Career Cheat Code

One pebble can create countless ripples—and this episode follows the journey of Jhaelen Hernandez-Eli who’s done exactly that. From Singapore to North Carolina, architecture studios to unexpected sales roles, and a decade inside a rocket-ship design firm, the path winds through public service at NYC EDC and executive leadership at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Now, that journey culminates in a n...

We trace Antonio Aponte's path from Broadway actor to creative educator—and how finding the right match can mean more than chasing a big name when guiding first-gen families toward college and career success. This episode dives deep into what real opportunity looks like, from choosing the right school to unlocking financial aid, internships, and alternative career paths. In this episode, we c...

Tracy Colunga shares her remarkable journey from city government to founding her consulting firm Colunga and Associates LLC, highlighting how intuition guided her career transitions and how she narrowly avoided mass layoffs by trusting her gut. • Founding Colunga and Associates LLC as a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, innovation, user-centered design, and grants management • Tr...

Erika Williams, Managing Partner of The Alberio Group, shares her non-linear career journey from temp worker to philanthropy executive to social impact consultant, revealing how embracing flexibility and recognizing "divine order" creates fulfilling opportunities. • Started career through a temp agency that placed her at Morgan Stanley's investment banking division • Strategically n...

Hernán Carvente Martinez shares his extraordinary journey from juvenile incarceration to becoming Executive Director of Alianza for Opportunity, a national nonprofit dedicated to building thriving communities for Latino, Afro-Latino, and Indigenous groups. His powerful story reveals how one mentor's belief transformed his life trajectory and instilled in him the courage to never give up despi...

Gregg Bishop's journey from tech dropout to Executive Director of the Social Justice Fund showcases how non-linear career paths can lead to meaningful impact work through resilience, relationship-building, and recognizing opportunity. • Working with Clara Wu Tsai to invest $50 million in Brooklyn focusing on economic mobility, racial justice, and the arts • Providing capital access to busines...

Entrepreneurship becomes truly fulfilling when it transforms lives and creates opportunities for underserved communities around the world. Liderman Duin, the founder of Toucan Talent shares his journey of building a global tech academy that identifies talented individuals and equips them with skills for successful careers in technology. • Building a mission-driven business that spans 11 countries...

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Amilcar Guzman shares his powerful journey as a first-generation Dominican-American who broke traditional career expectations to build a life rooted in purpose, financial stability, and impact. From turning down Ivy League schools for better value to juggling full-time work and a PhD, Dr. Guzman walks us through how he designed a career across philanthropy, academia,...

Yanira Amadeo, Executive Director of Development at the University of Connecticut Foundation, shares her journey from administrative assistant to philanthropic leader raising millions for student opportunities and university initiatives. • Transitioned from psychology and social work to higher education development after realizing her passion for fundraising • Leveraged her position at Columbia Un...

Roland Kennedy Jr. and Fauzi Talabi candidly share their non-traditional paths into philanthropy, revealing insider perspectives on grants management, program development, and creating impact from both large and small foundations. They discuss how their backgrounds in government and direct service work provided valuable skills while exploring the unique challenges and rewards of moving philanthrop...

In this episode, Jeffrey Martinez, head of branch banking at PNC Bank, shares his remarkable journey from a bank teller to an executive leader within one of America's largest retail banks. Jeff highlights the vital role his immigrant upbringing and family values have played in shaping his aspirations and decisions throughout his career. He candidly discusses the challenges he faced in making...

Imagine creating a career that not only fulfills you but also makes a significant impact on the world. Join us as we uncover the transformative power of mindset with Stephen Minix, the Senior Director of Community at UpMetrics, who champions the cause of connecting foundations, impact investors, and nonprofits through innovative data analytics. Discover how UpMetrics' software revolutionizes...

This episode uncovers the unexpected journey of Bea De La Torre, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Trinity Church NYC, who shares her experience in philanthropy and the importance of taking risks in one’s career. Listeners gain insights on the power of relationships, the complexities of social issues, and the joy found in helping others through meaningful work.  We follow the adventurous path of a pro...

The episode explores the significant role of impact consultants in driving social change within corporations, sharing inspiring stories and insights from a successful entrepreneur in the field. It highlights impactful projects, mentorship, and the importance of collaboration across sectors to create equitable outcomes while emphasizing that profit and purpose can coexist.  Unlock the keys to drivi...

We're Back!  Christian McKenzie shares her experiences and insights from the venture capital world, explaining the risks and rewards of investing in startups. The episode highlights her journey from the fashion industry to venture capital, the importance of networking, and how supporting entrepreneurs goes beyond just funding.  • Exploring the nature of venture capital and its high-risk, high...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Francisco Bencosme, a senior advisor at USAID, as he provides a rare glimpse into the mechanisms of international development and policy leadership. Ever wondered about the intricacies of China's Belt and Road Initiative? Francisco breaks it down, sharing his day-to-day responsibilities and the pivotal role he plays in advising senior leaders on t...

Discover the power of theater to transform communities with our special guest, Mino Lora, the Executive Artistic Director of the People's Theater Project (PTP). Listen in as Mino shares the riveting story of how PTP was born from a master's thesis in peace studies and conflict transformation into a beacon of artistic expression for New York City's immigrant community. Learn about th...

Ever wondered how public health experts manage crises from behind the scenes? Join us as we sit down with Maleeka Jamil Glover, an esteemed epidemiologist and executive director of WCAPS, who shares her incredible journey from the CDC trenches to leading a nonprofit that empowers women of color. With over two decades of experience navigating public health emergencies like Hurricane Katrina and COV...

What if your journey from an immigrant struggling with English to a top state official could empower countless others? Meet Zoila, the Deputy Secretary of State for Economic Opportunity under Governor Hochul, who shares her extraordinary story and invaluable insights on how to create economic and social opportunities for all New Yorkers. From combating financial crimes at the Attorney General&apos...

What does it take to navigate the complex world of international agricultural trade? Join us as we explore the fascinating career of Olutayo Akingbe, a dedicated Foreign Service Officer with the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service. Discover how Olutayo’s role as the eyes and ears of the USDA at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo involves promoting U.S. agricultural exports, conducting market intelligence, a...

What happens when you combine resilience, cultural awareness, and a passion for economic equity? Dayanna Torres, Vice President at Ares Management Corporation, provides the answer by sharing her inspiring journey into corporate philanthropy. Dayanna explains how self-belief and perseverance have been the cornerstones of her career, from her initial dreams of broadcast journalism to her current rol...

What if only 2% of elected officials represented 20% of the population? Join us as Sindy, President and CEO of Latino Victory, reveals her strategic efforts to bridge this significant representation gap. Discover how Latino Victory's unique structure, including its C3, C4, and super PAC components, is building a robust pipeline of Latino leaders. Sindy introduces us to the Afro Latinas Lead p...

How does a drinking water scientist become a cornerstone of diversity and supplier inclusion in one of the world's largest cities? Embark on Maria Osorio's incredible 25-year journey through New York City's government, where her passion for empowering minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) shines. As the Chief Diversity Officer for the Mayor's Office of Contract...

What if investing in underrepresented communities wasn’t just a charitable act but a crucial driver of economic and social progress? This episode features Joelle, CEO and President of the Latino Leadership Institute, who shares her journey of elevating Latino leadership and empowering Latino businesses. From her early career managing multiple offices at a young age to leading a national organizati...

Ready to uncover the secrets to empowering minority and women-owned businesses? Join us as we welcome Taylor Overton, the inspiring Director of Small Business Development and Entrepreneurship for the Kansas Department of Commerce. Taylor's journey from Kansas to a high-profile tech role in San Francisco, and ultimately back to her roots, offers a treasure trove of insights on simplifying cert...