelling and reflection, Dr. Lola offers three powerful anchors to guide you through transitions in your business, career, or advocacy journey:

1️⃣ Learn, don’t linger — take the lessons, not the limits.
2️⃣ Filter, don’t freeze — refine your focus without losing your fire.
3️⃣ Move with clarity, not fear — let experience strengthen your confidence.

This episode is a reminder that every false start is proof of courage — not failure. You’re not behind; you’re aligning.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Connect with Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn
  
• Explore ERG & BRG Resources at www.EQImindset.com
  
• Join the Immigrants in Corporate Community: Join us HERE
  
• Read deeper reflections on Substack: Intersections by Lola
  
  

💬 Stay Connected

If this message resonates, share your reflections on LinkedIn and tag @Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast.  And don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe — your support helps others discover these stories of courage and belonging.

Keep thriving in your intersections — and remember, recalibration is not retreat. 💙

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She climbed the ranks on Wall Street. Then she left it all behind to become a doctor. Dr. Manna Semby has a lot to say about reinvention, resilience, and thriving in midlife.

In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo speaks with Dr. Manna Semby, founder of Aruna Personalized Medicine, functional medicine doctor, and former Vice President at Goldman Sachs. Drawing on her own journey from finance to healthcare, Dr. Manna shares how career pivots, layered identities, and health all intersect to shape how we lead and thrive.

We explore how leaders can protect their cognitive edge through transitions, why decision-making style is a hidden superpower, and how organizations can reframe midlife health as a performance and equity strategy—not a taboo.

This conversation is about more than perimenopause or career change—it’s about the courage to design work and life that honor all of who you are.

What You’ll Learn

🧠 Protecting Cognitive Edge
How the brain–hormone–metabolism axis shapes leadership energy, focus, and resilience.

🔄 Career Reinvention
Why Dr. Manna left a VP role at Goldman Sachs to pursue medicine—and what it takes to pivot with purpose.

💡 Decision-Making as a Superpower
How knowing your decision-making style can transform both career moves and life satisfaction.

🌍 Intersectionality in Action
How immigrant identity, motherhood, caregiving, and corporate experience inform her practice and advocacy.

🏢 Workplace Change
Why ERGs and HR leaders must create brain- and menopause-ready cultures to retain talent and sustain performance.

About Our Guest

Dr. Manna Semby, ND, MSCP, IFMCP is a functional medicine doctor and founder of Aruna Personalized Medicine. Formerly a Vice President at Goldman Sachs, she brings an insider’s perspective to the health needs of career women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. Her Aruna Method targets the brain–hormone–metabolism axis to protect cognitive edge, metabolic resilience, and long-term vitality.

Today she partners with corporations to deliver executive education and implement menopause-supportive policies that strengthen retention, performance, and culture.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Manna:

• Website: arunamed.com 

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/manna-semby 

• Instagram: @drmannasemby 

• Brain Health Quiz: arunamed.com/brainquiz 

• Video: Brain Clarity & Renewal Program 

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQImindset and founder of the nonprofit Immigrants in Corporate Inc. She helps organizations move inclusion from intention to impact through strategy, storytelling, and workplace communities. A scientist-turned-ERG strategist, speaker, and author, Lola is passionate about amplifying voices at the intersections of identity and work.

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If today’s episode resonated with you:

• ⭐ Please rate and review the podcast to help others discover it.

• 📲 Share your takeaways and tag us on LinkedIn.

• 🌍 Immigrant and first-gen professionals: Join our free community at immigrantsincorporate.org  for career support, networking, and resources.

Keep thriving in your intersections—your story matters.

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In this powerful conversation, Dr. Lola Adeyemo chats with Celeste Warren—founder of Celeste Warren Consulting and co-founder of Destination STEM—to explore what it really means to lead with authenticity and create lasting change.

Celeste brings her full self to leadership: Black woman, mother, wife, aunt, caregiver, and entrepreneur. These intersecting identities aren't just who she is—they're how she leads, informing her belief that inclusive leadership isn't performative theater. It's about practical, repeatable acts of equity that meet people exactly where they are.

The Moment That Changed Everything

Sometimes one moment of visibility can reshape an entire trajectory. Celeste shares how a single national presentation became a key catalyst that transformed her career path, proving that excellence paired with strategic exposure creates opportunities that "heads-down" work alone cannot.

Her journey spans 28+ years at Merck, and originated from journalism roots to becoming Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer. Now, through her consulting practice and new book The Truth About Equity, she's translating decades of wisdom into actionable guidance for the next generation of leaders.

What You'll Discover

The Exposure Equation
Why preparation without visibility limits your potential, and how to strategically position yourself for career-defining moments.

Building Careers on Learning, Not Titles
How choosing roles for skills and stretch over status creates compound leadership readiness that serves you for decades.

Equity, Demystified
Clear, practical language for what equity actually is—and what it isn't—cutting through today's polarized debates with actionable everyday practices.

ERGs as Talent Accelerators
Why Employee Resource Group leadership often provides more management experience and cross-functional visibility than traditional org charts.

Influence Without Authority
Practical moves for individual contributors to shape culture without waiting for permission or the perfect job title.

Inclusive Leadership at Scale
How senior roles don't make the work easier—just different—and why aligning diverse teams around shared purpose is both art and science.

The Intersectional Advantage

Celeste's leadership philosophy is inextricably linked to her lived experience. As she puts it, "We're not one identity. We're the cross-section of what's seen and unseen—life experiences that shape how we lead."

Her path from reporter to global DEI leader to entrepreneur demonstrates how diverse experiences compound into unique leadership strengths:

• Journalism foundations taught her to ask better questions and tell clearer stories
• HR expertise across training, labor relations, and transformation built deep business acumen
• Manufacturing experience where she created learning strategies that upskilled workforces without layoffs
• Global D&I leadership that scaled inclusion across a multinational enterprise
• Entrepreneurship now channeling all of this wisdom into consulting, speaking, and education

Who Does This Episode Serve?

Whether you're an early-career professional learning to navigate corporate spaces, an ERG leader looking to maximize impact, or an Executive working to move inclusion from intention to measurable results—this conversation offers both inspiration and practical guidance.

About Our Guest: Celeste Warren

Founder, Celeste Warren Consulting, LLC - Connect on Linkedin
Former VP & Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Merck
Author of How to Be a Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador and The Truth About Equity
Co-Founder, Destination STEM (supporting students of color in STEM)

Internationally recognized for DEI leadership, including 2024 Chief Diversity Officer of the Year by the National Minority Supplier Development Council. Above all, she's a relentless believer in people and the power of authentic leadership.

About the Host: Dr. Lola Adeyemo

An inclusive workplace advocate. She is the CEO of EQImindset (an ERG/BRG consulting firm) and the founder of Immigrants in Corporate Inc. A scientist-turned-ERG strategist, author, and speaker who helps organizations move inclusion from intention to measurable impact through strategy, storytelling, and workplace communities. Connect with Dr. Lola Adeyemo on Linkedin.

Get Involved

HR/Culture/DEI leaders: Email Lola@EQImindset.com to launch and scale ERGs that drive real business outcomes or to guest on the podcast.

Join our community for immigrant & first-gen professionals

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The bartender? Dr. Victoria Mattingly—though she didn't have the "Dr." yet.

Fresh out of college during the Great Recession, she was pouring drinks to fund volunteer research work. That chance encounter became the pivot point of an extraordinary career—from serving drinks to earning a PhD, from corporate burnout to building her own consulting firm, from studying workplace inclusion to living it as a working mother, cancer survivor, mental health advocate, and alopecia warrior.

This conversation is for anyone navigating career uncertainty, trying to network authentically, or wondering how personal experiences can become professional assets.

The Intersectional Advantage

Dr. Mattingly's unique perspective comes from:

• Working mother balancing executive leadership with family life
• Cancer survivor bringing lived experience to workplace wellness
• Mental health advocate who openly discusses her own burnout and lessons from the journey
• Person with alopecia navigating visible differences in professional settings
• Descendant of Polish immigrants navigated family name change
• Bridge-builder between academic research and real-world organizational change

"Depending on the context, I can either be the ally and leverage my privilege, or be the partner and work with allies."

The Journey: From Bar to Boardroom

The Recession Years: Graduated 2008 into economic crisis. No jobs for psychology majors. Bartended at Portland's fanciest establishment to fund volunteer research—a detour that proved strategic.

The Career Catalyst: Two organizational psychologists at her bar connected her to a research lab. This taught her networking isn't about collecting contacts—it's about leveraging networks to fill gaps.

Building Expertise: PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. Years in corporate consulting. Published author. Her latest book is "Act Like an Ally / Work with an Ally."

The Breaking Point: Burned out as an organizational psychologist. "I had to practice what I preach."

The Pivot: Founded Mattingly Solutions to create sustainable, human-centered consulting aligned with her values.

Key Insights

• Strategic Networking is About Gaps, Not Contacts: "It's about leveraging each other's networks to fill the gaps that presently exist."
• Cold Outreach Works When Done Right: Dr. V hired someone who posted a detailed cover letter in her website's contact form. The key? Genuine research and demonstrating value.
• Your Detours Are Your Differentiators: That bartending job taught skills the traditional route never would.
• Know Your Privilege AND Your Marginalization: "I can leverage my privilege as an ally, or work with allies where I experience marginalization. Both require different skills."
• Bring Your Whole Self (Strategically): Personal experiences can become professional assets when shared authentically.
• Burnout is Information, Not Failure: "The gap between what I knew intellectually and what I was living became my new mission."
• Make Them Look Good: "People share their most valuable asset—their network. I had to deliver and make them look good for believing in me."

About Guest Dr. Victoria Mattingly

Organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, and CEO of Mattingly Solutions. PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with 15+ years helping organizations build inclusive workplaces. Author of "Act Like an Ally / Work with an Ally" and co-author of "Inclusalytics: How DEI Leaders Use Data to Drive Their Work."

Connect with Dr. V

• Website: www.mattinglysolutions.com
• LinkedIn: Dr. Victoria Mattingly

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is an ERG strategist, keynote speaker, and author dedicated to building workplaces where people with layered identities can thrive. As CEO of EQImindset and founder of the nonprofit Immigrants in Corporate Inc., she partners with HR, DEI, and business leaders to move inclusion from intention into impact through strategy, storytelling, and systems change. A Nigerian-born immigrant and mom, Lola blends research, real-world experience, and heart. On Thriving in Intersectionality, she spotlights voices and tools that help leaders—and everyday professionals—create meaningful, measurable belonging.

Want to Get Involved?

• Apply to be on the podcast: [Application Link]
• Join Immigrants in Corporate Community for FREE!
• HR/Culture/DEI Leaders: Email Lola@EQImindset.com

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What happens when a DJ who started spinning tracks at 16 becomes a startup advisor, college professor, and business growth expert? He is building and developing, leveraging all of his diverse skills!. Corey Hart's journey through the "entrepreneurship spectrum" spans nightclub ownership, restaurant turnarounds, food tech innovation, and mental health scaling - all while learning to read business environments the same way he once read dance floors.

In this candid conversation, Corey shares how his naturally curious, entrepreneurial spirit has led him across industries, why he believes network building is the most underutilized career strategy, and how becoming a father fundamentally shifted his approach from people-pleasing to purpose-driven decision-making. From his 11-year college journey as a first-generation graduate to his current role scaling digital behavioral health solutions, Corey offers hard-won insights for anyone navigating career transitions or feeling stuck in their professional journey.

What You'll Learn

🎧 How DJ Skills Translate to Business Success

• Reading the room: from dance floors to boardrooms
• Building energy and community across different environments
• How he leverages his philosophy on bringing people together

📈 The Entrepreneurship Spectrum Approach

• How natural curiosity drives career evolution
• Navigating the blessing and curse of entrepreneurial blood
• When to embrace distraction vs. when to focus

🔗 Network Building That Actually Works

• Why most people confuse connections with relationships
• How he teaches college students from “the most important connection you haven't made yet" approach
• How to leverage your network authentically without feeling transactional

🎯 From Burnout to Purpose-Driven Growth

• Recognizing when success isn't fulfilling: "I felt very empty"
• Learning to say yes only to projects that serve others
• Setting boundaries as a reformed people-pleaser

🚀 Career Navigation Strategies

• Why your network probably knows what would make you happy better than you do
• Practical advice for people feeling stuck in corporate roles or considering entrepreneurial pivots
• The importance of giving yourself permission to want more, regardless of your current path

About Corey Hart

Corey Hart is a connector, builder, and educator working at the intersection of growth, wellness, and innovation. He serves as Senior Director of Business Growth at Mentavi Health, scaling digital behavioral health solutions, and as a business professor at Grand Valley State University, teaching real-world skills like executive functioning, emotional intelligence, and values-driven leadership.

As Chapter Director of Startup Grind Grand Rapids (part of a global organization with 5.5 million members), Corey advises startups globally and designs experiences that spark genuine connection. His calendar is open for anyone feeling stuck in their career or entrepreneurial journey.

When he's not building businesses or teaching, you can find him DJing, chasing tennis matches around the globe, or learning executive functioning skills from his daughter.

Connect with Corey

• LinkedIn: [Connect for career and entrepreneurship conversations]
• Startup Grind Grand Rapids: A Global startup community actively educating, inspiring, and connecting more than 4,500,000 entrepreneurs in over 700 chapters

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQImindset and founder of the nonprofit Immigrants Incorporate Inc. She works with organizations to build inclusive workplaces and amplifies the voices of leaders and immigrants in the corporate space.

Want to Get Involved?

• If you are a leader with a story to share - apply to be on the podcast: Application Link
• Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community for FREE!

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader? Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

Send us Fan Mail

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Episode Overview

What started as a simple mission to capture immigrant workplace and career stories in August 2022 has blossomed into something far more profound. Join Dr. Lola Adeyemo as she reflects on the incredible journey from "Immigrants in Corporate" to "Thriving in Intersectionality" – a transformation that mirrors the deeper truth she discovered: our careers and sense of belonging are shaped by the beautiful complexity of our intersecting identities.

This milestone episode is a love letter to every guest who trusted their story, every listener who found connection, and the transformative power of authentic storytelling in professional spaces.

Key Moments & Reflections

The Evolution: From Simple Stories to Deep Purpose

• August 2022: First podcast episode recorded, originally focused on the immigrant professional's workplace experiences and a follow-up to Dr. Lola's Book research conversations.
• September 2022: Dr. Lola's TEDx talk "Belonging is Not About Fitting In" shaped the podcast's direction
• January 2024: Rebranded to "Thriving in Intersectionality" to reflect the broader truth emerging from conversations and named after Dr. Lola's book Thriving in Intersectionality
• The realization: It's not just about immigrants – it's about the power of intersectional identities in professional growth

Personal Lessons: Discovering the Storyteller Within

Owning the Role of Storyteller: Dr. Lola shares how this podcast journey helped her embrace storytelling as her core identity – not just recording conversations, but crafting narratives that bridge gaps, clarify concepts, and bring people along for the journey.

Sharpening Advocacy Skills: Every published episode became an act of advocacy, amplifying voices that deserve boardroom representation but don't always get it. This wasn't just content creation – it was purposeful amplification of underrepresented perspectives.

Mastering the Craft: From outsourcing everything to loving the technical details – listening deeply, drawing out themes, crafting titles that capture the essence of each guest's wisdom.

Community Lessons: The Wisdom in Our Intersections

Identity as Bridge, Not Just Barrier: The most powerful revelation – our layered identities bring perspective, resilience, and creativity. They're not obstacles to overcome but tools for thriving.

Community Accelerates Careers: A common thread among guests – breakthrough moments happen when we stop walking alone and find our people, our advocates, our spaces of belonging.

Leadership Grows Everywhere: From C-suite executives to early-career ERG leaders, the spectrum of guests revealed that leadership isn't about titles – it's about stepping up with courage and creating belonging for others.

Standout Insights

"Stories don't just shape the listener. They shape the storyteller too."

"Leadership grows in unexpected places... without a title, with a title, in different spaces, you can play different roles."

"Identity could also be a bridge, a really important, much needed bridge when it comes to growing and advancing in the workplace."

Looking Ahead: The Next 100 Episodes

Dr. Lola's vision continues to expand – more diverse voices, deeper career lessons, and ongoing proof that belonging isn't about fitting in, it's about showing up fully as yourself and finding community in that authenticity.

Your Voice Matters #ThrivinginIntersectionality

Question for Reflection: What's the most important career lesson your layered identity has taught you? Dr. Lola wants to hear from you – your story could inspire someone who shares your intersection.

Connect & Continue the Conversation

• HR & DEI Leaders: Connect on LinkedIn for employee resource group and inclusive culture resources
• Immigrants & First-Gen Professionals: Join the free community at immigrantsincorporate.org
• Everyone: Tag the podcast on LinkedIn or connect directly to keep the conversation going. Use the hashtag #ThrivinginIntersectionality

Podcast Stats

• Milestone: 100 episodes strong
• Format: Solo episodes, guest conversations, dual guest discussions
• Scope: Guests across multiple sectors and intersections
• Mission: Amplifying unheard, underrepresented voices in corporate spaces

"Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters." - Dr. Lola Adeyemo

Rate & Review to help others discover these vital conversations about belonging, identity, and professional growth.

Host: Dr. Lola Adeyemo, CEO of EQI Mindset, Founder of Immigrants in Corporate Inc., Author, Speaker, and Workplace Inclusion Strategist

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Her story proves that curiosity, courage, and strategic career pivots can transform not just your own trajectory—but also advance global health innovation. From arriving solo in California at 17 to becoming a triple board-certified physician pioneering the intersection of artificial intelligence and clinical development, Dr. Workneh's path offers practical insights for anyone ready to create their own career rather than follow someone else's blueprint.

The Intersectional Advantage

Dr. Workneh brings a unique perspective shaped by multiple intersections:

• An Ethiopian immigrant who arrived in the US solo at 17 for college
• Triple board-certified physician with expertise spanning clinical care, research, and pathology
• Mother of young children balancing executive leadership with family life
• First-generation professional navigating American corporate structures
• Bridge-builder between medicine, technology, public health, and industry
• Black woman in biotech leadership championing diversity in clinical trials

As she puts it: "I've always been that person where I'm going to find all the things I like doing and bring them all together and find a way to do it."

The Journey: From Ethiopia to Stanford to Biopharma

Early Life in East Africa: Born in Ethiopia during the communist era, experienced family relocation to Kenya during political upheaval, and returned to Ethiopia for high school education.

Bold Educational Move: At 17, made the independent decision to attend Stanford University, arriving solo in California—a culture shock that required significant adaptation and resilience.

Strategic Academic Path: Studied biology at Stanford, then pursued an MPH at Yale focused on public health, worked in field research in Ethiopia before medical school.

Medical Training Excellence: Earned MD from UCSF, completed internal medicine residency and infectious diseases/microbiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins.

Government Service: Joined the FDA's Division of Infectious Diseases, working on neglected tropical diseases, antibiotic resistance, and the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Industry Leadership:  Transitioned to Moderna as Senior Director of Clinical Development, pioneering AI integration in infectious disease clinical trials.

Essential Career Insights

Maintain Curiosity Above All: "I think it always helps to maintain a degree of curiosity, no matter what you do, and just keep learning. Keep exploring. You never know the opportunities that your curiosity will open up."

Think Holistically About Life Design: Consider how your career choices align with your personal goals, including family, lifestyle, and values. "I wanted to have children, to get married, all of those things were important to me….so thinking about how do I merge all of these things."

Create Your Own Specialization: Don't be limited by traditional career tracks. "I was always exploring all these interests…like Africa, public health, infectious disease... And I'm just gonna take a bunch of things and just merge them together."

Seek Information Through Relationships: "I just really try to keep an open mind. You know, went to things that were sort of outside my comfort zone and I talked to a lot of people... let me see what they're doing and sort of keep a very open mind."

Embrace the Non-Linear Path: "I didn't even know this was a career path when I started out... it wasn't necessarily a well-crafted plan to end up exactly where I am now. But, you know, I'm very happy with where I am now."

About Our Guest

Dr. Meklit Workneh is a Senior Director of Clinical Development in Infectious Diseases at Moderna Therapeutics, where she leads teams designing clinical trials and developing strategies that bring life-saving vaccines and therapeutics to patients worldwide. She is triple board-certified in internal medicine, infectious diseases, and pathology (microbiology) with over 15 years of experience bridging clinical medicine and research.

Her groundbreaking work at the intersection of AI and clinical development recently gained national recognition through Moderna's partnership with OpenAI, showcasing how intelligent technology can accelerate the path from discovery to treatment. Before joining industry, she served at the FDA's Division of Infectious Diseases, working on neglected tropical diseases, antibiotic resistance, and COVID-19 initiatives.

Dr. Workneh holds a BA from Stanford University, an MPH from Yale School of Public Health, and an MD from University of California, San Francisco. She completed her residency in internal medicine and fellowship training in infectious diseases and microbiology at Johns Hopkins.

Connect with Guest Dr. Meklit Workneh

LinkedIn: Dr. Meklit Workneh
Expertise: Clinical Trial Design, AI in Healthcare, Biotech Leadership, Infectious Disease Medicine

Collaboration Interest: Advancing diversity in clinical trials and global health innovation

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQI Mindset and founder of the nonprofit Immigrants Incorporate Inc. She works with organizations to build inclusive workplaces and amplifies the voices of leaders and immigrants in the corporate space.

Want to Get Involved?

• If you are a leader with a story to share - apply to be on the podcast: Application Link
• Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community for FREE!

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader? Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

This episode of Thriving in Intersectionality is perfect for anyone who's ever felt like they don't fit into traditional career boxes - because sometimes the most extraordinary paths are the ones you create yourself.

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From computer science in India to business systems analysis at UC Davis, Priya's journey through immigration, visa restrictions, motherhood, and career re-entry offers practical insights for anyone navigating non-traditional career paths—especially immigrant professionals rebuilding their careers in new countries.

About Our Guest

Priya Venkatesan is a Business Systems Analyst at UC Davis, where she champions process improvement and employee development. With a background spanning finance, education, and technology, she brings expertise as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Certified Scrum Master, and Gallup CliftonStrengths Coach.

After returning to the workforce following a 16-year career break, Priya now empowers others on similar journeys by sharing resources and guidance. At UC Davis, she revitalizes the Lean Community of Practice, facilitates Yellow Belt trainings, and designs engaging e-learning tools that make process improvement accessible and impactful. A passionate public speaker, Priya frequently presents at conferences on topics ranging from process improvement to Ikigai, where she shares her knowledge of purpose and fulfillment.

The Journey: From India to Career Break to UC Davis

Early Career in India: Priya earned her Bachelor's and Master's in Computer Science, working as a trainer at computer institutes during the Y2K boom and later as a project analyst at ICICI Bank in Hyderabad.

Immigration and Visa Challenges: Marriage brought relocation to California on an H4 dependent visa—which didn't allow her to work. This experience highlights a reality many immigrants face: having qualifications but legal barriers to employment.

The 16-Year Break: What started as a visa restriction evolved into full-time parenting and family management. Priya emphasizes this wasn't lost time—it was skill-building time, just in different areas.

Re-entry Strategy: Personal challenges motivated her return to work. Rather than jumping back into her old field, she took time to reflect, reskill, and discover new passions in business analysis and process improvement.

Essential Insights for Career Re-entry

Use This Time to Reflect: "This is the time to think about: do you want to get back into the same career path you were before? Take time to reflect on where your passions lie and learn something new if you want to reskill yourself."

Recognize Your Transferable Skills: Organizing school events, managing family schedules, coordinating with other parents—these aren't just "mom duties," they're project management, communication, and strategic operations skills.

Don't Self-Reject: "Women usually don't apply if they don't match 100% of requirements. Even if you have 50-60% match in a job description, go and apply. Don't self-reject. You never know who comes knocking."

Start Where You Are: Priya's first job back was part-time proctoring online exams. "I felt like I failed miserably the first day—all my colleagues were young college kids who could do everything fast. But I learned on the job. No job is inferior to another job."

From Computer Science to Business Analysis

Priya's career pivot illustrates how skills transfer across industries:

"I realized through volunteering at my kids' schools that I enjoyed organizing, communicating with other parents, and putting together events. I love to act as a liaison between technology and business—that's where business analysis comes in."

Her current role combines presentation, training, instructional design, and process improvement—skills she developed through years of community involvement and natural strengths.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Age Bias

Address the Inner Critic: "Don't think 'I'm so old, I cannot do this.' Never. Every job you do is a learning experience."

Embrace Learning: At UC Davis, Priya says, "I'm not working here, I'm actually studying here" because of the continuous learning opportunities in higher education.

Volunteer for Growth: She chairs committees and serves on employee resource groups as volunteer opportunities that develop leadership skills and visibility.

Resources Shared for Career Re-entry

Organizations:

• iRelaunch Women Back to Work
• The Mom Project
• Professional associations in your target field

Learning Platforms (special benefits access available through the non-profit Immigrants in Corporate- become a member):

• Udemy
• Coursera
• LinkedIn Learning

Connect with Priya

LinkedIn: Priya Venkatesan
Expertise: Career Re-entry Consultation, CliftonStrengths Coaching, Ikigai Research
Focus: Process Improvement, Business Analysis, Professional Development

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQI Mindset and founder of the nonprofit Immigrants Incorporate Inc. She works with organizations to build inclusive workplaces and amplifies the voices of leaders and immigrants in the corporate space.

Want to Get Involved?

• If you are a leader with a story to share - apply to be on the podcast: Application Link
• Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community for FREE!

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader? Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

Her journey proves that seemingly "winding" career paths often have invisible threads connecting every experience, creating unique expertise that serves communities in powerful ways.

About Our Guest

Dr. Margaret "Maggie" Marcus is the Executive Director of the Sullivan Family Charitable Foundation, a private foundation that focuses on education initiatives of multilingual learners, but also supports organizations in women's health, immigration, and the arts.

Maggie began her teaching career in Puerto Rico, where she taught ninth grade Title I Spanish, then Elementary English. After several transitions, she went back to education as a bilingual teacher for DC Public Schools. She earned her doctorate in Applied Linguistics and Language Education in 2020, and has been in her current role since 2022.

In addition to this role, she teaches in the College of Education at the University of Maryland, College Park, and is a fellow at The Century Foundation.

The Intersectional Advantage

Maggie brings a unique perspective shaped by multiple intersections:

• White female with deep connections to Latin culture through extensive travel and living experiences
• Monolingual English speaker who developed fluency in Spanish and deep appreciation for bilingual education
• Parent raising bilingual children in a predominantly English-speaking country
• Educator and philanthropist who understands both classroom realities and funding challenges
• Cultural bridge-builder who leverages privilege and position to support multilingual learners

As she puts it: "I have this intersectionality between being a person of an English-speaking background, but really connecting to a lot of Latin culture."

The Winding Path That Led to Purpose

From Teaching to Intelligence: After teaching in Puerto Rico, Maggie worked briefly in medical sales before earning her Master's in International Relations at Tufts Fletcher School. The CIA recruited her as an economic analyst, where her bilingual skills and economic background proved invaluable.

Back to the Classroom: Frustrated with bureaucracy, she returned to teaching as a second-grade bilingual educator in DC Public Schools, then became a literacy coach for Spanish-speaking teachers.

Academic Credentials: While working and raising young children, she pursued her doctorate to gain expertise and credibility in bilingual education—a field she was passionate about but hadn't entered through traditional pathways.

Philanthropic Leadership: Four years ago, she stepped into leading her family's foundation, navigating both family dynamics and professional responsibilities while shaping educational initiatives.

Essential Career Insights

Take International Risks Early: "Now is the time to live somewhere else. College is a safe time to be in another place when you don't have the same life commitments you might have as you get older."

Build Relationships Over Transactions: Her brief medical sales experience taught her that "we're always selling something, but the relationships piece is key"—a lesson she applies across education and philanthropy.

Seek Mentors and Models: "Navigate and think through who's in your life that you admire or that you might want to replicate. Make those connections—formal and informal mentors help you navigate decisions."

Embrace the Winding Path: What seemed like career pivots actually created unique expertise. Her economics background, international experience, and bilingual skills converged to make her uniquely qualified for her current roles.

Get Credentials When Needed: "Having had such a winding career path, I really wanted the credential to give me expertise in the field because I didn't go through traditional teacher, school admin, coach, leader paths."

Balancing Multiple Professional Hats

Currently wearing three professional hats—foundation executive, university professor, and think tank fellow—Maggie demonstrates how diverse roles can complement each other when they're aligned with your values and expertise.

Her foundation work focuses on multilingual learners, her teaching keeps her connected to classroom realities, and her research informs policy discussions—creating a powerful cycle of impact.

Connect with Dr. Margaret Marcus

Website: Sullivan Family Charitable Foundation 
LinkedIn: Margaret Marcus, Ph.D.
Foundation Focus: Education initiatives for multilingual learners, women's health, immigration, and the arts
Collaboration Interest: Looking to collaborate with other funders in the bilingual education space

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQI Mindset and founder of the nonprofit Immigrants Incorporate Inc. She works with organizations to build inclusive workplaces and amplifies the voices of leaders and immigrants in the corporate space.

Want to Get Involved?

• If you are a leader with a story to share - apply to be on the podcast: [Application Link]
• Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community for FREE!

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader? Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

Essential listening for professionals navigating career pivots, educators and philanthropists, bilingual professionals, and anyone seeking to turn a "winding path" into purposeful impact.

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From Jamaican immigrant to U.S. diplomat to award-winning author and podcast host, Simone's story is about recognizing the psychological realities of living between cultures and empowering others to thrive in that beautiful, complex space.

About Our Guest

Simone W. Johnson-Smith is a global voice and cultural bridge-builder. With over two decades of experience navigating immigration systems and international transitions, she is a former U.S. diplomat turned award-winning author, certified coach, and podcast host. She is the visionary behind The Immigrant Experience in America podcast and The Bridge Concepts.

Her mission is to help Third Culture Persons and immigrants not only adjust but thrive, embracing their identity while bridging the gap between cultures. She is the author of "Decoding America" and creator of the Thrive Abroad framework.

From Retail to Diplomacy to Finding Her Voice

Simone's career began in retail when she arrived in the U.S. in 1998. A chance encounter at the layaway counter led to banking, teaching her that integrity and how you treat people can open unexpected doors.

That role evolved into investment banking, but she couldn't see herself there for 20 years. Instead, she became one of 20 people selected out of 600 applicants for a fellowship that led to the Department of State as a diplomat.

From 2015 to a personal loss in 2021, she had been procrastinating about her true passion—being scared to put her voice and story out there. That loss changed everything, and by summer 2021, she was working on The Immigrant Experience in America podcast, which launched in January 2022 and now streams globally with over 180 episodes.

The Hidden Psychology of Immigration

Simone addresses critical issues mainstream conversations often miss, revealing the depth of challenges that Third Culture professionals face:

Culture Shock goes beyond adjustment—research shows symptoms can range from mild depression to fatal self-harm, making this a serious mental health concern that requires attention and support.

Cultural Homelessness occurs when adapting to survive in a new country means you no longer fit into your home country either. This creates a painful in-between space where you feel like you don't belong anywhere.

Financial Vulnerability affects many immigrants who lack financial literacy about their new country's systems, making them targets for predatory financial companies and credit schemes.

Career Navigation Insights for Professionals

Simone's journey offers valuable lessons for professionals at any stage, particularly those navigating cultural transitions:

Always Be Ready for the Next Opportunity: Her move from retail to banking happened because someone noticed how she handled customers. Professional presence and integrity matter in every interaction, as you never know who's watching or what doors might open.

Don't Get Comfortable in Stagnation: When she couldn't see herself in the same building for 20 years, she made a bold move. Recognize when you're trading growth for security, and be willing to take calculated risks for advancement.

Leverage Your Unique Background: Her international experience and cultural perspective became assets in diplomacy. Your diverse background isn't a limitation—it's a competitive advantage that brings value to organizations.

Build While You're Employed: Simone demonstrates how to pursue passion projects while maintaining financial stability. The key is finding something that genuinely motivates you beyond just exchanging time for money.

Recognize Systemic Challenges Early: It took her over a decade to identify workplace discrimination and microaggressions. Learning to name and address these challenges sooner helps you navigate them more effectively rather than internalizing the impact.

Essential Insights for Global Professionals

Recognize Your Interview Power: Rather than approaching job interviews as a beggar, remember that you bring value to the table. Evaluate whether you'll have psychological safety in that workplace.

Prepare Beyond Excitement: Take time to educate yourself about the real challenges of living in a new culture, not just the opportunities.

Build Community Early: Isolation can compound adjustment challenges. Finding your community is essential for both professional and personal success.

Understand Systemic Challenges: It can take years to recognize and name experiences of discrimination and microaggressions. Being aware helps you respond rather than internalize.

Building While Working

Simone demonstrates the reality of building a purpose-driven business while maintaining full-time employment. She emphasizes that traditional employment alone won't create financial freedom, but when you find something that genuinely pushes you out of bed, the passion sustains the extra effort required.

Her approach shows how immigrants often need to be pragmatic about financial stability while still pursuing their deeper calling to make an impact.

Connect with Simone

Website: thebridgeconcepts.org
Podcast: The Immigrant Experience in America
Book: "Decoding America"

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQImindset and founder of the nonprofit Immigrants Incorporate Inc. She works with organizations to build inclusive workplaces and amplifies the voices of leaders and immigrants in the corporate space.

Want to Get Involved?

• If you are a leader with a story to share - apply to be on the podcast: Application Link
• Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community HERE.

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader? Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

This episode is essential listening for Third Culture professionals, immigrants navigating cultural transitions, and global professionals building bridges between cultures.

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What if the most powerful diversity and inclusion tool in your workplace isn't a training manual or policy document, but something as simple as food? In this special solo episode with a unique blend format, Dr. Lola Adeyemo explores the stories we tell through food, the bridges we build through flavor, and why the simple question "What would you share?" reveals so much more than what's on our plates.

Over the past few years, Dr. Lola has been asking guests a signature question about sharing meals with coworkers. Today, she brings together three powerful responses that showcase how food connects us to memory, nostalgia, cultural pride, and belonging. Through the voices of previous guests, we journey through kitchens around the world and discover the deeper meanings behind our favorite dishes.

Featured Guest Voices

Dr. Christina Padilla - First-generation Mexican American professional "Anytime you'd walk into her house, especially around lunchtime, she would have four huge dishes on her stove top... Mexican food is all the same - beans, tortilla, cheese and toppings - yet infinite."

Summie Yeung - Asian immigrant in the UK "It's a commodity now in the UK because they're very expensive, you have to source them." - Speaking about moon cakes and the economics of nostalgia

Horatio Morgan - Jamaican-born immigrant to the United States "My absolute favorite is curry goat... it's spicy, it has some salty but it's just balanced." - Delivered with unapologetic confidence

Key Themes Explored

The Economics of Nostalgia

Food becomes a luxury when you're far from home. From expensive imports to specialty stores, maintaining cultural connections through food requires investment - and reveals the premium we pay for belonging.

Food as Cultural Ambassador

How our favorite dishes serve as approachable, generous bridges between cultures in professional spaces. Food becomes a diplomatic way to break ice and engage meaningfully with colleagues.

Identity and Belonging Through Flavor

The complex layers of sharing cultural food in the workplace - from "lunch that smells funny" to code-switching cuisine explanations. The courage it takes to share authentic flavors and the barriers we break one bite at a time.

Dr. Lola's Personal Share

Nigerian Jollof - specifically her mother's outdoor cooking for large events, complete with family gathered around open fires, laughing and cooking as community. The aroma, the specific blend of ingredients, and the joy of feeding people together.

Calls to Action

For Individuals

Try Before You Judge - Trying doesn't always mean tasting. Ask questions: "What are you eating? Is that traditional? How is that made?" Use curiosity to learn about cultures and backgrounds through food stories.

Share with Confidence - If you have a dish that holds significance, share it boldly. Use food as a way for colleagues to know more about you without being intrusive.

For Leaders

Create Food-Inclusive Policies - Design celebrations that accommodate everyone and encourage cultural food sharing with storytelling opportunities.

Intentional Team Building - Use food as cultural education and authentic relationship building. Remember that different cultures exist within the same country too.

The Deeper Truth

Food is never just about food. When someone shares their cultural dish with you - whether it's unfamiliar spices or festival traditions - they're offering more than a meal. They're inviting you into their story, their kitchen, their background, and their identity.

Connect & Share Your Story

🎧 After you listen, share your food story!
What would you bring to the workplace table?
Use #FoodStory and Tag @ImmigrantsInCorporate, @EQIMindset, or @DrLolaAdeyemo to join the conversation.

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is CEO of EQI Mindset, founder of Immigrants Incorporate Inc., author, speaker, and workplace inclusion strategist. She works with organizations to build communities of belonging through strategy, storytelling, and systems change.

Resources:

• Free community for immigrants and first-gen professionals: www.immigrantsincorporate.org
• Connect on LinkedIn for HR/DEI leaders seeking employee resource group ERG/BRG support

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About Our Guest

Neelima Parasker is the Founder, President, and CEO of SnapIT Solutions®, an innovative technology company delivering IT services, software product development, and inclusive tech workforce training. With a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Computer Science, Neelima brings over 25 years of experience in the high-tech industry.

Neelima created SnapIT's proprietary SPRNT® model, which develops and deploys tech talent from unconventional communities through certified training programs across 10 states (expanding to all 50 by 2030). Her approach combines education with real-world apprenticeships, addressing the tech talent shortage by training brilliant people who never considered technology careers.

In July 2023, she was nominated by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to serve as a Regent on the Kansas Board of Regents. Her visionary leadership has earned numerous accolades, including Enterprising Women of the Year and Women Who Mean Business by Kansas City Business Journal. She is also co-founder of Lotus TMS, Inc, a trucking management software company.

The Career Evolution: From Engineer to Innovation Leader

Neelima's career path defied expectations at every turn. Born in India, she came to America for her Master's in Computer Science and decided to build her career here instead of returning home.

Her corporate journey took her through 15 years at major tech companies, where she learned a crucial lesson: "I was very inquisitive about what's happening, and I would always let whoever is managing my work know that I'm done with this work. I need more." This hunger for growth and learning became her career superpower.

The transition from employee to entrepreneur came gradually: "People around me kept saying 'you gotta get out of there and start your own.' I'm like, why? I'm happy in my job." But eventually, her drive for innovation and impact outgrew the corporate structure.

From Corporate Security to Entrepreneurial Reality

One of the most honest parts of the conversation was Neelima's comparison of corporate life versus entrepreneurship: "Corporate job gives you flexibility. You could spend a lot more time on things you want to do after work. You can go on vacation and not worry about it because there are people to back you up."

But entrepreneurship? "You're a parent—even if you walk out the door, you're still responsible." She learned this the hard way, working 2-3 AM every night in the early days until her body couldn't keep up.

Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is strategic: master your core service first. "Because of my 15 years in the corporate world, when I got into entrepreneurship, I knew what I was bringing to the table for the client. I just needed to know the ropes of how to go about it."

The Gems: Neelima's Game-Changing Insights

On Real vs. Fake Experience "You can have 10 years of experience on paper, but if you've done the same thing for one year 10 times, then you only have one year of experience."

On Corporate vs. Entrepreneurship "Being an entrepreneur is like being a parent—even when you walk out the door, you're still responsible. Corporate life is like babysitting someone else's baby—when you walk out, you're done."

On Breaking Limiting Beliefs "Someone said, 'You've done so great even though you immigrated and have an accent.' Those are limiting beliefs. I've never thought about that. If I can talk and another person can understand, there's no barrier."

On Smart Business Funding "Your clients are your investors if they're ready to pay for what you bring. Don't run to an investor the second you have a brilliant idea."

On Learning What Can't Be Taken Away "There is no IP on what you can learn. They can't IP your brain."

On Corporate Career Growth "I was very inquisitive about what's happening, and I would always let whoever is managing my work know that I'm done with this work. I need more. You gotta make sure you are the product—your experience counts."

On Setting Entrepreneurial Boundaries "I had to learn to set boundaries for myself. I would work until 2-3 AM, then wake up at 6 AM and start again. Even though I love what I do, doesn't mean my body can catch up with my spirit. You gotta be more mindful about taking care of your health."

The Intersectional Advantage

Neelima embodies her philosophy: "I've never wanted to box myself because it doesn't make sense. Intersectionality equals out of the box. We are defined by what is inward, inside, within us—not by how society looks at us."

As an Indian immigrant, engineer, entrepreneur, mother, and workforce development champion, she brings multiple perspectives to solving complex problems. Her refusal to choose just one identity became her business superpower.

Connect with Guest Neelima Parasker

Website: https://snapit.solutions
LinkedIn: Neelima Parasker
Also Co-founder: Lotus TMS, Inc. (trucking management software)

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQImindset, an Employee Resource Group consulting firm, and founder of the 501c3 nonprofit Immigrants Incorporate Inc. She works with organizations to build inclusive workplaces and amplifies the voices of leaders and immigrants in the corporate space.

• Website:Dr Lola's Personal Website
• LinkedIn: Linkedin Dr. Lola Adeyemo

This Podcast episode is essential listening for anyone feeling stuck in conventional career paths, scientists considering entrepreneurship, or professionals seeking to align their work with authentic purpose.

Want to Get Involved?

Apply to be on the podcast: Application Link

Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community: Membership | Facebook | Instagram

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader?

Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving! 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

In this powerful episode, Dr. Ekaette shares her remarkable journey from practicing internal medicine in Nigeria to becoming a sought-after growth and transformation consultant in the US. Her story challenges every assumption about "safe" career paths and demonstrates how embracing your intersectional identity can become your greatest professional asset.

Meet Our Guest

Dr. Ekaette Joseph-Isang is a healthcare executive and a growth and transformation consultant supporting individuals and organizations that are looking to embrace innovative growth paths. Her expertise in self-improvement and professional development has her curating training programs that are often described as "the most life-changing training" that the participants have had. A physician by training, an entrepreneur by passion, and a teacher by calling, she is highly sought after for her transformation coaching programs.

In her book "No Late Bloomers" coming out this August, she details the story of her midlife pivot when she immigrated to the US, and how she transmuted situations that could have been described as midlife crises to periods of transformation and elevation. Known for her life-changing program, the A.C.T.I.O.N Pathway, she uses the acronym ACTION to teach her clients how 6 bold moves could lead them to live up to their maximum potential.

Dr. Ekaette is also the founder of RiteBridge Consultants, specializing in Clinical Documentation Integrity, Risk Adjustment Solutions, and Value-based Care strategy for healthcare organizations.

The Intersections That Shaped a Leader

Dr. Ekaette's identity spans multiple powerful intersections that inform her approach to transformation:

• Nigerian immigrant navigating cultural expectations and career rebuilding in America
• Career woman, mother, wife, and sister balancing multiple roles and responsibilities
• Accented professional overcoming communication barriers in corporate America
• Physician by training who refused to be confined to one specialty
• Entrepreneur by passion who builds and innovates wherever she goes
• Teacher by calling who cannot help but educate and elevate others

As she puts it: "All of these things come together to make me who I am. In that intersectionality, I have to balance my time, my responsibilities, and make sure no aspect of me gets left behind."

The Nigerian Medical Experience

Dr. Ekaette provides rare insight into practicing medicine in Nigeria, where the doctor-to-patient ratio means physicians wear multiple hats. "As an internal medicine physician, I would be in the emergency room, I would man the emergency room, I would do minor procedures, stabilize patients, and also be the educationist," she explains.

The resource constraints meant developing exceptional diagnostic skills: "We understood signs and symptoms through what we call the IPPA way—inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Half the time, we made diagnoses without the help of equipment. It really sharpened our diagnostic acumen."

The Catalyst for Change

Dr. Ekaette's transition from clinical practice to healthcare policy began with a professor's challenge: "One of you should go do policy, because the reason doctors are suffering is because the policy makers are not clinical people." This sparked her move into healthcare administration and eventually her immigration to the US.

Upon arriving in America, instead of pursuing residency again, she discovered the CDC's Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship during the transition to electronic health records. This became her entry point into the intersection of healthcare, technology, and policy.

The A.C.T.I.O.N. Pathway: Six Steps to Transformation

Dr. Ekaette's signature framework provides a roadmap for career transitions and personal growth:

A - Analysis: "Analyze where you are in your career. Think of everything you've done—all your degrees, experiences, skills. Put it all down."

C - Clarity: "Gain clarity about who you are, your perspective, your natural inclinations, what you love to do. This is about self-awareness."

T - Transitioning: "Take training. Add technology. You must know the technological tools relevant to your field and in general."

I - Integration: "Bring it all together—your personality, your career, your training—so you can give yourself a name and say 'This is who I am.'"

O - Ownership: "Begin to tell your story through your resume, your pitch, your LinkedIn, your social media. Only you can tell that story."

N - Niching: "Define your unique space. Ten people may have the same degrees, but we're all different. Find what makes you uniquely valuable."

When asked about sharing a cultural dish with coworkers, Dr. Ekaette chose Ukang Ikong—a traditional Ibibio plantain porridge from her native Akwa Ibom State, made with half-ripe plantains and seafood proteins. "It's super unique. No other person cooks it," she says with pride about her tribe's culinary heritage.

Connect with Dr. Ekaette

Website: www.ritebridge.com
LinkedIn: Dr. Ekaette Joseph-Isang
Program Offer: The A.C.T.I.O.N. Pathway coaching program with a worksheet available for podcast listeners (connect with Dr Ekaette for details).

About the Host

Dr. Lola Adeyemo is the CEO of EQImindset, an Employee Resource Group consulting firm, and founder of the 501c3 nonprofit Immigrants Incorporate Inc. She works with organizations to build inclusive workplaces and amplifies the voices of leaders and immigrants in the corporate space.

• Website:Dr Lola's Personal Website
• LinkedIn: Linkedin Dr. Lola Adeyemo

This Podcast episode is essential listening for anyone feeling stuck in conventional career paths, scientists considering entrepreneurship, or professionals seeking to align their work with authentic purpose.

Want to Get Involved?

Apply to be on the podcast: Application Link

Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community: Membership | Facebook | Instagram

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader?

Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

In this powerful episode, Dr. Lola Adeyemo chats with Dr. Gina D'Andrea-Penna and Gil Acevedo, co-founders of Nexus Fitness, who are bringing scientific rigor to the fitness industry. Their unique backgrounds—shaped by neurodiversity, immigration, health challenges, and athletic transformation—have led them to create a holistic coaching platform specifically designed for STEM professionals who demand evidence-based solutions.

About Our Guests

Gina D'Andrea-Penna is a neuroscientist and fitness coach who co-founded Nexus Fitness. During her PhD, she studied how health and lifestyle choices shape the brain, uncovering the powerful, cumulative impact of our daily habits on how we think, feel, and show up in the world. That research—alongside her own health and fitness journey—inspired her to launch a coaching business with her husband, Gil. Gina is passionate about helping others live more intentional, meaningful, and fulfilling lives, and she believes fitness is the foundation for doing exactly that.

Gil Acevedo is a Staff Software Engineer at Qualcomm and the co-founder of Nexus Fitness. With a background in Computer Science and a lifelong drive to grow stronger—physically, mentally, and professionally—Gil brings both technical precision and grit to everything he does. He's passionate about fitness, building tools that help people thrive, and creating impact through entrepreneurship. Whether he's writing code, lifting weights, or helping build a business alongside his wife, Gina, Gil is fueled by curiosity, discipline, and a vision for what's possible.

The Intersectional Lens That Drives Innovation

Gina's Multifaceted Perspective

Growing up with an older sister with Down syndrome, Gina became a Special Olympics volunteer and unified partner, exposing her to the incredible resilience of people with disabilities. Her childhood was further shaped by her mother's work teaching ESL and her father's position at Gallaudet University, creating a household rich with diverse perspectives and cultures.

The intersection of being a young woman with celiac disease proved particularly formative. When doctors dismissed her symptoms as an eating disorder, she learned a crucial lesson: "Just because somebody's a medical professional doesn't mean they know what's best for you—you know your body the best." This experience would later inform her approach to personalized health coaching.

Gil's Journey of Transformation

As a Mexican-American who immigrated back to the US at age 13, Gil understands the challenge of starting over in a new culture while maintaining cultural identity. His athletic career in track and cross-country came to an abrupt end with a permanent hamstring avulsion injury in high school—a setback that became a setup for discovering strength training and personal development.

Growing up in an immigrant household where his parents took demanding labor jobs that eventually harmed their health, Gil witnessed firsthand the cost of neglecting wellness. "When you don't have your health, that's all you want," he reflects, explaining the driving force behind his commitment to helping others prioritize their wellbeing.

From Personal Struggles to Scientific Solutions

Both founders experienced pivotal moments where personal health challenges became catalysts for helping others at scale. Gina's transition from long-distance running (and the injuries that ended that chapter) to strength training paralleled her academic shift from studying consciousness to investigating how daily habits shape brain function.

Gil's evolution from a shy teenager affected by bullying to a confident engineer demonstrates the transformative power of physical fitness: "Once I went to the gym and saw my body transforming, that enabled me to feel more confident—and that translates to showing up in the workplace, feeling confident to speak up and share your ideas."

The Neuroscience of Peak Performance

What sets Nexus Fitness apart is their evidence-based understanding of the mind-body connection. As Gina explains from her research: "Your physical health and your day-to-day choices fundamentally shape how the brain works. You are not going to perform at your best at work if one of these pieces is falling apart."

Their holistic approach recognizes that true optimization requires attention to:

• Physical Activity: Movement patterns that enhance rather than deplete cognitive resources
• Nutrition: Fuel strategies customized to individual needs and cultural preferences
• Sleep Quality: The foundation of memory consolidation and decision-making
• Stress Management: Tools for maintaining performance under pressure
• Education: Understanding the science behind sustainable behavior change

Essential Wisdom for High-Performing Professionals

On Breaking Cultural Barriers to Wellness

Gil addresses a common challenge in immigrant communities: "Growing up, we don't think about going to the gym if there's nothing wrong with you that the doctor asks you to work on. We see our parents work and work and work—there's no time for preventative care."

On The Modern Health Paradox

Gina highlights a critical insight: "The modern world has created an environment where it's so easy to make the unhealthy choice. We go for the path of least resistance, but we've created a situation where the path of least resistance is actually ruining our health in the long run."

On Confidence Through Physical Transformation

Both founders emphasize how physical strength translates to professional confidence. Gil shares: "Everything is connected—work on yourself more than you work on anything else. How you show up physically affects how you perform mentally and professionally."

On Customization Over Trends

Their approach prioritizes individual needs over popular fitness trends: "Everyone is different—what works for one person may not work for another. You need to study your body and understand how you respond to different approaches."

The Science of Sustainable Change

Drawing from Gina's neuroscience background and Gil's engineering precision, Nexus Fitness focuses on creating systems that work within the constraints of demanding careers. They understand that STEM professionals need evidence-based approaches that fit into packed schedules and high-stress environments.

Their coaching methodology combines behavioral science with practical implementation, recognizing that knowledge without application is worthless. As Gil puts it: "The meaning you bring to things is what makes them powerful—whether it's your work, your health habits, or how you interact with the world."

Essential listening for STEM professionals seeking evidence-based wellness strategies, immigrants navigating cultural expectations around health, and anyone interested in the intersection of neuroscience and peak performance.

Connect with Nexus Fitness

Instagram: @nexus_fitness.co
Special Offer for Podcast Listeners: Free coaching session OR 30% discount off their 16-week package. Mention Thriving in Intersectionality Podcast. Their 1-on-1 virtual fitness coaching specifically helps STEM professionals get fit and focused in 16 weeks, combining scientific principles with personalized implementation strategies.

• Connect on LinkedIn with: Gilberto Acevedo  
• Connect on LinkedIn with: Gina D’Andrea-Penna,PhD                  

Chat with Host Lola Adeyemo:

• Website:Dr Lola's Personal Website
• LinkedIn: Linkedin Dr. Lola Adeyemo

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In this compelling episode, Dr. Lewis shares his evolution from practicing physician to biotech entrepreneur, driven by a desire to help populations of patients rather than individuals one at a time. From developing the first FDA-approved monoclonal antibody for HIV treatment to founding his own company focused on revolutionary cancer therapy, his journey demonstrates what happens when you align your career with your true purpose.

About Our Guest

Dr. Stanley Lewis is the founder and CEO of A28 Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a targeted lytic peptide platform for treating cancer. Prior to founding A28 Therapeutics, he served as Chief Medical Officer at TaiMed Biologics, where he led the team that developed Trogarzo - the first FDA-approved monoclonal antibody for treating drug-resistant HIV disease.

Dr. Lewis earned his Medical Degree and Masters in Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. As a Black, cisgender, heterosexual male who identifies as neurodivergent, he brings multiple intersectional perspectives to his leadership in biotechnology. He's also a dedicated mentor who actively supports the next generation of diverse scientists entering the biotech space.

The Transformative Mentor Moment

One of the most powerful stories in this episode revolves around the conversation that changed Dr. Lewis's career trajectory. When he was wrestling with whether to leave academic medicine for biotech, his mentor delivered wisdom that cuts to the heart of career decision-making:

"The more risky job is to stay at the university... You risk never knowing what could be."

When Dr. Lewis protested that he was successful and on the tenure track, his mentor made an observation that stopped him cold: "You're unhappy here." The proof? "Because you're asking me this question."

That night, Dr. Lewis wrote his resignation letter. Two years later, everything he feared happened - the biotech company was acquired and he was out of a job. But he never looked back, because that "risky" decision set him on a path to develop life-changing medications.

From Individual Care to Population Impact

Dr. Lewis's shift from clinical practice wasn't just a career change - it was a fundamental reimagining of how he could serve patients. "I wanted to go beyond just helping one patient at a time and be able to help populations of patients," he explains. His public health training opened his eyes to this broader impact, but it was his frustration with toxic HIV medications that provided the catalyst.

"I would ask over and over, why don't we have better medications for treating these patients?" he recalls. "And then I realized, if someone's going to make better medications for these patients, it's going to need to be me."

Dr. Lewis's Three Guiding Principles

Throughout his career transitions and drug development work, Dr. Lewis has refined three core principles that guide both his professional and personal decisions:

1. First, Do No Harm - Creating medications that are safe and well-tolerated should be the foundation of all medical interventions
   
   
2. Listen to Nature - The closer our interventions are to how the body naturally heals itself, the better tolerated and more effective they'll be
   
   
3. Keep It Simple - While the industry often embraces complexity, simple solutions usually work better and have fewer failure points
   
   

Essential Career Wisdom for the Next Generation

Dr. Lewis offers particularly valuable advice for professionals navigating career transitions and scientists considering entrepreneurship:

On Self-Discovery: "Only you know what makes you feel good, only you know what makes you feel alive and fulfilled. That's a personal question, and it requires a very personal inventory."

On Networking and Circulation: "Preparation is to performance as circulation is to luck. The more you circulate, the more favorable things will happen to you."

For Scientists of Color in Biotech: The funding landscape relies heavily on relationships and networking. "You cannot do it alone... You really do have to get out there and get to know folks."

On Evolution Over Safety: Don't fear career transitions or the unknown. Sometimes staying in an unfulfilling situation because it seems "safe" is actually the riskiest choice you can make.

Connect with Dr. Stanley Lewis:

• Company: A28 Therapeutics - a28therapeutics.com
• LinkedIn: Stanley Lewis, MD, MPH

Chat with Host Lola Adeyemo:

• Website:Dr Lola's Personal Website
• LinkedIn: Linkedin Dr. Lola Adeyemo

Essential listening for anyone feeling stuck in conventional career paths, scientists considering entrepreneurship, or professionals seeking to align their work with authentic purpose.

Want to Get Involved?

Apply to be on the podcast: Application Link

Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community: Membership | Facebook | Instagram

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader?

Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

June and July - those pivotal months right between your year's ambitious start and when we accept that the year is ramping down. That means it's time for a career pulse check! In this timely solo episode, host Lola Adeyemo guides you through a three-part mid-year assessment designed to help you evaluate where you stand professionally and what adjustments you might need to make for the second half of the year.

Whether you're an individual contributor assessing your own career trajectory or a leader evaluating your team's health, this episode provides a practical framework for honest reflection and strategic planning during this crucial transition period.

The Three Essential Checks

1. The Belonging Check: Are You Truly Seen?

Lola starts with the most fundamental question: Do you feel genuinely valued in your workplace? This isn't just about job satisfaction—it's about whether your unique perspective and contributions are recognized and appreciated.

For Individuals:

• Are you solving problems that only you can see?
• Is your impact visible to the right people?
• Do you feel psychologically safe in your work environment?

For Leaders:

• Do your team members feel safe to bring their authentic selves to work?
• Are diverse perspectives seen as business assets rather than obstacles?
• How are you actively measuring inclusion beyond formal surveys?

Red Flags: Constant code-switching leading to exhaustion, having your input continuously re-evaluated, feeling like you need constant validation.

Green Flags: Different perspectives are actively sought, cultural insights are valued, energy around diverse contributions.

2. The Growth Check: Is Your Advancement Authentic?

This check focuses on whether your professional development aligns with your authentic self and intersectional identities.

Key Questions:

• Have you identified sponsors (not just mentors) in your areas of growth?
• Are you creating pathways to access unwritten organizational rules?
• Is your advancement rewarding authenticity or requiring conformity?

For Leaders: What do your promotion criteria really reward? Are you creating intentional pathways for underrepresented groups on your team?

3. The Energy Check: What's the Intersectionality Tax?

Lola introduces the concept of "intersectionality tax"—the emotional labor required when you're constantly code-switching or adjusting to fit in.

Individual Assessment:

• How sustainable is your current work approach?
• What support do you need to reduce emotional labor?
• What boundaries do you need to set to protect your energy?

Leader Assessment:

• Are you watching for signs of this tax on your team members?
• How can you adjust team dynamics to reduce the burden on those who are "the only" in various categories?

Why Mid-Year Matters

Lola explains her unique perspective on timing: the first five months are your initial sprint, June-July represent the transitional period, and August kicks off your final five-month push. This middle ground offers the perfect opportunity to recalibrate without the pressure of year-end evaluations or new-year resolution energy.

Taking Action

The episode concludes with practical next steps and an invitation to join Lola's communities for ongoing support:

• Monthly virtual gatherings for ERG leaders (FIRST Friday of each month)
• Immigrants in Corporate nonprofit community for safe space discussions and resources
• Virtual coffee chats with Lola for personalized check-ins

Perfect For:

• Mid-level professionals feeling stuck or uncertain about their career direction
• Leaders wanting to better support diverse team members
• Anyone experiencing burnout from code-switching or feeling like "the only"
• Professionals ready to make strategic changes before the year's end

This episode is your permission slip to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. Because thriving in your career isn't just about advancement—it's about sustainable growth that honors all aspects of who you are.

Connect with Lola:

• Website: www.lolaspeaker.com
• LinkedIn: Lola Adeyemo

Rate and review this podcast wherever you listen, and share your own mid-year insights with Lola on LinkedIn.

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"What does it take to build a thriving career when you're navigating multiple intersectional identities?"

Dr. Janine Lee knows firsthand. As the Global Head of Learning at a Fortune 500 tech company, Dr. Lee has spent nearly 20 years breaking barriers while building an impressive multifaceted career. In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, she shares how being an American-born Chinese woman from Oakland shaped her leadership journey and why she believes your intersectional identity can become your greatest professional strength.

The Power of Intersectional Identity

Dr. Lee opens up about the unique challenges of being "American-born Chinese" – constantly fielding the question "Where are you really from?" despite being born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up in Oakland added another layer, requiring her to code-switch between different social circles and navigate assumptions about her background.

Her advice? "Write down any of the biases or assumptions that come up when they think about your intersectionality and think about how you can use them as strengths." Dr. Lee demonstrates this by intentionally speaking up more to combat stereotypes about quiet Asian women, while leveraging her natural listening skills as leadership advantages.

A Framework for Career Success

Dr. Lee's approach to career development centers on three key elements:

Find Your North Star: Create a personal mission statement and vision that guides all decisions. Dr. Lee's mission – "to inspire others to reach their full potential" – shows up in everything from her corporate role to her coaching practice.

Focus on What, How, and Who: Master your skills (what), develop your unique delivery style (how), and build strong networks (who). This combination creates what Dr. Lee calls an "unstoppable" career foundation.

Embrace Non-Linear Paths: Dr. Lee successfully juggles corporate leadership, executive coaching, teaching at UC Berkeley, speaking, and writing. Her secret? Aligning everything under the same mission umbrella.

The Continuous Learning Advantage

Dr. Lee earned both her MBA and doctorate while working full-time, often maintaining 14-15 hour days. Her groundbreaking dissertation on workplace belonging for Women of Color in Tech was featured in Harvard Business Review. Her message is clear: continuous learning isn't just about credentials – it's about combating career stagnation and staying aligned with your evolving goals.

About Dr. Janine Lee

Dr. Lee holds an MBA from UC Berkeley and an EdD from USC. She's a certified executive coach, LinkedIn Top Voice, and author of "Unstoppable: Rise of Female Global Leaders." Her course on "Leading DEI Change" is featured on LinkedIn Learning, and she's taught over 200 MBA students from 35+ countries. 

Connect with Dr. Janine Lee:

• Book: Unstoppable: Rise of Female Global Leaders 
• LinkedIn: Dr. Janine Lee (LinkedIn Top Voice)

Chat with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo:

• LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Adeyemo
• Personal Website: www.lolaspeaker.com

Want to Get Involved?

Apply to be on the podcast: Application Link

Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community: Membership | Facebook | Instagram

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Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

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What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to advocate for yourself professionally without diminishing your value
• Why women should never start from a position of weakness when seeking feedback
• The transformative power of focusing on your strengths rather than obsessing over weaknesses
• How personal challenges can redirect your purpose and amplify your advocacy
• The importance of deciding "whose opinion matters" in your career advancement
• Why the "adherence quotient" (focus + confidence + passion) is essential for success

About Our Guest

Saundra Pelletier is the Interim Chair, CEO, President, and Executive Director of Evofem Biosciences, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to addressing unmet needs in women's sexual and reproductive health. Under her leadership, Evofem launched Phexxi in 2020, the first and only hormone-free, on-demand prescription birth control in the United States. In 2024, the company expanded its portfolio with SOLOSEC, an FDA-approved treatment for common vaginal infections.

With over 25 years of executive leadership experience, Saundra has driven multiple billion-dollar product launches, expanded commercial capabilities globally, and consistently advocated for women's health. She was previously the founding CEO of Woman Care Global, where she secured $68 million in funding to deliver healthcare products to women in over 100 developing countries.

Saundra's accolades include the Health and Human Services Award from the California State Assembly, San Diego Magazine's Woman of the Year, the Lifetime Legacy Award from the National Women of Influence, and inclusion in Inc. Magazine's Female Founders 100 List.

Key Insights for Professional Women:

"Start at the Top of the Ladder"

Saundra offers a revolutionary approach to seeking professional feedback: "Never admit weakness, because you will be pounced on and taken advantage of." Instead, start from a position of strength by acknowledging what you do well, then ask how you could "over-deliver." This framing protects you while still allowing for growth.

"Always start with 'here's what I know I do well, and here's what I know I'm contributing,' but I'd love to be able to over-deliver. Never give them a chance to turn the knife, because you've already said, 'Oh, I'm amazing. What could I do to be super-fragilistic?'"

The Adherence Quotient for Career Success

Saundra shares a powerful formula that has guided her for 25 years: focus × confidence × passion = success. She emphasizes that all three elements must be present:

"Focus means you have to know exactly what you want. You have to repeat it to yourself. You have to write it down. Confidence is, if you don't have the skills to get it right now, you get those skills. And passion is you have to love it in a way that when everybody tells you no and all the haters and negative naysayers, you just have Teflon."

Understanding the Difference Between Humility and Inferiority

Channeling wisdom from her mother, Saundra highlights the critical distinction between being humble and feeling inferior: "Understand the difference between humility and inferiority. One will nurture your self-esteem and the other will destroy it."

Creating Your Own Table When You Can't Find One

Drawing from her experience as a woman leader in male-dominated industries, Saundra emphasizes the importance of creating your own opportunities rather than waiting for them:

"I couldn't find the ladder. They say, climb the corporate ladder. I could never find the ladder period. I didn't even know where to access the ladder... If you can't find the table, if you can't find the ladder, then create your own."

How Cancer Transformed Her Advocacy

Following her cancer diagnosis and treatment, Saundra's passion for women's health innovation intensified exponentially. She explains how this personal challenge redirected her purpose:

"It changed me in a way that I will never be the same again... After my diagnosis, oh my goodness, I became so loud and proud, you would have thought my mouth was a megaphone... I'm a different mom, I'm a different woman, I'm a different leader of this company because of cancer."

Phexxi: Revolutionizing Women's Reproductive Health

Saundra passionately discusses Evofem's groundbreaking product, Phexxi, the first innovation in non-hormonal birth control since 1960. This FDA-approved, on-demand contraceptive works by maintaining a woman's natural vaginal pH, making it inhospitable to sperm without systemic hormones or side effects. The product is particularly valuable for women who cannot or prefer not to use hormonal contraceptives, including cancer survivors, breastfeeding mothers, and those on medications that interact with hormonal birth control.

"Women don't have sex every day... Women deserve to have a product that they use only when they need it, whenever, when they don't just like men have had condoms."

Connect with Saundra and Evofem:

• Connect with Saundra Pelletier on Linkedin
• Learn More about the Revolutionary Phexxi: www.phexxi.com
• Follow Evofem Biosciences: www.evofem.com

Chat with Host Lola Adeyemo:

• LinkedIn: Lola Adeyemo
• Personal Website: www.lolaspeaker.com

Want to Get Involved?

Apply to be on the podcast: Application Link

Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community: Membership | Facebook | Instagram

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader?

Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How cultural frameworks like "trenzas" (braids of identity) offer alternative perspectives to understand intersectionality
• The impact of being first-generation Mexican American and a child of immigrants on professional identity development
• Navigating career transitions without clear guidance or representation
• The power of creating spaces where Latinx professionals can connect and find community
• Practical strategies for overcoming cultural humility barriers that might hold back career advancement
• The importance of seeking validation, coaching, and multiple mentors throughout your career journey

Key Insights for Professional Development:

Embrace Your Cultural Identity
Dr. Padilla shares her personal evolution from hiding her Mexican American identity as a child to finding strength in it as an adult. She discusses the concept of finding a "third space" where bicultural professionals can comfortably navigate multiple identities without feeling pressured to fit neatly into any single category.

Create Your Own Table
"If you can't find the ladder, if you can't find the table, then create your own." Dr. Padilla emphasizes the importance of creating spaces and opportunities when traditional pathways aren't accessible, sharing how this philosophy led to her co-founding Fluence and developing leadership programs specifically for Latina professionals.

Challenge Cultural Humility When Necessary
While humility is a beautiful cultural trait, Dr. Padilla advises professionals from cultures that emphasize modesty to recognize when this value might hinder career advancement. She encourages Latinas and other women of color to brand themselves, take ownership of their accomplishments, and pursue higher positions even when they don't feel completely ready.

Seek Validation and Support
Dr. Padilla's research and coaching experience reveal the importance of validation for Latina professionals who often don't recognize their own readiness for advancement. She recommends pursuing coaching opportunities when available and building relationships with multiple mentors who can provide different perspectives throughout various career stages.

About Our Guest

Dr. Cristina Padilla is the Chief Community Officer and Co-Founder of Fluence, a leadership development training and coaching organization. With a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego, she brings academic rigor to her work developing culturally relevant leadership programs for Latinx populations. Her research focuses on Latina leader identity development, with several peer-reviewed publications to her credit. Dr. Padilla is particularly passionate about her work with the Latina Success Leadership Program for MANA de San Diego, where she serves on the steering committee.

Connect with Dr. Cristina Padilla:

• Fluence: www.fluencepro.com
• LinkedIn: Cristina Padilla, Ph.D.

Chat with Host Lola Adeyemo:

• LinkedIn: Lola Adeyemo
• Personal Website: www.lolaspeaker.com

Want to Get Involved?

Apply to be on the podcast: Application Link

Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community: Membership | Facebook | Instagram

Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader?

Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, host Lola Adeyemo speaks with Craig DeLarge, a digital healthcare strategist and mental health advocate whose remarkable 45-year career spans pharmaceutical giants, academia, and global leadership.

Craig began as a fashion design major before switching to marketing and has subsequently led to an impressive career trajectory through marketing research, advertising, product management, and eventually digital strategy in the pharmaceutical industry at companies like Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Novo Nordisk, Merck, and Takeda. Parallel to his corporate roles, he maintained a 25-year teaching career across five business schools in the Philadelphia area.

In this conversation, Craig shares invaluable insights on career development across cultural boundaries, the transformative power of international experience, and why it's never too late to pursue new opportunities and advanced education.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why it's never too late to pursue new career opportunities and advanced education
• How international experience can transform your perspective and challenge unconscious biases
• The importance of focusing on process and legacy rather than just career outcomes
• How personal challenges can evolve into professional purpose and advocacy
• Understanding intersectionality as a source of both challenges and unique strengths

Key Career Insights:

Age is Just a Number in Career Development
Craig completed his first international assignment at 49 and obtained his second graduate degree at 53. His message to younger professionals: "Don't give up... It's not too late if you're called to it, if you surround yourself with the right community, and if you have a vision for yourself and how you want to impact the world."

International Experience Transforms Perspective
His three years in Singapore challenged his "American Imperial bias" and connected him with the global African diaspora in unexpected ways. For cross-cultural success, Craig advises: maintain a sense of humor about yourself, build community, and be willing to critique your own biases.

Focus on Process, Not Just Outcomes
"Make sure that whatever outcome you want, you're not forgetting to have fun and to be engaging meaningfully in the process... You have more control over the process of your career than the outcome of your career."

Personal Challenges Drive Professional Purpose 

A family tragedy involving mental health 19 years ago transformed Craig's career focus, leading to his current work combining digital health expertise with mental health advocacy. This demonstrates how our personal journeys can inform and enrich our professional contributions.

About Our Guest

Craig DeLarge's career includes executive roles at Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Novo Nordisk, Merck, and Takeda, alongside 25 years as a university professor teaching marketing, communications, leadership, and business ethics. His educational journey includes degrees from Philadelphia University, University of Westminster (UK), and King's College London. Craig's intersectional identity as an African American male from the South raised in the North, along with his roles as husband, father, and grandfather, have shaped his unique perspective on career development and leadership.

Connect with Craig DeLarge: LinkedIn Craig DeLarge

Connect with Host Lola Adeyemo: LinkedIn

Want to Get Involved?

• Apply to be on the podcast: Application Link
• Join Immigrants in Corporate Non-Profit Community: Membership | Facebook | Instagram
• Are you an HR, Culture, or DEI Leader?

Email Lola@EQImindset.com to Get Your Workplace Community Employee Resource Groups (ERGs / BRGs) Launched, Leveraged, and Thriving!

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

In this insightful solo episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, host Lola Adeyemo challenges the traditional one-to-one mentorship model and introduces a powerful alternative: creating your personal board of directors. Drawing from her experience serving on multiple nonprofit boards and navigating her own career as an immigrant woman of color in STEM, Lola shares a strategic approach to assembling mentors who can address different aspects of your professional development and intersectional identity.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why traditional mentorship models often set both mentors and mentees up for disappointment
• How to identify gaps in your current mentorship circle
• Strategies for assembling your personal board of directors across various industries and hierarchy levels
• Practical approaches to maintaining meaningful relationships with multiple mentors
• Setting appropriate boundaries and knowing when to evolve or end mentoring relationships
• Ways to create mutual value in mentoring relationships

The Limitations of Traditional Mentorship

Lola explains how the conventional one-to-one mentorship model places unrealistic expectations on individual mentors, especially those from underrepresented groups who already face significant pressure in leadership positions. For professionals with multiple intersectional identities, finding a single mentor who understands all aspects of their experience is nearly impossible. This creates a gap between expectations and reality that can leave both parties frustrated.

The Board of Directors Approach

Drawing from her experience serving on nonprofit boards, Lola introduces a more effective alternative: creating a personal board of directors. This approach distributes the mentorship responsibility across several individuals with complementary skills, experiences, and perspectives. Just as organizations intentionally select board members to fill specific needs, professionals should strategically identify mentors who can address different aspects of their development.

Key Steps to Building Your Personal Board:

1. Assemble Your Board Strategically

• Take inventory of your identity and career aspirations (e.g., woman in STEM, parent, aspiring leader)
• Identify gaps in your current support network
• Look for mentors across different experience levels, not just executives
• Be specific about what you need from each potential board member

2. Maintain Relationships Effectively

• Create value for your board members (mentorship should be mutually beneficial)
• Structure different formats for interactions (15-minute check-ins, co-attending events)
• Establish clear boundaries for each relationship
• Regularly assess if the relationship is still providing value for both parties
• Document feedback and keep doors open for future reconnection

Final Thoughts

Lola emphasizes that distributing mentorship across a "board" of individuals allows professionals to receive more targeted guidance while respecting everyone's time and expertise. This approach recognizes that no single person can fulfill all mentorship needs, especially for those with multiple intersectional identities navigating complex professional environments.